Round Two

Apologies for missing out on last week’s Irene (simply “The Whore” in these parts) shorterned Barclays, but TDD is back for the second round of the FedEx Cup Playoffs [insert token reference to Jim Mora here]. TPC Boston should be in great shape and rollin’ right as the tour rides up the Eastern seaboard for the Deutsche Bank Championship. Remember – 1st round begins Friday.

• Jim Furyk (+115) vs. Watson – Furyk needs to play well to advance and has been recently (somewhat). Bubba? Straight ass.
• Camilo Villegas (-125) vs. Harrington – Hombre Araña es en fuego (and has done it before in the playoffs). Paddy, not so much.
• Bill Haas (-115) vs. Van Pelt – Haas has a good track record here and has come back to form lately.
• Geoff Ogilvy (+150) vs. Toms – A guy with his record at TPC Boston shouldn’t be anywhere close to this big of an underdog to guy coming off an MC.

Off-the-radar picks for the week: Geoff Ogilvy, Scott Piercy, Gary Woodland

Greensboro the Great

Coming off a couple of mediocre weeks (aside from the Keegan Bradley pick, thank you), let’s get things back on track  at the closest event to home, the GGO Wyndham Championship. Haven’t had much time to really look but putting and birdies look to be huge this week on another Ross design with bent greens. Some quick picks:

• Kyle Stanley (-110) vs. Pettersson – Even though I’m fresh off the plane from Sweden and Carl played at State College, still have to go with my super sleeper pick of the week as the underdog who will need to find a hot putter in the bag.
• Jim Furyk (-150) vs. Goosen – Not so great odds, but the Goose will be flappable this week with injuries and Furyk played well last week.
• Garrett Willis (+125) vs. Henry – Now onto the heavy dog of the week, Willis has played well here in the past and recently.
• Webb Simpson (-115) vs. Haas – Just because it seems right.

Getting Major in Atlanta

The tour heads to the Highlands course and their Champion Ultra Dwarf Bermuda greens at Atlanta Athletic Club for the season’s final major, the PGA. Here are my quick picks for slinging some € from abroad…

*Adam Scott (-125) vs. Fowler
*Nick Watney (-105) vs. Kuchar
*Zach Johnson (-140) vs. Watson
*Jason Day (-125) vs. Fowler

Super sleeper pick of the week: Keegan Bradley

Rubber City Monster

A stacked field heads to Akron for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club. The South Course, affectionately known as The Monster, hosts the event and requires  consistent total driving and the ability to hit greens from anywhere.  I’m looking at a lot of dogs this week, and putting my 10-1 record over the past two tournaments on the line. Here are the picks:

• Lee Westwood (-115) vs. Donald – Westwood dominates this place, and Donald has struggled mightily to hit greens recently.
• Bill Haas (-115) vs. Choi – Haas has ALL of the stats this week. Great iron player from all distances and 14th on tour in total driving.
• Gary Woodland (-105) vs. Watson – Woodland is playing lights out, hits great long irons, and drives the golf ball just as well as Bubba.
• Adam Scott (-105) vs. Garcia – The Aussie now has Stevie Williams on the bag full time, and that will definitely help out at Firestone. Oh, and Scott had a T9 here last year, is playing well, and ranks 17th in total driving.
• Bo Van Pelt (even) vs. Garcia – Mini upset special of the week. Not trying to pick on El Nino who could contend, but Van Pelt is one of the best drivers of the golf ball on tour and is has top 15s in each of his last six tournaments on American soil.
• Hunter Mahan (+140) vs. Donald – Super upset special of the week (and probably the whole season). Mahan’s track record here is great (three straight top 10s including the win last year), and even though is form isn’t outstanding coming in he sets up much better than Donald.

Gambling oddity of the week: Tiger Woods is 14:1 to win, but his finishing position bet is o/u 30.5…