Clarke leads at Loch Lomond

Golf Betting Lines

07/08/2010 - Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Darren Clarke posted a six-under 65 on Thursday to take the first-round lead of the Scottish Open at Loch Lomond Golf Club.

Clarke is riding a hot wave. He captured the unofficial JP McManus Pro-Am earlier in the week as he is trying to get one of the final spots in next week's field at the British Open Championship at St. Andrews. A top-five finisher this week who is not otherwise exempt gets into the field next week.

"I'm a bit of a confidence player," said Clarke, who finished second at the 1997 British Open. "I've been on tour for a long time. Of course I'd love to qualify for next week. My focus is playing this week and playing as well as I can and if that gets me into the Open, then fantastic."

Edoardo Molinari, Graeme Storm and Damien McGrane are knotted in second place at five-under 66.

John Daly, 18-year-old Japanese star Ryo Ishikawa, Stephen Gallacher, Thongchai Jaidee, Peter Hedblom, Bradley Dredge and Johan Edfors are tied for fifth at four-under 67.

This being the final tune-up for next week's Open Championship is one of many storylines in place this week at Loch Lomond.

Phil Mickelson, the Masters champion, is No. 2 in the world, but a win on Sunday or a solo runner-up would give Mickelson his first-ever No. 1 spot in the world rankings.

Mickelson will have some work to do to get to that coveted perch. He managed an even-par 71, and that was with a double-bogey from the brush at 14, and is tied for 44th.

Also at even-par is 2010 U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who is making his first start since earning his first major title last month at Pebble Beach. He was careful not to be too excited about his return after a three-week celebration.

"There were a few good swings in there and a few champagne swings as well," joked McDowell.

But after Thursday, the story was Clarke.

He birdied two of his first five and added another at No. 7 to reach three- under par. Clarke knocked his approach to 10 feet to set up birdie at the ninth to get him one off the early lead.

Clarke joined first place with a birdie at the par-five 13th. He took sole possession of the lead thanks to a five-footer for birdie at the very next hole.

Clarke parred his remaining holes and in a driving rain toward the very end of his round. He is a leader

"Obviously I played nicely all day," said Clarke. "I gave myself lots of chances. As you can see from the scoring, it was pretty tough out there. All in all, very pleased with it."

NOTES: Two-time winner Ernie Els shot a two-under 69...Gregory Havret, who was second to McDowell at Pebble Beach and also returned to the European Tour Thursday, shot a one-under 70. He won this title in a playoff over Mickelson in 2007...Defending champion Martin Kaymer had a 71 in round one...Reigning PGA Champion Y.E. Yang struggled to a one-over 72.

Gamblingh Golf Betting News

<< Samba Boys no more
Toronto, Canada (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - It's long been a staple of Brazilian soccer, a free-flowing offensive attack that had opponents in fear of what was coming next. Referred to in Brazil as "Jogo Bonito" - beautiful soccer - fans in Brazil and a

<< Jermaine O'Neal headed to Boston
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Boston Celtics have reportedly agreed to terms with center Jermaine O'Neal. According to the Boston Globe, O'Neal has agreed to the mid-level exception of $5.7 million for the 2010-11 campaign. O'Neal

<< Grizzlies officially bring back Gay
Memphis, TN (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Memphis Grizzlies signed forward Rudy Gay to a multi-year contract Thursday, officially ending his flirtation with free agency. Terms of the deal were not disclosed, but the Memphis Commercial Appeal bac

<< Duke draws Princeton in CBE field
Princeton, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The CBE Classic revealed its regional lineup for the upcoming season with Duke and Princeton highlighting the early matchups. Duke, Kansas State, Gonzaga and Marquette were previously selected as

<< '10 U.S. Open will set prize-money record
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The 2010 U.S. Open will offer the richest purse in tennis history, at over $22.6 million, with the singles winners pocketing at least $1.7 million apiece. The overall prize money is up $1 million

Agent: free agent DL Smith to miss season with Achilles tear >>
Littleton, CO (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - NFL free agent defensive lineman Kenny Smith will miss the entire 2010 season after suffering a torn Achilles tendon, according to his agent. The injury occurred while Smith was working out and he's

Rochus, Dabul reach Newport semis >>
Newport, RI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Fourth-seeded Belgian Olivier Rochus and unseeded Argentine Brian Dabul were a pair of straight-set quarterfinal winners Thursday at the Hall of Fame Tennis Championships. The 5-foot-6 Rochus rout

Phillies activate P Madson from DL >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Philadelphia Phillies have activated pitcher Ryan Madson from the 15-day disabled list. He underwent successful surgery to repair a broken right great toe on May 4. Madson has been on the disab

Suns bring back Frye with five-year deal >>
Phoenix, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Suns have signed center Channing Frye to a five-year deal on Thursday. Terms of the agreement were not disclosed. The Arizona product posted 11.2 points and 5.3 rebounds per contest in 81

Oklahoma City and New Orleans complete draft day deal >>
Oklahoma City, OK (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Oklahoma City Thunder have acquired the draft rights to Cole Aldrich and veteran forward Morris Peterson from the New Orleans Hornets in exchange for the draft rights to forward Craig Brackens and gua

MySportsbook features easy-to-use online betting software that’s the most reliable in the industry. If you’re looking to bet underdogs, then this Sportsbook is the place - we have the best betting lines in the business. MySportsbook is your one-stop shop for all your betting needs - sports betting, poker, casino, and horse betting . MySportsbook offers every bet type with lightning fast settlement of wagers. Take advantage of free statistical analysis - including against-the-spread and straight-up trends - in MySportsbook’s game previews section. With MySportsbook there are unlimited free deposits and payouts - and no transaction fees!

