Wednesday 27 April 2011

Ballantines Championship 2011

Once again we are faced with the European Tour taking to a new course this week, the Blackstone GC in Seoul, Korea. That initially provoked a question to myself as whether to abstain this week following the continued bad form or whether to concentrate on picking value on players in decent form lately that could go well. The bank is still healthy, and as with every week my 6pts is spread over 5% of that bank and when the inevitable bad runs occur, especially in golf betting, the ante is less each week and when the good runs occur the ante increases. So with that in mind and a quality field assembled, I have picked three that should go well. I am a big fan of Lee Westwood's, would like to back him every week but best odds of 6/1 dont excite me this week nor does Dustin Johnson's odds of 14/1 although I would love to see him go well here as its always welcome to see PGA stars venture abroad. I do like the 18/1 available about Ian Poulter though (Bodog Sportsbook), is getting back into excellent form, arrived nice and early in Korea and could be in with a great shout this week. Looking for value down the list, I have to opt for Alexander Noren,despite missing the cut last week but he is good form and last week can be ignored. The 50/1 on offer with Victor Chandler Golf is appealing (note VC will pay your player as winner should he have a hole in One). The Swede will win again this year and this event does give him a chance of doing so.
My third pick is a golfer that I had my eye on last year and almost obliged at 100/1 last year before being beaten by Alvaro Quiros in a playoff at the Open de Espana which incidently is next weeks event so perhaps this time of year suits James Morrison. When the putter is working he can challenge the leaderboard and the 150/1 bet here with bWin has to be taken.


TIP 1: 2 pts WIN Ian Poulter @ 18/1 Bodog Sportsbook

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w Alex Noren @ 50/1 Victor Chandler Golf

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w James Morrison @ 150/1 bet here with bWin

Wednesday 20 April 2011

Volvo China Open 2011

Yet another new course to compound us poor bettors on offer this week in China, a new course for the China open and the Europeantour that is. Again recent form must be taken into consideration and the fact that the course is fairly long and has a lot of water on it. The temperature forecasted for the weekend is much cooler than what was experienced last week in Malaysia which will be most welcome to the players. YE Yang is defending the title and I really do expect him to go well again this time round but his odds are just a bit too short to take (12/1) as I also like the chances of Padriag Harrington @ 16/1 bWin The Dubliner has the family with him which also helps him to relax a bit and this is a trip that he and wife, Caroline, have taken together many times on tour, so its reassuring to see he is in good frame of mind for the event. His neck injury suffered at Augusta seems to be fine now and he will be keen to get back to winning ways soon. This is not a great field assembled this week but it does see a lot of future stars teeing it up, especially those coming from the UK. Harrington, if he can get a solid start and keep within touch of the leaders, can see them off!
Of those up & coming stars I have decided to have faith in Oliver Wilson again! The Englishman has not had a great season so far despite his efforts at the Tavistock Cup and may have done too much travelling before resting before heading out here again. The 80/1, bWin is far too big for a player that will win soon and he might just go under the radar this week after that rest and if the putter gets going.
I cannot ignore Alexander Noren @ 33/1 this week Betpack. The Swede is in great form following T-4th last week in Kuala Lumpur and this track looks like it will suit his game and he seems to be in confident mood lately.

I have recommended bets with bWin this week as they are offering good odds compared to other bookmakers and I have to say I have found their site quite good and should you decide to open an account, please Click here

Finally, I am having a plunge of Betfair trading which is something new for me and would welcome any comments from readers for any advice on how to trade golf events. For this week I am backing Michael Long @ 980 with the view to either taking a free bet or waiting to lay for profit, if I can, over the course of the event.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w P.Harrington @ 16/1 bWin

