Marino The Favourite as He Goes For First Win At Pebble

Steve Marino has a one shot lead over Bryce Molder as he attempts to claim his first PGA Tour victory on Sunday at the AT&T National Pro-Am.

Going out at (2-1), he is thebookmakers’ favourite after a roller coaster 1-over round at Monterey Golf Club that saw him make 5 bogeys, 2 birdies and an eagle.

The whole field moves back to Pebble Beach Golf Links for Sunday’s final round and that should be welcome news for Marino as he shot 66 there on Friday.

Marino has knocked on the door a number of times, including a tie for second at the Sony Open in Hawaii to start his 2011 season, so he’s been close recently and this could be his time to breakthrough.

Molder is second on the betting board at (9-2) as he shot a very colourful 68 at Spyglass Hills.  It was almost as if par wasn’t an option for the former NCAA champion as he carded six birdies, two bogeys, a double bogey and an eagle. 

Obviously, this round could have propelled him to the top of the leaderboard if not for the mess he made at the par-4 16th.   Molder is going to have to avoid making a similar mess on any hole at Pebble on Sunday as it’s a tight leaderboard and one mistake could decide a player’s fate.

D.A Points goes off third with the books at (6-1) and he’s another player looking for their first win on the PGA Tour.

He’s been hot of late firing seven straight competitive rounds in the 60’s that resulted in a tie for 18th at the Phoenix Open last week and a tie for 5th at the Farmer’s the week previous.

He’s playing the best golf of his career right now and he should be able to avoid some of the nerves of being in the fight in round four, as he and the enigmatic comedian Bill Murray are making a run for the Pro-Am title.

From the land of long-er odds.  Phil Mickelson and Alex Cejka both go out at (16-1).  Mickelson hasn’t had the best of weeks after being anointed the pre-tournament favourite, but he hasn’t shot himself out of contention just yet.

Lefty shot 69 at Pebble yesterday after a 67 at Spyglass in round two and stands just three back of the leaders.

Cejka is a veteran of the PGA Tour, but expecting to live up to sub-20 odds is a bit optimistic at this point.  The German pro has made just two of four cuts this year on Tour with his best finish a 13th at the Bob Hope Classic.

Golf is a lot of walking, broken up by disappointment and bad arithmetic   - Unknown