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06/14/2007 - Lumbres, France (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Ireland's David Higgins and Australian David Bransdon each posted rounds of six-under-par 65 to share the lead after the opening round of the Open de Saint-Omer.
Another Australian, Simon Nash, is one stroke further back at minus-five on the Val Course at Aa Saint Omer Golf Club. Seven more players are tied for fourth at four-under-par 67.
The first round was completed despite an 80-minute weather delay.
Higgins got his round going with a birdie on the par-four third. He birdied the eighth and came right back with an eagle on the par-five ninth to make the turn in four-under.
The Irishman was not finished. He birdied the 10th to grab a piece of the lead at five-under.
Higgins parred six in a row, then birdied the 17th to get to six-under. He parred the last to grab a share of the first-round lead for the third time in his career.
"I have been playing well for the last two months, but I haven't been finishing the tournaments off the way I should have so it's great to start the way I did today," said Higgins.
Bransdon played the back nine first Thursday. He reeled off five straight birdies from the 11th to grab a share of the lead. He parred his next five holes around the turn.
"That was a very satisfying start," Bransdon stated. "A nice little par on the 10th and then I reeled off five straight birdies. I was trying to recall the last time that happened and I struggled to remember to be honest."
The Australian climbed to six-under with a birdie on the par-four third. Bransdon closed with six consecutive pars to share the lead with Higgins. Bransdon leads after one round for the first time in his career.
"Six-under is not a bad round," said Bransdon. "I have started to show some form over the last few weeks."
Daniel Denison, Michael Lorenzo-Vera, Santiago Luna, Carl Suneson, Marcus Higley, Anders S. Hansen and Raphael Eyraud are the seven tied for fourth at minus-four.
<< Line of Scrimmage: Five Teams on the Rise, Five on the Decline
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - If you're seeking some solid tips on the
bear market, look no further than this space.
It was around this time last year that we referred readers to five teams on
the decline, correctly asserting that 2005
<< Dougherty's 68 leads Open early; Woods shoots 71
Oakmont, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Nick Dougherty was the early first-round leader
at the U.S. Open after finishing off a two-under 68 Thursday afternoon at
Oakmont.
Angel Cabrera was a shot further back at one-under 69.
Tiger Woods and defen
<< Mayer ousts Davydenko at Gerry Weber
Halle, Germany (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - German crowd favorite Florian Mayer upset
second-seeded Russian Nikolay Davydenko in straight sets in Thursday's second-
round action at the $900,000 Gerry Weber Open, a grass-court Wimbledon tune-
up.
<< Saint Peter's drops football
Jersey, City, NJ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Saint Peter's College will no longer
sponsor football as an intercollegiate sport as of July 1, 2007.
The announcement was made after months of deliberation.
"We feel that at this time with the
Germano, Padres down D-Rays >>
St. Petersburg, FL (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Justin Germano tossed six scoreless
innings to lead the San Diego Padres past the Tampa Bay Devil Rays, 7-1, in
the rubber match of a three-game interleague series at Tropicana Field.
Germano (5
Roddick sneaks into Queen's Club quarters >>
London, England (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Three-time champion Andy Roddick needed
the help of instant replay in order to win his third-round match Thursday at
The Artois Championships, a grass-court Wimbledon tune-up.
The second-seeded Ro
Phillies' Garcia won't face surgery >>
Philadelphia, PA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Philadelphia Phillies right-handed
pitcher Freddy Garcia, currently on the 15-day disabled list with right
shoulder troubles, has been spared from surgery.
Garcia, who left his last start
Pettitte helps red-hot Yankees rout Diamondbacks >>
Bronx, NY (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Andy Pettitte hurled eight brilliant innings as
New York dumped Arizona, 7-1, to complete a three-game sweep of the
Diamondbacks at Yankee Stadium.
Pettitte (4-4), who turns 35 on Friday, dazzled
BILLS (+10) at Steelers SPORTSBOOK LINES
It's impossible to gauge how a team will react after something like the Steve Everett situation, and it probably doesn't matter. That being said, the Bills are going to lose several games this year where they keep things close but fall short in the end to superior teams. Ben Roethlisberger and company could have a field day against Buffalo's decimated defense, but I like the Bills to cover.
BENGALS (-7) at Browns SPORTSBOOK LINES
All you can ask out of your NFL team is that it has a plan. You may not always agree with it as a fan, but as long as it appears the organization is going in some sort of direction, you have to go with it. Which brings us to the Cleveland Browns. You flip a coin to determine whether Chuck Frye or Derek Anderson should start the preseason opener. You start Frye in Week 1, but pull him in the first half. And then you deal him to the Seahawks for a sixth-round pick? Hmm... the Bengals could get six turnovers again this week.
COLTS (-7) at Titans SPORTSBOOK LINES
Tennessee signed ex-Colts cornerback Nick Harper in the offseason so that should help slow down Peyton Manning. Just ask Jason David and the Saints. Oh wait... One of these weeks, I'm going to learn to not pick against Tennessee, which has won seven of its last eight games. But it's not happening against Indy.
