Ford Championship Fixed Odds Betting Preview

After two weeks of rain swamped golf in California, the PGA Tour makes a welcome cross continental switch this week to Miami for the first event of the Florida swing, the Ford Championship at Doral. The Blue Monster is the host venue, and whilst water is very much a word associated with the par 72 set up, it is the in the form of man made lakes rather that impromptu puddles. Twelve holes have water integral to their design, including the fearsome eighteenth, one of the best finishing holes of the entire season. It should be said however, that there is some rain forecast, even for this baking corner of the sunshine state.The move to the East coast is always a clear sign that the campaign is very much under way and with the US Masters just a month away, all players will be keen to hone their skills. Ernie Els is absent as he was from competition last week, but all of the other players contained within the world's top ten bracket are taking part, including the champion from last week's match play, David Toms.He is a 20/1 shot, and having come 5th at Doral last year, the 2001 PGA Championship winner must make the journey full of hope. However, this price is on the short side, especially when seeing that after reaching the final of the WGC in 2003, he missed the cut at this event. Only twice since the Accenture match play was started in 1999 has the winner gone on to register a top ten finish in his next start.Whilst the top 64 players were battling through a sodden and shortened course at the WGC event, those who had not qualified were competing in the Chrysler Classic of Tucson, and form from that event could provide a better indicator.One player who fared well in Tucson was Mark Calcavecchia. The man who came through a famous playoff to win the 1989 Open Championship at Royal Troon was on this occasion outdone in extra time by Geoff Ogilvy, but the $264,000 was no doubt very welcome. He did miss the cut at the Nissan Open a week previous, but this was his only lapse so far this year. His high level of play is well demonstrated by the way that he ranks as the third best played in the all round rankings for 2005.9th place at the FBR Open was impressive, and with a price of 80/1 available, we feel there is enough reason to dive in. Few players have been to Doral more than the 44 year old, and four top tens have gone his way since debuting in 1982.Davis Love has been a permanent fixture in the world's top twenty since 1995, and is consistently one of the very best players out there. The 40 year old has taken 18 titles so far, and is the fourth highest earner in the history of the sport. A win this week would take his career earnings to over $30 Million.2004 was something of a disappointment for Love however, with no titles being won, although he still managed to amass over $3 Million. A limited schedule has been adopted so far this season, but the signs are encouraging. All three have seen top 20 finishes, including top tens at the AT&T Pebble Beach, and the Accenture World Matchplay last week.In an event where none of those at the head of the betting lists have particularly strong records, we believe Love can shine through. This will be his fifteenth visit to Doral and five top tens prove he can score well. There is also no doubt over his pedigree and a best price of 28/1 looks excellent to us. It is perhaps long enough for an each way punt, but we are going to take it in an outright capacity. This is the best way to show support for the man who ranks as the best driver so far this term, as well as the second best player in the all round statistics. Blue Monster is a course that tests the full armoury of a golfer, and few are as well equipped as Love.We did not see K.J Choi in action until the end of January, but the Korean has now played for five successive weeks, and has been performing well. Every cut has been made with comfort, with a best showing of 11th at the FBR Open.The 36 year old has twice won PGA Tour events, and both of these have been in the south of the country, and one in Florida, the 2002 Tampa Bay Classic. One of the reasons we have been impressed to this point has been the fact that he has improved in terms of accuracy with the driver this term. Hitting fairways is crucial at Doral, and the Korean has been landing safely on over 70% of them so far.Last year was his most significant effort at this tournament with 5th place claimed, and from a price of 66/1, we feel the world number 25 is worth taking to have another good week. Choi has been amongst the top 30 on the Money List at the climax of the last three seasons, and few would ever be surprised to see him in the winner's enclosure once more.