Tuesday 23 November 2010

Dubai World Championship 2010

Bank Balance after Singapore open +341.49 pts

An entriguing affair in Dubai this week where Graeme McDowell is hoping to rein in Martin Kaymer for the R2D Title. A win in Spain and 2 top 6 finishes in Singapore & Hong Kong suggests he is hungry to take the Order of Merit despite the busy schedule but its compatriot, Rory McIlroy who may just shine this week on a course that he should love. In a 60 man field, the odds of 12/1 aren't bad but I'm not 100% convinced Rory has established the killer instinct to win these big ones yet. I fancied Poulter to go well last week but decided the odds weren't of good value and I am making the same call this week but would not be surprised if Rory wins. But I have selected 4 players who I do think can shake up the market leaders and do well here, 3 of which have good record in the Middle East/desert courses.

TIP 1 1 pt e/w R.Fisher @ 33/1 (Betpack) Ross is a player I have marked for great things. Has the long game to compete here and can get very hot with the putter. Great odds and he will relish the challenge this week

TIP 2 1 pt e/w C.Schwartzel @ 45/1 (Betpack) Another big hitter who plays well on these type of courses. Form has dipped lately but this event can be the catalyst to produce the goods.

TIP 3 1 pt e/w H.Stenson @ 50/1 (Betpack). The Swede now lives in Dubai nad has won twice in the region. Showed signs of returning to form lately and will be looking for a good showing here.

TIP 4 1 pt e/ R.Green @ 66/1 (Betpack). The left hander from down under again has a great record in this region of the world, has shown good form and will be quietly confident of another good tournament in Dubai.

Tuesday 16 November 2010

Hong Kong Open 2010

With all betting, we have a purple patches and our bad patches, but its been a long time since I picked 4 golfers who ALL missed the cut as was the case last week in Singapore. Harringtons performance was the most annoying as he was -5 after 10 holes in the first round, 3 off the lead. Padraig needs to work hard over the winter as more major are there for the taking if he gets his head sorted out!
This week is the last chance for many to make the top 60 for Dubai and its yet again a difficult tournament to pick the winner. Ian Poulter has a great chance this week but I thought he would go on and win last Sunday but returned a disappointing 73. Best odds of 12/1 aren't my cup of tea and that goes for Graeme McDowell @ 9's McIlroy at short single figure odds is just simply madness. The course is under 7,000 yds this week at Fanling so it does give a lot more players a good chance to play well and again I am looking at players trying to cement their place in Dubai. And forgive me for putting him once again when he has continued to fail to deliver but currently ranked 59th, Thomas Aiken simply has to perform this week. The South African should be winning tournaments and can go low on any given day so at odds of 100/1 (Paddypower) he is taken once again "keeping the faith". Simon Dyson may have been at the wrong end of the draw last week and he is given another chance this week @ 45/1. Oliver Wilson & Alexander Noren are also tipped as they have shown steady form lately and they are quite capable of winning here at Fanling.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w T.Aiken @ 100/1 (Paddypower). Lying 59th in the R2D and playing well the past couple of months. Can go low on this type of course and well worth a bet at these odds with top 5 very possible if not a victory.

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w S.Dyson @ 45/1 (Boylesports). Does play well in this part of the world and will be looking forward to Dubai. Expect him to be making measureables on his game this week and challenge.

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w A.Noren @ 66/1 (Paddypower). Playing very well lately, course will suit him and if he can get going early can put up big challenge. Great odds.

TIP 4: 1 pt e/w O.Wilson @ 60/1 (Boylesports). Maiden win cant be far away and would be a great time to do it. Playing well, just needs to put 4 very good rounds together. These odds wont be available once he gets the maiden victory.

