The opening round of the WGC Bridgestone Invitational takes place on Thursday with the 76 man field all getting their tournaments underway as they jostle position for the early lead at the Firestone Country Club in Akron.
The weather forecast is not the best for Thursday so the tee times have been brought up but we still have the usual markets to have a go at across the day.
First Round Leader
This is usually a market that I like to get involved in during these big tournaments but the fact that the tee times have been condensed with players off both tees in three balls I am slightly put off by it.
Regular readers will know I like to have an edge when I bet on these kind of markets and any edge we would have had has disappeared so I will put that to bed and save it for next week where hopefully the weather in Charlotte is better.
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Thursday 3 balls
This is not a major championship but it is as good as one in all but name and as such all of the groups on the golf course have been priced up for us to get stuck into. There are some great groups on the course with the pick of them being the one containing Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Jason Day.
That group is one of two bets I’m going with in the opening round with the other a much lower key clash where I think there is a bit of value.
Pat Perez/Hudson Swafford/Sam Brazel
Match tees off at 13.00 BST
Three players who will go under the radar this week have caught my attention for a first bet as Pat Perez takes on Hudson Swafford and Sam Brazel in an early group onto the course.
The length of this course should suit Swafford the best. He is a wonderful driver of the ball who is long off the tee and that can be important around here. The rest of his game is in decent enough nick too. Perez can be a streaky player who when he is on can be excellent but when he is off can be woeful. Brazel looks a little out of his depth at this level at the minute so I like Swafford here.
Jordan Spieth/Rory McIlroy/Jason Day
Match tees off at 13.20 BST
The headline group on the opening day sees The Open champion Jordan Spieth paired with the former champion here Rory McIlroy and Jason Day in a three ball which will get all of the attention.
It is not easy to like Rory McIlroy right now with all the circus that is going on around him. Generally when the caddie gets the can that is a clear sign that all is not well so I’ll leave him be while I’m still not convinced Day is anywhere near his best despite claims to the contrary.
Spieth is playing excellent golf at the minute and has won his last two tournaments. While I think this course will be too long for him to win this tournament I do think he can see off a pair of out of form opponents in this opening round.
Tips
WON – Back H.Swafford to beat P.Perez & S.Brazel for a 3/10 stake at 2.63 with LeoVegas
Back him here:
DEAD HEAT – Back J.Spieth to beat R.McIlroy & J.Day for a 3/10 stake at 2.50 with Betfair
Back him here:
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