Arnold Palmer Invitational – Orlando, FL  (Odds by Ladbrokes)

The Favorites:

Tiger Woods (Even): Nobody is a good bet at even money.  Nobody.  Anyone feel like betting against him?

Phil Mickelson (10-1):  With three top 10s (including a win at Riviera) in five 2008 starts, Mickelson is running reasonably hot…and he has won here (1997)…and with a victory at the 2007 Players, he has to be reasonably confident in Florida.  But Tiger’s here, so 10-1 might be a little short…

Luke Donald (20-1): Two top-3 finishes in three American starts in ’08, and four top 10s in 11 career Florida starts.  Bay Hill might be longer than is ideal for him, but form says he’s a decent bet.

Wild Cards:

Vijay Singh (20-1):  Lost in a playoff at Pebble Beach but otherwise has not logged a top-10 stroke play finish in 2008.  Dangerous enough to win at any time, and his power is an advantage here…but I’m not feeling it.

Sergio Garcia (33-1): Hogan, Snead and Vardon all found ways to win with the yips…  Well, putting is an issue here, but Sergio has five top-10 finishes at Bay Hill so he obviously feels good here.  Then again, leave out a T7 in Qatar and he hasn’t bettered 19th at stroke play in ’08.  But if this place can’t boost his confidence, what will?

Jim Furyk (40-1): His first Florida start of ’08, and he hasn’t bettered a T14 at Pebble Beach since a T5 at the season-opening Mercedes Championship.  Has fallen from 2nd to 8th in the World Ranking, so he’s not trending well…

Stuart Appleby (40-1): Five 2008 starts, five top 10s.  He’s due.

Longshots:

Ryuji Imada (50-1): Two 2nds and a 5th in his last three starts?  Automatically a good bet at 50-1.  And he can win.

Martin Kaymer (66-1): The only under-25 among the world top 50 makes his PGA Tour debut.  The talent is there, the experience obviously isn’t.  A perfect longshot.

Chad Campbell (66-1): Playing pleasantly so-so golf, but the talent is there, and he won here in 2004.  So perhaps he’s ready.