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w A.Noren @ 33/1 Betpack

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w O.Wilson @ 80/1 bWin

Wednesday 13 April 2011

Maybank Malaysian Open 2011

After a pulsating Masters at Augusta last Sunday, action moves to Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club where the new Masters Champion, Charl Schwartzel will play alongside his good friend and compatriot, Louis Oosthuizen and defending champion Seung Yul-Noh. He will be joined in the field by Rory McIlroy and it will be interesting to see how Rory performs following his sad performance on Sunday, this blog will be hoping he does go well so he can erase those bad memories as quick as possible. His putting was and is his weakest part of his game and he could be lacking confidence on the greens this week so it will be a watch & see for this week. the other big name in the field is martin Kaymer, who missed the cut for the 4th time at Augusta which is no surprise really considering he always felt the course does not suit his game, the German tends to fade the ball off the tee whereas Augusta does require the draw, a shot that Kaymer has admitted is a lot harder for him to produce. But at the end of the day, he is World Number One for a reason and this week is ideal opportunity for him to return to the fore. Best odds of 9/1 Victor Chandler are quite good considering the field, with the next two in the betting coming in the shape of a jaded and lacking in confidence, McIlroy and the recently crowned major winner, Schwartzel, who will definitely be tired from all the hype.
Rhys Davies almost defended his title in Morocco last time out and was joint 3rd here last year. His form recently suggests he is about to win again (he should have done so in Morocco) and best odds of 28/1 Paddypower
Rikard Karlberg is another who is gradually improving and this is a course that will suit his game. The Swede  looks to be one to watch out for in the near future and could sparkle anytime soon. He is 70/1 Betpack


TIP 1: 2 pts WIN Martin Kaymer @ 9/1 (Victor Chandler)- World Number One could be too strong for the field this week and he will be anxious to kick on following a disappointing Masters.

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w Rhys Davies @ 28/1 (Paddypower)- The Welshman is putting brilliantly at the  oment, finished 3rd here last year and is coming into this following a play-off defeat to David Horsey in Morocco. Has potential to win soon.

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w Rickard Karlberg @ 70/1 (Betpack)- Showing gradual improvement this season and finished tied 11th last time out. One to watch for future and this weeks odds are worth taking

Monday 4 April 2011

US Masters 2011

Another disappointing return from Morocco but as with betting and especially golf betting these spells are inevitable and it only takes one good winner to transform the balance and no better tournament than the first Major of the year to achieve just that. With Phil Mickelson winning in Houston yesterday, suddenly there is a player with form going to Augusta and the bookies have him best priced at 13/2. "Lefty's" form is incredible at Augusta; 3 wins, 4- 3rd placings and another 3 top 10 finishes augurs well for the defending champion. That said, current form doesn't always come through for this Major, aka Angel Cabrera, Trevor Immelmann who happened to click the right week. Phil will be there or thereabouts again , sure , he always is, but at that price I'll take him on!So for selecting the staking plan this week, more emphasis is being put on course form with a view to players who can produce the short game required to take the green jacket come Sunday. Of course length off the tee is also vital so my 4 selections (Major means extra pick for me) this week are based on this.
First up is Paul Casey whose best finish at The Masters is 6th but has been a regular in the top 20 and will be well prepared for the course, has the accuracy & length off the tee and the know how to stay patient and win. He has a win already this year which also echos a trait of former winners who had won earlier in the season. 35/1 Paddypower
Two Masters appearances with a final day charging 65 last year suggests that the course is to the liking of Anthony Kim who finished in tied 13th last week in Houston to reassure that his game is in good shape. 40/1 Paddypower
Hunter Mahan doesn't seem to miss cuts, is very consistent and loves the big events as seen by finishing 2nd at Pebble Beach earlier this year. 6 top 10's from 9 starts this year proves he is consistent and has the game to do well this week. top 10 finisher the last 2 Masters also, a big week is expected. 28/1
Bodog Sportsbook
Final tip is going to Padraig Harrington who has been showing signs he is nearly back to his best. In fact recent tournaments has seen the Dubliner open with strong scoring on day one only to fade over the weekend, but his efforts in Hosuton were much better. Masters winners over the last 20 years have come from the final pairing on 19 ocassions whilst getting in contention early is also vital. You wont win it on day one but you can certainly lose it day one. Harrington has an immaculate short game and if he can find fairways he can put up a serious challenge. 40/1 Paddypower

Note: Paddypower are paying 1/4 odds for 6 places.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w Paul Casey @ 35/1 Paddypower: First Major is not far away and this one suits him the most. Has won already this year and has good record at Augusta.

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w Anthony Kim @ 40/1 Paddypower: Two top 10 finishes at Augusta in 2 starts, shot 65 on Sunday last year. Likes the course!

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w Hunter Mahan @ 28/1
Bodog Sportsbook; Very conistent performer, excellent recent form at Augusta and game in good shape.

TIP 4: 1 pt e/w Padraig Harrington @ 40/1 Paddypower; Has the short game required to win here. If getting a good start has the patience and know how to compete back 9 Sunday.