TOUR Championship Preview: Tickets, TV Schedule, Odds, and Prediction

The TOUR Championship odds signify the end of the FedEx Cup playoffs, and the event at East Lake should be filled with excitement.

Five players hold their fate in their hands and can win the $10 million prize by winning here, so let’s check out their scenarios and the standings after we bring you the particulars for this weekend’s event:

TOUR Championship Preview

• TOUR Championship Dates: Thursday, September 24th through Sunday, September 27th
• TOUR Championship Location: Atlanta, Georgia
• TOUR Championship Course: East Lake Golf Club
• TOUR Championship Purse: $7.5 million ($1.35 winning share)
• TOUR Championship Length: 7,154 Yards
• TOUR Championship Thursday-Friday TV Schedule: GOLF Channel 1 pm – 6 pm ET
• TOUR Championship Saturday TV Schedule: NBC 2 pm – 6 pm ET
• TOUR Championship Sunday TV Schedule: NBC 1:30 pm – 6 pm ET
• Official Website: TOUR Championship
• StubHub: Great deals on TOUR Championship tickets
• StubHub: Great deals on all PGA Tour tickets

Current FedEx Cup Standings:

1. Tiger Woods (16 events) – 2,500 points
2. Steve Stricker (21) – 2,250
3. Jim Furyk (21) – 2,000
4. Zach Johnson (24) – 1,800
5. Heath Slocum (26) – 1,600

Tiger Woods (TOUR Championship Odds: +100): The world’s No.1 romped to an eight-stroke win at Cog Hill two weeks ago, but with the reseeding that gives everyone in the field a chance to win, his lead fell to 250 points over Steve Stricker. That’s no matter, though. The last time he was at East Lake, Woods won.

Steve Stricker (TOUR Championship Odds: +1600): Stricker is coming off his worst result of the season, a T-52 at Cog Hill, and he was T-24 here last year. If he is going to overtake Woods, he’ll need the tournament of his life this weekend.

Jim Furyk (TOUR Championship Odds: +1400): Furyk is a steady play for online sports betting players, and he racks up top-10s like it’s going out of style. He was T-3 at East Lake last year, and he finished second to Woods at Cog Hill (albeit a distant second). With six top-10s at East Lake, look for Furyk to be there on Sunday afternoon.

Zach Johnson (TOUR Championship Odds: +2200): Johnson was fifth at Cog Hill, and he certainly likes East Lake: he has the course record there with his 60 in 2007. He has four top-20s in his last five events and he’s improved his score each week in the FedEx Cup playoffs.

Heath Slocum (TOUR Championship Odds: +10000): Slocum is used to being a darkhorse in your handicapping software, because quite frankly, he wasn’t even supposed to be here at this point. He jumped from 124^th in the 125-player FedEx field to third with his surprising win at Liberty National in the first event, but has since cooled off with a missed-cut and a T-38. In his last East Lake appearance in 2007, Slocum came in T-17.

Prediction: Padraig Harrington (+1400) should win the event as he has five top-10s in a row, including four in the top-six, but he needs to win and for Woods to finish third or worse, which isn’t the best scenario. Woods to win the FedEx Cup is one of the easiest sports picks of the weekend.

**********

* – Tiger Woods photo credit: TopNews.in

Two Holes in One for Steve Blass: The Most Ironic Story of Redemption in the History of Sports

In 1968, Steve Blass won 18 games, had a 2.12 ERA, and pitched 7 shutouts.

By 1973, Blass had an ERA of 9.81 while walking 84 batters in 88 innings.

By 1975, Blass was essentially incapable of throwing the ball over the plate and was out of baseball.

Since 1975, every Major League Baseball player who has inexplicably lost the ability to accurately throw a baseball has been dubiously compared to Blass and described as having contracted “Steve Blass Disease”. Mark Wohlers, Chuck Knobluach, and Rick Ankiel are a few who come to mind.

Now, nearly 35 years later, the man who lost the ability to throw a ball that is 2 7/8″ in diameter a distance of 60 feet and 6 inches into an area that is roughly the size of a human torso has apparently found the ability to do something much more difficult (and do it twice!): use a club to hit a ball that is 1.68 inches in diameter over a distance of between 150-175 yards into a cup that measures 4 1/4″ wide.

That’s right ladies gentleman. Steve Blass, the man synonymous with baseball inaccuracy, has recorded two feats of athletic achievement that require complete and almost unfathomable accuracy: the hole in one.

And, as mentioned, the 67-year old Blass did it twice.

The Biggest Games. The Best Tickets. StubHub.com

The irony of this story is so delicious that it feels as if I’m typing from a table at Fogo de Chao. But even more than the irony, this is a just a terrific story of delayed redemption that only the sports world can provide.

According to Golf.com’s account of Steve Blass getting two holes-in-one during one 18-hole round:

Blass’s first hole-in-one Thursday at Greensburg County Club came with an 8-iron at the 154-yard, par-3 15th hole – because of the format, his fivesome started on the back nine.

His second ace came with a 7-iron on the 175-yard, par-3 seventh hole.

Golf Digest estimates the odds against a golfer having two holes-in-one in the same round at 67 million to 1.

The two holes-in-one by Steve Blass came at the Pittsburgh Pirates’ annual team golf outing today.

Congratulations to Steve Blass on his incredible feat. Perhaps now he can be remembered for both his famous and infamous athletic achievements.

And I guess if Tiger Woods or Phil Mickelson or any other golfer ever holes out two aces in one round, we can give a new, positive meaning to saying they have “Steve Blass Disease”.

