Nice profits from the late bets on Sterne to finish top 5 (6.4 ) and top 10 ( 2 ) and also Bjorn who was a steal for top 5 at (5 ). Re investing at Memorial where I am still showing red, hanging on with Vijay to start well before laying and will be backing Furyk, Vijay and Stenson top 5 and top ten they are way overpriced in both markets.

You think Robert Karlsson is a "short and accurate hitter"  ????

Well... He's used the 3 wood a fair bit already this season, and ranks a lowly 158th on the accuracy stats.

I'm not saying that he won't do well, but I disagree completely with your reasoning.

I am just pointing out, what I consider to be, a misjudgement in your reasoning.

You describe him as a short and accurate hitter, when he is neither. He's not even short, with a 3 wood in his hand.

Do you disagree ?

You could argue that you didn't specifically say that golfdaft but that is definitely how it reads.

Do you naturally sound this zealous?

Pretty good start to the Nordea for our boys, I really like the way Peter Hanson hit the ball this morning and its hard to see him finsihing out of the top 5 on this form. Thorbjorn sits handy too and I expect him to move through the field on Thursday. Westwood, as predicted as bang there too, all looking good.

Well Heinz, it doesnt take me to point out what a fool you now look after your silly comments and miss quotes ( I said Westwood was poor each way value, not poor value as you stated ) I hope you are not as premature in other areas of your life as you are when having a go at me.

Always honest Heinz and be sure to check out my advice for the US Open which will be posted during the day tomorrow, nice and early so you can grab the value while it still lasts. just getting my bets on before the rush begins.

Nice to make an impression

U S Open
THE OLYMPIC CLUB
San Francisco, California
June 14-17, 2012


This year’s event may well prove to be one of the toughest ever and it’s highly likely that the winner may complete 72 holes without breaking par.

Perhaps more than the other Majors, The U S Open often throws up freakish results and improbable winners. In recent times the hapless Michael Campbell had to pre qualify and went on to win at massive odds. The enigmatic Angel Cabrera was another winner whose profile didn’t seem to match up, hot headed and lacking in patience. With no respect to G Mac, in many respects, he too was a shock winner at Pebble and the runner up that year Gregory Havret has hardly had a top ten since.

So, the unique nature of the U S Open can and is just as likely as not, to throw up a result to confound the formbook. I believe this Olympic course can and will also provide the platform for a long priced winner this week.

It would be great to see Luke, Lee or Rory in the winners enclosure but top ten is the best the fist two can expect here and the Irishman may be an early casualty as his confidence remains fragile for now.

My five against the field this week are;

South Africans have featured very heavily in recent majors and I fancy a previous Masters winner has the perfect profile for this event. Trevor Immelman suffered several injury setbacks after his glory moment at Augusta and has declared himself in the best shape for many years. He is no birdie machine but he plays tough courses very well and could be described as a grinder. At 310/1 I fully expect him to feature this week, I will also be backing him top 5 and 10.

Next up is another South African in Tim Clark. Like Trevor, he too is a player returning from injury and played well in patches last week at the St Jude, he may still be a little under cooked but at 260/1 still looks value and I can see him at least putting two solid rounds together and if he does, we can trade or stick.

The US Ryder Cup Captain, Davis Love, has declared a desire to play his way into the US team and the way he is now hitting the ball at the moment he must have every chance of doing so. His driving is long and straight and his iron play, especially the long irons can be imperious at times, perfect for The Olympic Club. Of course his putting can be suspect, but he is better on quick greens and if he can hit as many greens in regulation as I believe he can, then keeping bogeys off the card will be easier for him than many others and that, believe me will be the name of the game this week. I am on at 220/1 but you can still get 200/1 and also some fancy prices about top5 and 10 too.

My fourth pick is the old man of European golf, Thomas Bjorn. Again, long off the tee and straight too, a solid iron game and in my view, one of the worlds very best chippers, he may need that skill around here. He is nicely rested ahead of this event and his restricted schedule means he comes he very focussed and ready to win. Attractively priced at 170/1 he represents terrific value, if he gets away to a sound start he can go all the way.

My final pick is a European who was overlooked for the last Ryder Cup, due in the main because he plays the bulk of his golf in the USA. Justin Rose has steadily transformed his game and this multiple winner looks primed for a very strong tilt at this US Open. He is as likely to win as any player on the US Tour when he tees it up and his all round game and stats mark him down as a serious contender, he just needs a decent putting week and it could be another European winner.

Finally, I must confess to having a small anti post bet on Alex Noren before last weeks Nordea Masters, in then hope he would play well, it almost worked as I am on at 750/1 and he is now trading at 500/1, you never know.

Keep an eye on Peter Hedblom in the St Omer.