Wednesday 10 November 2010

Singapore Open 2010

BANK BALANCE AFTER WGC-HSBC CHAMPIONS +345.24

Rory McIlroy managed to limit the losses last week in China and so we head to the the 2nd last event before the duel in Dubai. The Singapore Open at Sentosa sees defending champion Ian Poulter in action as well as former double winner, Adam Scott. For me this week, I am looking at players who have done well in this part of the world before and trying to achieve some end of year targets. Seung-Yul Noh of Korea finished well last week and will be looking to cement his position at the head of the Asian Order of Merit this week before he can concentrate on Dubai. With 6 events left on the Asian Tour, I expect him to be challenging. Simon Dyson has great record in Asia and he will be going into this week with great confidence after a short rest and he has to be taken especially at 45/1. Charl Schwartzel will love this course and showed last week he is getting back to his early year form and is great value at 22/1. My final choice is Padraig Harrington, despite disappointing me last week after a solid opening round. He did finish T16th but he will be hungry for a win to follow up on that win in Malaysia. He too likes this part of the world having won in Hong Kong, Japan, Malaysia and Korea. 22/1 is still good value for a player of his calibre.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w C.Schwartzel @ 22/1 (Paddypower). Long hitting course at Sentoas which will suit his game, getting back to his best form too.

TIP 2: 1pt e/w P.Harrington @ 22/1 (Betpack). Good record in Asia, won recently in Malaysia and will be looking to improve his standing in the R2D. Can win here

TIP 3: 1pt e/w S-Y Noh @ 35/1 (Betpack). The Korean leads the Asian Tour Order of Merit, is in form and has course form. Good bet for this.

TIP 4: 1pt e/w S.Dyson @ 45/1 (Paddypower). the Englishman has good memories in this part of the world and is in confident mood and odds are real value that have to be taken. well rested and i expect a good showing.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

WGC - HSBC Champions 2010

BANK BALANCE AFTER ANDALUCIA MASTERS + 345.99 pts (2010 = +293.06 pts)

Graeme McDowell provided the blog with its 6th winner since beginning of August last week boosting the bank to 345.99 pts since the blog began March 2009. 2010 has produced a profit of 293 pts and with just a handful of events left for the year the challenge is left to try find one more winner. This week sees just 78 players teeing it at Sheshan International GC in China for the WGC Champions Tournament. Focus once again is on the "top 4" and who will emerge as World Number 1. Unlike last week, Kaymer may have a different objective this week, he may want the title of HSBC Champion more than the No.1 crown, in fact I would go as far as to suggest that the World No 1 tag is not a priority for the German. Of the top 4 this week, he has to be more favoured. Tiger is well rested and no doubt has been practicing hard under new coach, Seán Foley and could go well, but at 8/1 I wont be paying to find out, whilst Westwood may need the outing, likewise out of form Mickelson. So, it doesn't leave me with much to look at really.The players I do expect to challenge this week are those that may feel inspired by results elsewhere the past month or so. And these all point back to European players. Casey, Poulter & Donald are three due a win, especially Casey and this is a course he likes. At 18/1 he would offer good value. But following last weeks "Irish Affair" with Gmac prevailing over Meath native, Damien McGrane and fellow Ulsterman, Gareth Maybin, I am expecting the desire from Rory McIlroy to kick in this week. The long course will suit him and the small field also. Rory can be had at 25/1 (Boylesports). Another Irishman who has different incentives this week is Padraig Harrington who is coming off a win in Malaysia. Wins instigate confidence and the win for Padraig should produce that confidence to finish the season off as best he can and climb the R2D rankings in time for Dubai. For me, the odds this week are good at 33/1 (Boylesports). My other fancy is again, Ross Fisher, he is quite capable of winning the big events as I remarked last week. He is playing well despite not keeping a score together and is worth a minimum bet at 40/1.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w P.Harrington @ 33/1 (Boylesports). Dubliner can bounce back on to world stage and ignite tail end of season campaign with back to back victories.

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w R.McIlroy @ 25/1 (Boylesports). Will take inspiration from good buddy, GMac's win last week. If driving well can put himself into position and has good playing partners day one in Retief Goosen and Wen-Chong Liangs.

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w P.Casey @ 18/1 (Paddypower). Due a big win and has been challenging well in the Fed-Ex Series. Will be smarting after Ryder Cup omission and will be anxious to win here. Has terrific course form too.
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TIP 4: 1 pt e/w R.Fisher @ 40/1 (Paddypower). Quite capable of winning the big events. Birdieclubtipster "keeping the faith".