*********

* – Steve Blass photo credit: SI via Podium Sports Journal

Deutsche Bank Championship Preview: TV Schedule, Odds, and Prediction

NCAA football betting is back this week, yes, but we have all of fall to get excited about that. For any golf fans out there, we only have a few meaningful tournaments left, so let’s savor them.

This week’s FedEx Cup “playoff” stop is the Deutsche Bank Championship.

Here is all of the need-to-know information:

• Deutsche Bank Championship Dates: Friday, September 4th through Monday, September 7
• Deutsche Bank Championship Location: Norton, Massachusetts
• Deutsche Bank Championship Course: TPC Boston
• Deutsche Bank Championship Pursue: $7 million (Winning share: $1.26 M)
• Deutsche Bank Championship Length: 7,207 Yards
• Deutsche Bank Championship Friday / Saturday TV Schedule: Golf Channel 3pm – 6pm ET
• Deutsche Bank Championship Sunday TV Schedule: CBS 3pm – 6pm
• Deutsche Bank Championship Monday Labor Day TV Schedule: CBS 2pm – 6pm
• StubHub: Deutsche Bank Championship tickets
• StubHub: All PGA Tour tickets

So who are the top picks to win?

Tiger Woods (+150 odds to win)

BOOM: I’m sorry, but he’s not “slumping” as so many pundits claim. The guy has back to back second-place finishes and five wins in 2009. Let’s get serious.

BUST: As much as he isn’t slumping, the heebie-jeebies with his usually money-in-the-bank putts inside 10 feet are worth monitoring. Since Tiger rewards you so little for your investment, I always say you should only pick him when he’s a sure thing. This week doesn’t qualify.

Padraig Harrington (+1600 odds to win)

BOOM: Paddy’s finally showing signs that his nightmarish funk is over, having cracked the top 10 in three straight events. His scrambling and putting will keep his game consistent throughout the Deutsche Bank.

BUST: As much as he’s “back,” he melted down in two of his three “good” performances over the last few weeks. If he gets a lead on Sunday, there’s no guarantee that he won’t collapse again.

Steve Stricker (+2000 odds to win)

BOOM: After Tiger, no golfer has been better in 2009. Stricker has two wins and four more top-four finishes this season and his scoring average ranks second on Tour, reflecting how consistent he’s been week to week.

BUST: Stricker only seems to win the little tournaments where he’s the big fish in a small pond. He often wilts under pressure in the high-profile events, as he did last Sunday on the 18^th hole at the Barclays when he plugged his tee shot in the bunker.

Vijay Singh (+3300 odds to win)

BOOM: No golfer has a better history at this tournament. Vijay won it in 2004 and 2008 and owns both the single-round course record and the aggregate score record.

BUST: Few golfers are struggling as badly as Vijay this season. He looks like a shadow of his former self. If you like his Deutsche Bank Championship odds because he’s the defending champ, flash back to last week; he was the defending champ at the Barclays and missed the cut.

Heath Slocum (+10000 odds to win)

BOOM: He’s swinging a mean stick right now, ranking seventh on Tour in proximity to hole and 12^th in ball striking. He also won the Barclays last week, so he has momentum. More importantly, he offers insane value compare to other sports picks at +10000 – a number almost unheard of for a guy coming off a win.

BUST: Last week’s win was his first in almost four years, so he’s still a long shot to do it again against such a rich field.

Best betting management pick: Padraig Harrington. He seems to have fixed his swing and he deserves a pass for his recent mistakes since he’s won big tournaments before.

PGA Tour: The Barclays Preview – Betting Odds, Prediction, TV Schedule

Before we jump into our preview of the betting odds for this weekend’s PGA Tour event, The Barclays at Liberty National, here is all the relevant information that you need to know:

• The Barclays Dates: Thursday, August 27 through Sunday, August 30
• The Barclays Course: Liberty National
• The Barclays Location: Jersey City, NJ
• The Barclays Purse: $7.5 million ($1.35 million to winner)
• The Barclays Total Course Yardage: 7,400
• The Barclays Thursday-Friday TV Schedule: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm on The Golf Channel
• The Barclays Saturday TV Schedule: 1:00 pm – 4:00 pm CBS
• The Barclays Sunday TV Schedule: 12:00 pm – 4:00 pm CBS
• StubHub: Great deals on tickets to The Barclays
• StubHub: Great deals on all PGA Tour tickets

Note: The Barclays can be viewed online at PGA.com

The Barclays Preview: Betting Odds and Prediction

As we’re seeing with NFL odds in the preseason, this week’s PGA Tour stop, the Barclays, carries lots of question marks with it. Can Tiger Woods bounce back from the first true collapse of his career? Can Phil Mickelson finally win another tournament? Does anyone care about the FedEx Cup “playoffs”? Let’s review a few possible picks to win this week.

Tiger Woods (+185 to win)

BOOM: Well, he’s Tiger Woods. He’s the best in the world, so much so that his current five-win season is labeled an “off” year. The Barclays lost course, Liberty National, is reasonably long, so Tiger could take advantage.

BUST: After choking against Y.E. Yang in the PGA Championship, Tiger is in uncharted territory. How can we know for sure that he’s handling the loss well and will bounce back strong? Considering that you get a small return on your investment with him compared to other sports picks, it’s worth waiting a week to see how he plays.

Phil Mickelson (+1850 to win)

BOOM: He’s long enough off the tee to score well at Liberty National and his birdie conversion percentage is the fourth-best on Tour. He’s also a member at Liberty National, giving him intimate knowledge of the course. That’s gold for an aggressive player like Phil, as he’ll know when he can afford to try a hero shot.

