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04/18/2009 - Hilton Head Island, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brian Gay is killing Harbour Town with his steadiness.
"I'm just seeing things well out there," he said.
Gay extended his lead at the Verizon Heritage with a four-under 67 in Saturday's third round, setting up what could be a career-changing outcome for the 37-year-old PGA Tour veteran.
Seeking just his second career win, Gay was three strokes in front of New Zealand's Tim Wilkinson. A victory would mean Gay's first-ever berth in the Masters next year.
"I feel great. I look forward to [the final round]," said Gay, who broke through for his first victory at last year's Mayakoba Golf Classic in Mexico. "I just have to keep hitting good shots, keep it in front of me and keep on going on."
Wilkinson shot a six-under 65 and was alone in second place at 10-under 203, with two-time U.S. Open champion Lee Janzen (69) another stroke further back at nine-under 204.
Former British Open winner Todd Hamilton (71) stood at 205, while five-time Heritage winner Davis Love III (69) shared fifth place with Briny Baird (65) at 206.
Known as one of the shortest -- and straightest -- hitters on the PGA Tour, and as one of its best putters, Gay has strung together rounds of 67-66-67 to take only his third 54-hole lead on the PGA Tour.
He has done it in familiar ways -- by hitting fairways and greens and making his putts. He ranked second in driving accuracy and greens in regulation and was tied for seventh in putting after three rounds.
"I'm hitting it really straight off the tee and just hitting a lot of solid shots," said Gay.
He began the day with a one-shot lead over Hamilton, protecting it with a birdie at the fifth hole. He then rolled in an 11-foot birdie putt at No. 6 to take a two-shot lead.
Gay, on the way to compiling his second bogey-free round in three days, made further birdies at the 11th and 15th holes to secure his three-shot lead.
He credited his success on the Harbour Town greens to his familiarity with the area.
"I grew up in the South and I'm used to the greens and these types of grasses, so it's pretty familiar for me," said Gay. "You just got to pay attention to when it's shiny or dark; you can tell if you're putting into the green, that sort of thing."
When Gay missed the 17th green and was left with a delicate chip-shot to get up-and-down for par, he had little trouble with the task. He knocked it close enough to set up a mid-range par putt, which he rolled into the center of the cup to protect his three-shot lead.
"His short game is so good," said Love. "This is a good course for him. It's not surprising he's doing so good."
Gay's steadiness will make it hard for players to catch him on Sunday, even if Harbour Town is giving up birdies. Love was within six strokes, and that looked like too much, even for the five-time champion.
"Brian needs to quit making birdies, and I need to make a bunch," said Love.
He could have been speaking for anybody.
<< Astros give Cooper extension
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros have picked up the option on
the contract of manager Cecil Cooper, keeping him with the club through the
2010 season.
Cooper was named the interim manager in August 2007, and entering Sat
<< LeBron, Cavaliers dominate Pistons in series opener
Cleveland, OH (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - LeBron James was dominant, scoring 38 points,
grabbing eight rebounds and dishing out seven assists, as the Cleveland
Cavaliers easily took Game 1 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinal series
with De
<< Kansas G Little has leg surgery
Lawrence, KS (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kansas guard Mario Little underwent successful
leg surgery, the school revealed on Saturday.
Little, who will be a senior in 2009-10, had the procedure on Thursday to
facilitate healing from a bothersome
<< Wozniacki, Lisicki win semifinal matches at Family Circle
Charleston, SC (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fifth-seeded Dane Caroline Wozniacki and
16th-seeded German Sabine Lisicki were both semifinal winners Saturday at the
$1 million Family Circle Cup tennis event.
A grueling three-set match that laste
Vitesse snaps AZ's 28-game unbeaten streak >>
Alkmaar, Netherlands (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - AZ Alkmaar wasted a chance to lock up
its first Eredivisie title since 1981 on Saturday as its 28-match unbeaten run
was snapped in a 2-1 loss to Vitesse.
AZ still managed to inch closer to the cham
Devils forward Langenbrunner to miss two games >>
Newark, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - New Jersey Devils forward Jamie Langenbrunner
will miss the next two games in his club's Eastern Conference quarterfinal
series against the Carolina Hurricanes.
The Newark Star-Ledger reported on Satur
Harry Kalas remembered before Phillies-Padres game >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies honored Hall-
of-Fame broadcaster Harry Kalas with a heartfelt ceremony before Saturday's
game against the San Diego Padres.
Kalas died prior to Monday's Phillies-Nationals
Monaco finishes off 10-man Rennes >>
Fontvieille, Monaco (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Jerko Leko converted a penalty kick in
the 76th minute following a red card and Juan Pablo Pino added two more goals
in the closing minutes as Monaco defeated Rennes, 3-1, on Saturday.
Leko converte
The 2007 college football rules changes that were implemented to shorten games are now history. The NCAA rules committee did what they set out to do; games were cut by an average of 14 minutes per game last season. There were also, on average, 14 fewer plays per game. We’ll get into how that did (or didn’t) affect games in regards to the pointspread a bit later.
While the NCAA rules committee may have had the betterment of the game in mind, they'll now “turn back the clock” for next season. Two key rules have now been overturned by the NCAA committee for the 2007 season, something definitely for the better.
For those of you who may not remember what those rules actually were, let us refresh your memory.
