Betting Odds To Win the 2010 Tour Championship

Of course, the most interesting thing about the Tour Championship is who’s not at the top of the oddsmaker’s charts—because he’s not invited to the party. But in the absence of Tiger Woods, it seems that bettors think that Phil Mickelson has the inside track at 7/1. Mr September, Steve Stricker is in at 8/1, while the GolfBlogger’s favorite, Matt Kuchar, is at 10/1 along with the hard luck Dustin Johnson.

Actually, the Tour should be happy if either of those two wins, because I think both have the potential to be real stars. Kuchar, in particular, comes across very well in interviews—always smiling and seemingly enjoying himself.

The rest of the odds follow, courtesy of Bodog, the world’s largest betting destination.

AMATEUR GOLFERS INVITED TO TEE IT UP LIKE A PGA TOUR PRO

The 2010 Nature Valley® Amateur will hold 18 qualifying events June-September at TPC facilities and other renowned courses; TPC Sawgrass to host November Championship

MINNEAPOLIS, MN (June 11, 2010) – For the fourth straight year, Nature Valley is giving aspiring golfers the opportunity to play like a PGA TOUR player – competing on TPC and other great courses with fast greens, high rough and Sunday pin placements. The 2010 Nature Valley Amateur, a June-September series, includes qualifying events in 18 coast-to-coast markets, from Washington State to Florida. In addition to 16 TPC clubs, competition venues include Cog Hill – Dubsdread and Torrey Pines – South Course. Four players from each qualifying event will advance to the two-day Championship on THE PLAYERS Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, November 5 – 6, 2010 in Ponte Vedra Beach, FL.

“We’re inviting America’s best amateurs to play like a PGA TOUR pro on award-winning courses designed specifically for this elevated type of competition,” said Travis Trembath, Nature Valley marketing. “Nature Valley, for a fourth summer, is excited to bring an authentic, adrenaline-packed sporting experience to hundreds of golf enthusiasts.”

Men and women with an established USGA handicap index between 0 and 24 are eligible. Each qualifying event will play host to four flights, with each flight winner earning the chance to compete in the Championship Weekend at TPC Sawgrass, home of THE PLAYERS Championship. Highlighting the weekend will be a pairings dinner for players and guests at the TPC Sawgrass clubhouse, including a keynote speech from a PGA TOUR caddie. Complete with personal lockers, private practice areas, individual caddies, standard
bearers, and real-time scoring, the two-day Championship will conclude with an awards presentation at sunset on the clubhouse lawn.

“We are proud to collaborate with our partner, Nature Valley, to once again provide amateur golfers with once-in-a-lifetime PGA TOUR experiences,” said Rob Ohno, Senior Vice President, Corporate Marketing for the PGA TOUR. “This outstanding series continues to inspire amateur golfers around the country and we look forward to once again watching some of the most passionate men and women compete on TOUR-caliber courses with the intensity of professionals.”

Golfers interested in reserving a spot or learning more about the Nature Valley Amateur can visit naturevalleygolf.com.