2009 Fedex Cup Playoffs: Deutsche Bank Championship Preview

The second stage of the FedExCup playoffs takes center stage in golf betting circles this week with the Deutsche Bank Championship at the TPC of Boston in Norton, Massachusetts. Coming off his surprising win last weekend at The Barclays, Heath Slocum is primed to challenge current points leader Tiger Woods. Click here to bet on golf at Betus online sportsbook

Tiger is the favorite in any tournament he enters, and that’s exactly the case again this week in Boston. Woods finished in a tie for second at The Barclays, one shot back of Slocum’s nine-under 275. The winner of the first FedExCup in 2007, Tiger has come in first or second in each of his last four tourneys.

Steve Stricker was one of the players knotted with Woods directly behind Slocum, who is now third in the Cup standings. With Top-20 showings in nine FedExCup playoff events, it’s safe to say the second-place Stricker performs well in the PGA Tour’s version of postseason play.

Zach Johnson and Kenny Perry also figure to be in the mix beginning on Friday morning, as will Lucas Glover. The latter fell to ninth position in the Cup standings following his disappointing performance at The Barclays, where he missed the cut after firing an 81 in the second round. The showing came as a surprise to most golf bettors, who were used to Glover’s consistency this season.

Phil Mickelson might be worth fading after finishing 52nd last weekend in Jersey City. Lefty was second at the U.S. Open, but he’s struggled (for good reason) since it was announced his wife Amy is battling cancer. Outside of his showing at Bethpage, Mickelson’s 52nd-place at The Barclays was his best finish in his last six starts. The good news for Lefty bettors: Mickelson took the Deutsche Bank Championship in 2007.

Also this week

While most eyes are focused on what’s happening in Boston, bettors looking for value elsewhere should handicap the European Tour’s Omega European Masters at Crans-sur-Sierre, in Crans, Switzerland. The tournament represents the beginning of qualifying for the 2010 European Ryder Cup team, which is captained by Colin Montgomerie.

Four players from the 2008 squad are taking part in the event, namely Miguel Angel Jimenez, Graeme McDowell, Lee Westwood, and Oliver Wilson. That foursome is expected to be among the leaders at the Omega Masters, which Jean-Francois Lucquin won last year in a playoff over Rory McIlroy.

If you’re willing to dig a little deeper, take a look at the odds for the LPGA’s CN Canadian Women’s Open, as well as the Wal-Mart First Tee Open at Pebble Beach on the Champions Tour.