Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….
Perhaps the two biggest tests when defining greatness are to investigate whether a player can perform when not at their best, and also whether their desire can carry them through any occasion. Tiger Woods has long ago settled along side the greats of golf but I truly wonder if anyone in the history of the game could perform as well as he when not on song. For the past two weeks Tiger has, by his standards, played poorly but has won both weeks. His ability to grind out a score when the wheels are about to fall off is incredible and I am sure that in tight situations, like a play off the opposition are in fear. He just keeps on giving reasons why he is not only the player of his generation but perhaps the greatest ever.
An indication as to where the game is going was evident on the US tour last week with J.B Holmes securing a seven- stroke victory at the FBR Open in Arizona. He and many of his Nationwide graduates put new meaning to the term 'grip it and rip it'. Averaging drives well past 330 yards he can tear most courses to shreds. However the true test for these players will be a tight course that requires positioning and length control. Roll on Harbour Town Links!
The US tour this week moves to the glorious Pebble Beach Links for the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro Am. This wonderful event for generations has seen the very best stars from golf and Hollywood play together in a Pro Am format over three courses. Both Pebble Beach and Poppy Hills are the easier courses with Spyglass Hill providing the sterner test. All the courses have Bent grass greens and if the wind gets up then scoring will be tough.
Selections:
Jose Maria Olazabal: lost a play off to Tiger two weeks ago but is a player who is in form and can play well on links courses. His putting and short game is as good as anyone so expect a good showing this week.
Jasper Parnevik: he is both in form and has the style of play that can accommodate the slower amateurs. He is an excellent each way proposition this week.
Luke Donald: an improving performance at the Buick tournament two weeks would have brought him on a lot. He is all class when right and this week he should contend again.
Others to mention: Paul McGinley, Rory Sabbatini and John Senden.
The European tour continues to hop across the world with this week's tournament, the Johnny Walker Classic being played at The Vines golf course in Perth, Australia. The course will provide a stern test with tight fairways and dry conditions. The greens are massive and very undulating and will run at least twelve on the stimp meter. A regular afternoon breeze will also toughen the course further. I would be looking for good ball strikers this week to contend.
Selections:
Robert Allenby: can he make it four Australian based tournaments in a row? Quite possibly with a current vein of form that is as good as anyone. He must go close this week.
Nick Dougherty: he has spoilt opportunities to contend this year through mid round mistakes. If he can just get the occasional bad hole out of the way then he is a good each way chance this week.
Nick O'Hern: the local boy will know this course as well as anyone. He does need to putt better when in contention however this course will suit his game and I expect a good tournament from him.
Others to mention: Paul Casey, K.J Choi and Peter Lonard.
Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!