This Week in Golf -- January 5th through January 9th

Golf Betting Lines

01/02/2012 - Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - PGA TOUR - HYUNDAI TOURNAMENT OF CHAMPIONS, Plantation Course at Kapalua, Kapalua, Maui, Hawaii - The breaks take less and less time, don't they? Seemed like yesterday the PGA Tour ended for the season, but on Friday, yes Friday, it kicks off its 2012 campaign.

As always, first up is Kapalua for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. Staged at the Plantation Course at Kapalua, the first event of the season is reserved for winners from 2011 tournaments.

Sadly for the opener, several high-profile winners from last year have elected to skip the trip. World No. 1 Luke Donald, Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Adam Scott and major winners Rory McIlroy, Charl Schwartzel and Darren Clarke each passed on the flight to the Aloha State.

There is some star power in the field, despite the big absences. PGA Champion Keegan Bradley, Steve Stricker and FedExCup winner Bill Haas are heading to Kapalua.

The first player to qualify for the 2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions will be this year's winner. The first gentleman invited to Friday's opening round was Jonathan Byrd.

The American parred the second playoff hole last year to defeat Robert Garrigus. Byrd had 15 feet on the last hole in regulation to win the championship outright, but came up short.

On the second extra hole, Byrd nearly holed a 50-foot birdie try, but settled for par. Garrigus was 10 feet closer, but left himself with three feet for par. He missed and Byrd was the champion.

This year, the tournament starts on Friday and ends on Monday. Golf Channel will carry live action in primetime all week with an 8:00 p.m. (et) finish scheduled for Monday. (It should be over in time for the BCS National Championship game.)

In an interesting wrinkle, golf's two pre-eminent analysts will work together all week. Johnny Miller and Sir Nick Faldo will team up for the entire tournament as co-analysts.

Next week is the first full-field event of 2012, the Sony Open in Hawaii. Mark Wilson picked up the first of two 2011 victories in Honolulu.

EUROPEAN TOUR

AFRICA OPEN, East London Golf Club, East London, South Africa - Just 25 days after Luke Donald won the 2011 Race to Dubai, the 2012 version begins with the Africa Open.

Former British Open champion Louis Oosthuizen walked off with the title 12 months ago and will be on hand to defend his championship. Last year, Oosthuizen birdied the first playoff to trump Alvaro Quiros, who won the 2011 season-ending Dubai World Championship, and Chris Wood.

Oosthuizen may have to withdraw during the tournament as his second child is due any day now.

Also in the field this week is two-time U.S. Open champion Retief Goosen, who won this title in 2009, and last year's South African Tour Order of Merit winner Garth Mulroy.

Golf Channel has the telecast all four days.

Next week is the Joburg Open, which was won by another South African major winner, reigning Masters champion Charl Schwartzel.

Cbssportaline Golf Betting News

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

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