Bettencourt leads DiMarco in Reno
Golf Betting Lines
07/15/2010 -
Reno, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Bettencourt shot a six-under 66 to take the
first-round lead Thursday at the Reno-Tahoe Open.
Bettencourt earned his first 18-hole lead on the PGA Tour largely due to an
eagle at the 17th hole. He moved past Chris DiMarco, who had a 67 at Montreux
Golf & Country Club to sit alone in second place.
Craig Bowden and 2006 champion Will MacKenzie were another shot further back
at 68, while Chad Campbell and former PGA Championship winner Steve Elkington
led a large group at 69.
Because the tournament is being played opposite the British Open, Campbell is
the highest-ranked player in the field at world No. 93.
The event features a mixture of young pros trying to get their first PGA Tour
wins, wily veterans hoping for a good finish, and many players in between.
DiMarco is among the veterans seeking a good finish. On a career downswing, he
has now missed three British Opens in a row after playing in eight straight.
He was runner-up to Tiger Woods at Hoylake in 2006.
Making the best of his start in Reno, the 41-year-old DiMarco mixed six
birdies with one bogey during the first round. He birdied his last three
holes, sinking a seven-foot putt at the 18th to take the clubhouse lead.
"I really like the golf course," said DiMarco, who tied for 26th last year on
the Montreux layout. "It fits my eye really well off the tee, which is pretty
big when you're playing golf, to be able to see the lines that you want to
have."
DiMarco has three career PGA Tour wins, but none since the 2002 Phoenix Open.
His last victory on any tour came at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in
January 2006.
"I still feel like I can win out here," DiMarco said. "My confidence is slowly
but surely coming back. I'm starting to get comfortable on the golf course
again.
"It's coming back."
DiMarco's lead didn't last long Thursday.
Playing three groups behind him, Bettencourt eagled the par-five 17th after
hitting his second shot 260 yards and within three feet of the hole, getting
to seven-under par.
Bettencourt then bogeyed the 18th from a fairway bunker, trimming his lead to
a shot. He also had six birdies during the round, all in his first 13 holes.
"I'm very pleased with my round," said Bettencourt, a 35-year-old grinder who
has never won on the PGA Tour. "I've been struggling a little bit this year
with my expectations. I've been battling a few injuries. So it feels good to
be feeling healthy and getting out there and playing good golf."
NOTES: Defending champion John Rollins opened with a 71...Tournament host
Scott McCarron had a 70...Two-time Reno-Tahoe winner Vaughn Taylor shot a
74...Bettencourt picked up two victories on the Nationwide Tour in 2008.
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MySportsbook.com: NFL draft - The NFC South
In part two of MySportsbook.com’s draft preview, we’ll take a look at a division that was extremely disappointing last season: the NFC South. Many “experts” predicted the Panthers to represent the NFC in the Super Bowl, of course they could not even make the playoffs in an extremely weak NFC. The Saints definitely made up for the disappointing seasons of their NFC South brethren by exploding out of no where en route to the NFC Championship game. For the avid NFL gambler, it is imperative to pay attention to the NFL draft. Although free agency gets a ton of publicity, the successful franchises build their teams around the draft.
1. New Orleans Saints
Who would have thought this time last year that the Saints would be the favorites to win the NFC South for the 2007 campaign? New Orleans is loaded with firepower on the offensive side of the ball but with the exodus of Joe Horn they will most likely look to draft a WR on Day 1. Despite having the NFL’s 3rd ranked pass defense last season, the Saints will most likely upgrade their CB’s with one of their first two picks. Other possibilities for the Saints will be TE and DT. Because of where they will be selecting (27th), the Saints could go the “best available player” route which could net a LB.
Key additions: Eric Johnson TE, Troy Evans LB, David Patten WR
Key loses: Joe Horn WR,
Team needs: CB, WR, TE, LB, DT
Possible draftees: Aaron Ross CB Texas, Darrelle Revis CB Pitt, Ted Ginn Jr. WR OSU, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Chris Houston CB Arkansas, Greg Olsen TE Miami
2. Carolina Panthers
Carolina was one of the biggest disappointments in the NFL last season. With the signing of David Carr, expect the very first quarterback controversy to come out of Carolina if Jake Delhomme doesn’t rebound quickly from an average 2007 season. With veteran safety Mike Minter getting up there in age, they will look to draft a safety on Day 1 but probably not in the first round. LB is another need with the loss of Chris Draft to go along with Dan Morgan’s concussion problems. If TE Greg Olsen is still on the board, he might be too good to pass up despite their needs on the defensive side of the ball.
Key additions: David Carr QB
Key loses: Chris Draft LB
Team needs: LB, TE, S, OT
Possible draftees: Greg Olsen TE Miami, Patrick Willis LB Ole Miss, Paul Posluszny LB PSU, Levi Brown OT PSU
3. Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons were another NFC South team to have a disappointing 2007 season. The Falcons have been plenty busy during the off season with plenty of players coming and going including a new head coach. The Falcons were able to improve their draft position with the trade of coveted backup QB Matt Schaub. High on the list of Day 1 needs will be a defensive end to replace Patrick Kerney and a hard hitting safety since Lawyer Milloy is nearing the end of his career. With an additional 2nd round pick, the Falcons could attempt to trade up to acquire local product WR Calvin Johnson.
Key additions: Joey Harrington QB, Toniu Fonoti OG, Joe Horn WR
Key loses: Justin Griffen RB, Patrick Kerney DE, Matt Lehr OG, Ashley Lelie WR, Matt Schaub QB
Team needs: DE, S, OT, WR, DT
Possible draftees: LaRon Landry S LSU, Amobi Okoye DT Louisville, Levi Brown OT PSU, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas, Alan Branch DT Michigan
4. Tampa Bay Buccaneers
Age really caught up to the Bucs last season. The Bucs still have plenty of household names on defense in Ronde Barber, Simeon Rice and Derrick Brooks but the one thing those three have in common is unfortunately age. It is imperative for the Bucs to get much younger, especially on the defensive side of the ball. Despite having bigger needs on the defensive side of the ball, WR Calvin Johnson is the most likely pick if he is still available when the Bucs pick at the four spot. This would suit Bucs’ faithful just fine as Johnson is widely considered the top talent in the draft and it is a position of need for the Bucs.
Key additions: Jeff Garcia QB, Kevin Carter DE, Torrie Cox CB, Cato June LB
Key loses: Dewayne White DE, Sean Mahan OG
Team needs: WR, LB, DE, CB (Youth on defense!)
Possible draftees: Calvin Johnson WR Georgia Tech, Gains Adams DE Clemson, Jamaal Anderson DE Arkansas
It is never too early to start betting on the NFL. Log on to MySportsbook.com to checkout all of the NFL futures for the upcoming season. On the clock: the NFC North
Odds to win the NFC South:
New Orleans Saints 8-5
Carolina Panthers 2-1
Atlanta Falcons 12-5
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 9-2
Odds to win the NFC:
New Orleans Saints 13-2
Carolina Panthers 7-1
Atlanta Falcons 20-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 25-1
Odds to win the Super Bowl:
New Orleans Saints 18-1
Carolina Panthers 20-1
Atlanta Falcons 50-1
Tampa Bay Buccaneers 75-1
To visit this sportsbook get to MySportsbook.com for all your online sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.
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