((((( GOLF ))))) DUBAI Desert Classic / PHOENIX Open

Il start of at the Dubai classic,
I was hoping to get the 4/1 on Rory but missed the price wasn't going to back him at 7/2 or lower,seen boyle's are betting w/o Rory so ive picked two against the field,
1st Selection,Stenson betting w/o rory 10/1 e/w.had a great back nine last week,loves it here at Dubai,
2nd selection,Kaymer,betting w/o Rory 12/1 e/w,cant see him crack ever again like he did last time out,strange as it might sound but the melt down he had two weeks ago might make him a stronger player,
Now onto America,
1st selection is Bubba Watson,has played well here last year were he finished second,its a big hitters track so the layout will suit him this week,15/1 e/w,
2nd selection is Rickie Fowler e/w 20/1,going to give him another chance,needs to start converting his winning chances,hopefully it could be this week,

Selections,
Stenson w/o Rory 10/1 e/w max bet,
Kaymer w/o Rory 12/1 e/w,

America,
Bubba Watson e/w 15/1,
Rickie Fowler e/w 20/1

Also done permed e/w doubles on the selections,best of luck this week lads,

Done a Trixie in Dubai,

Westwood top English player 10/3
Olsean top Danish player 7/4
Warren top Scotish player 7/2

390/1 NOW, For old times sake i have a fiver on.

Two fascinating events this week, featuring the best player in the world, the return of the best youngster in the world, and the return of the best player to ever play the game.

Firstly to Dubai, I rarely back Rory these days, as I don't think he ever offers much value, but I just cant see him beaten this week. I made him 5-2, and with quotes of 4-1 being readily available Sunday evening, I was hoping someone might go 9-2 on Monday. Unfortunately his price understandably went the other way. I toyed with the idea of leaving him alone, but truth is he is still above the price I make him, and I don't see the point of backing 4 or 5 others when I don't really think they are going to win.

He hasn't been out of the top 2 in his last 6 European Tour events, he has led this tournament after round one in 4 of the last 5 years, he is a better player now than in any of those years, and now crucially he is developing into a far better closer of tournaments. It has been his final rounds here which have prevented him from being a multiple champion, but he can start to rectify that this week. His long game was in supreme shape two weeks ago, and considering his putting woes its testament to his class that he finished only a shot out of the playoff. He has been working on those little problems ever since, and can now be expected to show the golfing world just what they are up against this year.
10-3 and 7-2 may seem short, but I don't think so. Boyles have a cracking offer when there is a short priced jolly, and you fancy it. Money back if second or third including ties, is nearly the same as giving a free bet on Rory...IMO. Yes, its only to €50, but there are plenty of Boyles shops, and whether someone just wants €50 on, or much more, there is more than one way to skin a cat.

If there is to be a challenger to McIlroy, it will surely come in the shape of Martin Kaymer. He was awesome for 60 holes two weeks ago, but then something happened which I never though I would see. And never expect to see again. Kaymer is a born winner, and he will be very keen to put that particular episode to bed with a prominent showing this week. I prefer the 12-1 without, rather than the 16-1 to win. 

Henrik Stenson put a gloss on a poor week last Sunday, but still looks a way off his best, so I think he is a bit short this week. Lee Westwood looks sure to be thereabouts, but again he is a shade short IMO.

Ernie Els could be one of the bigger priced runners to get into the frame, and quotes of 55-1 w/o Rory look perfectly acceptable. A standing dish here on Sundays when in his heyday, Ernie comes here on the back of 3 decent performances. His short putting will probably infuriate, but I think he is sure to contend, and is worthy of support.

For me, the bet of the week is Eduardo Molinari to be Top Italian. 10-11 seems far too big. (Evens in sportinbet, or Spreadex if anyone can get on there) Matteo Mannassero seems to have forgotten how to play the game, not finishing in the top 50 anywhere since last years British Open. Renato Paratore offers plenty of potential for the future, but on his debut here he will be happy just to be around for the weekend. Ed Mol will expect much more form that from himself at a venue he  has been in top 10 at twice in the last 5 years.

Top South African will be a much tougher title to land, and although I wouldn't have many negatives for the opposition, I feel 13-2 On Ernie Els is worth a tickle.

8pts Rory McIlroy 10-3 Boyles
2pts e.w Martin Kaymer 12-1 w/o Rory
.5pt e.w Ernie Els 55-1 w/o Rory

8pts Eduardo Molinari 10-11 Top Italian
2pts Ernie Els Top South African 13-2

Tiger and Jordan Spieth return in the Phoenix Open, and the return of the former will guarantee huge interest in this. I hate to leave the great man go at prices like 25-1, but surely a watching brief is the way to go this week. If he finishes top 20, an shows vast improvement in his short game, then quotes of 10-1 or bigger will be very tempting when he returns to Torrey Pines.

My love for Tiger, is matched by my dislike for Bubba Watson. But its him I go to for the most likely winner this week. As NA says, Bubba is a real horses for courses performer, and will typically go well where he has gone well before. Yes there has been some reconstructive surgery done since last year, but nothing too major. It will play tougher, that should help the better players more than not. It promises to be a dry week, apart from the potential odd shower, so length will be key. Bubba should have won here last year, and if he putts even averagely this week, he can rectify that.

