Celtic Manor Welsh Open

The tour returns to the UK this week, which begs me to ask "surely the golfers must voice their opinion about unnecessary travel to the UK to Spain back to UK and so on ?" Granted sponsorship and money dictate, but as the uropean Tour grows in strength, the schedule would have to be looked at to create an Iberian swing, Middle East swing, Celtic swing, Mainland Europe swing etc? It could mean more of the top players would play more events, the flipside of this though,is that I believe the Tour is getting stronger in that the young breed get a chance to excel more which instills confidence in their play meaning a bright 10-20 years ahead for the tour. Anyway, onto the selections for this week.
Luke Donald starts favourite again this week which is justified, which means I feel compelled to comment on last weeks blog where I said Donald couldn't win! I was so wrong and hats off to "The Plodder" , it was the perfect way to get over the disappointment of Wentworth. That said he was 12/1 in the betting whereas McDowell returned 10/1 for the place which was a better bet which resulted in this blog's profit reach the +100 pts again.Again though,Donald wont be backed at those odds for back to back victories although it would not surprise me, confidence is half the game on tour and he is full of it now. So can be said of McDowell, who is improving every week, he had a mediocre Saturday last week but showed the fighting sprit on Sunday and I think he has a shout again this week. He is 22/1 which is good value for a player in form but better value is in Chris Wood @ 28/1. The young Englishman comes into this event in great form and this event, like the BMW PGA 2 weeks ago, has produced a number of first time winners and it could be his turn this week. the added factor of the course being the venue for the Ryder Cup adds to the appeal, surely Monty is following the future star closely already this year. Another young talent is Northern Ireland's, Gareth Maybin who like his fellow countryman, Darren Clarke, posseses a great iron game and can go well here. At 70/1 he has to be taken.
The 3 selections are taken despite the threat of Kaymer(no form yet),Fisher (ready to kick on?),Jamie Donaldson (numerous top 10s already this year and home Open this week), Rhys Davies (Welsh expect?) and Francesco Molinari who probably is the most consistent this year...The bookies have them too low for my liking so the 3 nominated get the nod.


Bank balance after Madrid Masters = + 101.62

Celtic Manor Selections:

1 pt e/w C.Wood @ 28/1 (paddypower)
1 pt e/w G.McDowell @ 22/1 (paddypower)
1 pt e/w G.Maybin @ 70/1 (Betpack)