Phil Mickelson Leading Favorite in AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am

Sports News - February 10th, 2010 - Written By Bryan

The West Coast swing continues this week on the PGA Tour with the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-AM. Last week at the Northern Trust Open saw Steve Stricker claim the victory and slide into the second slot in the official world golf ranking, leaping Phil Mickelson. The Pebble Beach golf courses present an entirely different set of challenges for the players in the field this week. In addition to the difficult course layouts, they will have to navigate their way through the unpredictable weather patterns that the area is renowned for on the California coastline.

The Pro-Am will take place on thee courses throughout the week, with the final round played at Pebble Beach on Sunday. Monterey Peninsula Country Club and Spyglass Hill are the other two golf course on which tournament competition will be held. The three courses all present the golfers with unique challenges that require multiple skill-sets. Monterey Peninsula Country Club takes advantage of the natural surrounding environment, creating narrow fairways and thick rough. Spyglass Hill underwent some recent changes with the addition of some very difficult bunker locations, and several small ponds. It places a premium on shot selection. Pebble Beach is the most famous of the courses, as it will hold the upcoming U.S Open later in the year in June.

Several of the games top players will be participating in the Pro-Am this year, headlined by third-ranked player in the world, in Mickelson. Oddsmakers from Bodog Sportsbooks have fielded odds for the tournament with many familiar names situated towards the top.

Mickelson is the betting favorite heading into this week according to the PGA Betting Lines at Bodog Sportsbook. He has been installed as a 7/1 favorite to claim the victory. Mickelson has not played well this season, but can turn it around at anytime. Last week he was not a factor in a tournament he had won the previous two years. His driving accuracy is sub-50 percent which will have to improve if he is to have success this week. Hitting fairways will be an important statistic throughout the week, and the player who wins will have a high percentage.

Retief Goosen follows Mickelson in the lines of betting favorites to claim the AT&T National Pro-Am. Goosen played well earlier this year at the Sony Open in Hawaii, finishing in a tie for fourth place. That was his last appearance, as he has since taken a few weeks off. Goosen is one of the best putters on tour, and it should be an advantage to him this week. He has been installed as a 16/1 favorite to break through at Pebble Beach. He has hit 75 percent of greens and regulation this year. If he puts it together, Goosen has a great shot to win.

Jim Furyk made his 2010 PGA Tour debut last week at the Northern Trust Open, and tabbed a 20th place finish. Surprisingly, Furyk has not won on the PGA Tour since 2007. Despite that, he has played consistent, racking up 11 top-10 finishes in 2009, and finishing in fourth place in the season-long FedEx Cup point standings. Oddsmakers have established him as an 18/1 favorite this week, according to betting odds found at Bodog Sortsbook. Look for the steady player to put himself in contention.

Following his performance last week in the Northern Trust Open, oddsmakers believe that Dustin Johnson will put himself in position to win this week. Johnson held the first and second round lead at Riviera Country Club, before surrendering it to eventual champion Steve Stricker. Johnson played a bogey-free first round, but struggled on the weekend. If he gives himself the opportunities he did last week, Johnson is a name that will be on the first page of the leader board. He has been set at 25/1 odds.

Luke Donald finished second to Stricker last week. He began the day six shots behind, and climbed to within two. He struck the ball very nicely and was able to convert birdie opportunities. His performance should give him confidence heading into the AT&T National Pro Am. Donald is averaging 28 putts per round on the 2010 season. He is amongst the leaders in scrambling percentage as well. He has been installed as a 25/1 favorite entering the week.

Coverage of the AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-Am can be seen live on the Golf Channel Thursday and Friday from 3-6 pm Est. Coverage on the weekend will be picked up by CBS and will also be shown from 3-6pm Est.