Stanley rallies from 8 back to win in Phoenix

Golf Betting Lines

02/05/2012 - Scottsdale, AZ (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - A week ago, Kyle Stanley blew an eight- stroke lead in the final round to cost himself his first PGA Tour victory.

This week, Stanley made the big rally.

He fired a six-under 65 Sunday to come from eight shots back to win the Phoenix Open by one stroke over Ben Crane.

Stanley finished his first tour win at 15-under-par 269.

"That's golf. You need to accept the fact that there's going to be ups and downs. You just can't get too high or too low, but I'm just thankful I had so much support from so many people," Stanley said in a televised interview.

"That really helped me put [last week] behind me and move on. It's been great."

Crane, who played alongside Stanley, closed with a five-under 66 at the TPC Scottsdale to take second at minus-14.

Spencer Levin started the round with a six-stroke lead, and it was seven after the first hole. He had a solid par save on the 10th, but dropped four strokes in the next five holes to fall out of the lead.

Levin stumbled to a four-over 75 to end alone in third at 13-under-par 271.

Not only was Stanley eight clear to start the final round last week, but he was still three ahead on the 18th fairway. He then spun his third shot back into the water and that led to a closing triple-bogey. That was followed by a playoff loss to Brandt Snedeker.

Levin parred the first and was seven clear as Webb Simpson tripped to a bogey on the first to slip into a tie for second. However, Levin stumbled to bogeys on four and six as his lead dipped to three over Crane, who went four-under par in a three-hole span from the second.

Meanwhile, Stanley was quietly making a move. He poured in birdies on two and three. After four pars in a row, Stanley rolled in a birdie on the eighth.

Stanley got within three of Levin with a birdie at the par-four 11th.

Levin parred four in a row from the seventh, including a key par-saving putt from 12 feet out on No. 10. But trouble loomed for the leader.

At the par-four 11th, Levin dumped his second shot into a greenside bunker and failed to save par from there. He again found sand off the tee at the par- three 12th.

Levin blasted to 10 feet, but his par putt slid by the left edge. His lead was down to one.

Stanley, who was two groups in front of Levin, two-putted for birdie on the par-five 13th to join Levin in the lead at 14-under. Stanley came right back with a 12-foot birdie putt at 14 to grab the outright lead by himself.

Levin responded with a 14-foot birdie effort of his own on the 14th to forge a tie at minus-15, but the 15th would be Levin's undoing.

The 27-year-old Levin drove under a bush, then putted his ball back to the first cut of rough. His five-iron third shot came up well short in the water. He chipped on with his fifth, but two-putted for double-bogey to slide two back.

Stanley two-putted for par on 15, then saved par from eight feet out on 16. He hit a remarkable chip shot from under a cactus and onto the green at 17. Stanley two-putted from 22 feet.

At the 18th, Stanley hit his drive left and got a drop from the grandstands. He knocked his second to 17 feet and two-putted for a closing par.

"I had a couple of squirrelly tee shots, but my recovery shots were fantastic. I made a really good par save there on 15, 16 as well. It was nice to make that four-footer at the last," said Stanley on TV.

Crane had a chance to join Stanley at 15-under, but failed to hole his birdie chip at the last. Then, Stanley had to wait to see if Levin could catch him.

Levin missed the 16th green left and got up and down for par. After he failed to convert a 27-footer for birdie on 17, Levin needed to hole out for eagle at the last to force a playoff.

Levin's approach on 18 landed close to the hole, but rolled out to 40 feet. He two-putted for par to end alone in third and give Stanley his first tour win.

D.J. Trahan closed with a 66 to take fourth place at 12-under-par 272. Kevin Na (65), Bubba Watson (70) and Brendan Steele (64) shared fifth at minus-11.

NOTES: Stanley earned $1.098 million for the win...Levin is one of six players to have lost a final-round lead of at last six strokes...Last year's winner Mark Wilson matched Steele for the low round of the day with his 64, and that helped Wilson jump 41 spots into a share of 19th at minus-seven...D.A. Points will defend his title at the Pebble Beach National Pro-Am next week against a field that includes Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson.

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American Idol odds : Blake Lewis the Early Standout

An important American Idol betting lines recap from February 20 Guys episode. The 12 men came out flat overall with Blake Lewis appearing to have the early edge after the first hour and a half.

Rudy - was quite good singing "Free Ride" to start off.  Randy was not impressed though.  Paula thought he started off fantastic.  "Never had anyone stop off so lively" said Paula but Simon (who does not like Rudy) does not feel he has a distinct voice and was not impressed either. 

Brandon was a little pitchy according to Randy and Paula agreed.  Simon said he was a good singer but the song was "too safe" and he needs to make an impact.  He was listed at +1200 odds or $1200 paid out on a $100 bet should he win the competition. 

Big favorite Sundance came in with a flat version of "Knights in White Satin" and the judges let him have it, including Paula.  Randy claimed the song was out of pitch throughout.

Korean American - and a Jenny Woo favorite - Paul Kim was up next.  Another pitchy flat one but Randy said he still liked his potential.  Kim at +3000 odds was said to have sung a "third rate version of that (George Michael) song" according to Simon Cowell.  He sang "Careless Whisper".

22 year old Chris Richardson was up next.  He was listed with +1100 odds coming in.  He got the best response from the judges though Simon did not believe the vocal was that great. 

Nick was boring and pitchy.  Simon didn't think he was that bad though and predicted he would be back next week.  Nick Pedro was a big +3000 dog coming into this competition. 

Beat boxer Blake Lewis was listed with early +1000 odds or $1000 payout on a $100 bet if he were to become the next American Idol winner odds .  These of course were the early odds.  He was considered original for picking an "odd song".  He did not beat box and the judges felt it was the best vocal of the night. 

Sanjaya came in as the second biggest favorite after Chris Sligh but his performance Tuesday night was not very good. 

Chris Sleigh was the early favorite at +450 odds.  Great voice and a great sense of humor.  He's a real standout.  Randy felt it was on point but maybe ahead of the chorus a little bit.  Simon Cowell said he felt like he was in some "sort of weird student gig". 

Jared Cotter followed.  He was listed with +2000 odds early on to win the competition.  The judges felt he needs to take more risks but looked good. 

22-year old AJ Talbado, who has tried out for American Idol five times, was up next.  "Kind of a theme park performance" said Simon.  Though the judges felt he performed okay.  Simon did feel AJ might be better than he originally thought.

Phil - this season's military favorite - came into this competition with +1200 odds to win the competition.  He was the last to perform.  He was certainly strong enough to get through this stage of the competition and perhaps the best one after a shaky start. 

Tomorrow night, the ladies perform and I sure hope they do a better job than the boys.  Check out all the American Idol betting odds here.

To visit this online sportsbook got to MySportsbook.com - this sportsbook accepts credit cards.