Monday 13 December 2010

South African Open 2010

The 100th running of the 2nd oldest golf tournament takes place at Durban Country Club this week, an event that has seen just 8 non South African winners in its entire history. The defending champion, Richie Ramsay ended a 8 year sequence of home grown winners which had included Major winners, Els, Goosen & Immelman. So with the grass type being a crucial factor in favouring the home players, please forgive me for sounding repetitive in putting up yet again, Thomas Aiken. This weeks he goes off as a 28/1 shot.....better odds than last week due to the field including Ernie, Goose & Tim Clark (twice winner here). Aiken finished well last week (makes a change!) to finish 5th and he can go even better this week. He is at a different level at home and it cant be long now before he wins again. Of the favourites, I like the chances of Charl Scwhartzel @ 12/1. Slow starter last week, he did finish top 5 also in the end, and should be warmed up nicely for this. I backed James Kingston last week and but for his 77 on Saturday he would have challenged for the title. He bounced back on Sunday for a tie for 10th and that means I will stick with again this week.

TIP 1 3 pts WIN Charl Schwartzel @ 12/1 (Betpack). In form and will want this title to cap a good 2010 but moreso to kickstart the new season. Has the allround game to win this week and its a very confident selection this week.

TIP 2 1 pt e/w T.Aiken @ 28/1 (Betpack). Finished 5th last week and plays much better on home soil. If he can put 4 good rounds together he can win. (of course the winner needs to but the case for Aiken is that he seems to produce 3 decent rds each week with 1 poor rd, needs to get a good start)

TIP 3 1 pt e/w J.Kingston @ 33/1 (Betpack). Former winner and top 10 finish last week, but for his 77 on Saturday he would have challenged for the title. He bounced back on Sunday for a tie for 10th and that means I will stick with again this week.

Tuesday 7 December 2010

Alfred Dunhill Chmapionship - 2010

The 2011 R2D campaign kicks off in South Africa this week with a fairly weak field- only 2 players in the World's Top 100 compete. Charl Schwartzel quite rightly tees off as favourite but his odds of 5s/6s are too short despite the quality of field so relunctantly I will be looking elsewhere. Louis Oosthuizen will be keen to make his mark in his homeland as will Thomas Aiken. This blog has put Aiken up a few times and did so recently, but his top 15 finish in Dubai suggests he is in form and is worth taking this week at 18/1. Another native that does tend to go well on home soil is James Kingston and his odds of 50/1 are excellent so is worth chancing. Lee Slattery is taken as my final pick, 66/1- decent enough odds for a player that is capable of winning on tour especially in a field of this calibre.

TIP 1 1 pt e/w T.Aiken @18/1 (Betpack). Due another win and his long game will suit Leopard Creek, has gone close a few times in this tournament and his top 15 finish in Dubai augurs well.

TIP 2 1 pt e/w J.Kingston @ 50/1 (Betpack). Native Sth African has always played well on home soil. Odds represent excellent value.

TIP 3 1 pt e/w L.Slattery @ 66/1 (Betpack). Englishman can do well in this type of field, will like the course and could surprise this weekend.

Wednesday 1 December 2010

No Bets this week

After a disappointing final round by Ross Fisher last Sunday in Dubai, action turns to the Nedbank Challenge in South African & The Aussie Open down under. I wont be betting on either this week, the Aussie Title is always hard to assess for value bets and the Nedbank is a limited field. Back next week though for the Alfred Dunhill and the South African Open the following week. Next year the Dubai World Championship will be held in December making the tour in 2012 a calendar year tour, so for the time being I will keep the bank as it is and perhaps break it out for 2011, Jan - Dec. Either way, its 2 profitable years in a row since the blog began with 2010 showing + 275 pts almost. good target for next year !!

Bank Balance after Dubai World Championship +333.49