Good luck

And what is his percentage this year ? Whether you like it or not, and Im not worried either way, Havret was a shock to finish second in the US Open and he hasnt delivered since. The measurement in any case was since he came second in that event, not a period chosen by you to suit your caustic approach to life

hold on big trunks no need for the attitude,this is a friendly forum,not a boxing ring.i suggest you both get a room

dont miss out on the Betfair fixed odds match betting for the US Open, there is some very decent value, Donald to finish ahead of Tiger looks real value.

Genius may be a tad strong, but I am pleased you enjoyed the thread. As for Thomas, he has played a restricted schedule this year so far and has apparantly had this event as a serious target, perhaps above all others. Having said that, how many times have I backed horses "layed out" only to see my cash sunk without trace.

Well done you for taking some fancy early prices, you must have been sharp to grab 340/1 and all you need now is a good start, cant wait. I have to say in my priority order, my biggest winning would come fron Immelman with Love and Thomas roughly the same, then little Tim and Rosey. Just had a little play on the mutiple fixed odds match betting too, im very well wagered up so it should be fun.

Thomas is owed one from years ago, fingers crossed, best of luck and thanks for posting.

Apologies for the delay in this weeks post, I had a house move and a fight with an Amercian fridge, I am bruised but you should see the fridge !

BMW International Open
Golf Club Gut Larchenhof
Cologne 21 – 24 June 2012

Hot on the heels of Wentworth we have another flagship event for BMW and the huge prize purse has guaranteed a very strong field for this week’s event. The move away from Munich isn’t to everyone’s taste, but this very different challenge can only add to the excitement on Sunday afternoon.

Home-based players always relish the opportunity to win their own national event, however, this can also be a double-edged sword. All the extra media attention, family and friends around the course and the general lift in expectation can sometimes have an adverse effect. It’s my hope that this year’s event will act as a maximum incentive for my picks and a springboard to better things this season.

Martin Kaymer is a player who in my view is now primed for a win. Slow to come to the boil this year after a caddy change and some swing tinkering, he is fresh off the back of a solid effort at The US Open. Martin has the mental strength to cope with the added pressures of a home event and I will be playing big each way on him around 9 on Betfair this morning.

Next up is the smoothest swinger in golf, Rafael Jacquelin, he also played well last week and although a little short at 55/1 (I expected bigger), he can definitely figure here. He was right in contention last week for much of the event and his confidence will have been boosted with such a strong performance, he is player who can mix it with the big boys and he is capable of seeing an event through, I am hoping he gets off the blocks early to give me some trading options.

Alex Cejka has been described as a journeyman pro, initially plying his trade on The European Tour before setting up camp a few years ago, over in the USA. It’s only when you attend golf events on a regular basis that you really appreciate that there are differences in the ball striking. In my view, Alex is in that top group of ball strikers and his mid to long irons in particular are very strong, temper that with what is at times a dodgy putting stroke and you have to accept that he can be a risky betting proposition. I am told that he is very focussed this week and has been showing some positive signs in recent events. I am on each way at 90/1.

My last pick this week is the crazy boy with the ponytail, Marcel Siem. To be fair the birth of his first child has brought a greater discipline and focus to his game this year and he has had a consistent run of results. I always feel that if Marcel had a mind coach on his bag, rather than a caddy, then perhaps when the pressure is on, they might help him over the winning line, he just needs to reign in the adrenalin at the business end of a tournament, lets hope its this week, backed at 36/1 ew.


Travellers Championship
TPC River Highlands
Connecticut

Blake Adams surprised me with his very positive run at the US Open, he is without doubt a winner waiting to happen and the boost he will have from last week will stand him well this week. He still looks a little raw, but he has made great progress on the US Tour this season like several other young players and I can see him taking a top five spot here, im on at 70/1.

Harris English has impressed many of the golf swing purists with his silky smooth action, I have been impressed by his ability to make birdies and get in amongst the big boys several times already this year, I fancy he will be in the mix again and with a 7.01am  tee time on day one, he can register for us nice and early. 65/1.

John Hu is another who has grabbed headlines in the 2012 season and like many of the rookies on tour these days, shows no fear of his elder and more seasoned colleagues. He is a birdie machine and once he refines his game a wee bit, I do see John as a potential major winner, he is that good. The real value on him has diminished compared to early season events, however, I do expect a great show from him at River Highlands at a course that very much suits his game strengths. 50/1.

My final pick this week goes with Seung Yul No at 100/1. I walked with him at Wentworth last year and he registered with me as a future winner back then, his ball striking is awesome and he hits the ball miles. He will be far more at home now having played both tours with some regularity in the last two years. He clearly has the game to win and it’s a case of finding the confidence to push over the threshold for him, this week could be the start of what will be a career with multiple wins for sure.

