I've really missed the US golf so watching last week's Mercedes Championship was like welcoming back an old friend, even though my bets came to nothing in the end.

There's nothing like golf betting in my opinion. Due to the sheer variety of it, no two golf tournaments are ever the same and you are pretty much guaranteed four days of excitement with the betting fluctuating wildly every few seconds. Of course, it can be heartbreaking at times, but the highs more than make up for it, and I'm expecting plenty of those from one American in particular this season - Anthony Kim, who is 6/1 (Paddy Power) to top the Money List without Tiger Woods.

The confident 23-year-old upset plenty of Europeans with his boisterous antics at Valhalla in September when crushing Sergio Garcia 5&4 in his maiden Ryder Cup singles match, and he should continue to make waves this season. Sixth in the rankings last season, he's already flown out of the blocks in 2009 by finishing runner-up to Geoff Ogilvy in Hawaii last week (banking over $500,000 in the process), and it won't be long before he's adding to last year's Wachovia Championship and AT&T National titles. Of course, the big bucks are earned in the four Majors and he looks destined to win plenty of those - he's 6/1 (Ladbrokes) to win one in 2009.

What's more, he's guaranteed to play a full PGA Tour Schedule, unlike some of his market rivals, including current favourite Phil Mickelson (11/4 bet365), who has not totally ruled out joining the European Tour. That's unlikely I know, but the Race to Dubai might tempt him into making several trips across the pond this year. Likewise Vijay Singh (7/1 Ladbrokes), Camilo Villegas (12/1 bet365), and especially Sergio Garcia (11/1 Skybet), so a bigger threat may be Geoff Ogilvy (14/1 Coral), who is a Major champion in his prime.

With so many doubts surrounding Tiger Woods' comeback from injury, bookmakers are not willing to price up the Money List with the 14-times major champ in the betting, which is a shame as I'd be keen to take him on - and we'd get an even bigger price on Kim of course. The March 12th-15th WGC-CA Championship in Miami has been suggested as a possible return to action, but I doubt we will see the World No.1 firing on all cylinders until much later in the year. For the time being, we will just have to make do with betting without him, and Anthony Kim at 6/1 looks an each way bet to nothing.

Recommended Bet:

Anthony Kim 2pts each way @ 6/1 Paddy Power (1/5 odds, 1.2.3.4)