BUST: He still hasn’t really found his rhythm after his hiatus, so we can’t assume he’ll magically snap out of his funk this week.

Hunter Mahan (+2250 to win)

BOOM: He’s the definition of rock-solid this season. Always in the hunt, he has four top-10s in his last six starts. He also ranks highly in scoring average and greens in regulation, so his Barclays odds are good.

BUST: As well as he’s played, he hasn’t broken through for a win this season; what if he can’t handle the pressure with a lead on Sunday against a field of superstars? Also, his driving accuracy leaves a lot to be desired, ranking 85^th.

Jim Furyk (+5250)

BOOM: Here’s a guy with a similar skill set and 2009 performance to Mahan’s, yet who offers more than double his value. Furyk could be the best sleeper according to stats from betting services; he has seven top-10s this season and cracks the top 10 in scrambling, putting average and proximity to hole.

BUST: While he’s not senior Tour material just yet, he may be past his prime at age 39, not having won a tournament since 2007. What if he simply doesn’t have that extra gear that propels him to victory anymore?

THE PICK

Go with Phil Mickelson at +1850. He’s long overdue, he knows the course better than anyone else in the field, and the course should suit his game.

2009 PGA Championship Preview: Betting Odds, Prediction, and TV Schedule

This weekend, Tiger Woods has his lost shot at capturing a Major Championship in 2009.  After disappointing finishes at The Masters, The U.S. Open, and The British Open, Tiger appeared to be “reeling” (at least by his own lofty standards).  

However, two straight victories have Tiger right back where he normally is: firmly atop the favorites board heading into a Major.

The 2009 PGA Championship will be held this weekend, and here is everything you need to know heading into the tournament:

• 2009 PGA Championship Dates: Thursday, August 12th through Sunday, August 16
• 2009 PGA Championship Course: Hazeltine National Golf Club
• 2009 PGA Championship Location: Chaska, Minnesota
• 2009 PGA Championship Purse: $7.2 million
• PGA Championship Official Website
• 2009 PGA Championship Tee Times
• StubHub: 2009 PGA Championship Tickets

And the 2009 PGA Championship TV schedule / viewing information:

• Thursday TV Schedule: 2-8 pm on TNT
• Friday TV Schedule: 2-8 pm on TNT
• Saturday TV Schedule: 11 am – 2 pm on TNT | 2 pm – 7 pm on CBS
• Sunday TV Schedule: 11 am – 2 pm on TNT | 2 pm – 7 pm on CBS
• Watch the 2009 PGA Championship Live Online

PGA Betting Odds and Prediction

Navigating through PGA Championship odds to find a potential winner seems like a daunting task, as the 2009 golf season has been quite unpredictable, particularly in the first three majors. However, the trend should stop this week. The PGA Championship’s host course, Hazeltine, is playing longer than any major in history at 7,678 yards. The course clearly favors long hitters and it’s thus easier to predict who should make a splash. Can you guess who tops our list of potential picks?

PGA Championship Odds: Tiger Woods (+140 odds to win)

BOOM: If you’re a fan of our sports predictions, you’ll notice that Tiger wins just about every time we say he will and loses when we say he will. The reason: Tiger’s success in 2009 directly coincides with playing on courses that favor long hitters. The Memorial, the Buick Open, the Bridgestone Invitational – you name the tournament Tiger won this season and it had a history of rewarding long drives. Hazeltine has three holes 600 yards or longer and a 518-yard par four. How many other golfers can get on in two shots on holes like those?

BUST: Once in a blue moon, Tiger’s putter eludes him for a weekend, so I suppose it could happen, but I wouldn’t count on it. He’s fresh off two straight wins, for cryin’ out loud.

PGA Championship Odds: Phil Mickelson (+2200 to win)

BOOM: it’s been a tough year for Lefty, but he could finally contend again this week. His long drives and, more importantly, his aggressive style, could give him an upper hand on the long course. Even if he’s errant off the tee, he’s long enough to get on in regulation.

BUST: He’s played just one event since taking an extended hiatus to be with his ailing wife and mother. He looked rusty and tired last weekend, finishing with two straight over-par rounds at the Bridgestone. Will he just magically go from rusty to not in one week?

PGA Championship Odds: Padraig Harrington (+2200 to win)

BOOM: The defending champ is a popular pick at most books this week. Though betting services don’t recommend him, some sharps are swayed by his past major success and good scrambling. He also flashed his former brilliance at the Bridgestone last week.

BUST: Three quarters of a good tournament doesn’t constitute a comeback. Paddy collapsed last Sunday and Is still having a brutal year, as the Bridgestone yielded his only top-10 finish in 2009.

PGA Championship Odds: Angel Cabrera (+4500 to win)

BOOM: Boom is the right word indeed. Cabrera hits a long enough ball to have a solid advantage at Hazeltine. He also excels under pressure, as he showed in winning the 2007 U.S. Open by a stroke and the 2009 Masters in a playoff. He’s hot at the right time, having shot three straight rounds in the 60s to close out the Bridgestone last week.

BUST: Accuracy isn’t his forte, so he’ll have to keep his drive inbounds to be effective. He’s also not most consistent golfer out there,

PGA Championship Odds: Anthony Kim (+5000 to win)

BOOM: If the kid had a win this season or a major under his belt, I’d fully endorse betting on him. He’s a long enough hitter with a sweet putter (first on the Tour in average) and the ability to convert birdies (second on Tour).

