Derksen clings to lead in 'unplayable' conditions

Golf Betting Lines

04/25/2009 - Jeju Island, South Korea (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In conditions he deemed unplayable, Robert-Jan Derksen bogeyed the last four holes of his third round but still walked away with a two-shot lead Saturday at the Ballantine's Championship.

Derksen, who led by two strokes entering the round, finished with a three-over 75 in near impossible windy conditions at Pinx Golf Club.

The 35-year-old Dutchman, a two-time winner on the European Tour, stands at six-under 210, with Spain's Pablo Martin in second place at four-under 212.

The start of the round was delayed by more than three hours because of a dense fog that shrouded Jeju Island. But the long delay was hardly the only obstacle players faced.

Once on the course, they struggled with strong winds that sent scores skyward.

In fact, only one of the 74 golfers who made the 36-hole cut was able to break par: France's Francois Delamontagne, who mostly stayed out of trouble while shooting a one-under 71

It was a middling score that would normally have a player treading water, especially on Moving Day. On this Saturday, however, it vaulted Delamontagne from a tie for 42nd place into a share of sixth.

"I'm from Brittany in France where there is a lot of wind as well, so I like to play in these conditions," said Delamontagne.

Korea's Kyung-Nam Kang (75) and Wook-Soon Kang (77) are tied for third place with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (77) at two-under 214 -- two shots behind Martin and four back of Derksen.

Derksen, although he managed to cling to his lead throughout, felt the wind's effect early on when his tee shot at No. 2 was blown off course and into the gallery.

"I think it was too tough. It was unfair," Derksen said of the conditions. "I think it was unplayable."

Derksen -- who was one-under par for the round before he dropped shots at each of his last four holes -- collected two birdies, seven bogeys and an eagle at the par-five 10th.

"They kept us out there, so the only thing you can do is just your best," said Derksen, who is seeking his first win since the 2005 Madeira Islands Open. "I did that on every shot ... and I'm still two in front."

Martin posted three bogeys and a birdie in his third round. Now a 23-year-old professional, he was the first amateur winner in European Tour history when he claimed the 2007 Estoril Open de Portugal.

"It was really difficult out there. It was really windy, but I tried to make it fun," said Martin. "I'm happy with my round."

Not even the top stars in the field could tame Saturday's tough conditions, as Ernie Els (73), Lee Westwood (76), Henrik Stenson (81) and Fred Couples (81) all finished above par.

Els' 73 actually tied for the second-best score of the day as the South African moved into a share of sixth place with Delamontagne, Mikko Ilonen (74), Gwang-Soo Choi (74) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (76) at one-under 215.

Betonspots Golf Betting News

<< Giles gets clutch hit in 11th to send Padres past Pirates
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brian Giles stroked the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 11th, and the Padres edged the Pirates, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series at Petco Park. Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps (0-1) entered

<< Hawaii's Nitoto to transfer
Honolulu, HI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Citing personal reasons, Hawaii point guard Kareem Nitoto will transfer from the school. The announcement came Friday night from Hawaii coach Bob Nash. "I want to thank Coach Nash and UH for giving me thi

<< Wang headed to DL, Robertson recalled
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees have placed pitcher Chien- Ming Wang on the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Dave Robertson from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday. Wang, who was diagnosed with weakness

<< NCAA penalizes Northeastern basketball program
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NCAA penalized Northeastern University on Friday, placing its athletics program on probation for two years for violations within the men's basketball program. The NCAA Division I Committee on In

<< Mariners crush Angels
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Erik Bedard threw 6 2/3 solid innings and Russell Branyan homered as the Mariners beat the Angels, 8-3, in the opener of a three-game series. Branyan and Adrian Beltre each drove in two runs, while E

Nuggets shoot for commanding 3-0 series lead over Hornets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets were no match for Denver in the Rocky Mountains, but Byron Scott's team hopes the momentum swings now that the Western Conference quarterfinals series between the two clubs shifts to the Big Easy this

Mavs aim for 3-1 series lead over struggling Spurs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks hope to build on a Game 3 rout over the San Antonio Spurs when their Western Conference quarterfinals series resumes this afternoon at the American Airlines Center. Dirk Nowitzki's 20 points and seven

