Written by @Matt_Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The WGC Bridgestone Invitational | Thursday 31 July – Sunday 03 August | Firestone Country Club
Golf fans are in for another treat this week as the Bridgestone Invitational tees off on Thursday. After the excitement of last week’s Canadian Open, this will be the perfect tournament to help gear up for the final Major of the year. The tournament will be played at Firestone Country Club and the 7,400 yard par 70 course is one of the toughest tests of the season. On a course this long, distance off the tee is always going to be an important factor but accuracy is vital as the tight fairways and thick rough mean wayward shots will be punished. In your average tournament, such unforgiving conditions off the tee are made easier with large greens but not here, so accuracy with the short irons is also of high importance. Over the years, Tiger Woods has dominated here, but with his current form the door has been opened for a host of talented younger players to make their mark on the game. Players who fare well here are generally those at their peak and the ability to make birdies on the par 4s is going to be key. Only the best in the business win here and I have a feeling that this year will be no different.
To Win Outright
Rory McIlroy 6/1
Adam Scott 11/1
Justin Rose 16/1
Tiger Woods 16/1
Henrik Stenson 20/1
VALUE BETS
Sergio Garcia (25/1 a win, 11/2 a place)
Sergio Garcia seems to be back to his best; his form at the moment is quite sublime. He played as consistently as I’ve seen him play in a long time at the Open Championship a few weeks ago and ended T2 with Rickie Fowler behind Rory McIlroy, who led from start to finish and never really looked like he would relinquish the lead he built on day one. The Spaniard was hitting his irons with pinpoint accuracy at Hoylake though and ranked second in approaches from 200-225 yards, a stat that will be of vital importance on a longer track like this one. His putting also looked great on all four days and if he plays anything like he did in the Open this week, he has a real chance of winning his first WGC title. Each way on the Spaniard is the bet for me.
Keegan Bradley (25/1 a win, 11/2 a place)
The fact that this tournament rewards those players who have a good all around game means that I won’t be straying too far from the top of the betting, and my next bet is another 25/1 shot, Keegan Bradley. He showed he has what it takes to go all the way here in 2012 when he won and he backed that performance up with a second in 2013. His form this season has also been solid and he’s put in a few good performances lately, the most impressive of those being a T4 at the US Open. Expect another good showing from Bradley this week. Each way is the bet here.
Angel Cabrera (60/1 a win, 13/1 a place)
I said I wasn’t going to stray too far from the top of the betting but I can’t resist having a sneaky bet on Angel Cabrera this week because he’s shown in the past that he thrives in challenging conditions. The two-time Major winner always seems to step up against stiff competition and I’m hoping that this week is no different because 60/1 seems almost too good to be true. On top of his ability to go far in big events, he arrives here with a win under his belt this season and will be eager to get another. Whether he can do it or not remains to be seen but, at 13/1 a place, you can’t get hurt going each way on Cabrera.
TOP BET: Rickie Fowler (20/1 a win, 44/10 a place)
Golf is a confidence game and there aren’t too many players who look as comfortable on the course as Rickie Fowler does at the moment. He’s had a stellar season thus far and will win something this year and judging by the way he is playing at the moment this could be his week. He came close here in 2011 when he finished second and this season he looks better than ever, having managed a T2 at the Open and a T2 at a difficult Pinehurst. 20/1 looks a great price in a field that sees Rory McIlroy available at an unbackable 6-1, so get on.
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