BUST: He’s had jitters on Sundays this season and a lead in a major would do nothing to calm those nerves. Is he ready?

2009 PGA Championship Prediction: Tiger Woods. You don’t mess with him when the course favors him this much. Chalk up another major for the greatest of all time.

* – Tiger Woods photo credit: NBC Sports

Bridgestone Invitational Betting Odds: Tiger Woods Favored, Phil Mickelson Second

PGA Betting – Bridgestone Invitational Preview

If you follow golf betting or just enjoy hitting the links, you’re probably looking ahead to next week’s PGA Championship. Not so fast. This week’s Bridgestone Invitational is a World Golf Championship event and features a truckload of elite competitors. Can Tiger hold off the powerhouse field for a second straight win? Let’s look at some of the top candidates to make a splash.

 Tiger Woods (+150 odds to win)

BOOM: I shouldn’t have to tell you why you should bet on Tiger, but I’ll do it anyway. He’s won the Bridgestone six times in the last 10 years and he’s fresh off a win last week. Need I go on?

BUST: The host course, Firestone Country Club, doesn’t really punish poor driving accuracy. It favors long hitters. So Tiger’s “weakness” shouldn’t even come into play this week.

Phil Mickelson (+1600 odds to win)

BOOM: Phil is a long hitter, aggressive enough to score well at Firestone, and he’s cracked the top 10 in half his starts this season.

BUST: He’ll be rusty after taking several weeks off to be with his ailing wife and mother. Also, he hasn’t made the top 10 at Firestone since 2003. There are better picks out there this week.

Anthony Kim (+3300 odds to win)

BOOM: There’s plenty to like about Kim this week. His game is where it needs to be, as he’s made the top 20 in four of his last five starts. He has the distance needed to succeed at Firestone and some of his other ranks – second in birdie average, first in putts per GIR – bode well for his chances of posting low numbers.

BUST: I wouldn’t call Kim a choker per se, but he has struggled on Sundays all year. If he gets to the final pairing with Tiger again – and I think he will – will he wilt once more?

Vijay Singh (+4000 odds to win)

BOOM: He’s the defending champion, so you have to consider his Bridgestone Invitational odds. Thanks to his long drives, he can always compete at Firestone.

BUST: 2009 just isn’t Vijay’s year. He has no top-five finishes and, considering he also had knee surgery a few months ago, you have to wonder if his best days are behind him.

Lucas Glover (+6600 odds to win)

BOOM: It’s always fun to include one deep sports prediction sleeper, and Glover may fit the bill this week. He proved he can hang at tough courses when he won the U.S. Open in June and he’s long off the tee like everyone else on this list.

BUST: Though he stayed hot for a few weeks after his U.S. Open title, Glover has stumbled recently, missing the cut in his last two starts.

Pick: Tiger Woods. This isn’t the week to overthink your pick. He has phenomenal history at this tournament and he’s fresh off a win. It’s smart betting management to play it safe this week.

**********

BetOnline’s contributions to Midwest Sports Fans are sponsored by BigTimeGameBoards.com, the company that helps you tailgate like a champion with our high quality cornhole boards, sets and accessories. And if you don’t know what cornhole is, you aren’t a Midwesterner.

Buick Open Betting Odds – Furyk, Verplank, Austin are best non-Tiger choices this week

When you’re making this week’s Buick Open betting choices, it’s easy to pick Tiger Woods (unnecessary explanation coming up). But here’s a look at the other golfers that are worth a shot in your offshore sportsbook when the PGA Tour heads to Warwick Hills.

Buick Open Odds – Thursday, July 28

Tiger Woods is the favorite at +150, and he’s won this event two times, once in 2002 and again in 2006. He has a remarkable seven top-10s in eight trips to Warwick Hills, and if things weren’t bad enough for the field, Woods will be angry as he’s coming off just the second missed cut in a major of his career at the British Open. It should be a romp for the world’s No.1….if he can keep his shaky driver in the fairway.

Jim Furyk poses the biggest threat to the Tiger Show, as he comes in with golf odds of +1200. Furyk won this event in 2003, and players like Furyk and last year’s winner, Kenny Perry (who isn’t in the field) are showing that you don’t need to bomb it 300 yards off the tee to be successful. Furyk’s made the cut in 13 of 15 starts in 2008, and he’s made the top 10 in seven of those 13 outings.

Scott Verplank is usually somewhere on Sunday at the Buick Open with eight top-25 finishes in nine years. He is another golfer that relies on accuracy rather than distance, and his eighth-place result at the Canadian Open was his third consecutive finish in the top 10. The veteran has odds of +2800, and his consistency makes him a favorite of those who make sports picks.

If you’re looking for a risk before you head to your sports betting software, Woody Austin would be a solid choice at +3300 despite missing the cut in his last two starts. Austin has six top-10s in 14 Buick Opens, including runner-up finishes in the last two years here. If he’s going to get hot, this will be the place.

So those are the guys that you should go with if you’re feeling risky on the sports wagering tip, but we’re sticking with the safe bet, Tiger Woods. The world’s No.1 has all the motivation in the world, and this will be the first of three straight tournaments for him. Also, Buick is lifting their sponsorship of this event after 32 years and Woods, an ex-Buick pitchman, would love to put on a show. Make Tiger Woods your sports betting choice this week.

Review of EA Sports Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for the Wii: Best Sports Video Game Experience Ever?

A few caveats before I jump into my review for EA Sports’ newest golf offering: Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 10.

