The Golfing Year

From an Irish point of view, it has to be deemed a huge success.

Rory McIlroy stamped his authority on the golfing world in no uncertain manner. Two majors, a WGC, and the European Tours flagship event all in the space of a little over 10 weeks, made it a summer to remember for the Worlds number One and his army of followers. He looks to have a gear different to what most others can reach, and if he can maintain his current length and amazing accuracy off the tee, he will be involved in nearly everything that matters in the coming year.

Padraig Harrington has a long long road back to where he was among the golfing elite, but at least he has taken that first step in getting back in the winners circle. The first 4 or 5 months of the new year will be very important to Pod. He must build on that win, and keep ticking off the ranking points. He needs to be back in the events that matter before the US Open.

Shane Lowry will have been delighted with his year. He didn't get a victory, and that will be something he will be keen to try to put right in 2015, but his main aim will have been to crack the lucrative worlds top 50. He deservedly achieved that, and can now start to notch up some wins. He at times seemed to lack the belief that he belonged at the top table. I don't think that will be an issue any longer. He does need to start to convert more of the Sunday chances he has given himself, but hopefully that will come. I have huge admiration for Rory, but I get the feeling that it would be more than just me amongst us that would get that extra tingle in the spine if Shane could get himself involved on a Major Sunday.

From an overall viewpoint it was quite an entertaining year. The first two majors may have been a little diluted by the convincing nature of Watsons and Kaymers victories. The British Open was very entertaining until Sergio Garcia once again exited stage left when the pressure really came on. The USPGA was one of the most entertaining of any sports events I have seen. Multiple potential winners on the back 9, it was once again Mr McIlroy who held his nerve better than any. Compelling viewing.

Having been a huge advocate for Jordan Spieth, and what he will achieve in the game, it was slightly galling to see him destroy the opposition in successive weeks when I wasn't on. Especially having backed him the preceding week. But one could only admire what he did, showing what he is capable of now that he has rediscovered the winning feeling. With his obvious liking for Augusta, he will prove a formidable obstacle to Rory completing a career slam in April. An insatiable appetite for success, he is a proper thoroughbred. He is there to win majors, and win majors he will.

Someone with maybe just as much talent as Spieth, but maybe not the real Tiger like will to win is Adam Scott. I feel Stevie Williams was a huge factor in Scotts success the last couple of years. Confidence and belief is paramount to any successful sportsperson, and Williams seemed to help Scott believe. With a changing putting stroke, a very low conversion rate from 5-15ft, a new caddy, and waning confidence, Scott may be one to steer clear of in 2015. At least until he proves otherwise.

Matt Kuchar is another who I would like to see more from before having him on my radar. After throwing away numerous gilt edged opportunities, he finally backed into one in the RBC Heritage, but rather than benefitting from that, he seemed to lose a bit of his consistency. Maybe he was a little 'golfed out' from a very busy early season. At the moment he would be one I would be looking to lay at short odds in running.

Tiger Woods is still golfs biggest draw, and if 2015 is not going to quite shape the rest of his career, it will give us a very good idea of what to expect. I am all for forgiving a horse one bad run, especially when there is a valid reason for it, and also reason to believe it wont recur. Tiger had a season of bad runs, but the reason is obvious, and though some may not fear the Great One like in the past, he could quite easily instill that fear quite quickly again. His swing looked in very good nick in his home event a few weeks ago. His chipping was horrendous, but no one believes that he wont rectify that. The long game was the worry, that seems to be on the right road, the rest will come. How soon is the question. In 2013 he looked close to his best, but unable to get it done in majors. I still think he might want that next one just too much, but like Jordan Spieth showed, its amazing what a bit of confidence can do. If Tiger could win in Augusta.....

I would expect Brendon Todd to add to last years debut victory. 7 top 10s from under 30 outings is a fair return for someone who regularly starts at 3 figure pries, and at the moment is till underestimated by the markets.

Jason Dufner had a terrible year, but again he had his reasons, and with his injuries now hopefully behind him, I feel he will be challenging for titles early in 2015. A top 10 in the years last WGC on only his second start from returning was very encouraging, and he will be keen to get off to a quick start.

In Europe, two players who I expect to take the next step in 2015 are Eddie Pepperell and Matthew Fitzpatrick. Pepperell is more than good enough to be consistently contending on a European Tour bereft of stars most weeks. He has a winning mentality, and I think that can see him over the line in the next 12 months. Maybe more than once.

Fitzpatrick looks to have a very bright future. He needs to bulk up a bit, and add some length, but as Miguel Angel Jimenez and Matteo Mannassero have proved, there are plenty of tracks which will suit this exciting talent. Its a long shot from his current standing, but he could be in the worlds top 50 by the years end.

From a punting point of view, its disappointing that the bets I put up here resulted in a loss at the years end. All punters will argue that they are the victim of hard luck stories, and I did have quite a few near and annoying misses, but hopefully that an be rectified in the coming year. I'm sure I also had some good breaks with the winners, but its the ones that got away we always remember. Good luck and bad luck will even themselves out.....If you continue to do things right, you will make money.

Highlights for me were Jonas Blixt going close at a huge price in the Masters, and Martin Kaymer winning the US Open at a juicy price. George Coetzee and Jimmy Walker landing a transatlantic double early in the season was very profitable, and though including that on here would have resulted in a healthy year end profit, I felt random doubles would distort what is a fairly rigid staking plan.

I hope I have learned a bit from putting my selections up here, and keeping myself more in check and more disciplined. I may slightly tinker with my approach next year, upping stakes in certain markets, and more in running plays.

I think the Top 20 and Top player markets can offer some great bets. Betfair do not generally price these up, and bookies odds compilers can be often quite a bit off the mark. The less firms pricing something up, the more chance the one or two that do can have missed something. Obviously the less firms betting on something, the more difficult it is to get on, but that's the game. Some of the more obsure 2/3 balls can be of similar value.

Thanks to all those who contributed to the golf threads. They were generally devoid of some of the sh1te on here, and some good discussions were had.

Happy New Year to all, and hopefully it will be a profitable one!!