11/06/2008 - Shanghai, China (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Henrik Stenson fired a seven-under 65 to take the first-round lead Thursday at the HSBC Champions tournament, the European Tour's first event of the 2009 season.
Defending champion and world No. 2 Phil Mickelson led a four-way tie for second place at six-under 66. Joining him were world No. 3 Sergio Garcia, No. 8 Anthony Kim and No. 16 Adam Scott.
The star-studded field of 77 players took to Sheshan International Golf Club for the traditional early start to the European Tour's new season.
It kicked off the circuit's new Race to Dubai, the season-long money scramble that replaces the Order of Merit and ends in the most lucrative tournament in golf, the $10 million Dubai World Championship.
Robert Karlsson, who locked up his first Order of Merit title at last week's Volvo Masters -- the end of the 2008 season -- hit the first tee shot Thursday to kick off the new campaign. He finished with a 69 to share 14th place, and later spoke about beginning the tour's new season-long race.
"It is really exciting to start something new like this and it is a great honor to be the person given the chance to kick off this thrilling period in the European Tour's history," said Karlsson.
Ten of the top 20 players in the world rankings are on hand this week for a tournament that's being described by some as "Asia's major." The purse is $5 million, drawing the likes of Mickelson, Garcia, Scott and reigning British Open and PGA champion Padraig Harrington.
But it was Stenson, the five-time European Tour winner, who held the lead after a first round that included an eagle, six birdies and just one bogey.
Nearly all of the action in the 32-year-old Swede's round occurred on the first eight holes. He started off with a bogey on the first hole, but rebounded in a big way with an eagle at No. 2 and three consecutive birdies following that.
Stenson went on to birdie No. 8 to make the turn in just 31 shots, but he soon slowed down. Playing in a light fog and steady rain, Stenson collected six straight pars to start the back nine before making birdie at two of his last three holes to take the lead.
"It was a good day," said Stenson, "especially because I haven't been playing very good lately with the longer clubs."
Stenson wasn't the only player who took advantage of the front side of the course. Like the Swede, both Mickelson and Kim were able to pick up eagles at the 550-yard second hole.
Mickelson, Kim and Scott each stumbled to bogeys in the rounds, while Garcia was able to make it around the course without one. The third-ranked Spaniard has a mathematical shot to supplant Mickelson at No. 2 in the rankings behind injured Tiger Woods, although it would take a top-three finish coupled with a poor finish from Mickelson for that to happen.
With his good start Thursday, Mickelson -- who won in a three-way playoff last year for only his second career victory outside the United States -- looked unlikely to stumble that badly.
Marc Cayeux and Oliver Wilson shared sixth place behind Mickelson's group at five-under 67.
Overall, there were 27 players within five shots of Stenson's lead, including notables Ian Poulter (68), Harrington (69) and Geoff Ogilvy (70).
<< Romo returns to practice
Irving, TX (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Dallas Cowboys quarterback Tony Romo, who has
missed the last three games with a fractured pinkie on his throwing hand,
returned to practice Wednesday and is optimistic to play in the team's next
contest
<< Jackson, Warriors hold off Nuggets
Oakland, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Stephen Jackson scored a game-high 29 points
and dished out seven assists, leading the Golden State Warriors to a 111-101
victory over the Nuggets in Denver's first game since the trade of Allen
Iverson
<< Martin, Kings top Grizzlies to earn first win of the season
Sacramento, CA (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kevin Martin poured in 33 points and the
Kings finally broke in the win column by holding on to capture their home
opener, 100-95, over the Memphis Grizzlies.
John Salmons tallied 21 points and n
<< Okur leads Jazz over Blazers
Salt Lake City, UT (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Mehmet Okur had 22 points and nine to
lead Utah in a 103-96 triumph over Portland, which gave Jazz coach Jerry Sloan
his 999th win with the franchise.
Sloan is now just one victory shy from becoming t
Rockets ready to blast off in Portland >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Houston Rockets will attempt to rebound from their
first loss of the season when they embark on a five-game road swing by
visiting the Portland Trail Blazers at the Rose Garden.
Boston's Ray Allen scored
Flames welcome Preds to Calgary >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Calgary Flames will try to avoid their first
three-game losing streak of the season tonight, when they welcome the
Nashville Predators for a battle at the Saddledome.
Before dropping their last two contests, the Flames
Coyotes stay up north to battle Canucks >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - The Phoenix Coyotes will try to keep heading in the right
direction when they visit the Vancouver Canucks tonight at General Motors
Place.
The Coyotes began the season on a two-game winning streak, but haven't
strung toge
Kings, Panthers both aim to halt skids in LA >>
(Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A pair of struggling teams will try to halt lengthy
losing streaks tonight, as the Los Angeles Kings welcome the Florida
Panthers for a battle at Staples Center.
The Kings have lost their last five games, grabbing two poin
It's less than a month until the NHL hockey betting season opens at MySportsbook.com and preparations are underway for another battle in the race to hoist Lord Stanley's mug in 2007.
As cup crazy fans prepare to place their bets, one online sportsbook ,MySportsbook.com, is offering hockey betting lines on the 2007/2007 Stanley Cup , who will bring it home this upcoming season.
Despite a poor showing in last season's playoffs and the loss of Steve Yzerman to retirement, the Detroit Red Wings are early favourites at this online sportsbook with wagering odds of 6-1. The Wings will look to offensive powerhouse Pavel Datsyuk and newly appointed captain Nicklas Lidstrom to lead one of the league's most prominent franchises.
Always a threat are the Ottawa Senators, with newly acquired goaltender Martin Gerber from the Stanley Cup champion ,Carolina Hurricanes. The Sens are second best in the rankings at a 7-1 bet, and odds makers at this sportsbook are optimistic that the Ottawa squad will fare better than last season's Eastern Conference semi-final upset to the Buffalo Sabres.
Also worth noting are the defending Stanley Cup champs Carolina Hurricanes, a 10-1 bet to repeat. Behind the Canes are the New Jersey Devils, Calgary Flames, Buffalo Sabres, Philadelphia Flyers, and Anaheim Mighty Ducks all sit at 12-1. In the basement are the Washington Capitals, Chicago Blackhawks, and St. Louis Blues who all have 100-1 odds to win.
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com for all your hockey betting needs.
JUPITER, Fla. -- The Foorida Marlins are preparing for the likelihood that right-hander
Josh Johnson won't be ready when the season starts April 2.
Grapefruit League action starts Wednesday, but Johnson, penciled in as the No. 2 starter, hasn't even thrown off a mound at full speed since September. He's experienced some soreness in his right forearm.
MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .
''You guys know the math. If he's not on the hill then he becomes an opening day roster issue,'' manager Fredi Gonzalez said Saturday. ''We're borderline now.''
Johnson, who finished 12-7 with a 3.10 ERA in 2007, was supposed to throw on flat ground Saturday. That was canceled when he woke up with pain.
He played catch on Wednesday with no pain but felt discomfort in a throwing session on Thursday. He's expected to try again Sunday.
''Like we always said from the very beginning, we're going to take it easy on him,'' Gonzalez said. ''He didn't feel right, so we shut him down. We're going to take it back to step one and see where we're at.''
Among the candidates to take Johnson's spot in the rotation are left-hander Chris George and right-handers Yusmeiro Petit and Jose Garcia.
Right-hander Sergio Mitre, who missed most of last season with arm and shoulder problems, also is behind.
With Johnson's status doubtful, Gonzalez said right-hander Ricky Nolasco will stay in the rotation and no longer will be considered a candidate for closer.
Additional basbeall odds can be found at: www.MySportsbook.com
To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.
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