From: Scott Woods [nittanylion96@hotmail.com]

Sent: Thursday, July 07, 2011 10:21 PM

To: danhoelke@hotmail.com; Eric A. Drossner; Paul S. Rovner; Scott Woods

Subject: Updated MBBC Odds

With all of the warm-up rounds, MBBC chatter and other developments in the last couple of weeks, I thought I'd check with a source I know in Vegas and get the updated lines for the 2011 MBBC:

Eric Drossner
Opening Line:  2-1
Current Line:   3-2

Many believed that it was only a matter of time before the four-time defending champion was replaced as the oddsmakers favorite.  Several weeks ago, Drossner suggested that there was a good chance he would not play a single round prior to the MBBC.  And there were lingering concerns about Drossner's knee and shoulder injuries.  However, Drossner has caught MBBC fever of late and has been able to play a handful of warm-up rounds with promising results.  Drossner has recorded 3 birdies in his last 2 rounds, including 1 at the site of next year's U.S. Open, and 2 more in another round in which he carded an 82 and could have possibly shot a sub-80 round if not for a horrific 8 on a Par 3.  Reports out of Philadelphia suggest that Drossner is playing well and will not concede his title without a fight.

Scott Woods
Opening Line:  5-2
Current Line:  2-1

Woods appeared on his way to being more prepared for the 2011 MBBC then any other player.  For several weeks, Woods was playing at least once a week, and was recording birdies in just about every round.  His preparation reached its peak during a warm-up round with Dan Hoelke at the Nemacolin Resort in Pennsylvania, when he fired 2 birdies.  However, Woods' pace of warm-up rounds has slowed considerably since then, as work and family obligations have started to get in the way.  Woods is seriously concerned that he will not be able to play again before the MBBC.  Whether he plays again or not, Woods will be more prepared then he has ever been for the MBBC.  Usually a contender, the extra practice can only help Woods get over the hump to claim the title that has eluded him since 2003.

Dan Hoelke
Opening Line:  5-1
Current Line:  3-1

After a series of fairly dismal warm-up rounds and reports that he was extremely frustrated with the state of his game, Hoelke has caught fire of late and, for the moment, appears ready to contend for the title in 2011.  Hoelke once again captured the HHBC, but he did it fairly impressive fashion with 3 birdies over 2 rounds.  Reports out of Hilton Head indicated that while Hoelke was still struggling off the tee, his iron play was solid and his putting was coming around.  Hoelke seems to have regained his confidence and simply needs to keep it going over the next 4 weeks in the build-up to the tournament.  There are still concerns that Hoelke's game could fall apart in the stifling heat of Myrtle Beach, but optimists hope that the old Hoelke has reappeared.  Despite the resurgence, Hoelke remains the darkhorse.

Paul Rovner
Opening Line:  45-1
Current Line:  30-1

Rovner's odds have only improved because of the number of warm-up rounds he's played in the last few weeks.  Unfortunately, Rovner has continued to struggle and the birdies are simply not coming.  Rovner had a chance to make a major statement Father's Day weekend, when he simulated an MBBC-like schedule by playing 5 rounds in 4 days including 2 rounds in 1 day.  However, Rovner was only able to record a single birdie, and by all accounts is growing increasingly frustrated by his game.  However, Rovner has stuck with it and has continued to play warm-up rounds, which can only improve his play at the MBBC.  Rovner is still not expected to contend for the title this year, but is building toward the next couple of tournaments.