Baddeley leads Woods at U.S. Open

Golf Betting Lines

06/17/2007 - Oakmont, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Aaron Baddeley will carry a two-shot lead over Tiger Woods into the final round of the U.S. Open after shooting an even-par 70 Saturday at a tamer Oakmont.

Baddeley, an Australian transplant living in Arizona, is at two-over 212 -- the second straight year the 54-hole leader was plus-two at the U.S. Open.

Woods began the day five shots behind Angel Cabrera's overnight lead and shot a one-under 69, playing bogey-free until the 18th hole. He was at four-over 214.

Paul Casey followed his spectacular 66 Friday with a 72 in the second round and was tied for third place with Stephen Ames (73), Justin Rose (73) and Bubba Watson (74) at five-over 215.

Cabrera shot a 76 and fell back to six-over 216. He was joined there by Steve Stricker, whose 68 was the best round of the day, and 2003 U.S. Open winner Jim Furyk (70).

In 28 tries, Woods has never come from behind to win a major. Baddeley, who played with Woods at the Masters this year, will have a chance to extend that losing streak to 29 tournaments.

"I'll absolutely enjoy it," Baddeley, a two-time PGA Tour winner, said. "I'm comfortable playing with Tiger at the majors."

If he had seen Woods' round Saturday, he might not have been as comfortable.

Woods made 13 consecutive pars after posting birdies on two of his first four holes and hit every green in regulation through 17 holes. That run ended when he found a bunker with his tee shot at the 18th, only to blast out to the middle of the fairway.

He put his third shot over the hole and missed a a 15-foot par putt, ending a chance for the first bogey-free round of the week.

Woods was just the sixth player since 1983 to hit 17 greens in regulation during a round at the U.S. Open. He hit no more than 11 in either of the first two rounds.

"I felt like I was in control of my game today, which is nice to have on a Saturday afternoon of an Open," said Woods, a two-time U.S. Open winner.

His round was filled with a handful of agonizing near-misses on makable putts. If even three of them had rolled in, he would have equaled Casey's tournament- best 66 from Friday.

Casey's round was sensational, if not unbelievable. Woods' was workmanlike.

What a difference a few putts make.

"But, hey, I put myself right there in the tournament," Woods figured.

He began the round with a long drive at No. 1 that cut into the center of the fairway, then an approach shot to 20 feet to set up a routine par. He then made par from a bunker at No. 2 -- the first time he parred the first two holes this week.

Woods made his two birdies on back-to-back holes beginning at No. 3, where he rolled in an eight-foot putt. He two-putted from 20 feet at the fourth.

MORE TO FOLLOW.

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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.