1. I am not a “gamer”, per se. And by that I mean that while I enjoy video games, and have at times been quite into EA Sports games like NCAA Football and Madden, as well as 2KSports titles like College Hoops and the MLB 2K series, I’ve also gone entire calendar years without picking up a video game controller.
2. I’ve never owned a copy of any previous Tiger Woods game for any system, though I’ve played it from time to time.
3. I’m not into PS3s or XBOXs. I play the Wii exclusively when I play video games because I love the physical activity required.

And now with that said, you can take my next statement for whatever you feel it is worth: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for the Wii is the best sports video game experience ever. It has to be. I simply do not see how any other sports video game experience could compare.

I realize that, scientifically speaking, you cannot prove a hypothesis simply by saying that you cannot imagine an alternative; but I’m not trying to be scientific here. I am offering my visceral reaction to my first week of playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, based on my relatively limited knowledge of the overall video game landscape.

Allow me to now list of some of the reasons why I am so fond of Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 for the Wii, as well as offer you a pretty good deal on the game bundled with the Wii Motion Plus extension that I’m about to discuss:

• Click here: Buy.com Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 10 Bundle (includes Wii MotionPlus) for $58.99 + FREE SHIPPING! Exp 9/30/09

[Editor's Note: A reader updated me in the comments section that Buy.com may currently be out of stock if you use the link above. I'd still try there first, but if they are out you can always try Amazon at the following link: Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 Wii Motion Plus Bundle]

(And for whatever it’s worth, I did not initially write this review with the intention of dropping the above affiliate link. I wrote it because I am madly in love with this game. But once I realized there were affiliate links available, I figured why not. Gotta start adding a few bucks to the coffers here and there to save up for next year’s version!)

The Wii Motion Plus controller extension is like magic

I have played Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 with the regular Wii remote, with the Nerf extension for Wii Sports that turns the Wii remote into an actual physical golf club, and with the Wii Motion Plus extension attached. There is absolutely no comparison. You get a completely different, and absolutely more realistic experience playing with the Wii Motion Plus extension. If you have a draw in your natural golf swing, chances are you will have a draw on Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 10. I know this because it’s true for me, so just like on a real golf course I have to compensate for it.

(And here’s a tip: make sure when you buy Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 — and you absolutely should buy it — that you get the one bundled with the Wii Motion Plus remote extension. It’s only about $10 extra, but I think costs $24.99 by itself. You really one need one Wii Motion Plus extension too. It’s golf, so only one person can shoot at a time and it’s easy to just use one remote and hand it off after each shot.)

Where you really notice the difference between the Wii Motion Plus extension and playing Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 without it is on the greens.  The precision putting is stunning in its accuracy. To be a good putter in Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, you literally grip the Wii remote like you are gripping an actual putter, hold your hands exactly the same as you would a putter, and use the same smooth motion to putt that you’d use on an actual green. It’s a crapshoot without the Wii Motion Plus extension, but with it you can actually feel a little bit of the confidence and competence that the real pros feel when they step up to putt.

I cannot say enough about how realistic the Wii Motion Plus makes the experience.

The Course Selection is sublime

Over the last 36 hours or so, my buddy and I played a 72-hole 1-on-1 challenge and rotated between four different courses: Wolf Creek GC, St. Andrews, Pebble Beach, and TPC Sawgrass. (He beat me by 6 strokes, that bastard. I was down 8 going into the back 9 at Sawgrass, battled back to 3 down with a string of clutch birdies, and then hit my tee shot in the water trying to land it a little too perfectly the island green. Needless to say, I was distraught.)

Among the other courses I can remember being on there off the top of my head: Doral, Bethpage, Turnberry, and a bunch of other British Open, U.S. Open, and TPC courses. There are tons of options, some of which have to be unlocked through the career mode. The only course I did not see that was a noticeable omission was Augusta National, which apparently has never been a part of the Tiger Woods series or any other video game series.

I guess a tradition unlike any other is too great for us mortals to play on a video game. Oh well.

The Player Customization and career modes seem incredible

I couch this statement with “seem” because I have not delved into the career mode yet myself, so I am going off of what I’ve been told by my friend and dad, both of whom have raved about the options and setup of the career mode. Plus, I’ve read in numerous other reviews that it is the most extensive and realistic career mode for any golf game ever…and perhaps even any sports game ever. After I investigate this more myself, I’ll write another post detailing the experience.

I can say that the player creation and customization options are pretty sweet. There are certainly enough facial and physical variables to create a player that looks pretty damn close to yourself or whoever you are modeling. And from kilts and sandals to slacks and golf shoes, you pretty much have every option possible for what you want your player to wear.

Online Options

Here is one of the criticisms I always hear of video games, especially golf video games: why don’t you just go out and play a real round of golf?

Look, I think there are very few people who would say that they enjoy playing Tiger Woods more than they enjoy actually being out there on a course. Absolutely, if I could round up my buddies and shoot over to Pebble Peach for a morning round on a Sunday, we’d all do it in a second.

But guess what? That might happen once in our lifetimes…if we’re lucky; and the truth is, it probably will never happen.

What is realistic is that my friends and I, scattered all across the U.S., could link our Wiis together, wake up on a Sunday morning, and play Pebble Beach while actually having to perform a legitimate golf swing on every shot. Sure, it’s virtual reality…but even the most jaded video game hater would have to admit that that is pretty cool.

And here is the other thing: I’m poor. Not destitute poor, but certainly not unpoor enough to be able to afford greens fees every weekend. What I can afford is the $50-60 bucks for Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10, which then gives me the ability to play some of the world’s most famous golf courses the way they were meant to be played.

