Thompson joined by Chappell in Cox Classic lead
Golf Betting Lines
07/30/2010 - Omaha, NE (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Kyle Thompson carded a six-under 65 Friday to remain tied for the lead after 36 holes of the Cox Classic.
Thompson, who shared the first-round lead with Steven Bowditch, finished two rounds at 14-under-par 128. Kevin Chappell fired his second straight seven- under 64 to join Thompson atop the leaderboard.
Bob May, who lost to Tiger Woods in a playoff at the 2000 PGA Championship, fired a 63 to jump into a share third place at minus-12. He was joined there by Bowditch, who managed a four-under 67 in the second round.
Thompson parred his first three holes before picking up five shots over the next seven holes. After birdies on the fourth and sixth, he rolled in three straight birdie efforts from the eighth to get to minus-13.
The 31-year-old parred four straight from the 11th. Thompson got to 14-under with a birdie on the par-four 15th at Champions Run.
Thompson stumbled to a bogey on the 16th. but atoned for that mistake with an eagle on the par-five 17th. He closed with a bogey at the last to end at minus-14.
"It was very similar to yesterday, Thompson stated. "It was extremely stress- free. I felt completely comfortable both days in my skin. I never felt antsy or jumpy, those feelings you get when you're in the lead and that was pretty reassuring to know that."
Chappell, who is fourth on the Nationwide Tour money list, was even-par through eight holes with a birdie on the fourth, a bogey on No. 8 and six pars.
The 24-year-old made a 12-foot eagle putt on the short par-four ninth and followed with a birdie on the 10th to get to 10-under.
Chappell got within two of the lead thanks to birdies on the 13th and 15th. He closed with birdies on the final two holes to join Thompson in the lead.
"At this point, you have to keep doing your own thing and put yourself in position," said Chappell, who won the Fresh Express Classic earlier this year. "I tried to give myself opportunities and see where that put me at the end of the day."
David Mathis and A.J. Elgert both fired seven-under 64s Friday to move into a share of the fifth at 11-under-par 131. They were joined there by Scott Gardiner (67).
Amateur Morgan Hoffmann, who tied for ninth last week, carded a four-under 67 and headlines a group of nine players tied for eighth at minus-10.
NOTES: The cut fell at six-under-par 136 with 63 players moving on to the weekend...Those 63 are bunched within eight shots heading to the final two rounds...The cut at minus-six is the lowest in tourney history bettering the cut of minus-five, which occurred four times...Leading money winner Jamie Lovemark made the cut on the number, while last week's winner, D.J. Brigman, missed the cut by two strokes.
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NFL Football Betting
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
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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
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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
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BRONCOS (-9.5) vs. Raiders SPORTS BETTING LINES
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BEARS (-12) vs. Chiefs SPORTS BETTING LINES
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RAVENS (-10) vs. Jets SPORTS BETTING LINES
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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.