FINAL VEGAS ODDS- Lake Tahoe, 2007

2-1    Chris Grenier    Lefty has been spending time with Leadbetter in the offseason and while his putting stroke resembles a wrist shot, we like his mental toughness and number of quality rounds this year.  Look for him to be near the leaderboard throughout.  Only question - can he handle the Green Jacket pressure on Saturday?  Tough call....

3-1    Matt Mclaughlin    Shortened his swing and lost some distance, but this reigning "also-ran" is heading West with steely confidence.  This might be his year.  Generally chokes on Friday, but the belly putter might keep him close this year.  Tequila shots anyone?  Junior might needs a couple more years.

3-1    Jeff Murdock    Tough in the mountains, this automatic free swinger relishes the return to Tahoe.  Game seems to be rounding into form, but will his move to lovely New Jersey fray his focus?   Putting still suspect.  Keep him in your exotics, but not his year for the Coat.  Usually overbet.

4-1    Wil Bryant    Likely to miss first tee time, but if he shows, look out.  Long, loose, and left, you can gage his chances by this strut to the first tee.  He may mail this one in, and we'll know on the first swing.   Side with others in 2007

5-1    Dave Marquez    Return of a hardened competitor with extra motivation to take his first Jacket.  Low handicapper will need to resurrect his game against this field ladened with past champions.  3rd or 4th most likely as he is know to take some big numbers on the mountain courses, although Polo won't get in his head this year.

6-1    Chet Osadchey    Well rounded athlete recently installed a practice green and bunker in his backyard in preparation for his 2nd event.  While dominating Upstate NY mini-tour, his insouciance may lead to a surprising victory.  Keep an eye for the late money on this one....interesting

8-1    Tim Wern    Driver, 3 wood, 4 iron, 9 wood off the tee?   Doesn't seem to matter...he may be hitting "3 off the tee" more often than not.  From 150 yds and in, nobody is better...problem is he needs to get to 150...if he does, he wins.  If not, he'll pick the venue next year anyway.

10-1    Mike Maloney    Trimmed down.  Mechanically perfect swing.  Almost penalized for slow play last year...the clock will be on him Thursday.  Superior athletic talent probably still not enough to get him to the money, but he's been lurking...tough call.

12-1    Kevin Sullivan    One of the more likeable tour players just can't seem to handle the pressure.   Seems to shoot his lowest scores when he's already 43 strokes down.  Fun to have in your foursome.  Seems to want it more this year, but we'll see him at the blackjack tables early, again.  Rounds out a backslapping foursome.

12-1    Josh Lesnick    Pure ball striker seems to have lost some of his mojo.  Barely broke 100 last couple times out.  Hits the Utility Club 60 times per round now.  Once a great putter...now below average on the greens.  Bunker game suspect.  Seems to have lost some yardage.   Would take a miracle this week.  Overrated.

14-1    Robert Cartwright    Another deliberate player coming in very focused.  Sneaky long.  Has been known to toss a club or two each hole.  Will be interesting to watch the action on this one...has played a ton of rounds this year, but with no pressure like the Coat.  Might surprise.

15-1    Chris MacKrell    Maiden Special.  Does not take the game seriously, which could mean trouble for the field.  Good hand-eye coordination.  Needs to learn the rules and now wear gym shorts to the course.  Does like that 3 wood shot off the fringe.  First timer, no chance.  

18-1    Scott Baker    Big hitter has often wowed the crowds with his prodigious length.  Horrible touch around the greens will be his demise once again.  Has all the tools, but the attention span of a squirrel.  Most likely to pick up a dealer in the casino this year.  Top 5 would be big for him.  He needs to build on something.

20-1    Lars Janson    Only European, the "Volcano" has missed the last couple, but we think he may come this year with something to prove.  Low handicap, great short game.  Pairings with the wrong competitors will wreak havoc with his game.  Top 4 likely, a win not in the cards.  Can he keep his cool with players who walk in his line this year?

22-1    Mike Moore    Swing gets uglier by the year, and his game follows suit.  Picked up his some distance when someone told him to hold his club like a baby chicken.  Hall of Famer has seen better days.  Usually strong in the mountains...should be happy with a top ten.

22-1    John Webster    Unique entrant this year.  Has been know to go low (on the first hole)....generally prefers socializing to competing.  Fine putter rarely gets to use the flat stick as he hits the 10 max rule in the bunkers around the greens.  Would be a miracle....but, he knows the courses...hmmm...would be a historic event...if he even plays all 4 rounds.