Golf Betting – Northern Trust Open

The PGA betting schedule stays on the west coast this week for the Northern Trust Open at Riviera Country Club. Some of the biggest names in golf are among the favorites to win the tournament title. Here’s a look at the notables teeing up in California:

Phil Mickelson (+750)

Mickelson finished tied for ninth at the Pebble Beach Pro-Am this past weekend, firing an 8-under par for a second Top-10 showing in three events this season. Lefty spoke with the media following his final round Sunday, telling them he thinks he’s playing some of his best golf, pointing out that he’s driving the ball well and impressed with his irons play. Mickelson had only one tournament in his pocket when he took the course at Riviera last year, finishing 2-under par for a T-45 showing. He’s a two-time champ at the Northern Trust Open, winning in 2008 and 2009.

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Steve Stricker (+1,000)

Stricker is the defending champ at Pacific Palisades this week. Last year, he shot a 16-under par to claim the tournament title. Stricker has been overseas playing since posting a T-9 finish at the Sony Open in Hawaii in mid January. He has been solid in his last three trips to Riviera, posting a win, a second-place, and an 11th-place showing.

Matt Kuchar (+1,800)

Kuchar is one of the hottest players on Tour right now. He opened his schedule with three straight Top-10 finishes, including a seventh-place showing at the Bob Hope Classic at the end of January. It’s a big turnaround from last season, when Kuchar opened the year with inconsistent efforts and injuries. Kuchar finished T-20 at the 2010 Northern Trust Open, firing a final-round 66 to save face. His most successful showing at Riviera was a T-14 in which he shot 3-under par in 2008.

Dustin Johnson (+2,000)

Johnson is a risky play at these PGA betting odds. He opened the season strong with two Top-10 showings, including a third-place finish at the Farmers Insurance Open. However, Johnson has stumbled in his last two events. He placed 29th in Phoenix two weeks ago, then failed to break 70 at Pebble Beach this past week, closing the tournament 55th. His short game failed him, posting 10 bogeys and a double bogey in the third round. Johnson placed third in last year’s Northern Trust Open and finished T-10 in 2009.