Monday 30 April 2012

Open de Espana 2012

Marcus Fraser provided some place money last week for the blog so hopefully the much awaited winner is not too far way. The Open de Espana return to the Real Club de Golf de Sevilla this week where Alvaro Quiros won 2 years ago. This week is the 100th staging of the event and coincides with the first anniversary of Seve's death. With a lot of rain having fallen the past couple of weeks the course looks set to play long which immediately suggests that Quiros comes into the reckoning. The 6 time winner on tour may get his best results in the Middle East but he cannot be discounted this week despite a lack of form in 2012 as he has won this event and the Portugal Masters in the past suggesting he does have form in the Iberian Peninsula. The 25/1 on offer with Paddypower is worth taking for an event that he will be excited about.

Second selection this week is Alex Noren.He is starting to show form and the long course will suit him this week. When Noren hits form he tends to be streaky and the 30/1 with Betpack is great value for a player hitting form after a slow start to the season.

My third selection this week is George Coetzee. I tipped him last week and he finished T7th just one shot away from a placing. He is very consistnt and that elusive win is not far away and I have to keep him on the staking plan for the time being.

I am taking a fourth pick this week, only because one of my favourites, Ross Fisher has shown glimpses lately that he is nearing his best again.(would hate to miss out !) He finished well last Sunday and hopefully he will come here in confidence following a good showing in Korea. 50/1 with Boylesports is decent value for a player that click any week soon.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w A.Quiros @ 25/1 Paddypower

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w A.Noren @ 30/1 Betpack

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w G.Coetzee @ 25/1 Paddypower

TIP 4: 1 pt e/w R.Fisher @ 50/1 Boylesports

Tuesday 24 April 2012

Ballantines Championship 2012

I dropped Alex Noren from my staking plan last week and he put in a good showing ! thats the frustration of golf betting, knowing what week to strike. He does come back into the reckoning this week as we have yet another tough course in Korea. Adam Scott I wanted to back but the price is just too short. That should pave the way now for the Aussie to go on and win !
There is one player that could just strike this week as he has been contending very well lately and will be well suited to the tough conditions and the fact that he is South African could help as his compatriots are cleaning up all round him lately. Branden Grace won his 3rd event this season last week, following Louis Oosthuizen's victory in Malaysia and it could be a hat-trick if George Coetzee can progress from a bold effort last week. he is on offer at 28/1 with Betpack which is decent value in this field.

Marcus Fraser always seems to go well in this part of the world and he put in a decent effort last week following a Missed Cut the week before. Ultra consistent and sure to win soon, he is selected this week over Noren as my second selection. 40/1 with Bet365.

My third selection is Oliver Wilson. Its been awhile since he clocked up all those runner-up placing a few seasons ago, but he is striking the ball so well lately he cannot be dismissed. He was 1st in GIR last week.He has also tweeted this week that he thinks its time to use his belly putter this week and if he does, it may just get the ball rolling into the hole for those all too important birdies. At a very big 150/1, he is on the staking plan this week.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w G.Coetzee @ 28/1 Betpack


TIP 2: 1 pt e/w M.Fraser @ 40/1 Bet365


TIP 3: 1 pt e/w O.Wilson @ 150/1 Betpack

Wednesday 11 April 2012

Malaysian Open 2012

After the excitement of the Masters at Augusta last week, it's back to the bread and butter of the European Tour this week and the Malaysian Open. Fairly strong field where Martin Kaymer, Charl Schwartzel and last weeks beaten play-off Louis Oosthuizen head the betting. Oosty is sure to go well again this week but I want to back old favourite Martin Kaymer this week. He finished tied 9th last year, and may head here somewhat pleased to have finally made the cut at the Masters last week on a course that really does not suit him. This weeks course does and he is great value at 12/1 with Boylesports.
Speaking of old favourites Alex Noren is a must for the staking plan this week also at 60/1 with Bet365.  The Swede finished 4th here last year just 3 shots back and this mostly due to a 71 on the Sunday. Matteo Manessero won last year ahead of Gregory Bourdy & Rory McIlroy so he will be comfortable with the course and having won twice since will be more confident in closing it out should he get into poistion. The odds are just too big this week.
My third selection is Marcus Fraser who does seem to play well this part of the world and again is great value at 80/1 with Betpack

TIP 1: 2 pts WIN Martin Kaymer @ 12/1  Boylesports

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w A.Noren @ 60/1 Bet365

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w M.Fraser @ 80/1  Betpack

Wednesday 4 April 2012

Masters 2012

The most eagerly awaited Major is finally here with the Masters kicking off Thursday at Augusta National. So many players are in great form at present that it makes this year's event the most entriguing and exciting in years. Tiger Woods goes looking for his 5th green jacket, Phil Mickelson his 4th! Both players are fantastic records at the Masters, even Tiger finished in the top 4 last year in his most disappointing season to date. He simply loves the place and comes here after winning at Bay Hill. No qualms seeing him set off as the favourite and certainly no qualms seeing Paddypower returning all losing WIN bets places before Thursday if Tiger wins. Thats a great offer and cannot be ignored. Will he win ? He sure could but at that price I wont be backing him, I'll take some better value with the good feeling that should he win I'll get some of my money back.

I would love to put up Padraig Harrington on the blog this week. I wrote the post believing the Dubliner was about to win again but last weeks showing in Houston wasn't he best preparation but he has done this before too. As I stated before I have him backed at 66s, he can be got at higher prices now, but that will have to be a side personal bet for me and not one for the blog. I do however, want to back a player that alot of people are labelling the choker and that's Lee Westwood. The Englishman has fine form at Augusta and whilst the putter needs to be hot this week so too does the driver and there is none much better than Lee in this department. Winning Majors takes patience - he has this and perhaps the argument can be made that he has shown too much of it recently instead of "going for it". He has been ultra consistent in Majors the past 3 years and I fully expect to be up there again this week.

Adam Scott finished tied 2nd last year with Jason Day. I think he may just go well again this week. Hopefully the putting lives up to the requirements needed to land the jacket. Steve Williams on the bag is a plus and will keep the Aussie focussed and in the zone to contend. Would have preferred slightly better odds but he has to be on the staking plan.

Third selection is Bradley Keegan. Not 100% convinced he can win but he has shown he what it takes to win the big ones. Winner of the PGA last year and recent good form means he has the tools to land it. he has finished well in the tough ones this year already and that means for me he will come into this confident. Debutants don't normally do too well here but doesn't always have to be the case.

I'll take a fouth selection in the form of defending champion Charl Swchartzel. The South African is playing very well and will be surrounded by great South Africans, Gary Player, Louis Oosthuizen, Tim Clark,Trevor Immelmann,and Rory Sabbatini. No Ernie Els though and that may just inspire the lads to play well this week.


So no Rory McIlroy for me either. I dont like to look of his draw to be honest. Second last group out on Thursday and partner with fellow bombers, Bubba Watson & Angel Cabrera. A recipe to get sucked into a driving "match". As an Irishman though I'm be shouting him on as well as Padraig and GMac and if he does come through the first 2 days in touch with the leader I may just back him to finish ahead of Tiger Woods.

Others to watch for me are Webb Simpson, Y E Yang, Matt Kuchar, and Patrick Cantley and I would not be the least bit surprised if paul casey puts in a good showing.

TIP 1: 1 pt e/w Lee Westwood at 20/1 Paddypower

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w Adam Scott @ 33/1 Paddypower

TIP 3: 1 pt e/w Keegan Bradley @ 30/1 Paddypower

TIP 4: 1pt e/w Charl Schwartzel @ 45/1 Paddypower