Golf Bets 
/ Paul Krishnamurty / 09 March 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Is G-Mac the best golfer in the world at the moment?
"Twelve months ago, had Graeme McDowell found himself in a three-ball against Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, he would have been a rank outsider. Now he's the favourite, and rightly so."
There are some marquee groups teeing off at Doral tomorrow but there's value to be found right through the card on day one of the latest WGC event.
5pts Aaron Baddeley @ [2.4] (vs Hoffman, Points)
Starting Time: 16.20
The opening round at Doral includes some of the most prestigious 3-balls seen all year, but the very best value can be found in a relatively low-key group. I've already made the case for Aaron Baddeley in my Find Me a 100 Winner column, and the Aussie can get us off to a good start in the opening group against a couple of markedly inferior opponents.
Whereas Baddeley has shown some of the best early season form, winning at Riviera and ranking sixth for greens in regulation overall, Hoffman has done nothing since last summer. His performance at the World Matchplay was particularly dire. Pebble Beach winner D A Points will probably set a higher benchmark. That victory didn't come completely out of the blue, as he had made the top-five a fortnight earlier at Torrey Pines, but Points remains no more than a journeyman pro, rather out of his depth at this level.
5pts Nick Watney @ [2.3] (vs Scott, Singh)
Starting Time: 16.41
A calm weather forecast for Doral is expected to ensure a birdie-fest, for which weak putters need not apply. Watney not only represents the best recent form of this trio, but is leagues apart when it comes to putting. Scott, who hit 77/82 last week, has endured a miserable time at Doral since losing confidence with the flat stick, and should be opposed in any way possible.
The same argument has applied to Vijay Singh in recent times, but he has holed a few more than usual this year, and as a course specialist can't be written off. Nevertheless, Vijay is well behind Watney in golf's pecking order these days, especially in a low-scoring contest. Nick was a slightly unlucky runner-up here in 2009, and after seven straight top-25s including five top-six finishes, is a rock solid candidate for the title.
2pts Graeme McDowell @ [2.8] (Woods, Mickelson)
Starting Time: 16.51
Possibly the clearest illustration of the ongoing changes at golf's top table can be found in the betting for this marquee group. Twelve months ago, had Graeme McDowell found himself in a three-ball against Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson, he would have been a rank outsider. Now he's the favourite, and rightly so.
For my money, he's the hottest player in the world right now. Since Tiger's bubble burst and Mickelson won his last event, (the Masters), Gmac has won four titles, starred in the Ryder Cup and overtaken those two American legends in the world rankings. He has been virtually impossible to keep out of contention since last summer, and even in rare blips like last week, finished like a train to make the top-ten. By contrast, Mickelson has only seriously contended once since Gmac got the better of him at the US Open. As for Tiger, he is unbackable on recent evidence.
4pts Matt Kuchar @ [2.4] (Furyk, Els)
Starting Time: 17.44
Another legend who simply cannot be backed right now is defending champion Ernie Els, who was beaten by 25 shots in Sunday's Honda Classic. Most of his problems stem from the putter, which cannot bode well for this week's test. Likewise, Jim Furyk is a former Doral champion also badly struggling with his game at the moment, putting up a particularly inept display at the World Matchplay.
The smart bet has to be the ultra-consistent Kuchar, who has become one of the most reliable weekly golfing investments. The 2010 PGA Tour Money List champ has started 2011 in similar vein, registering three top-sevens out of five strokeplay starts, and winning five matches out of six at the World Matchplay.
2pts Martin Kaymer @ [2.5] (Donald, Westwood)
Starting Time: 17.54
In what must surely be a first, this all-European group boasts the world's top-three players, with the man currently in pole position taken to justify favouritism. Separating Martin Kaymer, Lee Westwood and Luke Donald over a whole season will be far from straightforward, but the German stands out here on course form.
Neither Westwood or Donald has ever shown any great aptitude for Doral. Lee's best result from three is 30th, Luke's best from sixth is 20th. In contrast, Kaymer finished third last year and has a golden opportunity to make amends for that defeat to Donald in the World Matchplay final.
There are some marquee groups teeing off at Doral tomorrow but there's value to be found right through the card on day one of the latest WGC event....
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