The Victor Chandler Agency, most notable for its British Open bets, has given the edge to Tiger Woods (1/5) over J.J. Henry for this first round qualifier of the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and places Henry at 150/1 to win overall.

Woods is the overall favorite which is a head-scratcher because of his early exit from last year’s event. The ultimate winner of last year’s tournament, Geoff Ogilvy, although relishing that role, still feels it’s important not to antagonize the number-one golfer in the world because, “he won the first nine holes last year after Stephen (Ames) ruffled him up a bit.” Ogilvy may very well have a point as Woods is looking to extend his win streak to eight and break Byron Nelson’s record. When the Tiger has something to prove, he’s usually unstoppable.

But match-play has also taken down the top PGA Tour golfers early. Els and Mickelson made hasty departures last year and Vijay Singh didn’t even make it past the first round.

That being said, Ogilvy is one of my top picks for making it through to the final round although the Victor Chandler Agency only gives him 40/1 odds. Between the first-round encounter of Harrington/Westwood, I offer up Westwood as my choice as Harrington disappointed recently at the Nissan after starting the final round only one stroke off the lead.

Where do I place Mickelson? I would love to say “winner” but his putter let him down at last week’s Nissan Open. I think this year’s winner will come from the European Tour, possibly an underdog like 2006 Ryder Cup favorite Henrik Stenson (25/1) or Ian Poulter (80/1), but you would have to be a real gambler to take those odds! Wouldn’t it be interesting to see Stuart Appleby (66/1) shine. His best performance at the WGC-Accenture Match Play was a tie for ninth in 2001!