Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

A week of mixed fortunes for the leading players in the world with The Open only a couple of weeks away. Tiger continues to move towards peak form with an improved showing at the Western Open on the US tour. His driving is still not at its best however his game is starting to pick up and I feel his next win is not far away. Vijah Singh and Jim Furyk again played well and will look towards Hoylake with increased confidence and anticipation. Phil Mickelson on the other hand has struggled since his last-hole implosion at Winged Foot. His driving is still very poor and I feel his confidence has been dented. I would not bet on him to lift the Claret Jug with free money – his form is that bad!

Trevor Immelmen gave notice to the golfing world that his stock is on the rise with a deserving win at the Western Open. Perhaps the most consistent your golfer on the US tour this year his victory was not out of turn. He posses a solid game with no real weaknesses and he will be an interesting each way option for The Open. Hoylake is a course that will suit his game and he may surprise a number of people. I feel he is a major winner of the future.

The US tour this week stays in Illinois with the John Deere Classic being played at the TPC at Deere Run, Silvis. The course is a stadium built design with reachable par fives and one drivable par four. The fairways are tight and accurate driving is rewarded here along with solid iron play. I would be looking for form players with solid ball striking credentials to do well.

Selections:

Jeff Sluman: he missed the cut last week but is high up in the driving accuracy and GIR statistics. This is a course that will suit his conservative game and I feel he will be a major contender this week.

Brandt Jobe: a solid driver of the golf ball who will be rewarded for his total driving stats this week. His putting needs to find consistency however this is not a strong field and I expect him to contend at good each-way odds.

Woody Austin: something of an enigma on the tour, Woody has the game to win this week but does he have the mentality? If he can keep that legendary temper under control then he is a solid selection.

Others to mention: Bo Van Pelt, Joe Ogilvie & Jonathon Kaye.

The European tour moves to Scotland for the Barclays Scottish Open played around the magnificent Loch Lomond golf course. The golf course is primarily a second shot course with the approaches into undulating greens more important than finding the wide fairways. The course is always in magnificent condition with lightening greens. Expect the wind and rain to also make an appearance this week.

Selections:

Ernie Els: a past champion here who has not enjoyed the return to form he wanted after his knee injury. His game still shows signs of being rusty however this is a course he loves and at 14/1 I feel he is a fantastic each-way option.

Jose Maria Olazabal: this is a course that should favour the Spaniard as the fairways are very wide and it is the iron play that is tested. Jose is one of the best ball strikers in the game and his brilliant short game will also be an asset this week. I think he will go very close.

Carl Pettersson: a rare visit by the Swede back to the European tour however this is a course that will suit his game. His form on the US tour has been very good with a win at the Memorial tournament last month. His game is very solid with no real weaknesses. Expect him to be on the leader board on Sunday.

Others to consider: Ian Poulter, Fred Couples & Thomas Bjorn.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!