Garcia and Watney share the lead at Barclays with Woods lurking
Published:Sergio Garcia and Nick Watney are top of the pile after two rounds at the Barclays, whilst Tiger Woods sits just three shots back at -5.
The Spaniard has won the tournament twice before, in 2001 and 2004, and is favourite to win a third at 4/1.
American Watney appears to be Garcia’s closest challenger also on -8, and the Californian is priced at 9/2 to triumph in New York.
As ever, 14-time major winner Woods refuses to be written off, and despite admitting to struggling with back pain remains a frontrunner for glory at 9/2.
The Barclays has a rich tradition of producing a home winner, and since the turn of the century only three overseas players have won the competition.
And both Watney and Woods will be hoping that they can add their names to that list of US winners for the first time.
However, Tiger has tasted previous success on the Bethpage Black Course at Farmingdale, having lifted the US Open there in 2002.
Among the chasing pack are the other two non-American champions since 1998, with the experienced Fijian Vijay Singh at 14/1 and Ireland’s Pádraig Harrington a long 66/1.
Singh won the Barclays in 2006 and 2008 and is well positioned for a weekend charge at -7, whilst 2005 winner Harrington may have blown his Ryder Cup hopes on -3.
America’s prodigal son Rickie Fowler could offer good value at 16/1 sitting level with Woods on -5, and last year’s Barclays winner Dustin Johnson is a shot back with odds of 20/1.
British hopes in New York appear slim, with the much-fancied Justin Rose slipping down to five shots off the lead at -3 with a price of 33/1.
Joint pre-tournament favourite Rory McIlroy has also found the going tough at the Barclays, making equal par after two rounds and is found at 40/1 to win.
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
