VIJAY SINGH should be backed at 11-2 with VC Bet and Stan James to regain the winning thread in the newly named Barclays Classic at Westchester, New York, starting Thursday.
A long established event, known formerly as the Buick Classic and traditionally staged the week before the US Open, the tournament could prove one too many for a number of those who have journeyed on from Pinehurst, though the Fijian’s work ethic should stand him in good stead.
Singh claimed a share of sixth in the US Open despite hardly holing a putt all week and only needs to get the flat stick working again to get back to winning ways. A trip to Westchester, where Singh has won twice and posted eight top 25s in the past nine years, could work the oracle.
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Sergio Garcia is next best to Singh in the betting at a general 7-1 and rates an obvious threat. The Spaniard claimed his first USPGA Tour win at Westchester in 2001 and won last year’s renewal by beating Padraig Harrington and Rory Sabbatini in a play-off. Following on from his victory in the Booz Allen Classic earlier this month, Garcia finished one shot ahead of Singh at Pinehurst, claiming a share of third.
Of the others, Chris DiMarco may have inadvertently done himself a favour when he failed to make the cut at the US Open and could go well at 25-1 with Stan James. DiMarco will be fresher than many and is a winner waiting to happen.
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Ryan Moore, the leading amateur, is 125-1 with VC Bet and Bet365 to make his professional debut a winning one.
Moore came to prominence in 2004 when he became only the second man after Jack Nicklaus to win America’s four major amateur titles in the same year.
World number one Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Ernie Els are taking time off before beginning preparations for the British Open at St Andrews from July 14 to 17.