If I stepped out onto the teebox at Pebble Beach tomorrow (assuming I was cool not paying rent for a month so I could afford it), I might shoot a 150. Granted, I suck, and it would still be fun…but I wouldn’t get to attempt some of the majestic approach shots from the fairway that make playing Pebble Beach such a great experience. I’d be in the water or hacking through trees just trying to make it to the green in single digits.

With a round or two of Tiger Woods to get comfortable with the swing mechanics, the distance measurements and suggestions, and the precision putting, you can competently step up from the pro tees and viscerally experience the power and frustration that Major courses bring. It may not be “real”, but it sure is fun. And fun is what video games are all about anyway; Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 just offers the most realistic fun I can possibly imagine.

One other note regarding online play: there are single-day and four-day tournaments going on constantly, which allow you to test your skills against other players from around the world. That’s just badass and something I can’t wait to delve into.

The game, of course, is not perfect. Here are a few quick-hit things that stink:

• You can’t include more than one user-controlled player in career mode. This isn’t a huge deal since I live alone, but would have sucked back in college. However, the improvements that your custom player makes do carry over when you use him or her in exhibition matches.
• There is no way to play an actual tournament with two human players, at least not that I found. My buddy and I wanted to set it up so that we could compete against other players in our 72-hole tournament. But this can only be done in Career mode, and only one player can play. So we just had to keep track of our 18-hole totals from each course ourselves, but it did give us the opportunity to rotate through some of our favorite courses.
• The announcers did not record enough statements. Scott Van Pelt from ESPN is one of them, and I think he may only have three unique statements in total. It’s pretty annoying when you hear “What a rare gem that was!” after you left a five-foot putt for par short.

Really though, those are pretty nit-picky. Overall, Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 is an absolutely outstanding game. I’ve been playing all exhibitions with friends so far, so I’m excited to actually delve into the career mode and enjoy the challenge of working my way up to winning Majors. There is no way to quick-sim through stuff, which I like.

The best video games, in my opinion, are ones that are challenging but fair, realistic, and filled with options that allow you to customize your experience as you become more savvy. Tiger Woods PGA Tour 10 offers all of that and more. Plus, the evolution of Wii sports games brought about by the Wii Motion Plus controller extender catapults the latest Tiger Woods offering into the pantheon of greatest sports video game experience ever.

As far as I am concerned, it’s the greatest.

**********

* – Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 10 course screenshot credit: Official Website

* – Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 10 addressing ball screenshot credit: Sidelineshow.com

* – Tiger Woods PGA Tour Golf 10 cover image credit: WiiGolf.net

Golf Betting – Canadian Open Preview and Top Picks

The Canadian Open is next up on the PGA Tour menu this week and a lot of golf betting handicappers know that it will have a tough act to follow.

Not only is it tough to follow The British Open on any given year, considering it is the third golf Major of the year, but now the Canadian Open has to follow up an act that included 59-year-old Tom Watson’s classic performance.

The online sportsbook betting public will have an interesting time making their picks this week as the field is fairly thin after the Open. Not many golfers want to fly from Scotland, all the way back to Canada in such a short span as it doesn’t give them enough time to recover.

That being said, there is some real value with certain golfers on the board. Here is a power ranking for this week’s tournament at Glen Abbey:

Camilo Villegas

The Canadian Open odds on favorite is Camilo Villegas, which may surprise a number of bettors. Villegas tied for 13^th at the British Open but aside from that, hasn’t finished above 13^th since March 15^th. His skill fit this course well, particularly his firepower, which is why he’s the favorite.

Retief Goosen

No pundits, handicappers or betting software, could have predicted that Retief Goosen would have such a great British Open but after seeing him perform so well there, don’t be surprised if he carries the confidence over to the Canadian Open.

Anthony Kim

Anthony Kim will be the main sports pick this week as Kim had a really good start in his first attempt at Glen Abbey. The problem was that he shot a horrible 75 in his final round, which ruined his chances. He’s playing much better after a rough spring, which means he should have a good chance to win this weekend. Kim missed the cut at the British Open but prior to that, tied for third, 11^th and 16^th in the three previous tournaments, which indicates that he’s finding his swing again

Mike Weir

It’s the Canadian Open so a few Canadian are bound to be in contention, right? Weir does a good job on this course since he’s played it so many times. He knows how to play the short par 3’s and there aren’t many par 5’s. He’ll have a good chance this weekend.

British Open Round 2 Friday Preview: TV Schedule and Tee Times

As we noted earlier today, Tiger Woods got off to a rocky start at the 2009 British Open.  5-time champion Tom Watson did, however, and sits near the top of the British Open leaderboard after posting a score of 5-under par during first round action on Thursday.

As we prepare for Friday’s Round 2 action, three golfers are -5 or better, with Miguel Angel Jimenez in first at -6. Ben Curtis is even with Watson at -5, and five golfers are tied for 4th place as -4.

If you’re thinking about watching Round 2 of the British Open, you better get up early.  As you can see below, the first group tees off just after midnight Central Time.  And courtesy of our friends at Dallas Sports Fans, we know that the British Open TV Schedule calls for tomorrow’s action to be carried on TNT beginning at 6:00 am.

As always, you can follow the action with the British Open widget below.  And below that you will find the complete listing of tee times for Friday Round 2 action at Turnberry.

——————–

Note: All times listed below are CT.

2009 British Open Round 2 Friday Tee Times

Tiger Struggles, Posts Pedestrian First Day Score at 2009 British Open

Opening round play is underway at the 2009 British Open at Turnberry, and a number of golfers are already in the clubhouse with their first day in the books.

