Duke Can Be King…

My betting blog this week turns to the Farmers Insurance Open has one significant absentee in 6 time winner Tiger Woods who has, somewhat surprisingly, opted to start his season in Abu Dhabi. With Phil Mickelson misfiring in Florida last week this event now looks wide open.

Big Bet 1 – Ken Duke

Current odds 250/1

Our main selection this week is journeyman Ken Duke, although for a journeyman he has not actually had that many starts on the main tour. His inconsistencies have meant he shares time between the main tour and the Nationwide Tour where last season he won the Tour Championship.

Although still a maiden on the main tour he has twice been successful on the Nationwide as well as winning twice in Canada. A good ball striker and long enough to take advantage of the par fives on the North and South course he has been good in patches in the two events he has played this season and could be ready to better his record at Torrey Pines this week. If in contention come Sunday though, he will need to stay in control of his emotions as it is his weekend form that generally lets him down. He’s now more experienced, and having won last season he may well be in position to cope better with the demands of being in contention and perhaps be another of the US golfers who have flourished in their forties.

Big Bet 2 – Harris English

Current Odds 175/1

Tour rookie Harris English is our second pick this week and the Georgia resident is quickly rising through the ranks.

English qualified for the tour after finishing 13th at Q-school and this despite only having played eight events on the Nationwide Tour, one of which was a victory in the Children’s Hospital Invitational. He almost followed that victory with another soon after but lost out in a play-off to Danny Lee.

A player of undoubted potential after just a handful of events, he has also started this season well, appearing on the leaderboard in both events and finishing 19th last week at La Quinta.

Admittedly this week may come a bit soon for the youngster but one thing for sure is he has performed in almost every event he has started and the youngsters on Tour these days seem to show no fear. Expect a good showing from this young man.