Volvo Matchplay/Hong Kong/Shriner Open Golf

Feck that.

Stenson misses straightforward 7 footer for bird to win the match on 17th. Then 3 putts for par, missing from 6ft on 18th for the win, whilst Coetzee holes 5ft to square the match

Hopefully the rest of the week brings more reward!!

In the Shriners Open, there are quite a few players who bring course form, and plenty of it, to the table. A few of these were very interesting at the prices chalked up.

First up is Nick Watney, who at 45-1 absolutely jumped off the page. The 33s still available is still a good bet imo. Watney had a spell in the golfing wilderness up until about 5 months ago, when he startd to reappear on a few leaderboards. He had been producing some good rounds, but was horribly inconsistent. He has slowly been finding his feet, and a few good finished in toip evenes towards the end of the season wil have set him nicley for an event he will be very keen to win. A local lad, he has finished runner up here before, and gone close on two other occasions. Even when he was totally out of form at this stage last year, he managed 2 63s here, only to book end them with 73s. It confirms his affinity with the track though. If he has a reasonable week with the putter, he will go very very close.

Webb Simpson is defending champion, and I would have made him favourite here to successfully defend his title. Yes Billy Horschel is the man in form. But he has had a busy few weeks, banking multiples of millions,and becoming a father. I would worry about him if he has spent much time practising golf!!

Simpson has a good record of repeat performances at events where he has proved successful, especially tournamnets like this where some bigger names are absent. Yes, he has struggled to win, and has backed out of a few, but at 25-1(currently 29 on here), he is a cracking bet e.w. Only once, on debut, has he failed to break 70 around here. He will eager to get the W early on in the season, and build on that. Having done my outright bets on Monday, i was waiting to add Simpson top 20, believing the evens on offer to be well worth taking, as I think its as close to a banker as you can get. When S James chalked up 7-4 yesterday, I couldnt believe it. Only problem has being getting enough on!

Another from the front of the market that was of interest was Ryan Moore, and the 25s was just about acceptable. Typically, after I struck the bet, SJ went top price on all the market leadres, pushing Moore out to 28s. Moore, i feel, is another who prefers this slightly lower grade. He doesnt seem to have the belief to get it done amongst the real cream. But he is a real horses for courses for performer, and this venue obviously really floats his boat. Its hard to see him not contending, and as such is a decent e.w wager.

I backed Scott Piercy last week, and he didnt cut much ice with a missed cut. But he had started well, before throwing in a couple of uncharachteristic big scores. Maybe the 8 week lay off was too much, and hopefully the rust is gone this week. At his best, he would be a 30-1 shot here. Im prepared to take the chance.

Birdies, and plenty of them, are going to be needed to win this week. The above 3 are all capable of serious birdie blitzes, and another who certainly fits that category is Carl Peterrson. He also has shown a liking for this layout, and he showed enough last week to suggest he can be involved come Sunday.

Morgan Hoffman produced some superb golf to qualify for the Tour Championship. It shows he can perform when under the cosh, and he was one who really took the eye over the closing months of last season. Particularly on Sundays, where he proved to be a two ball cash machine. Some players simply dont do Sundays, but this particular Hoffman looks made of sterner stuff. A sighter here last year, which got off to a decent start,. he can be expected to improve dramatically this time around.

One other I was toying with was Martin Laird. But it would have meant making my book a bit top heavy with fancied runners, and he was the least appealing of the ones I fancied.

1.2pt e.w Webb Simpson 25-1
1.2pt e.w Ryan Moore 25-1
.8pt e.w Nick Watney 45-1
.5pt e.w Carl Peterrson 70-1
.5pt e.w Morgan Hoffman 60-1
.3pt e.w Scott Piercy 110-1

10pts Webb Simpson Top 20 7-4

The Hong Kong Open doesnt have too many household names, and wil probably have fewer viewers, but a couple of prices stood out.

I would have made Miguel Angel Jimenez about a 7-1 shot, and as such founf the 12-1 on offer very appealing. A multiple winner around here, he can reap the benefit of only playing twice in the last 9 weeks. He had looked fatigued in a few of his latter starts. Padraig Harrington seemed to gain inspiration from being vice captain with the victoriuos RC team, and Big Mig may benefit too. Though he probably doesnt need any cajoling to produce his best, he seems to always deliver at venues wqhere he has previous winning form. And thid tight track is made for him. It will be a surprise if he isnt in close contention come Sunday.

Robert Jan Djerksen cost me a few bob last week, but it wasnt his fault!! He was just outside the top 20, and playing some fine Sunday golf, when play was aborted. He continues in fine fettle, and has produced some quality displays around here, In a field bereft of any strenght in depth, he looks a cracking e.w wager at 33-1

2.5 pts e.w Miguel Angel Jimenez 12-1
.9pt e.w Robert Jan Djerksen 33-1

Toying with the idea of e.w doubles.

Running Total.... -18.5pts

Going to swerve a couple of those picks, callit.

Dubuisson plays Lowry who was the low scorer yesterday.
Did Casey not get quite lucky to win yesterday, Reed beaten but dangerous, though I guess they all are.

Think I will do McDowell and Stenson, plus Jaidee 11/10 to beat Cotzee and Gallagher 11/10 to beat Laazabal.

Bit slow with doing the golf bets this week,first bet in the Hong Kong open is Ernie Els only after backing him now so missed the bigger prices before the golf started,now on to America were I think it can be very hard this week,decided to back Webb Simpson,a player who can be very hard to catch,think he has a good chance tho this week,with having winning form on this track,

Bets,
Europe-Ernie Els win 7/1,

America-Webb Simpson e/w 25/1,

Also done a e/w double,best of luck this week lads,

Donaldson Reed
Casey Blixt
Dubuisson Gallacher
Lowry Larrazabal
McDowell Luiten
Levy Ilonen
Stenson Jaidee
Molinari Coetzee

After going 3 up Victor spoiled a cracking day for you.
Webb doin better today and holing a few long ones.

Ernie putting has been terrible today,how many short birdie putts did he miss today

Interesting back 9 in store in the Matchplay. Stenson has been superb on the inward holes all week, whereas Ilonen has thrived on the earlier ones. All to play for, hopefully Henrik can do the business.

Hi Cal, yeah I like K.S to push B.Kop.. all the way. But I layed B.K@ 1.87 and 1.88, just to have the tie on my side.......... B.K as we know is very long off the tee, but his putting lets him down. Best Of Luck

Well done with Kevin lads,nice little bet.
Top bombing with Webb for top 20, it looked just a little dodgy half way through but very comfortable in the end,Callit, gave a small bit of hope til the last for outright.

Ben Martin finished birdie , eagle , par , birdie .  Reckon that has to go down as a good win .  Dont think many will have picked him pre kick off though .  Saw 250 .

TOP BOMBING, CALLIT