Derksen clings to lead in 'unplayable' conditions

Golf Betting Lines

04/25/2009 - Jeju Island, South Korea (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - In conditions he deemed unplayable, Robert-Jan Derksen bogeyed the last four holes of his third round but still walked away with a two-shot lead Saturday at the Ballantine's Championship.

Derksen, who led by two strokes entering the round, finished with a three-over 75 in near impossible windy conditions at Pinx Golf Club.

The 35-year-old Dutchman, a two-time winner on the European Tour, stands at six-under 210, with Spain's Pablo Martin in second place at four-under 212.

The start of the round was delayed by more than three hours because of a dense fog that shrouded Jeju Island. But the long delay was hardly the only obstacle players faced.

Once on the course, they struggled with strong winds that sent scores skyward.

In fact, only one of the 74 golfers who made the 36-hole cut was able to break par: France's Francois Delamontagne, who mostly stayed out of trouble while shooting a one-under 71

It was a middling score that would normally have a player treading water, especially on Moving Day. On this Saturday, however, it vaulted Delamontagne from a tie for 42nd place into a share of sixth.

"I'm from Brittany in France where there is a lot of wind as well, so I like to play in these conditions," said Delamontagne.

Korea's Kyung-Nam Kang (75) and Wook-Soon Kang (77) are tied for third place with Thailand's Thongchai Jaidee (77) at two-under 214 -- two shots behind Martin and four back of Derksen.

Derksen, although he managed to cling to his lead throughout, felt the wind's effect early on when his tee shot at No. 2 was blown off course and into the gallery.

"I think it was too tough. It was unfair," Derksen said of the conditions. "I think it was unplayable."

Derksen -- who was one-under par for the round before he dropped shots at each of his last four holes -- collected two birdies, seven bogeys and an eagle at the par-five 10th.

"They kept us out there, so the only thing you can do is just your best," said Derksen, who is seeking his first win since the 2005 Madeira Islands Open. "I did that on every shot ... and I'm still two in front."

Martin posted three bogeys and a birdie in his third round. Now a 23-year-old professional, he was the first amateur winner in European Tour history when he claimed the 2007 Estoril Open de Portugal.

"It was really difficult out there. It was really windy, but I tried to make it fun," said Martin. "I'm happy with my round."

Not even the top stars in the field could tame Saturday's tough conditions, as Ernie Els (73), Lee Westwood (76), Henrik Stenson (81) and Fred Couples (81) all finished above par.

Els' 73 actually tied for the second-best score of the day as the South African moved into a share of sixth place with Delamontagne, Mikko Ilonen (74), Gwang-Soo Choi (74) and Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano (76) at one-under 215.

Wwwkcasino Golf Betting News

<< Giles gets clutch hit in 11th to send Padres past Pirates
San Diego, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Brian Giles stroked the game-winning hit in the bottom of the 11th, and the Padres edged the Pirates, 4-3, in the opener of a three-game series at Petco Park. Pittsburgh closer Matt Capps (0-1) entered

<< Hawaii's Nitoto to transfer
Honolulu, HI (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Citing personal reasons, Hawaii point guard Kareem Nitoto will transfer from the school. The announcement came Friday night from Hawaii coach Bob Nash. "I want to thank Coach Nash and UH for giving me thi

<< Wang headed to DL, Robertson recalled
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New York Yankees have placed pitcher Chien- Ming Wang on the 15-day disabled list and recalled pitcher Dave Robertson from Triple-A Scranton/Wilkes-Barre on Friday. Wang, who was diagnosed with weakness

<< NCAA penalizes Northeastern basketball program
Boston, MA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The NCAA penalized Northeastern University on Friday, placing its athletics program on probation for two years for violations within the men's basketball program. The NCAA Division I Committee on In

<< Mariners crush Angels
Anaheim, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Erik Bedard threw 6 2/3 solid innings and Russell Branyan homered as the Mariners beat the Angels, 8-3, in the opener of a three-game series. Branyan and Adrian Beltre each drove in two runs, while E

Nuggets shoot for commanding 3-0 series lead over Hornets >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The New Orleans Hornets were no match for Denver in the Rocky Mountains, but Byron Scott's team hopes the momentum swings now that the Western Conference quarterfinals series between the two clubs shifts to the Big Easy this

