Golf Betting-Rich Pickings In Reno

The Legends Reno-Tahoe Open is the traditional side dish to this week's WGC event at Firestone and a very interesting event it is in its own right.

While Tiger Woods rather showboated his way to victory in the Buick last week as those in behind failed to land a serious blow, this is a real chance for one of the lesser lights to make a name for himself and grab a PGA Tour title.

That has been borne out in past results with five first-time winners lifting the trophy and four players (five wins overall) being in their 20s.

The first player to catch the eye at 80/1 is Spencer Levin, who fits both of the above criteria for a starter.

Formerly a top amateur, he finished a superb T13 at the 2004 US Open while still in the unpaid ranks and has since progressed gradually until making his full time bow on the PGA Tour this season.

It has been a pleasing start to boot with four top 25s so far in 2009, including a best of T7 in Milwaukee during Golf Betting Open Championship week where he closed with a personal best of 63.

What makes Levin of additional interest are his close links to the Reno area - he was born in Sacremento just across the stateline in California, a mere 111 miles away.

Levin is sure to have plenty of local support behind him and in turn he will be keen to do well in return - his California connections cemented by the fact that his middle name Joseph came from Joe Montana, the legendary San Franciso 49ers quarterback.

The tournament begins Thursday at Montreux Golf & Country Club on the edge of the Sierra Nevada southwest of Reno.

Levin has shown more than enough to be competitive this week, has some course form (T27 back in 2005) and his short hitting (183rd in driving distance in 2009) will be negated to some extent with the 7500-yard course being at altitude.


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