Edoardo Molinari gets first European Tour title

Golf Betting Lines

07/11/2010 - Glasgow, Scotland (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Edoardo Molinari only managed a three- over 74 on Sunday, but it was still enough to earn his first European Tour title at the Scottish Open.

Molinari finished off his maiden tour victory at 12-under 272 and won by three strokes at Loch Lomond Golf Club.

He teamed with his brother Francesco to win the World Cup last year for his native Italy and he won five times on the European Challenge Tour, but Sunday was his first win and he had his brother there the whole way.

Francesco played in Sunday's final group with Edoardo and now the two are both European Tour winners.

"I think it was very special," said Edoardo. "It was strange, but on Tuesday morning we were talking about the fact we've never together played well in the same week. It was a great day for both of us."

Darren Clarke rounded out the final threesome, but struggled to a five-over 76 on Sunday. He finished second at nine-under 275, but despite not getting his first win in two years, Clarke got something out of Sunday's tough round.

He earned an invitation to St. Andrews next week for the British Open Championship. Clarke finished highest in the top five and wasn't otherwise eligible.

"The Open is a consolation prize, but if somebody had said at the start of the week that I would finish second I think I would have taken it," said Clarke.

Clarke tripped up Raphael Jacquelin, who was going for that St. Andrews spot. Jacquelin carded a three-under 68 in the final round and took third place at minus-eight.

Francesco Molinari shot a one-over 72 on Sunday and tied for fourth place with Stephen Gallacher (68) and Peter Hedblom (72). The trio came in at seven- under-par 277.

But, even with a 74, Sunday belonged to the older Molinari.

Edoardo Molinari began the final round with a one-shot lead and it stayed at that margin after he and Clarke bogeyed No. 2. The third hole proved to be the swing hole for the entire round.

Clarke's third landed in the water in front of the green at the par-five hole. He tried to lash out of the drink, but the ball stayed in the water. Clarke walked off with a double-bogey seven and Edoardo Molinari converted a three- foot birdie putt to take a four-shot lead.

"I was trying to play conservatively," said Edoardo Molinari, who moved past his younger brother in the world rankings with Sunday's victory.

Clarke missed a five-foot par putt at five and was suddenly five behind. Edoardo Molinari bogeyed six and seven to trim his margin, but when Clarke missed the green at 11 and made bogey, the Italian was four in front.

A birdie at 14 gave Edoardo Molinari a five-shot lead, but things got tight thanks to an errant drive at 15. He carded a double-bogey and his cushion was three strokes.

"Disaster struck on 15, but I managed myself pretty well today," said the champion.

At the 17th, Clarke hit his tee ball to six feet, but Edoardo Molinari played his to eight feet. Edoardo Molinari missed his birdie putt, but Clarke didn't and it was a two-shot difference with 18 to go.

Both players found the fairway off the tee and Edoardo Molinari hit his approach almost 40 feet short of the stick. Clarke had a decent look at birdie, but the older Molinari ran his putt less than a foot past the hole.

He tapped in for the win.

"I was very nervous," admitted Edoardo Molinari. "I held on. I'm very, very proud."

Clarke three-putted for bogey after the outcome was decided.

Shane Lowry shot an even-par 71 and took seventh at minus-six, followed by Johan Edfors (68), Rory Sabbatini (71) and Ross Fisher (70), who tied for eighth at five-under 279.

NOTES: Former Masters champion Trevor Immelman had a 70 and took a solo 11th at three-under...U.S. Open champion Graeme McDowell, who played for the first time since his Pebble Beach breakthrough, shot a four-over 75 and tied for 21st at plus-one...Next week is the third major, the British Open Championship, which was won last year by Stewart Cink.

Wfodors Golf Betting News


<< Czechs complete Davis Cup quarterfinal win over Chile
Coquimbo, Chile (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ivo Minar won the second reverse singles match for the Czech Republic on Sunday to complete a 4-1 rout of host Chile in the Davis Cup quarterfinals. Minar posted a 7-6 (7-2), 6-2 victory over Cristobal

<< Kuo to replace Heyward at All-Star game
NEW YORK (AP) -Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo has been selected to replace injured Atlanta Braves outfielder Jason Heyward at the All-Star game.Heyward is on the 15-day disabled list because of a deep bone bruise in his left thumb. He wi

<< Royals' Greinke scratched from start
Chicago, IL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Kansas City Royals scratched reigning American League Cy Young Award winner Zack Greinke from his scheduled start Sunday against the Chicago White Sox. The right-hander is experiencing discomfort

<< Astros name Bagwell hitting coach
Houston, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Astros have named Jeff Bagwell their new hitting coach, replacing the fired Sean Berry. Bagwell had been serving as a special assistant to the general manager since his retirement in 2006. He

<< Wiesberger wins on Challenge Tour
Monthieux, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Austria's Bernd Wiesberger fired a course-record, nine-under 62 on Sunday to come from behind and win the Allianz Golf Open de Lyon on the European Challenge Tour. Wiesberger finished at 17-under

