Camillo Villegas is a very exciting young player. The 26 year old Colombian has been on tour for 4 years now, but came to prominence 2 years ago with a tremendous season that included 4 top tens and 2 top 3's. His style is that of a typical swashbuckling south american, he has flair, strength and a winning attitude. More importantly he has course form here. Last year he was second ( his best performance of last year, and unlucky to lose in the playoff ), and in 2006 he was 31st with a final round 74. He loves it here in Southern Florida, and was a good second to "tiny" David toms at Doral here in 2006.

Florida also has a big spanish speaking population who make Villegas feel welcome and comfortable, and it is no surprise that he likes it here with these things in his favour. Golf is a very psychological sport and these things matter when a player is prepping for an event. it is no surprise that Mickleson has won over 70% of his events on the East coast of America. Players have certain affinities to courses, times of the year, "life events" and places in the world.

Villegas has also had a reasonable start to 2008 as well. 3 out of 4 cuts made, and a top 25 already this term. Stats wise he is beating the PGA average in scoring ( by nearly a whole stroke ), Driving distance and putts per round. He is also leading the way out of the whole tour in birdies on par 5's ( which isn't so great here as there are only 2 on this par 70 course, but useful nonetheless ).

Sergio Garcia is a bit of an enigma in golf. He won his club championship when he was 12, and with his fearless attitude and hot temper, his nickname "El Nino" was well founded. He has never filled his potential however, and his best chance of major glory was last year in the Open ( where he always does well ). He was at 1 point in the final round 3 shots clear of the field, but then capitulated in a Jean Van De Velde manner, and gave it to Harrington, who himself made a bit of a meal of winning it.

Many thought Garcia would take time to get over this, but the spanish tiger has never showed any outward ill effects of the most disappointing time in his career.

This year he has had a slow start with just 2 starts on the PGA tour and has nothing better than a T46th to show, and a poor effort in the matchplay last week. He has never played at this course, and is a little out of sorts.

This bet is for Villegas to beat Garcia over 72 holes with a one shot start for Villegas.

This is a cracking bet for many reasons, but Villegas is in form, has course form, has positive psychological plusses here, and isn't a bad bet to win the thing outright at about 50/1. Garcia comes here in poor form, never played the course before, and will have to cope with the massive greens here. His putting ( as anyone who has ever backed him will know ) is a major problem for him, and he will not be relishing the thought of standing over many 8 footers for par here. Villeags however has a very good top 50 stat against his name for putts per round, and I'm taking him to see of Sergio over 72 holes. The one shot start is just an extra added bonus !!!!

MAX bet for me here.

Pick : Camillo Villegas (+1) to beat Sergio Garcia (-1) 72 hole match bet @ Honda Classic
Odds : 1.91
Stake : 10 / 10
Bookmaker : VCbet
Date : 2008-03-02
Match Result :
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