Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

Tiger Woods once again showed why he is one of the greatest of all time.

After missing the cut at the US Open after the death of his father he came into The Open with only a week of decent form (Western Open) and many questions over his mental state and form. Why did I doubt him? For the last twelve years he has shown time and again that mentally he is miles ahead of the current players with an ability to focus totally on the issue at hand and blank everything else out. His iron play, especially his mid to long irons, was outstanding and in many ways was a throw back to a game that has long since disappeared. To be able to adapt his game to the course (he only hit one driver all week) and then have the discipline to hit the shots when required is simply outstanding. For me this was perhaps his best win in an already imperious career.

Of course Chris DiMarco must be mentioned for his brave display considering he too was fighting the tears back for most of the week. His form this year has not been great but it once again showed that good players can hit form at any time and perhaps he will consolidate this level and secure a Ryder Cup spot.

Other players worth mentioning from the Open are Hideto Tanihara who over came unfamiliar course conditions (the Japanese tour does not play on links) to finish in the top five and Andres Romero, the young Argentinean who again showed that he is a player to take note of.

Finally one of the most amusing stories of the week comes courtesy of Phil Mickelson. In his now usual style Phil went to Hoylake more than ten days before the event to play the course and understand all its secrets. The head professional, John Heggarty, offered his advice to Phil but was politely refused, as Phil knew best. However during the course of the following week Lefty was seen talking to young kids around the course asking them how to play certain shots. Did he not know who John Heggarty was or does he place more faith in young local knowledge over anything else. Phil finished well down the leader board and perhaps will rethink an offer for advice from the local pro next time.

The US tour moves to Milwaukee for the US Bank Championship played at the Brown Deer Park GC. The course is tight with undulating greens and a premium will be placed on accurate driving and good iron play. There are only three par fives with two of them in the last four holes.

Selections:

Nick O'Hern: a very good driver who is also a solid iron player. His form this year in the US has been solid but not spectacular. He is too good a player to not contend this week against a fairly weak field. At 33/1 he is a solid each way option.

Jeff Sluman: has been in form now for some months with excellent driving and GIR statistics. This is a course that will suit his game and at 40/1 he is a solid each way option.

Tom Pernice Jr: another player who is in form but would not merit a choice in a more competitive field. However this is a weak field and he should be in the mix at attractive odds.

Others to consider: Stephen Leaney, Jerry Kelly & Hunter Mahan.

The European tour moves to Germany for the Deutsche Bank Championship played at the Gut Kaden GC. The course measures 7,300 yards but will hold no fears for the players this week with all four par fives reachable and no par four over 480 yards. The greens are big and the rough is not severely penal. I would expect this course to suit the 'bombers' and the result could come down to a putting competition.

Selections:

Angel Cabrera: the big hitting Argentinean has not been in sparkling form this year however he did finish in the top ten at The Open. This course is made for his power game and I expect him to go very close.

Carl Pettersson: has won this year on the US tour and is playing the most consistent golf of his life. His ball striking is particularly sound and if the long putter works then he is a real chance.

Anthony Wall: at odds of around 50/1 he must be seen as a good each way option. He finished in the top fifteen at The Open and his play this year has been very consistent. His putter can go cold but if it is on song then he is an excellent each way option.

Others to consider: Michael Campbell, Niclas Fasth & Stephen Dodd.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!