11/07/2008 - Lake Buena Vista, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Scott Verplank fired his second consecutive eight-under 64 on Friday to move atop the leaderboard after the second round of the Children's Miracle Network Classic.
Verplank finished 36 holes at 16-under 128, which missed the tournament record by a stroke, and he is three shots clear of Steve Marino (66) and overnight leader Troy Matteson (68).
Players competed with amateurs the first two days and action was split between the Palm Course and the Magnolia Course. Verplank's round on Friday was at the Palm Course, while Marino and Matteson posted their numbers at Magnolia, which hosts the final two rounds.
This is the final PGA Tour event of the season and players are fighting to get into the top 125 on the money list to keep their PGA Tour cards for next season.
The top three golfers on the leaderboard are safe, but the trio tied for fourth are on the outside looking into the top 125.
Robert Gamez (190th), Tag Ridings (154th) and Robert Garrigus (141st) share fourth place at 12-under 132.
The other big story this week is that of Erik Compton, who is playing on a sponsor's exemption. Compton is five weeks removed from his second heart transplant and he will be playing on the weekend.
Compton shot a four-under 68 at the Magnolia Course and came in at six-under 138, one shot better than the cut line.
Verplank started well with a birdie at the par-five first, but dropped a shot at the par-four fourth. He rattled off back-to-back birdies from No. 6 to reach 10-under for the championship.
Verplank flew out of the gate on his back nine with birdies at 10 and 11. He parred the next two, but grabbed sole possession of the lead with a 60-foot eagle at the par-five 14th.
"It was kind of one of those deals where I misread it a little bit, but from 60 feet, every now and then you need to get a little lucky," admitted Verplank.
That eagle sparked some great golf from the two-time Ryder Cupper. Verplank birdied his next three holes to get to 17-under par and a par at the last would give Verplank a share of the 36-hole record.
Unfortunately, Verplank drove into a bunker at the last. He could not save par, but still has a three-shot lead in his quest for a sixth PGA Tour victory.
Verplank has only two top 10s this year and the problem has been his usually reliable flat stick.
"I've been a decent player for a long time, and I've generally been a pretty good putter most of my career and it's been a real struggle this year," acknowledged Verplank, who ranks 72nd on tour in putting. "I've gotten back into a little comfort zone."
Ken Duke (67), Jason Gore (67), Kevin Streelman (69), Tom Pernice, Jr. (67), Bob Estes (63) and Scott Sterling (63) are tied for seventh place at 11-under 133. Gore and Sterling are both outside the top 125.
Martin Laird is 126th and shot a 66 on Friday to get into a tie for 13th at minus-10. Jeff Overton is the bubble boy at 125 and is one shot behind Laird at nine-under 135.
Defending champion Stephen Ames is in the hunt. He shot his second straight, four-under 68 and is part of a large group tied for 27th place at eight-under 136.
The cut fell at five-under 139 and former PGA Champion Steve Elkington (140), Jesper Parnevik (141) and Brad Faxon (144) will all miss the weekend.
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American Idol Betting Odds: Season 6
The online gambling websites are in the process of deciphering each American Idol contestant and his or her chances of winning Season 6 to come up with the early American Idol betting lines.
Tim Dalton of MySportsbook.com has been locked away in a soundproof room coming up with all the latest tallies, we are told. "American Idol has become one of the most significant betting events of the year," claims Jack Black of MySportsbook.com. "Last year, millions were bet during the season across the globe, not just in America.It's tough early on since we really do not have a glimpse as to how well each of these individuals will perform solo on a week-to-week basis. It's like Week 1 of the NFL. Pre-season means nada!
We do know the 24 finalists however.
Sanjaya Malakar is the young man whose sister failed to make it into the Top 24. He's very low key but - unless he totally flubs - will probably win over the young girlie vote for a few weeks anyway. He's too young to go all the way, according to Payton O'Brien.
Brandon Rogers - Who?
Phil Stacy is the military guy who missed his daughter's birth because of the Memphis audition. He should go a good distance.
Chris Sligh - He's got the humor and in many ways he's the Anti-American Idol much like last year's winner Taylor Hicks was. And this is why he'll probably get pretty far in this competition. He's chubby, white with a big curly afro....but more importantly, a great voice! People love "real", not "real cute" to go all the way.
"Blake Lewis should go far because of his uniqueness and looks. He's the boy next store with a twist - he beat boxes. But on top of this, he's a great singer, and I adore him," Payton O'Brien relayed.
A talented beat-boxer Blake Lewis was a hit during the group sing in Hollywood but Simon explained that this is a singing contest just before he told him he was “in.”
Paul Kim has caught our own roving reporter, Jenny Woo's eyes.
"I love the fact that there is a Korean American on the show and he is bound to get more Asians tuning into the show," Woo said from her Miami Beach estate. "There has never been a major presence of Asian-Americans on American Idol in the past. He's a hottie with a nice voice so that should help to take him far. Expect heavy betting action from the Asian community."
Sundance Head - He's not perfect, but he's got the personality that will take him through a few weeks, plus he's got the lineage (son of Roy Head - whose 1965 single, "Treat Her Right," hit No. 5 in the charts)
And the others:
Rudy Cardinas
AJ Tabaldo - the 5th time is the charm
Nicolas Pedro
Chris Richardson
Jared Cotter
The girls
"Melinda Doolittle has one of the best voices," says MySportsbook.com Reporter and an acclaimed dancer in her own right, Destiney Lewis. "It is great to see a back up singer step out like she has. The girl needs to gain more confidence but that can also be a positive. I think she will go far."
Alena Alexander - Those tears (she never seems to stop bawling) should get her far.
"Single mom Lakisha Jones I suspect will be a pretty big favorite entering Week 1 of the competition," says Destiny Williams. Jones is an excellent singer and down to earth. "She'll have a wide appeal," echoed O'Brien.
Nicole Trellis - Seems to exert confidence.
Amy Krebs - a powerful singer.
Antonella Barba
Gina Glocksen
Hailey Scanardo
Jordan Sparks
Stephanie Edwards
Leslie Hunt
Sabrina Sloan
MySportsbook.com is offering a 20% signup bonus with an initial deposit (i.e. open your American Idol betting account with $300, receive another $60 in which to bet with).
Last two contestants will be?
1 Male/1 Female +100 (a $10 bet pays $10 plus your initial $10)
2 Males +170 (a $10 bet pays $17 plus your initial $17)
2 Females +130 (a $10 bet pays $13 plus your initial $10)
MySportsbook.com is an online sportsbook accepts Visa Credit Cards and online sportsbook accepts Mastercard Credit Cards for easy American Idol betting lines.
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