For Tiger Woods, it was not a first day to remember.

On a day that by all accounts, and judging by the scores, was tailor-made for low scores, Tiger struggled and finished with a 1-over 71 while being outshot by his playing partners Lee Westwood and Ryo Ishikawa.  

As it sits right now at 9:00 CT, Tom Watson is in the lead at -5 after firing a nostalgic 65.  John Senden, Steve Stricker, Camilo Villegas, Stewart Cink, and Mathew Goggin are all in the clubhouse at -4, with Mark Calcavecchia, Mark O’Meara, and Vijay Singh sitting pretty as -3.

As for Tiger, here is was Jason Sobel had to say about Tiger’s round at his live blog on ESPN.com:

After a pair of bogeys on 15 and 16, Tiger Woods finishes par-par to shoot a 1-over 71.

That’s his first over-par opening total at the British Open since 2003, when he shot a 73 at Royal St. George’s en route to a T-4 result.

On a day when scoring conditions were optimal, he has to be disappointed.

In fact, the most telling stat of his round may be that playing partners Lee Westwood and 17-year-old Ryo Ishikawa each beat him by 3 shots.

Here’s what Tiger Woods had to say about his round of 1-over 71:

“I certainly made a few mistakes out there today. Realistically, I probably should have shot about 1-or 2-under-par today. But I made a few mistakes, and consequently I’m at 1-over,” he said. “I hit a couple of shots to the right today, and three-ripped a hole from about 15 feet, and I didn’t take advantage of 17. So there you have it.”

Let’s break down the numbers …

• Driving accuracy: 57.1 percent (8 of 14)
• Greens in regulation: 66.7 percent (12 of 18)
• Total putts: 30

Still attempting to find a breakdown of clubs used off the 14 driving holes for Woods. If/when I get it, I’ll let you know.

By the way, if you’re at work and cannot watch the Open, Sobel’s blog is a good source for running commentary. Somehow I always end up there when the Majors are happening.

Anyway, not an optimal beginning for Tiger, who I thought was primed for a breakout performance after his Masters and US Open struggles (and who apparently was playing with rubber golf clubs). We’ll see if he can rebound tomorrow, and if the conditions continue to be favorable for such low scoring.

* – Tiger Woods photo credit: OpenGolf.com

2009 British Open: Round 1 Thursday Tee Times and Live Open Championship Tracking

The 2009 British Open begins tomorrow at Turnberry with 156 players in the field battling for the famed Claret Jug. This is the first Open Championship to be held at Turnberry since 1994 when Nick Price captured the championship. Padraig Harrington has won the last two British Opens, at Carnoustie in 2007 and then at Royal Birkdale last year.

Who will win this year?  We already chimed in with our British Open prediction. Feel free to chime in with yours in the comment section. The tee times for the first round are below, and first round action can be viewed on TNT (via this British Open TV Schedule).  If you’re getting to this post after the Open has already started and you’re at work, track it with the official Open Championship widget below:

And now, here are the first round Thursday tee times for opening round action at the 2009 British Open at Turnberry (courtesy of the official site of the Open Championship).

2009 British Open Round 1 Thursday Tee Times

British Open Preview: Betting Odds and Prediction

British Open Betting Odds – The Americans are coming at Turnberry

Golfers from the United States have been British Open betting favorites for the last couple of years, especially with Tiger Woods on the scene, and they’ll be looking to take the Claret Jug back to America when the Open Championship tees off on Thursday. Here is a look at the top five American players to watch at Turnberry.

British Open Odds and Preview

Before we jump into the odds for this weekend’s Open Championship, here are the particulars for the event:

• 2009 British Open Course: Turnberry
• 2009 British Open Dates: Thursday, July 16 through Sunday, July 19
• 2009 British Open Official Website: The Open Championship
• 2009 British Open Viewing: British Open TV Schedule

Tiger Woods is obviously the offshore sportsbook favorite at +185, and the three-time Open winner has won three of his nine stroke-play events this year, never finishing outside of the top 10. Woods hadn’t played at Turnberry before the weekend, and he may choose to employ the system that got him the 2006 title at Hoylake: no driver. Keeping your ball low and in the fairway is critical here.

Hunter Mahan is working on three straight top-six results, and he offers good value at +3000. His final-round exploits as of late have been mind-boggling, as he shot a 64 at the Travelers Championship, before a 62 almost won him Tiger’s tournament, the AT&T National. Mahan finished T-6 in 2007 before missing the cut at last year’s British Open, so he may be worth a look when making your sports picks.

Anthony Kim was paired with Woods in the final group on Sunday of the AT&T National before a Sunday 71 left him in third, but it’s still positive as he has three consecutive top-20s after an awful start to the year. Kim is rated at +3300 by betting software after finished T-7 in last year’s British Open, but he’ll need to be better off the tee: Kim is 188^th in driving accuracy.

Steve Stricker has won two of his last four starts, and he has two top-10s in a row in the British Open. The way Stricker is playing right now, he’s a steal at +3300. Stricker is 50^th in driving accuracy, and an amazing second on the PGA Tour in putting, which could be crucial when it comes to getting up and down at Turnberry.

Jim Furyk is the only player on this list besides Woods to have a major under his belt, and his grinding style of golf means he is usually around come Sunday. He’s got two top-fives in his last three starts in the British Open, and his other result was a 12^th-place finish in 2007. Furyk has made the cut in 12 of 14 events, and he’s finished in the top 10 seven times. With British Open odds of +3300, offshore sportsbook players should definitely give him a chance. 