Mavs aim for 3-1 series lead over struggling Spurs >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Dallas Mavericks hope to build on a Game 3 rout over the San Antonio Spurs when their Western Conference quarterfinals series resumes this afternoon at the American Airlines Center. Dirk Nowitzki's 20 points and seven

Hawks hope to end road playoff woes in Miami >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The scene shifts to sunny South Beach on Sunday as the Atlanta Hawks and Miami Heat meet in the pivotal Game 3 of their Eastern Conference quarterfinals series. Miami bounced back from a poor opening game in the series to

Jazz hope to even series with Lakers >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Deron Williams got the Utah Jazz back into their Western Conference quarterfinals series with the Los Angles Lakers by draining a game- winning jumper on Thursday. Now, the dynamic guard hopes to help the Jazz even the set wh

Ancelotti commits to Milan >>
Milan, Italy (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - AC Milan coach Carlo Ancelotti has given a strong hint that he will remain with the Italian club next season, despite having been linked with the manager's job at Chelsea. The 49-year-old is the hot

Super Bowl XLIV Odds

Super Bowl XLIII isn't even a week old yet and oddsmakers have already released Super Bowl XLIV odds.

Despite the Pittsburgh Steelers winning Super Bowl 43, the New England Patriots are 8/1 favorites to win Super Bowl 44.

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

With their 27-23 victory over the Arizona Cardinals in Super Bowl XLIII, the Steelers became the latest NFL champion. But believe it or not, oddsmakers from online sports book MySportsbook.com don't have the Steelers the favorites to win Super Bowl XLIV next season.

That honor belongs to the New England Patriots, who are 8/1 favorites to win despite not even qualify for the postseason in 2008. The Pats also have a major decision to make regarding what to do with Matt Cassel, who played well in Tom Brady's (knee surgery) absence last year but is also a free agent this offseason.

Ironically, the Steelers aren't even oddsmakers second choice to win Super Bowl 44, as the Dallas Cowboys are listed right behind the Patriots at 9/1 despite not making the playoffs themselves. Clearly oddsmakers think the public will hop back on the Cowboys' bandwagon considering the immense talent they have and the opening of a brand new stadium.

After Dallas, then comes Pittsburgh at 10/1, but they share those odds with the New York Giants, who won Super Bowl XLII. The Indianapolis Colts and San Diego Chargers round out the top six teams at 12/1, while the Baltimore Ravens (14/1), Tennessee Titans (16/1), Carolina Panthers (18/1) and Philadelphia Eagles (18/1) complete the top 10.

The NFC Champion Arizona Cardinals got no love from oddsmakers as they were established as a 30/1 long shot to win next year's Super Bowl. They share those same odds with the Chicago Bears and Tampa Bay Buccaneers – two teams that didn't even qualify for the postseason. Other long shots are the Kansas City Chiefs (100/1), Detroit Lions (100/1), St. Louis Rams (75/1) and Oakland Raiders (75/1).

To see a complete list of all the team's odds to win Super Bowl XLIV, check below.

NFL TEAM FUTURE ODDS TO WIN SUPER BOWL XLIV

New England Patriots 8/1

Dallas Cowboys 9/1

New York Giants 10/1

Pittsburgh Steelers 10/1

Indianapolis Colts 12/1

San Diego Chargers 12/1

Baltimore Ravens 14/1

Tennessee Titans 16/1

Carolina Panthers 18/1

Philadelphia Eagles 18/1

New Orleans Saints 20/1

Atlanta Falcons 25/1

Denver Broncos 25/1

Green Bay Packers 25/1

Jacksonville Jaguars 25/1

Minnesota Vikings 25/1

New York Jets 25/1

Arizona Cardinals 30/1

Chicago BearS 30/1

Tampa Bay Buccaneers 30/1

Buffalo Bills 35/1

Houston TexaNS 35/1

Miami Dolphins 35/1

Washington Redskins 35/1

Seattle SeahawkS 50/1

Cleveland Browns 55/1

Cincinnati Bengals 60/1

San Francisco 49ers 60/1

Oakland Raiders 75/1

St. Louis Rams 75/1

Detroit Lions 100/1

Kansas City Chiefs 100/1

Odds as of: 2/2/09

Bet Super Bowl XLIV Future Odds

To visit this online sportsbook go to MySportsbook.com for all your NFL football betting needs.