Bet on McDowell to claim first win of 2011 at Honda Classic

Graeme McDowell’s victory in the US Open last year could be worth remembering as he attempts to triumph in the Honda Classic.

McDowell is 14/1 in the golf betting odds to win the PGA Tour event and the demands of the PGA National course will ensure that the tournament takes some winning.

With Pebble Beach proving a tough challenge at the US Open last year, McDowell’s consistency helped him win the major by a single shot by finishing the tournament level-par.

And with grinding out scores and holing some clutch putts likely to come to the fore again at PGA National, the event is liable to suit the style of the Northern Irishman.

Keeping errors to a minimum will be more important than normal at the Honda Classic, particularly over the challenging closing holes.

There are also a number of other factors that only enhance McDowell’s chances of securing victory at the Honda Classic.

Firstly, he made a strong start to the tournament 12 months ago and was well in contention after two solid opening rounds, but eventually slumped to 31st after making a mess of his closing 18 holes.

Furthermore, McDowell has performed impressively in his opening two PGA Tour events in 2011, finishing in third at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, before registering another top-ten finish at the Matchplay Championship, when he was knocked out in the third round by YE Yang.

Fatigue should also be no issue for McDowell as his appearance at the Matchplay Championship was his first following a four-week break.

Yang has also performed well on the PGA Tour this season and looks a big price at 33/1, while Robert Allenby, who is 25/1 to win the Honda Classic, virtually lives next door to the PGA National course and this could be a huge benefit.

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