TEXANS (+6.5) at Panthers SPORTSBOOK LINES
Houston's Mario Williams, the first pick in the '06 draft, has more touchdowns than Reggie Bush after one week. Somehow I don't see that lasting. Meanwhile, Carolina bottled up what was expected to be a pretty high-octane offense in St. Louis in Week 1. Could this be the Panthers' defense everyone expected last year? Maybe. This feels like a 20-16 Carolina win.
RAMS (-3) vs. 49ers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Absolutely love this game. Everyone's favorite pick for this year's surprise team -- the 49ers -- laid an egg on Monday night (not that anyone was watching with the game ending in the middle of the night for those of us on the East Coast). St. Louis wasn't much better, delivering a lackluster effort against the Panthers that included two Steven Jackson fumbles and panic from his fantasy owners. Jackson rebounds this week, and the Rams get their first win.
PACKERS (+1.5) at Giants SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Do you really trust this guy to win an NFL game if Eli Manning can't go? I say no. I'd feel alot better about this Packers team if it had any semblance of a running game, but I still think Green Bay's defense is good enough to give it a 2-0 start.
JAGUARS (-10) vs. Falcons SPORTSBOOKS LINES
Does it scare me to pick Jacksonville to cover a double-digit spread after it scored just 10 points last week against the Titans? Absolutely. But can I bring myself to pick Atlanta under any circumstances? No. Check out this poll on ajc.com. It asks what Atlanta's most urgent deficiency is: offense, defense, specials teams or all of the above. "All of the above" has 57 percent of the votes. Ouch.
SAINTS (-3) at Buccaneers SPORTSBOOKS LINES
I'm picking way too many road teams this week. Oh well. New Orleans has had some time to reflect on its lackluster showing in the opener, and the Buccanneers just aren't a very good football team. Anyone else surprised Tampa Bay hasn't made a move to sign Byron Leftwich? I thought that's what they do.
VIKINGS (+3) at Lions SPORTS BETTING LINES
Run the ball and stop the run. Minnesota can do both, and that will keep them in a lot of games this season. Even though it was only one week, Adrian Peterson looks like he was a steal at No. 7 in last year's draft. Not only will he produce, but Peterson delivers excitement to what otherwise would be one of the league's most boring teams.
DOLPHINS (+3.5) vs. Cowboys SPORTS BETTING LINES
Lost in the Tony Romo lovefest is just how bad the Cowboys' defense was last week. I know they're banged up, but Dallas' 'D' allowed 438 yards to the Giants' offense, and backup running back Derrick Ward averaged 6.8 yards per carry. Meanwhile, Cam Cameron's decision to split carries between Ronnie Brown and Jesse Chatman sounds about as can't-miss as Larry David's plan to show up to Marty Funkhouser's party a night late. Still, gotta go with Miami to cover at home.
SEAHAWKS (-2.5) at Cardinals SPORTS BETTING LINES
I'm probably missing something, but this game seems too easy. Arizona blew Monday night's game against the 49ers in typical Cardinals fashion, and the Seahawks beat Tampa Bay by two touchdowns. Love Seattle in this one.
BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
Special teams was a major story line in Week 1. Take a look at the Broncos. They had to rush on to the field to get a Jason Elam field goal as time expired against the Bills. Denver drove into Buffalo territory on eight of 10 drives but came away with just a pair of field goals and a touchdown. Look for more scoring from the Broncos this week against an Oakland defense that gave up 36 points to Detroit in Week 1.
BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
Everyone talks about Rex Grossman when dissecting the Bears' offense, but Chicago's quarterback got no help in last week's loss to the Chargers. Meanwhile, Kansas City confirmed what we all thought while watching Hard Knocks: The Chiefs are going to stink this year. It could be a rough first month for Larry Johnson fantasy owners. Kansas City's RB was limited to 43 yards on 10 carries in Week 1, and the Chiefs face the Bears, Vikings and Chargers the next three weeks, all formidable run defenses.
RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
A big dose of Willis McGahee and a usual sound defensive effort will give the Ravens their first win. According to Football Outsiders, no team in the NFL rushed only three defenders on pass plays last year more than the Jets. And according to my special Jets correspondent Ben Stauber, New York did the same in Week 1. Whoever starts at quarterback for the Ravens should have all day to throw.
PATRIOTS (-3) vs. Chargers
Friends and I were discussing how Bill Belichick goes about paying his $500,000 fine for cheating. Does he just write one check to the NFL? Do you need some sort of clearance to make such a monstrous financial transaction? I guess I shouldn't complain about the security deposit I have to put down on my new apartment. Anyway, two of the league's best teams square off in what should be a good one Sunday night. The Patriots always respond well just when you think they're in trouble. And their offensive attack was the story in Week 1.
Note: Monday night game will be picked Monday. Lines used are from football betting.
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