2009 Buick Invitational Betting Odds and Predictions
Andre Sanchez - February 4th, 2009 .The Buick Invitational at Torrey Pines, the 5th Tournament of the 2009 PGA season, is set to kick-off this week. Our expert Golf handicapper Andre Sanchez brings you the latest Buick International betting odds and his predictions for the historic event.
The “West Coast Swing” as its often referred to begins this Thursday afternoon. This is usually the time we start seeing the best players in the World appearing in San Diego, California. Four time defending champion Tiger Woods wont be able to challenge for the title which leaves the betting wide open. Woods’ is expected to make his return in late February at the WGC Accenture Match Play Championship. A wide open field should provide plenty of value for bettors.
Padraig Harrington had the breakout year last season in Tiger’s absence winning the British Open and the PGA Championship. Harrington also capped off the season with a Player of the Year award. Entering this year’s Buick Invitational Harrington owns the best odds to win the Tournament at 11/1 despite this being his first ever appearance in the event. 3-time Buick winner Phil Mickelson shares favoritism at 11/1 odds. Mickelson won twice on the tour in 2008, but has not seemed to be playing his best golf. Mickelson missed the cut last week at the FBR Open in Scottsdale, Arizona marking the first time Mickelson has missed a cut in his season debut since 1992.
Tiger Woods isn’t the only big name missing from this year’s event. Sergio Garcia will also be absent along with Jeff Ogilvy, VJ Singh, and last week’s FBR Open winner Kenny Perry.
Below are latest Buick Invitational betting lines from Betus.com sportsbook.
Padraig Harrington 10/1
Phil Mickelson 10/1
Camilo Villegas 14/1
Luke Donald 20/1
Retief Goosen 20/1
Rory Sabbatini 25/1
Davis Love 25/1
Charles Howell 30/1
Aaron Baddeley 30/1
Hunter Mahan 30/1
Charles Howell III will be one of the top contenders you’ll need to keep an eye on. Howell has been fairly strong at Torrey Pines with a resume that includes two runner-up finishes and a 13th place finish last year. Luke Donald is another that should shine this week. Donald has an impressive record at Torrey Pines. Donald has finished in the Top 25 in both events he has played this season while never finishing outside the Top 25 in the Buick Invitational in 5 starts.
Veterans Davis Love III and Jose Maria Olazabal are only two competitors to win the Buick Invitational in the last 12 years to be in the field outside of Phil Mickelson. Olazabal won the event back in 2002 and is the only International player to ever win the event and this will be his season debut. Davis Love III finished 2nd in the Mercedes-Benz Classic two weeks ago after missing the cut in the first event of the season the Sony Open in Hawaii. It will be interesting to see if some familiar faces will climb the leader board this weekend in San Diego or if some new names will emerge from the field to capture the Tour’s 5th tournament and most prestigious victory this early in the season.
