THE International at Castle Pines, Colorado, starting Thursday, provides something a lttle different before next week’s USPGA. The tournament operates a modified Stableford scoring system with points awarded for an albatross (eight), eagle (five), and birdie (two), while points are lost for a bogey (minus one) and for a double bogey or worse (minus three). The field is cut to 72 and ties after two rounds and to 36 for the final day. The course, though numbering 7,559 yards, plays shorter because of the rarefied desert air.
Ernie Els, triumphant in 2000 and third and fourth the past two years, looks a worthy favourite at a best-priced 7-1 with Chandler, Bet365 and Paddy Power. He showed his excellence when winning the Scottish Open before a top-20 finish in the Open at Sandwich after he had endured the worst of the first-day draw. With the added yardage on his drives this year, he should be well placed to attack the four par fives which offer the best points-scoring chances.
Phil Mickelson (general 20-1), Vijay Singh (general 12-1) and Davis Love (16-1 with Coral) join Els in the top-20 for driving distance on the US Tour this year. All are past course winners, although backing Mickelson at present requires a leap of faith with the left-hander no better than 30th his past four starts. Moreover he has missed the cut here the past two years.
Rich Beem is 80-1 to repeat his success of 12 months ago, a victory he surpassed when following up in the USPGA the following week.