Hawks hope to end road playoff woes in Miami >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The scene shifts to sunny South Beach on Sunday as the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat meet in the pivotal Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series. Miami bounced back from a poor opening game in the series to

Jazz hope to even series with Lakers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Deron Williams got the Utah Jazz back into their Western Conference quarterfinals series with the Los Angles Lakers by draining a game- winning jumper on Thursday. Now, the dynamic guard hopes to help the Jazz even the set wh

Ancelotti commits to Milan >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has given a strong hint that he will remain with the Italian club next season, despite having been linked with the manager's job at Chelsea. The 49-year-old is the hot

Super Bowl 2009 Betting

Super Bowl 2009 Betting propositions

Underdog bettors love the Super Bowl and, history suggests, the underdogs love them back. And the big dogs bite harder.

Even so, there is a warning in store for Super Bowl gamblers who must love dogs: The Arizona Cardinals Super Bowl betting lines might not be enough of a Cinderella to make it worth your while.

Although the Cardinals were widely panned as one of the worst division winners and least playoff-worthy teams in recent memory, their trip to Super Bowl XLIII Jan. 31 in Tampa against the Pittsburgh Steelers Super Bowl betting lines comes with a little more respect from the oddsmakers than you might imagine. They are a 7-point underdog at most sports books.

If you count yourself among those who covet the big dog in the big game, this isn’t exactly great news. You should have been hoping for more points. This is because the facts show that the bigger the dog, the better the bet in the Super Bowl.

Case in point: Over the past 13 seasons, double-figure underdogs in the Super Bowl are 4-0-1 ATS and have won the past three outright. In fact, the last double-digit chalk to do the deed for bettors was the 1995 San Francisco 49ers, who managed to beat the astounding 19-point spot afforded backers of the San Diego Chargers in the 49-26 romp in Super Bowl XXIX.

By contrast, 7-point favorites are 2-1-1 ATS in the same span, the last such contest resulting a cover grinded out by the Colts in their 29-17 win over the Bears two seasons ago in Super Bowl XLI.

In 2004, the Patriots failed to cover the number in their 32-29 triumph over the Carolina Panthers in Super Bowl props while the Rams and Titans gave everyone a refund in 2000 after the Rams posted a 23-16 win as a seven-point favorite.

So while Arizona’s run has included impressive upsets as a 10-point road underdog to the Carolina Panthers and Sunday’s 32-25 win in the NFC championship game to the 4-point favored Philadelphia Eagles, their long-shot story lacks a bit of the David vs. Goliath storyline of past Super Bowl underdogs.

While the seven-point spread represents a significant gap in the perception of strength between the two teams, it is far from monumental. For example, last season the Giants were the wild-card afterthought turned road-warrior buzzsaw, with stunning wins over the Buccaneers, Cowboys and Packers to earn their place in the Super Bowl.

There, they played spoiler to New England’s bid to become the first 19-0 team in NFL history and cemented their place in sports betting lore with a 17-14 win as a 12.5-point underdog.

In other words, the Cardinals appear to have their work cut out for them as a mid-range underdog. But in homage to the spread beaters who have come before them, here is a brief look back at recent colossal upsets in the Super Bowl:

SB XLII -- 2008 -- New York Giants 17, New England Patriots 14 (Giants +12.5) – Eli Manning’s 13-yard touchdown pass to Plaxico Burress in the final minute clinched the historic upset for the Giants, who used a masterful defensive plan to slow down Tom Brady and the previously undefeated New England Patriots.

XXXVI -- 2002 -- Patriots 20, Rams 17 (Patriots +14) – This was the coming out party for the aforementioned Brady, who went from obscure sixth-round draft pick to Super Bowl hero in one fell swoop. He led the game-winning drive in the final minute – eschewing analyst John Madden’s advice to take a knee and play for overtime – leading to Adam Vinatieri’s memorable 48-yard field goal that split the uprights as time expired.

XXXII 1998 Broncos 31, Packers 24 (Denver +12) – The first of John Elway’s two consecutive Super Bowl titles to put an end to his Hall of Fame career was an upset for the ages. The Broncos used the determination of Elway and a 157-yard, three-touchdown performance from Terrell Davis to turn back Brett Favre and the heavily favored Packers.

Get free 2009 Super Bowl Betting from top rated online sportsbook MySportsbook.com. Mysportsbook.com online Super Bowl betting VISA Mastercard