Bettencourt leads DiMarco in Reno

Golf Betting Lines

07/15/2010 - Reno, NV (Sportsbook Betting Lines) - Matt Bettencourt shot a six-under 66 to take the first-round lead Thursday at the Reno-Tahoe Open.

Bettencourt earned his first 18-hole lead on the PGA Tour largely due to an eagle at the 17th hole. He moved past Chris DiMarco, who had a 67 at Montreux Golf & Country Club to sit alone in second place.

Craig Bowden and 2006 champion Will MacKenzie were another shot further back at 68, while Chad Campbell and former PGA Championship winner Steve Elkington led a large group at 69.

Because the tournament is being played opposite the British Open, Campbell is the highest-ranked player in the field at world No. 93.

The event features a mixture of young pros trying to get their first PGA Tour wins, wily veterans hoping for a good finish, and many players in between.

DiMarco is among the veterans seeking a good finish. On a career downswing, he has now missed three British Opens in a row after playing in eight straight. He was runner-up to Tiger Woods at Hoylake in 2006.

Making the best of his start in Reno, the 41-year-old DiMarco mixed six birdies with one bogey during the first round. He birdied his last three holes, sinking a seven-foot putt at the 18th to take the clubhouse lead.

"I really like the golf course," said DiMarco, who tied for 26th last year on the Montreux layout. "It fits my eye really well off the tee, which is pretty big when you're playing golf, to be able to see the lines that you want to have."

DiMarco has three career PGA Tour wins, but none since the 2002 Phoenix Open. His last victory on any tour came at the Abu Dhabi Golf Championship in January 2006.

"I still feel like I can win out here," DiMarco said. "My confidence is slowly but surely coming back. I'm starting to get comfortable on the golf course again.

"It's coming back."

DiMarco's lead didn't last long Thursday.

Playing three groups behind him, Bettencourt eagled the par-five 17th after hitting his second shot 260 yards and within three feet of the hole, getting to seven-under par.

Bettencourt then bogeyed the 18th from a fairway bunker, trimming his lead to a shot. He also had six birdies during the round, all in his first 13 holes.

"I'm very pleased with my round," said Bettencourt, a 35-year-old grinder who has never won on the PGA Tour. "I've been struggling a little bit this year with my expectations. I've been battling a few injuries. So it feels good to be feeling healthy and getting out there and playing good golf."

NOTES: Defending champion John Rollins opened with a 71...Tournament host Scott McCarron had a 70...Two-time Reno-Tahoe winner Vaughn Taylor shot a 74...Bettencourt picked up two victories on the Nationwide Tour in 2008.

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Marlins could start season without No. 2 starter Johnson

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MySportsbook.com have the Marlins listed with baseball betting lines at +800 to win the NL East this season .

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Football Betting: Defensive Rookie of the Year Awards

Oddsmakers have released the odds for the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award and Seattle Seahawks linebacker Aaron Curry has been made the opening favorite.

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Seattle took Curry with the fourth overall pick in April's NFL draft and plan on inserting him into its starting lineup right away. The Hawks traded linebacker Julian Peterson in the offseason, so Curry is expected to have a significant role in Seattle's defense next year and that's one of the primary reasons he is the favorite to win the NFL ROY Award.

Oddsmakers from online sportsbook MySportsbook.com have made Curry a 5/1 favorite to win this year's NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award. Given that he was the best defensive prospect in this year's draft and how he'll have plenty of opportunities to make plays in '09, Curry offers a ton of value at 5/1.

Another thing working for Curry is the position he plays. A linebacker has won the defensive ROY award six straight times and eight of the last nine years. Jerod Mayo, Patrick Willis, DeMeco Ryans, Shawne Merriman, Jonathan Vilma, Terrell Suggs, Kendrell Bell and Brian Urlacher were the most recent linebackers to take home the award.

Following Curry at 5/1 are Tyson Jackson (Chiefs) at 7/1, James Laurinaitas (Rams) at 8/1, Brian Orakpo (Redskins) at 10/1, Rey Maualuga (Bengals) at 10/1 and Jerry Peria (Falcons) at 10/1.

All the players mentioned above are expected to start for their respective teams, but Jackson and Peria are going to have a tough time being recognized on a national level given they're both defensive linemen. D-linemen rarely put up the numbers that it takes to win an individual award like the ROY.

A couple of players with some value are Clay Matthews (Packers) at 12/1 and Larry English (Chargers) at 15/1. Matthews is expected to start at outside linebacker in Green Bay's new 3-4 defense and could rack up a ton of tackles. English, who was an impressive player at Northern Illinois, is expected to be a situational pass rusher for the Chargers and could rack up a ton of sacks.

For complete odds on the 2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award, see below. And for complete odds for the 2009 AP NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year Award, click the link provided.

2009 AP NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Award

Robert Ayers (DEN) 12/1

Ron Brace (NE) 25/1

Everette Brown (CAR) 16/1

Darius Butler (NE) 40/1

Patrick Chung (NE) 30/1

Aaron Curry (SEA) 5/1

Brian Cushing (HOU) 12/1

Vontae Davis (MIA) 30/1

Louis Delmas (DET) 30/1

Larry English (SD) 15/1

Evander Hood (PIT) 25/1

Tyson Jackson (KC) 7/1

Malcolm Jenkins (NO) 25/1

Paul Kruger (BAL) 50/1

James Laurinaitas (STL) 8/1

Sen'Derrick Marks (TEN) 20/1

Clay Matthews (GB) 12/1

Aaron Maybin (BUF) 15/1

Rey Maualuga (CIN) 10/1

Roy Miller (TB) 20/1

Michael Mitchell (OAK) 45/1

Fili Moala (IND) 30/1

Brian Orakpo (WAS) 10/1

Jerry Peria (ATL) 10/1

B J Raji (GB) 7/1

Clint Sintim (NYG) 35/1

Alphonso Smith (DEN) 40/1

David Verkune (CLE) 20/1

Jason Williams (DAL) 30/1

Field (Any Other Player) 6/1

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