Good luck.

ha ha nice one, I had forgotten about William Perry. My fridge is about the same size, better looking with cleaner lines and is probably about the same weight. Not laid yet, perhaps should have done with Seung Nol.

now come on Marcel, this is your moment, dont blow it and make sure you stay cool.

The Irish Open
Royal Portrush Golf Club
28th June – 1st July


The long awaited return of this great event is finally upon us, the first time at Royal Portrush since 1947.

All the tope Irish boys will be playing, Rory, Paddy, Darren and Gmac and it should be noted that the current course record is still held by one Rory Mcilroy who carded a stellar 11 under par 61 over these links at the age of 16!

With all of the media attention and expectation on these four players and the weather set to be mild but wet and windy, there might be more value to be found deeper down the betting lists.

Clearly a links background must be an advantage this week and it for this reason that I make my principle investment on the Scot Paul Lawrie. We have enjoyed some good fortune backing Paul already this year and his experience of growing up playing the links at Royal Aberdeen is ideal preparation for this year’s event.

Lawrie is desperate to make the Ryder Cup team and has never been more dedicated to his game than he has been this year. By his own admission he has improved both his putting and the mental side of his game and I believe he can give us a big run this week, I am on at 30/1.

With only two winners since 1982, The Irish Open also has the distinction of having been won by an amateur in the shape of Shane Lowry. He bagged the 2009 event after a 3 hole playoff with Robert Rock. He has struggled for consistency in the last couple of years but he is a links specialist and I can see him putting four good rounds together this week, at 110/1 he looks decent value.

Golfdaft followers will have had great fun and profits from following our tip on Peter Lawrie at the recent BMW event at Wentworth. His stablemate, Damien McGrane has been feeling a tad overshadowed by the exploits of his teammate and he remains very incentivised to move back ahead of his compatriot in the World Rankings. A win at Portrush this week will see him do just that and although I had hoped for even better odds, he is available but with low liquidity at odds of 160/1.

The dream of seeing a top golf event at your home course must be very special indeed and Gmac has conceded that it’s always been a dream of his to see this happen and this week his dreams have come true. My guess is that of the illustrious group of home based players, Graham will be the one who’s temperament will be best able to hold up under all the media attention and fans adulation. Despite the pressures, I can see him finishing at least top five and most likely top three; I am backing him at 11.5 this morning.

I may also get involved with Brandon Grace 40/1 and David Lynn at 140/1 should they make a good start.

AT&T National
Congressional Country Club
Maryland
28 June – 1st July


Another different venue this year for the AT&T so not too much emphasis to be placed on last years top twenty finishers.

Having said that, I am most keen on one of the three previous AT&T winners in this week’s field and that is KJ Choi and he is available on Betfair at 46/1. Aside of being a previous winner, the Korean ex power lifter was runner up to Nick Watney last year when the event was played at Aronimink and he is primed this week to hit top form, his accurate game will also be very well suited to Congressional.

On a lighter note, I watched KJ finish a practise session ahead of The Open at Royal Liverpool a few years back, there were hundreds of scouse kids pushing and shoving in an attempt to get the top players autographs. In an attempt to gain an advantage over the other kids, one local Liverpool lad shouted out “KJ, my mum fancies you, can I have your autograph please” great stuff and I bet KJ doesn’t get that treatment everyday!

Congressional is a really tough track and it was tamed last year by Rory Mcilroy on his way to winning the US Open, however, the course was soft back then due to heavy pre tournament rain and this year will prove a far tougher test.

Having said that, pro golfers love re visiting courses where they have good memories of having played well, irrespective of whether the conditions may have changed. Robert Garigus, the one time fatty has cut his waistline and discarded the little boy putter and he is now a much stronger player in all categories. The 85/1 shot had a top three finish last year at Congressional and I expect a big showing from him.

With Mark Leishman getting his maiden win last week, we could see a renewed Australian challenge this week and it’s high time the ultra talented Adam Scott stepped up to the plate. Word is that Scott has been encouraged by friends to focus more on his golf game than his scuba diving and we may all see the benefit this week, he is a mouth watering 25/1.

My final pick this week is very much a speculative long shot and its Kevin Chappell. No household name but his runner up place to Rory here last year makes him an obvious ew bet at current odds of 120/1 he looks decent value. A solid early start would see his odds shorten very quickly and he may become a really decent trading proposition.

Big hitting Dustin Johnson may become a win investment if he is within three or four of the lead on the last day.

disregard todays good weather practise round at Royal Portrush, the forecast for the next few days is truly awful and it will be a solid wet weather player who wins this, guts and staying power the order of the day.