Golf Futures – Tiger Woods +1000 & Phil Mickelson +1600 to Win WGC Cadillac Championship

I’m the kind of Golf Futures handicapper that focuses more on taking advantage of a good price while I decide which golfers have what I consider a solid shot at winning.

For regular readers of my columns, you know I have harped on Tiger Woods and the plus money involved with his situation, but this brings a greater circumstance into play. He is paired with Phil Mickelson for the first 36 holes….and the current U.S. Open Champion Graeme McDowell.

El Tigre and La Phyllis is a great pairing for spectators and the writing hacks like me that get to spew ridiculous (allegedly) comments and speculations. It also seems to bode well for the 2 chums themselves on the scorecard.

I’m getting at something that has to do with foreign oil soon, but let me first finish with this Golf Futures betting scenario.

Martin Kaymer (+800) – Think football when a lower team has a huge upset only to come off that emotional high with a loss due to the emotional reset that happens. Kaymer passed Lee Westwood for the top World Golf Ranking unexpectedly. He did tie for third last year at Doral, but a letdown is expected in this one.

Lee Westwood (+2000) – Westwood gave up his Number 1 ranking at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship, and I don’t expect him to get it back. He may have the best game, but he definitely doesn’t have the emotional fortitude to keep Tiger’s and Lefty’s behind him.

Phil Mickelson (+1600) – Phil is coming into this one brewing with confidence (and beer I hope). He just won this PGA Golf Tournament here 2 years ago, so I think +1600 is an excellent price in Golf Futures.

Tiger Woods (+1000) – I am personally going to bet Tiger every week I can get +1000. Hell, I’ll bet him if I get +500. He has 6 victories on the Doral Blue Monster and won the first WGC-CA played here in 2007. I guarantee playing with Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell will elevate his game.

Vijay Singh (+3500) – Don’t pay attention to his missed cut last week. This week should have dreamy conditions instead of fierce winds and “The Bear Trap”. Take advantage of these high odds for a fun wager. Vijay’s past record in this tourney is stellar; T3-2005, T15-2006, T11-2007, T2-2008, T53-2009 and T11 in 2010 last year. With that track record he is worth a small bet at +3500 in Golf Futures.

Graeme McDowell (+1400) - GM fired a 64 in his final round last week in the Honda Classic, so we know his game is tight. Can he deal with a Tiger-Phil pairing the first two days? This will be interesting, but I say he finishes 3rd in his group pairing first two days.

Matt Kuchar (+2000) – I was expecting Kuchar to just fade away as quickly as he elevated his game 6 months to a year ago. His resiliency this year with 4 top ten finishes and 5 out of 6 in the top 25 made me eat crow too many times, so I’m not counting him out here. By the way, he finished in a tie for third battling this Blue Monster last year.

I think a smart play in Golf Futures involves focusing on the Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson matchup. These two players should push each other, and although one may possibly fade, I don’t think they both will. With these odds I would play both golfers.

Golf Futures Plays – Bet Tiger Woods (+1000), Phil Mickelson (+1600) and a lil on VJ Singh (+3500)