Odds to Win the Shell Houston Open

Golf betting fans are oh so close to the biggest golf tournament in the world, The Masters. Tiger Woods continues to be the favorite to win the 2009 green jacket, but some very good golfers are on his heels.

Some of those golfers will be looking to add a Shell Houston Open trophy to their case this weekend since Tiger is on the bench.

Let’s analyze the chances of some golfers to win the Shell Houston Open.

Golf: Shell Houston Open To Win

1. Padraig Harrington +2000 - - The reason I’m picking Padraig over Phil in this tournament is because of the odds. Phil should win the Shell Houston Open but Padraig had one of his better outings of the year in the Arnold Palmer Invitational. I expect Harrington to tighten the screws even more in the Shell Houston Open which means a victory at 20 to 1 isn’t an impossibility. His 11th place finish in the Arnold Palmer, including a fantastic 68 in the second round, last week means that he’s ready for this tournament.

2. Phil Mickelson +650 - - There is only one guy that could make Phil fail. That would be Phil. Yes, Tiger is the best in the world, but Mickelson is amazing when he’s got things going well. He definitely has it going in 2009 because he’s already notched two tournament victories. Out of 6 events, Mickelson has finished in the Top Ten 3 times with those two being victories.

3. Geoff Ogilvy +1000 - - Ogilvy is the second favorite according to the Betus Sportsbook. The reason being is that he’s been as consistent as any golfer on the tour in 2009 and could drive home another victory in the Shell Houston Open because he’s hitting the ball as well as anybody. Two Top Ten finishes, two victories, and 6 cuts made out of 6 tournaments makes him the consistency king of the PGA.

4. Sergio Garcia +1800 - - Sergio’s been a disappointment but he’s too tough mentally to not get himself ready for the Masters. Winning the Shell Houston Open could definitely help him in that regard. Sergio’s made the cut in all three of the tournaments he’s played in. Maybe, the lack of a victory drives his price up in this.

5. Vijay Singh +3500 - - 35 to 1 golf odds on Vijay who has a shot to win it all on any given Sunday? That’s crazy. Singh is still one of the best golfers in the world. A victory in the Shell Houston Open is very possible. He’s made four cuts out of six tournaments played in with no Top Ten finishes but 2008’s FedEx Cup winner can turn it on at a moment’s notice.

6. Camilo Villegas +2000 - - The odds are actually on the low side for Villegas. He is a golfer who one day looks like the next coming of Sam Snead then on the next, couldn’t find the cup if his ball had eyes. Villegas needs to be more consistent. If he performs well at the Shell Houston Open, then he will be a solid top ten bet at the Masters . Four cuts made with three Top Tens in six tourneys says that the Golden Boy of Golf could be on the verge of a victory in the Shell.

Best Long Shots

Luke Donald +4000 - - 40 to 1 on Donald are excellent odds for gamblers. Donald could win this tournament. At those odds, he deserves to be looked at very closely. Six cuts made out of six tournaments with three Top Ten finishes…are those the stats of a real 40 to 1 shot? I don’t think so.