Buick Invitational round three: Aussie rookie puts the pressure on Tiger

A bit of reality crept into the markets overnight as punters grasped that this is no foregone conclusion. As Sunday dawned the price of Tiger Woods, which had gone as low as 1.68 during Saturday’s play, slipped back over evens. Some think that is still generous given that the world’s Number One Golfer is not exactly stamping his authority on the south course.

I still think that, barring a freak round, the players around him aren’t very frightening. I’d still keep an eye on Troy Matteson, since he matched Tiger Saturday, and word on the fairways is that Nick Watney could surprise us all, although he only notched two birdies Saturday. His putting is the weakest link.

I’d be mightily surprised if Tiger let anyone else slip past. Which leaves the three guys who, mercifully for them, escaped having to go round in his grouping Sunday. Brandt Snedeker’s two over on Saturday confirmed that he is not at ease with the south course, and in the 17 times Kevin Sutherland has been round the track since 2001, when it was beefed up, he has managed just one round below 70.

That leaves the latest intrepid Australian to make waves on the American circuit, Andrew Buckle. Relieved of the pressure of having to battle the Tiger circus as well as the south course, if he keeps his head Sunday he could just spring a shock. Even a round of 70 could make life extremely difficult for Tiger. I think I’ll chance my arm with a bit of his 9.6 at least as a trading ploy.

It could, as one columnist suggests this morning, come down to the back nine, which Tiger has only managed to par this week.

I still think he’s the winner, but I will be watching the in-play market like a hawk.