1) The first one was actually starting the clock on a kickoff as soon as the kicker touched the ball rather than waiting until the returner touched it. The problem here was near the end of the half (or game), if the team leading was kicking off, they could milk the clock by intentionally running offsides and then re-kicking. They could run 10-15 seconds off the clock each play while taking just five-yard penalties each time. They could run the clock down and simply cause the half (or game) to end on a kickoff, keeping the opposing offense off the field. In 2007, the clock will now start when the returner touches the ball as it had before last season.
2) The second rule dealt with starting the clock after a change of online football betting possession rather than waiting until the ball was snapped. This took a lot of time off the clock throughout the game as teams changed possession, however it caused the most problems late in games (or halves). Rather than huddling up and calling a play, the offensive team would have to rush onto the field as the clock started. This was a definite disadvantage to a team that was trying to come from behind late in the game. This year the clock will start on a change of possession, after the ball is snapped.
How did those rules affect the college game last year and will it make a difference this year when it comes to the pointspread? We commonly heard two theories when it came to these changes. First, it would affect scoring negatively. Second, it would hurt favorites as they would have less time and fewer plays to cover the number.
Did the rules hurt scoring? Yes. It seemed obvious that shortening the game by what amounted to 14 plays would push scoring downward. That was the case last year. Of the 119 Division 1A teams, 69 squads scored fewer points in 2007 than they did in 2005. Just 48 teams had a higher PPG scoring average and two stayed the same. Almost 59 percent of the teams in college football last year had a lower PPG average than they did in 2005. Expect more scoring in 2007 as we revert back to the old rules.
Did the rules hinder favorites from covering the number in 2007? Not really. Last year the favorites posted an overall spread record of 336-350-16 (48.9 percent). The year before, favorites were 316-326-13 (49.2 percent). In 2004, the favorites were 316-339-2 (48.2 percent). In fact, college football favorites have been above 50 percent for the season just once in the last seven years (in 2003). Last year’s numbers fell right in line with where they have been historically.
How about big favorites? The rules must have hurt them? Maybe a little bit. Double-digit favorites last year came in at a 47.8 percent clip compare with an average of just over 50 percent over the last seven years. Since 1980, favorites of -10 or more have covered at exactly a 50 percent clip (measured over 6,716 games).
Even bigger favorites must have struggled? Not really. In fact, it was just the opposite. Favorites of three TD’s or more were 59-54-2 last year (52.2 percent). Since 2000, those same favorites (-21 or higher) hit at 51.3 percent and since 1990 came in a clip of 50.3 percent. Stepping it up a notch to four TD favorites or higher, we actually see they've covered at a much better rate last season than before. Last year, favorites of -28 or more were 31-21-1, or almost 60 percent. Historically, four-TD-or-higher favorites have come in at a 50.7 percent spot since 2000 and only 48.9 percent since 1990. The “perceived” problem with the favorites covering at a reduced rate really never came to fruition.
Bottom line is, there might be some more scoring in 2007, but no real revelations when it comes to finding any pointspread golden nuggets.
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Sportsbook betting odds favor Europe in Ryder Cup
September 19, – Despite holding a decided edge in the all-time series, with 24 wins, 2 ties and 10 losses, Team USA is the underdog again heading into the Ryder Cup in Kidare, Ireland this weekend, according to MySportsbook.com. The Europeans have captured four of the past five editions, including their largest victory ever, an 18 ½ to 9 ½ thumping in Michigan in 2004. Current Ryder Cup betting odds favor the Europeans to continue their winning ways; they are a 4-5 bet to take the title, compared to 6-5 for the Americans.
Despite being knocked out in the first round of World Match play by Shaun Micheel, Tiger Woods is predicted to lead the US charge and be their highest point scorer for the week, with odds listed at 9-4 that he outpoints all other American players, including Jim Furyk, Phil Mickelson and Chris DiMarco to name a few. Team USA has four relatively unknown players on the roster but all four are 2007 tournament winners and have posted some of season’s best performances, each earning over $1.5 million on the PGA TOUR. They include Zach Johnson, Vaughan Taylor, JJ Henry and Brett Wetterich.
The experienced European squad includes the likes of Luke Donald, Sergio Garcia, Padraig Harrington, Jose Maria Olazabal and Darren Clarke, who’s emotions will be tested after the passing of his wife to a battle with cancer. Donald and Garcia are in particularly good form and each is a 5-1 bet to lead the European squad in the points race. Donald has proven he can go head to head with Woods at a major event after a run for the $1.2 million purse at the PGA Championship. Garcia’s Ryder Cup credentials prove he’s ready for battle too.
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Ryder Cup Odds| Europe Tie USA |
4-5 10-1 6-5 |
| Tiger Woods Jim Furyk Phil Mickelson Chris DiMarco David Toms Stewart Cink Chad Campbell Scott Verplank Zach Johnson Vaughan Taylor JJ Henry Brett Wetterich |
9-4 4-1 5-1 7-1 8-1 12-1 15-1 15-1 25-1 30-1 30-1 50-1 |
| Sergio Garcia Luke Donald Padraig Harrington Colin Montgomerie Darren Clarke David Howell Lee Westwood Paul Casey Henrik Stenson Jose Maria Olazabal Paul McGinley Robert Karlsson |
5-1 5-1 6-1 13-2 8-1 9-1 9-1 11-1 12-1 12-1 20-1 25-1 |
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