Bagwell taking over as Astros hitting coach >>
HOUSTON (AP) -Former Astros All-Star Jeff Bagwell is taking over as Houston's hitting coach after the team fired Sean Berry on Sunday.Berry became ``a victim of circumstances'' as the Astros' offense has sputtered this season, general manager Ed Wad

Phillies strike out on replay reviews >>
PHILADELPHIA (AP) -The Philadelphia Phillies went 0 for 2 on video replay reviews after two doubles were not changed into home runs against the Cincinnati Reds.Carlos Ruiz led off the third inning Sunday with a ground-rule double when a fan reached

Dodgers' Kuo to replace Heyward on All-Star team >>
New York, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Los Angeles Dodgers reliever Hong-Chih Kuo has been named as the replacement for Atlanta outfielder Jason Heyward on the National League All-Star team. Heyward was a fan-elected starter for the team,

World Cup final scoreless at halftime >>
Johannesburg, South Africa (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Netherlands and Spain are scoreless through 45 minutes of the FIFA World Cup final at Soccer City Stadium on Sunday. Spain threatened a few times in the early going and nearly

Twins salvage series finale with Tigers >>
Detroit, MI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Michael Cuddyer went 2-for-3 with a two-run double and scored a run, as the Minnesota Twins defeated the Detroit Tigers, 6-3, in the finale of a three-game series at Comerica Park. Jason Kubel chipped i

MySportsbook.com: New College Football Clock Rules Examined

Coaches and bettors alike are desperate to make sense of the new time-keeping rules on the NCAA gridiron. One of the big stories to come out of the Ohio State-Texas clash last weekend was Texas coach Mack Brown's criticism of the NCAA's new clock rules that are intended to shorten the duration of college football games, therefore affecting college football betting.

"They scored with six minutes left and the game was over before we had a chance to do anything," Brown told ESPN.com. "I really hope whoever made these changes will go back and look them over."

Sure, it might be sour grapes; the Buckeyes thoroughly trounced the defending national champion Longhorns 24-7. However, Brown isn't alone in giving the changes their due thought. Bettors are also wondering about them, albeit for a completely different reason. Most experts agree that the changes will result in games being shortened by anywhere from 10 to 20 plays. The obvious consequence is lower scores, with more time rolling off the clock during changes of possession. (The Ohio State-Texas game flew well under the total of 52.)

According to research at the online sportsbook MySportsbook.com, more than 18 plays a game disappeared last weekend into thin air. That's a 10-percent reduction. In 2005, a typical game had 168.58 plays. For 2007 already, it's down to 150.26.

As a result, teams combined to gain an average of about 100 fewer yards a game last weekend versus the 2005 openers. Scoring was also down by about 4.5 points (attention Las Vegas sports lines).

Of course, oddsmakers were able to adjust to the changes before the season started. Proof of that came as the over went a balanced 8-9 at My Sportsbook on Saturday.

Other angles to consider:A shorter game should theoretically result in shorter lines. Whereas Team A might have been a 14-point favorite in a 168-play game (last year), if there are 10 percent less snaps in 2007, the line should also be reduced by 10 percent (to 13 or 12.5). Of course, this is an over-simplification of the matter, but something to keep in mind.
Less possessions means a better chance the game will be decided by three or seven points. For example, what might have been a 20-10 final score in 2005 may end at

17-10 in 2007. Granted, a 24-17 game last year might end at 21-17 these days, but the former - a three- or seven-point advantage being preserved as opposed to created - is the most likely scenario.

*UPDATE* - Sept. 25, 2007

New Clock Rules Boon for online bookmakers

By adjusting the time-keeping rules to shorten the duration of college football games, the NCAA hoped to make its product more enjoyable for the fans. While the NCAA's success in this regard is still up for debate, bookmakers couldn't be happier with the results.

"We are seeing a massive jump in college football betting," noted the MySportsbook.com management team. "With all the early Saturday games (12 a.m. ET) ending before the second wave begins (3:30 p.m. ET) - something that didn't always happen before the changes - bettors are now able to re-invest their winnings from the morning session in the afternoon games."

While not all bettors will choose to roll over their winnings, it doesn't take much for an impact to be seen on the bottom line. "Not all of the millions of dollars in morning payouts get re-bet. In fact, it's probably only 10 to 20 percent," noted the sportsbook management team. "Still, the increased football betting lines window will create a ton of growth for us over the course of the season."

About MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker
Since opening in 1997, MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker has been a leader in Internet wagering, providing single account access for sports and casino play. This sportsbook has a revolutionary payment method, Direct Bank Transfer, gives players a faster and more secure transaction option for both deposits and withdrawals. This Internet Sportsbook takes pride in offering an aggressive VIP rewards program, along with seasonal reduced juice specials and high parlay payout odds. MySportsbook.com has set new standards in the sports betting industry, from their fantastic customer service, industry leading bonuses, extensive selection of wager types and props, to the fastest payouts anywhere... MySportsbook.com is America's Sportsbook! Open an account today at MySportsbook.com Sports Casino Poker, or call toll-free 1-866-238-6648

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your Sportsbook accepts Master Card needs.