The Greenbriar Classic Preview and Picks
Dates: July 28-31
Where: The Old White Course White Sulphur Springs, WV
TV: The Golf Channel/CBS
by: Evergreen, Pro Golf Handicapper, Predictem.com
Bet the 2011 Greenbriar Classic using your credit card at the web’s oldest betting site: Intertops.
After a couple of weeks abroad, the PGA Tour returns to the U.S. as the players head to West Virginia for the 2011 Greenbriar Classic. This will be just the second year for this event but it gained quite the reputation as the inaugural championship was won by Stuart Appleby after he carded a final round 59 to win by two. Phil Mickelson highlights a strong field as many look to get in position as the FedEx Cup Playoff weeks draw near. Catch all the early round action on the Golf Channel with CBS carrying the weekend broadcast.
Its doubtful that someone will go as low as 59 again this week, but it is more than reasonable to assume that 10th easiest course in 2010 play will again produce a shootout with the winning total pushing 20-under par. The wide fairways on this 7,229 yard, par-70 course give players the advantage of being aggressive off the tee, although many players will still take a conservative approach to ensure they can have good angles into very tough and undulating greens. Putting is always the key when the scoring pace is high and those who cant figure out the challenge on the greens at the Old White will be out of the mix early.
Each week, we take a look at the online betting sites and highlight a few players that we think are a good bet to win it all. We give you a short, middle and long odds pick to win and breakdown a couple of head to head matches that you can find at any quality golf sportsbook. Here are our picks to win the 2011 Greenbriar Classic with odds to win and matches courtesy of the board at Betonline Sportsbook.
Short Favorite: Charles Howell III (18 to 1 odds to win)
Charles has been a warrior on Tour this year with 21 starts already under his belt with his best golf coming recently as hes finished 3rd at both the St. Jude and AT&T National. Howell was in contention through the week at the 2010 Greenbriar but couldnt quite put the pedal down as he carded 67 on both Saturday and Sunday to finish T9. Charles has a nice game for the Old White with top-40 ranks in both driving distance and greens hit and is 24th in strokes gained with the putter entering the week. Howell plays mistake free golf, turning just the 67th best birdie average into a top-10 scoring average, mostly with a superb recovery game.
Middle of the Road: Brian Gay (33 to 1 odds to win)
Given his ability to hit even the toughest fairways, Gay might not miss a single one this week and that will only lead to quality birdie looks. Looks are one thing but Brian has also cashed in the 15th most birdies in 2011 play as his strokes gained and total putting stats are both in the top-20. Another low-risk player, Gay spins the 49th best birdie average into the 15th best scoring average and his top-10 scrambling % helps him from giving any strokes away.
Longshot: Cameron Tringale (66 to 1 odds to win)
After making just five cuts in twenty-two starts in 2010, Cameron has made the weekend in fifteen of his twenty-two starts this year and has seven top-25 and three top-10 finishes. Tringale did miss the cut here last year but should have some confidence as he carded a second round 65 coming off his opening 74. Cameron is quite solid across the stat sheet and is plenty long to take on the Old White, averaging 293 yards per drive with a respectable GIR%, ranking 67th coming into the championship. The greens shouldnt provide a problem either with both total putting and strokes gained ranks right around the top-50 for Tringale.
Head to Head Matches *match picks are for entire event. Check with your favorite online bookie for single round matches and a wide variety of prop bets.
Retief Goosen (-120) v. Brandt Snedeker (-110) (our pick: Snedeker)
Goosen is still the bigger name in this match, but thats about all he has going over Snedeker with Brandt owning advantages in birdie average, scoring average and ballstriking numbers. Goosen is still a premier putter on Tour but Snedeker outranks him there as well, and that simply eliminates any argument for Retief in this head to head.
Anthony Kim (-120) v. Bill Haas (-110) (our pick: Haas)
Again, Kim gets the nod for the name, but Haas has him beat with the game. There is not a significant stat that you could point to right now where Kim has an edge over Haas and some like GIR% are pretty glaring as Kim comes into the week ranked 174th with Haas at 6th. Its a similar story when you look at scoring average and fairways, making Kim too risky of a pick until he starts putting up consistent numbers again.
GOOD LUCK and remember to always check back weekly as my golf picks are always free and ALWAYS come with my home-grown analysis!
