Mickelson and Stricker Leading Favorites In Northern Trust Open

Sports News - February 3rd, 2010 - Written By John Ritter

The West Coast Swing on the PGA Tour continues this week, as the players head to storied Riviera Country Club, for the Northern Trust Open. Second-ranked player in the world, Phil Mickelson, won last year in a very exciting finish, and will look to repeat his success another time around. He made his 2010 PGA Tour debut last week and did not capitalize on opportunities, but his success here should give him confidence. Last week saw a short hitter, in Ben Crane, claim the Farmers Insurance Open. Riviera Country Club has a history of "bombers" succeeding, but if a player is able to stay in control and hit their spots, it is any one's tournament.

Riviera Country Club was redesigned by Tom Fazio back in 2008 to combat the changes and developments in golf club technology, similar to what other courses had done. Fazio came in and added length, bunkers and undulation to the golf course. The Par-71, 7,298-yard golf course is renowned for the bunkers which come into play throughout the course of the round. The continual prevailing winds also present a unique challenge to Riviera. The natural setting and beauty of Riviera provides players with an opportunity to play one of the foremost courses in the country.

The Northern Trust Open will play host to the deepest field to date on the 2010 PGA Tour. Many of the world's top-50 players will compete, headlined by Mickelson and Steve Stricker. Mickelson is the betting favorite heading into this week according to the PGA Betting Lines at Bodog Sportsbook.

Mickelson has been in headlines recently after being called a cheater in a roundabout way by fellow PGA player Scott McCarron. Mickelson is using the Ping Eye 2 wedges that were grandfathered in, but are illegal under the new club specification of the USGA and PGA Tour. He, along with several other players have those model of wedges in their bags. Mickelson competed last week at the Farmers Insurance Open. He was in contention until bogeying his first three holes to begin his round on Sunday. He finished 19th. This week, Mickelson is the leading favorite, with odds at 6/1 to repeat as the Northern Trust Open Champion.

Stricker played in the first two events on the PGA this season, but has since taken a three week break. He returns this week and is one of the favorites to win. As one of the best wedge players and putters in the world, Stricker could take advantage of Riviera Country Club if he is able to keep his drives in the fairways. He is a great player in the wind, and a fantastic game-manager. He comes into the Northern Trust Open with odds at 12/1.

Australian Robert Allenby has been in contention in every tournament he has played, but has come only a few strokes short of winning multiple tournaments in this young PGA Tour season. Allenby has been very consistent from tee to green, but has missed several putts that have cost him. If he is able to get it going with the flat stick, Allenby will have a good chance at being atop the leader board at the close of Sunday. His odds to win the Northern Trust Open are currently 18/1

Ernie Els played well last week at the Farmers Insurance Open, finishing in a tie for fifth place. His performance has made him among the favorites to claim the championship this week at Riviera Country Club. Els has played twice this season and has performed well. He is still not the player he once was, winning major championships, but he is on the road back. Els is currently at 20/1 to win.

Rounding out the top-five favorites headlining the Northern Trust Open is Padraig Harrington. Harrington will be making his 2010 PGA Tour debut. The Irishman is one of the best ball strikers on Tour and will give himself plenty of opportunities at birdie this week. If he is able to convert on the putting surface, he will be among the leaders. Harrington has been installed at 25/1 odds to finish atop the leader board.

Full Field Odds for the Northern Trust Open-

Phil Mickelson 6/1
Steve Stricker 12/1
Robert Allenby 18/1
Ernie Els 20/1
Padraig Harrington 25/1
Jim Furyk 25/1
Tim Clark 33/1
Rory Sabbatini 25/1
Mike Weir 33/1
K.J. Choi 33/1
Adam Scott 33/1
Charles Howell III 33/1
Matt Kuchar 40/1
Hunter Mahan 33/1
Ryan Moore 40/1
Nick Watney 40/1
Anthony Kim 40/1
John Rollins 50/1
Stephen Ames 50/1
Angel Cabrera 50/1
Brandt Snedeker 50/1
Stewart Cink 50/1
Dustin Johnson 50/1
Michael Sim 50/1
Chad Campbell 50/1
Fred Couples 50/1
Rickie Fowler 66/1
Davis Love III 66/1
Kevin Sutherland 66/1
Bubba Watson 66/1
Luke Donald 66/1
Marc Leishman 66/1
Ben Crane 80/1
Bill Haas 80/1
Pat Perez 80/1
Justin Rose 80/1
Vijay Singh 80/1
Steve Marino 80/1
D.J. Trahan 80/1
Ryo Ishikawa 100/1
Ryui Imada 100/1
Martin Laird 100/1
John Merrick 100/1
Kevin Na 100/1
Nick O'Hern 100/1
John Senden 100/1
Y-E Yang 100/1
Michael Allen 100/1
Jason Dufner 100/1
Justin Leonard 100/1
Rod Pampling 100/1
Stuart Appleby 125/1
Jonathan Byrd 125/1
Ben Curtis 125/1
J.B. Holmes 125/1
Fredrik Jacobson 125/1
Troy Matteson 125/1
Carl Pettersson 125/1
D-A Points 125/1
Jeff Quinney 100/1
Andres Romero 125/1
Kevin Stadler 125/1
Vaughn Taylor 80/1
Bo Van Pelt 125/1
Mark Wilson 125/1
Jeff Klauk 125/1
George Mcneill 125/1
Scott Verplank 125/1
Matthew Goggin 125/1
Aaron Baddeley 100/1
Jason Bohn 150/1
Jason Day 150/1
Nathan Green 150/1
Charley Hoffman 80/1
Jerry Kelly 150/1
Shigeki Maruyama 150/1
Bryce Molder 150/1
Tim Petrovic 150/1
Webb Simpson 150/1
The Field ( Any Other Golfer) 10/1