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your football sportsbook needs.

Eastern Conference Playoff Betting Trends

We all know by now that the “public” loves to put their money on the FAVORITES and the OVERS.  Just by taking a quick glance at Sportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends” it appears as is this tendency will continue as far as the Eastern Conference games are concerned.  For the inaugural games of the first round, 69% of the early money is on Toronto -4.5; 59% of bettors prefer Chicago -4.5; 84% are backing Detroit -9; and 56% think Cleveland -11.5 is the way to go.  As far as TOTALS are concerned, the only UNDER the “public” is backing is the Cleveland/ Washington game in which 83% are pounding the UNDER (190).  Remember, there is no better way to predict a possible line change than by monitoring MySportsbook.com’s “Betting Trends”.   By determining who the “public” is backing, you can get the most ideal line for your bet.  For example, if you are siding with the public you better place your bet before the line moves in the wrong direction.  On the other side of the coin, if you prefer the team that the “public” is betting against; you might be able to get and extra ½ or even more by placing your bet a bit later.  Under the “Betting Trends” section, Sportsbook.com also provides plenty of statistical data and trends in order for the bettor to make the most informed pick.  Below are some extremely important trends for the first round opponents of the Eastern Conference match-ups, more can be found at MySportsbook.com

New Jersey Nets vs. Toronto Raptors

Toronto was the most reliable covering team this season with a 48-33-1 ATS record but covered the OVER only 41.5% of the time.
The last 20 times these teams have played, the TOTAL has gone UNDER 16 times.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Toronto is 33-19 ATS including 17-9 at home.
 New Jersey has covered four games in a row while Toronto has failed to cover their last four games.
When playing a team with a winning record during the second half of the season, New Jersey was just 5-13 ATS this season.
After scoring 105 points or more, Toronto has covered the OVER only 28% of the time this season. 
 
Miami Heat @ Chicago Bulls

Miami has failed to cover their last 7 games whereas Chicago has covered 6 out of their last 8 games.
Miami has covered the UNDER in four of their last five games whereas Chicago has covered the UNDER in five out of their last six.
When playing on Saturdays, Miami covered 80% of their games this season.
Away from home, Chicago is just 16-25 ATS this season.
At home, Miami covered the UNDER about 66% of the time whereas Chicago covered the UNDER about 61% of the time.
The last 13 times these teams have played each other, Chicago has covered 9 times.
In Miami’s last 11 road games, the UNDER covered 9 times. 
 
Orlando Magic @ Detroit Pistons

Detroit has covered 5 out of their last 6 games.
Away from home, Detroit is 28-13 ATS but just 14-26-1 ATS at home.
At home, Orlando covered the UNDER 64% of the time while Detroit covered the UNDER in 63% of their away games.
The last five times these teams have played in Detroit, the OVER covered each time.
Versus Eastern Conference teams, Detroit is 8-17-1 ATS at home but 17-9 ATS away.
Detroit covered the spread 5 out of the last 6 times they played Orlando.
After a Division game, Orlando covered the UNDER 87% of the time this season. 
 
Washington Wizards @ Cleveland Cavaliers

In a home game where the TOTAL is between 190 and 194.5 points, Cleveland is 9-1 ATS this season.
Washington has covered the UNDER in their last 6 games and in 8 of their last 9 games.
The last 6 times these teams have played each other, the UNDER covered each time.
When playing on 3 or more days of rest, Washington is just 18-37 ATS since 1996.
Since 1996, Washington is 28-16 ATS versus Cleveland including 11-5 over the last 3 seasons.
In their last 7 road games, Washington is 6-1 ATS.
Versus Eastern Conference teams at home, Washington is just 6-18-2 ATS. 
 
For even more betting trends for not just the NBA but for all of the major sports, log on to Sportsbook.com and click on “Trends”.  With only two months left in the NBA betting season it is important to be as well informed as possible in order to maximize your profit.  Also for all of you poker players, check out MySportsbook.com’s “WSOP Low Bid Auction”. You could be on your way to Vegas to play against the world’s best poker players for under a buck.

About MySportsbook.com MySportsbook.com  is the largest sportsbook and casino on the planet, where millions of adult Americans bet on sports, play poker and enjoy blackjack and other casino games online in a regulated and licensed jurisdiction. Named the "Best US Sports Book" by the industry's top magazine, eGaming Review, MySportsbook.com has been leading the online gaming industry since 1996. Dwarfing its nearest competitors in the US, MySportsbook.com has been the first to achieve every significant industry milestone, from record turnover to active users to number of bets--achieving a peak of fifteen bets per second. As the US online gaming leader, the firm and it's products have been featured on CBS 60 Minutes, CNN, ESPN, Wall Street Journal, Barrons, Financial Times, USA Today and in every major newspaper in the US.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your basketball sportsbook needs. Mysportsbook.com online sportsbook accepts Visa and Mastercard credit cards.