US PGA Money List

The bookies have it down as a two horse race to top the 2005 US Money List, and it is tough to disagree with them. The two men in question are Vijay Singh and Tiger Woods and both are priced at a best of 6/4. One of them has achieved this feat every year since 1999.Singh has headed the list for the last two seasons, and towards the end of 2004 overtook Woods as the world number one. His form was sensational right up until the end of the campaign and in his last nine PGA Tour events, the Fijian has been victorious in six. It was actually this surge during the latter part of the season that pulled him away from the rest of the Tour, with over $6 Million of the $10.9 Million earned, coming between August and November. It was the same story in 2003 also, when over half of his winning total was earned in the same period.Overall, nine titles went his way during 2004, and the hardest working player on the Tour appears to be going from strength to strength. He has a winning formula which has taken him to the summit and there is no reason for him to change anything within his game. Nobody has ever won over $10 Million in a season, but Singh obliterated that figure last term.His strategy is to play in a large number of events, and every year since 1998 he has competed in over 26.This contrasts with Woods, who for the last four seasons has played in less than twenty. His earnings per event are higher that Singh's, but a lack of form has hit his efforts during 2003 and 2004. No stroke play PGA Tour event has gone his way since October 2003, but such was his prior dominance, that few are ever willing to write off his prospects.Winning seven of eleven Major Championships between 1999 and 2002 is a record the like of which has not been seen before. The relative dearth which followed led Woods to undertake some swing changes during the recent autumn, always a dangerous plan for a professional golfer. Initial signs have been very encouraging though. He came second at the Tour Championship, and then proceeded to win two events in the post season. The first of these was in Japan, and the second at his own tournament in California, the Target World Challenge.We are wary of showing long term support to a man undertaking alterations to his swing however. Although the early indications have been positive, seeing how they stand up under the scrutiny of a high intensity big money event will be the true test. Too many fairways were missed during the last campaign for us to feel comfortable supporting him this year, especially at this price.The race would seem to be between these two men. Ernie Els is the world number three, but such is the nomadic nature of his international schedule that the South African is not likely to earn enough dollars to win the Money List. 14/1 can be found about him, whilst Phil Mickelson is a 12's. Mick now knows how to win a Major after his success a the US Masters, but the latter part of the campaign was poor. A high profile club switch really affected his play, shown up most evidently at the Ryder Cup where he was arguably the worst player on either side. With most bookies only offering an each way payout odds for finishing in the top two, there is no real value to be had at all, as we consider this to be between Woods and Singh. The bet we advise is for Vijay Singh to win. He has a strategy which works, a swing which requires no work and retains the same hunger which means he is virtually always in contention, and when he is in the hunt, more often than not he takes the title.These are vital qualities, and at 6/4 this looks like the best value bet.Bet for free on the US Money List with VCBet!