Ryan Palmer threw away a winning opportunity with a triple bogey on his front 9 last Sunday. One cant say he would have won without it, because he has a habit of finding ways to lose, but he certainly would have gone close, and would be a lot shorter this week. He may have less self imposed pressure on himself this week, and he could just find that elusive victory. He was bombing his drives last week, and the amount of tee shots on par 3s that he put absolutely stiff, bodes very well for this week.

Another member of last weeks squad to survive is Billy Horschel. He slowly found his feet last week, and could be now ready to contend. Second here on debut two years ago, not only is he a better player now, he is a winner. If he can avoid a slow start, he will go close.

One player who will certainly hope that the changes have not been wholesale is Scott Piercy. 6 outings here have seen 5 top 20s, and given his current well being he looks sure to contend. He performed better than ever last week  at a venue he had previously consistently flopped at, and 50-1 looked very big.

Hunter Mahan gets in instead od Hideki Matsuyama on value grounds.  The Japananese star is just a shade short, whilst Mahan who seems  to have a pretty similar chance is quite a bit bigger in the market. A former winner here, and 4th last year, his tee to green accuracy will probably be of more benefit this year, and off the back of a good 2015 debut, he will fancy his chances again.

I couldn't let Padraig Harrington go at such a massive price.

2pts e.w Bubba Watson 16-1
.9pt e.w Ryan Palmer 33-1
.6pt e.w Billy Horschel 50-1
.75pt e.w Hunter Mahan 40-1
.6pt e.w Scott Piercy 50-1
.3pt win Pod 400, .3pt place 60

Total Staked Week 3: 38.2pts
Total Returns Week 3: 17.2pts
Total Staked: 130.5pts
Total Returns: 105.4pts
Running Total........ -25.1pts

That loudest hole in golf won`t be as loud this year.......... PGA have intervened I`m afraid.

Oostuizen WD with back injury.

Shame.

Usa
Moore
Villegas
Thomas
Stallings
All ew

THE  Phoenix ..na100/1,pod 390/1,mahan 40/1, palmer 36/1...just one bet in Dubai ;150/1 and 190/1Mikko Ilonen.  goodluck

Two beautiful shots from Tiger on his back 9, it looks the new swing moulding will be a slow process, but the glimpses of brilliance were great to see.

Bubba hit some tee shot on 17!! Nearly hole in one, then only a 'poor' birdie after  missing the eagle putt. Missed another 6ft on 18, though on the hole his ptting was good. Interesting to see how Palmer gets on, having hit the front very early.

Both him and especially Bubba are driving it so well, and so far, they are going to have a bountiful of looks at birdie this week. For Palmer its a matter of eliminating the very silly errors. Bogeyed a few easy holes, and par 5s last week.

Good to see Sky showing a bit of initiative with their televised times from Dubai. Most of the top players out late tomorrow, and that is when the coverage is. Proper order.

Ya, I would happily settle for Palmer winning from Bubba Frank!! They don't pay out on Friday mornings though

They might pay out on Rory though!!

Tiger is a shadow of his former self imo ..Makes me think that the medicine hes been using over the years , it having been removed , now shows him up for what he really is ,a very good player who maybe needed a little extra help if you know what i mean ..His confidence around the greens is shattered , nerves he never showed before are be coming apperent ..Maybe I'm wrong but I'd now have to question how big a part the pain killers played over the years ..That intense focus he had , always reminded me of those snooker players years ago , a couple of Canadians I think , who were later found to have been on cocaine ..Not saying for a moment he was ...Just gets me thinking ..

Cocaine

Bill Werbeniuk and Neal Foulds buzzing around the green baize on sneachta.

Tiger was allways going to have back problems in his mid to late 30s, just have a look at him driveing off the tee in his hay days, Rory could go the same way, the strain on the lower back muscles must be unreal over time, other indoor pursuits haven,t helped Tiger back either.

Good old Bill W, Pass away about 10years ago,   a memorable incident occurred during a televised Match against David Taylor in the World Team Tournament. Werbeniuk attempted to stretch across the table, but due to his size was having some difficulty. Eventually, the inevitable happened and he split his trousers. The ripping noise it made caused many in the audience, including his opponent, to laugh out loud. Werbeniuk took it in good humour, asking the audience "who did that?" as if insinuating that the noise was attributed to flatulence.

A very likeable lad was bill, his father lead a very colorful life, a armed robber who was also a  Canadian professional champion ,

Neal Foulds didn't even turn pro till 1983, round about the same time Big Bill peaked with a world ranking of 8.

I suppose if you had a brain the size of a walnut, you could describe them as snooker player of the 70's.

And then run to the United thread like a child gleefully proclaiming that you had, once again, caught the great Ozy out!   I mean, puh-lease!

I know plenty about a lot of things, doesn't mean I lived through them you plank! 

Also known as having an intellect and a natural curiousity.

Sergio 2-over-par 75-71=146.....missed the cut by four strokes !

Brendan Steele improving to 4-under.
A wet and cold day at TPC Scottsdale, so his 4-under tied the low round of the morning wave.
Steele has cracked the top 10 on his last three trips to this event.