And the winner is....

Golf Betting Lines

06/15/2007 - Oakmont, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - "These players are not good enough for this golf course."

That's what one caddie, who will remain in anonymity said at the beginning of the week. Even the "King" himself, Arnold Palmer, addressing the media on Wednesday echoed those same sentiments.

The United States Golf Association is always trying to identify the best player in the world by setting up a rigorous test of golf. They certainly did, as Oakmont Country Club has certainly showed its teeth after day one.

Here's a tip for all of you crazed autograph hounds. PRACTICE ROUNDS. That's right. No, you're not going to get Tiger Woods, but how about Luke Donald, Mike Weir and Ernie Els. Even the young guns of professional golf, Justin Rose, Charles Howell III and Sean O'Hair. Or better yet, the characters of golf, Boo Weekley, Brandt Snedeker, Woody Austin and who knows, maybe Chi Chi Rodriguez will appear.

Players will sign just about anything while walking from the practice range to the first tee during their practice rounds. Forget about Thursday through Sunday, that's their time to work.

What makes practice rounds so special, how about O'Hair inviting a 5-year-old boy under the ropes, shaking his hand, signing his hat and pulling a ball out of his pocket and placing his moniker on the sphere for another souvenir. Do you think that child will remember that the rest of his life? You can bet his parents will as they fumbled to take pictures.

The media center is a hoot. Longtime journalists Furman Bisher, Dave Anderson, Peter Kessler, Tim Rosaforte and Jaime Diaz all sharing stories from yesteryear.

Being a part of the press corps certainly has its privileges. Even before you reach the golf course, you're shuttled from a preferred parking lot, or even better, the media hotel, right to the front door of the course. Next is the media tent, where you're rewarded with press badges, allowing access to the players lockers, interview rooms, practice range and best of all, walking inside the ropes.

But that's not all. The USGA hands out food vouchers to the dining area. This is not your run of the mill fare. Top notch cuisine to satisfy even the most finicky of palates.

As NBC analyst Johnny Miller strolled into the dining facility, a young local radio show host told a story of how his grandfather gave Miller, who needed a ball marker on the first tee during his famed final round 63, a dime to mark his ball. After urging the young lad to remind Miller of this occasion, he finally walked over to the 1973 U.S. Open champion and the duo reminisced of the special day.

Oh, there's more. The courteous USGA staff and volunteers, such as the "Minnesota Ten," who travel from the land of 10,000 lakes to help serve the media, bending over backwards to accommodate the press.

Let's not forget your own personalized spot in the 50,000 square foot press center and finally, a little piece of merchandise to remember your visit.

I must say however, that the most enjoyable time was having Mr. Palmer affix his signature on a U.S. Open flag and telling my friend back home about the gift that awaits him.

Getting back to the golf and the course. Oakmont is an amazing place. Players are second-guessing themselves, wondering which way the green breaks, club selection as the wind gusts and deciding where to lay up after hitting into the thick, gnarly rough.

How tough is Oakmont? Well, when round one was complete, only two of the 156 players broke par and that's mainly due to heavy downpours late Wednesday afternoon. It will certainly get harder as the championship moves on.

And the winner is...Oakmont for now.

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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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