Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

I saw it. Twelve hours after the event I am still trying to believe it. Geoff Ogilvy was handed the US Open in one of the most dramatic last three holes of any tournament I have ever seen. Throughout the last hour of the event the momentum of the tournament was with Mickleson and Montgomerie and only when Ogilvy was standing in the locker room was it with him.

Ogilvy's last three holes were incredible to say the least. He hit the flag from out of the bunker on the sixteenth; he chipped in for par at the seventeenth and then got up and down from the front of the eighteenth green. His performance down the stretch was worthy of the victory but he was definitely aided by the immediate challengers.

Colin Montgomerie, the rock that so many Ryder Cup victories is based around was only a solid seven iron and two putt away from victory but a poor strike (he hit it fat!) then four more resulted in a six and perhaps the last chance he will ever get to lift a major. Phil Mickelson on the other rode his luck all day with wild drives finding the spectator paths and 'Seve' like recovery shots keeping him in the lead. However his luck ran out at the last and his six will keep him awake at night for many months to come. Is he destined to never win US Open like Sam Snead? He has finished runner up now four times.

The US tour moves to Maryland for the Booz Allen Classic played at the TPC Avenel course. Formerly known as the Kemper Open the TPC will host the tournament for the last time before it moves to the Congressional golf course. It is a wide-open layout with penal rough but large greens that can produce low totals.

Selections:

Charlie Hoffman: a good young player who is performing well this year without threatening on the last day of tournaments. I feel he is a player who will learn to win in due course and this is not a strong field. He is a very good each-way chance.

Charles Howell III: he has under performed this year but there have been signs he is coming back to form. On a course that will favour his game I feel he will contend this week.

Frederik Jacobsen: a player of enormous talent and his performance will rely on his iron play, which has let him down this year. If he can find the greens in regulation this week then he must be a contender, at good odds.

Others to mention: Brian Gay, Bart Bryant & Dean Wilson.

The European tour moves to the magnificent Gleneagles Golf Resort for the Johnnie Walker Championship. The course will provide a stiff test with very penal rough bordering fairways with large undulating greens will provide a solid test. Good driving and putting is a must this week.

Selections:

Paul Casey: going to give the English player one more chance. He should have won two tournaments already this year but could not close the tournaments out. He played well at the US Open and if he is not tired from that event then he should go very close again.

Thomas Bjorn: has won this year already and his overall form is very good. If his mental approach stays settled then he must be a good chance to win again. Soren Hansen: a superb ball-striker whose game revolves entirely around putting. If he can hole his share of putts then he must be a good chance challenge this week at good odds.

Others to consider: Ross Fisher, Stephen Gallacher & Barry Lane.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!