Chevron betting preview

By Dave Tindall Last updated: 3rd December 2009

It would have been one of the greatest tests of his mental fortitude.

But Tiger Woods' decision to pull out of his own event - the Chevron World Challenge - denies us the chance to see the world number one trying to win a golf tournament whilst speculation about his private life and mysterious car crash is rife.

Defending champion Vijay Singh also pulling out due to recent knee surgery is another blow to the tournament but with world ranking points up for grabs there's certainly no shortage of quality on show at the Jack Nicklaus-designed Sherwood Country Club in Thousand Oaks, California.

And with prices cramped following the withdrawal of Woods, it could just be that one of the 11th hour replacements offers the best value.

Justin Leonard was given the call after Vijay's name was removed and we've seen it across all sports how a late entrant, perhaps more relaxed and with no expectations, can go on and win.

Leonard's last start on the US Tour - at the Children's Miracle Network Classic in Florida in mid-November - saw him finish as a play-off loser and before that he was tied 13th in the Frys.com Open at Grayhawk.

In short he's in fine form.

As for course form the tied 14th he registered in this event last year doesn't look good but he did come into the tournament after a nine-week lay-off.

His previous start in the event had resulted in a top four in 2003 so he can perform on this layout and it's hard to see why such a proven US Tour winner is 25s when other European raiders still searching a first victory Stateside are sub-20/1.

Leonard is a previous winner in California and having "hit the ball great" at Disney last time, he's worth an each-way pop at 25/1.

Although his price is a little skinny I really do fancy Anthony Kim to put on a big show this week.

The Korean-American grew up near this week's venue and despite injury and repeatedly claiming that he'd just be happy to break 80, Kim finished third on debut at Sherwood in 2008.

It can be tricky to try and figure out the balance between being rusty and being fresh but I would like to think Kim would benefit from having played just once (a top 10 at the HSBC in China) since mid-October.

He showed he goes well when fresh by finishing runner-up in the season-opener in Hawaii at the start of 2009 and when he landed the AT&T National in July 2008 (another Tiger tournament, note) he'd made just one start between then and May 25th.

Kim is too bright a talent to go winless for much longer and having performed so well here last year despite feeling his game wasn't in shape he must have a great chance of knocking over his 17 rivals here.

Let's go for a win bet at 12s.

After his imperious display in Dubai, it's no surprise to see Lee Westwood fronting the betting and he's made the top five in three of his last five starts in California and that includes a fourth here in 2007 and his near-miss in the 2008 US Open at Torrey Pines.

But he, Padraig Harrington, Jim Furyk and Steve Stricker all look short enough in the betting at 17/2 or below.

Tips:

2pts e.w. Justin Leonard at 25/1 (Boylesports 1/5 1,2,3,4). Play-off loser on last start, fourth here in the past and can cash in on late invite.

3pts win Anthony Kim at 12/1 (General). Fresh, grew up near here and finished third on debut in 2008 when game was off.