Here are the Top 10 favorites heading into this weekend’s British Open open according to DocSports’ British Open odds:

   
1. Tiger Woods – 4/11
2. Sergio Garcia – 4/1
3. Padraig Harrington – 4/1
4. Rory McIlroy – 4/1
5. Paul Casey – 9/2
6. Martin Kaymer – 9/2
7. Ian Poulter – 9/2
8. Hunter Mahan – 5/1
9. Anthony Kim – 11/2
10. Ernie Els – 11/2

Editor’s prediction: With no Phil Mickelson, and with the sting of his Master’s and U.S. Open struggles fresh in his mind, I see Tiger Woods putting on a great show and winning this weekend’s British Open.  I realize it is not going out on much of a limb to pick the greatest player in the world to win, but I think Tiger reasserts his dominance on the field this weekend and has it wrapped up heading into Sunday.  And we know if he enters Sunday with the lead that he’s not relinquishing it.

* – Tiger Woods photo credit: Alastair Grant/AP via Golf.com

PGA: AT&T National Preview – Betting Odds and Prediction

If you follow golf betting, you officially know this weekend’s tournament as the AT&T National. Truthfully, though, we know it as “Tiger’s tournament.” Now in its third year at Congressional, it’s hosted by Mr. Woods himself and, after he missed last year’s tourney due to injury, he’ll be hungry to dethrone Anthony Kim. Let’s look at a few of the favorites to win.

TIGER WOODS
AT&T odds: +150

No surprise here, though I’d almost expect Tiger to offer better value than +150. Still, he leads the Tour in scoring average and he usually excels at courses on which driving distance is advantageous. The last two champs, Kim and K.J. Choi, were long hitters, so Tiger should contend, though he’ll have to start sticking more approach shots.

ANTHONY KIM
AT&T odds: +2200

The defending champion is slowly regaining last year’s form after spending much of this season as a bust. He has back-to-back top-20 finishes, his confidence should be high on his old stomping grounds and his peripherals set him up well for success. He’s a long enough hitter and a strong shot maker who converts birdies more frequently than almost everyone on Tour.

JIM FURYK
AT&T odds: +1600

Furyk’s definitely due, not having won a tournament since 2007. It’s hard not to like him this week. Not only has he finished third in this event two straight years, he’s 10th on Tour in proximity to hole – an important stat at this shotmaker’s tournament. He also has three top-10s in his last four starts, so he’s tough to ignore when you make your sports predictions.

HUNTER MAHAN
AT&T odds: +1800

He’s seriously heating up, with two straight top 10s, and he’s seventh on the Tour in ball striking. If he offered a bit better sportsbook value, he’d be a great pick, but he arguably hasn’t been good long enough to warrant being the No. 3 favorite.

ROBERT ALLENBY
AT&T odds: +3300

If you’re the type of bettor who uses sportsbook software to help you project winners, Robert Allenby will probably be your man. Fourth on Tour in ball striking? Check. Sixth place at the AT&T in 2007? Check. Third place last year, with four straight rounds in the 60s? Check. The stats are there for Allenby. He’s a great pick but he has plenty of competition.

PICK: Jim Furyk. He’s due, he has great history at this event, and the course caters to his strengths. I still think Tiger has some kinks to work out, so I like Furyk here.

Sports World Roundup: U.S. Open Resumes Play This Morning with Phil, Tiger Lurking

A busy morning awaits with work duties and consulting appointments at the SBDC, so I figured a quick morning roundup was in order to get you caught up on the latest and greatest stories in the sports world.

First up?  The U.S. Open.  I really wish I could take today off from work to watch final round action, which has stretched into Monday because of torrential rain in New York this past weekend.  The fourth round should be completed today, assuming there is no more rain, and resumes at 9:00 ET.

Taking a quick glance at the leaderboard, Ricky Barnes and Lucas Glover are tied at -7 (with Barnes in trouble after his tee shot #2 found trouble last night before play was suspended) with Phil Mickelson, Hunter Mahan, David Duval (David Duval!!??) and Ross Fisher sitting at -1.  Mike Weir is in 7th place at -1 and then Tiger Woods is lurking at even par.

I have a feeling that Phil or Tiger is winning this thing.  I know they have a lot of ground to make up, but I just have that feeling.  Not sure the young guys ahead of them will be able to deal with the pressure.  Either way, it’s been a fascinating championship, and would anything really surprise you at this point?

By the way, if you’re at work and catch watch the U.S. Open live, a great place to track it is Jason Sobel’s blog on ESPN.com.

———-

ProFootballTalk has a report via Terry Pluto of the Plain-Dealer that the Browns never seriously got close to trading Braylon Edwards because no one came close to offering what the Browns considered fair value (namely, a first round pick.)

———-

Scotty Pods has been outstanding this season in his return to the South Side.  Is his success creating a problem for the White Sox? (If so, it’s definitely a good problem to have.)

———-

Albert Pujols jacked two home runs last night to help Tony LaRussa get win 2,500.

———-

Because it’s Monday, you should all read Peter King’s Monday Morning Quarterback.  I haven’t read it yet, nor will I probably have time to until this evening, but you should.  It’ll be good.  It almost always is.

———-

A great breakdown of fathers and sons in baseball by Josh Q. Public.

———-

Bob Costas use the greatest sportscaster catchphrase ever.  And yes, it starts with “Boom” and ends with “dynamite.”

———-

Pedro as a closer?

———-

From Friday, but because it’s so awesome it deserves more attention, a great video showing us all how to make golf more exciting.  And yes, it involves Gus Johnson.