Martin Laird a Questionable Favourite After 3 Rounds at the Hope

Martin Laird shot a 64 on Friday in his third round at the Bob Hope Classic climbing within two of the lead held by Tour rookies Jhonattan Vegas and Gary Woodland. 

Somehow, Laird has now taken over top spot on the betting board despite his PGA Tour career comprising of just a single victory, in 2009, and only nine top-10’s in his three full years on America’s premier circuit.

Granted, he did make over $2-million in 2010 and lost two playoffs late in the season, but to put him at the top over Ryder Cuppers like Jeff Overton, three off the lead, and Matt Kuchar, five back, is just a grand stretch.

The way leader Jhonattan Vegas has played over the first three round even he seems like a sexier pick than the world’s 49th ranked player.

Watching the way he’s played, like a long time veteran all week, Jhonattan Vegas should be the favourite coming to the final 36 holes.

The 26-year old from Venezuela played another beautiful round on Friday as he had a bogey free day to post his second straight 67.

Vegas has looked at home on all of the courses he’s played this week in this four course rotation and has been driving it long with accuracy all week.  No wonder he’s made only a handful of bogeys over three rounds.

It’s always uncomfortable to go with an untested rookie, but this guy has the look of a winner and if he can keep his driver working to his advantage he’ll put up quite the fight.

The books don’t seem too worried about a guy making just his second PGA Tour start as they have him at (9-1).

Joining Vegas at (9-1) is one of 2010’s biggest surprises and Jeff Overton has steadily climbed the board this week.  He made 6 birdies on Friday and just a single bogey so don’t expect him to shoot his way out of the tournament tomorrow.

Matt Kuchar is easily the highest profile player that still has a shot at the title and he’ll have to make at least a modest move tomorrow if he wants to cut the five shot deficit.  Kuchar goes out at (10-1).

Co-leader Gary Woodland played just eight PGA Tour events last year and made a paltry $95-thousand missing five cuts.  He did go low on Friday shooting a 64, but the sense seems to be he’s due to fall off..

Golf is my real profession. Entertainment is just a sideline. I tell jokes to pay my greens fees  - Bob Hope