Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

A week for the journeymen of the US and European tour last week with JJ Henry winning the Buick Championship and John Bickerton triumphing at the French Open. For Bickerton this was a fitting return for a season that has seen increased consistency and a playoff loss to Niclas Fasth at the Andalucia Open in April. For JJ Henry his victory may be the start to fulfilling his obvious talents. A long hitter who has contended throughout his career but never got the job done until this week. He has the game to win again and soon!

With the LPGA US Open going into a Monday playoff between Annika Sorenstam and Pat Hurst I cannot miss this opportunity to comment on Michelle Wie. Watching the coverage over the weekend I am still amazed that Michelle's lack of victories is an issue. I agree that currently her course strategy is not great at times and yes she does need to develop a knock down shot that does not spin, but all these things are irrelevant when you are sixteen! We are witnessing a unique thing here in world sport – a competitor who is contending in every event she plays and she still has not got her drivers license!

The US tour this week moves to Illinois for the Western Open played at the Cog hill GC. One of the strongest fields of the year will turn out for the oldest non-major event on the US PGA tour. The Cog Hill layout provides a tough but fair test will both length and accuracy from the tee required.

Selections:

Adam Scott: fairly consistent year by the Australian and this is a course that will suit his game. If his putting stroke is adequate this week then I can see him contending.

Chad Campbell: from tee to green he is as good as anyone and it is only his putter that lets him down. The greens at Cog Hill are not the most severe on tour and if he can hold his fair share of putts then he will contend. At odds of 66/1 I think he is an excellent each-way chance.

Camilo Villegas: he ahs only one-way of playing the game – go for everything! However the Cog Hill course may allow him to get away with this game plan. If so then he is a real threat at a massive price.

Others to mention: Trevor Immlemen, Vijah Singh & Brandt Jobe.

The European tour moves to Ireland for the European Open, played at the K Club golf course outside of Dublin. This will also be the venue of this year's Ryder Cup and a very strong field will be competing. The course will play tough this week with both wind and rain expected. If the weather turns nasty then it will be a war of attrition with long holes protected by penal rough and tough greens.

Selections:

Padraig Harrington: chose the Irishman last week and sticking with him again. His form is improving every week and he was not that far away from picking up his first major at Winged Foot. He has always been a good driver and iron player and I expect him to be hard to beat this week.

Angel Cabrera: if the weather is not really tough then this is a course that could suit the long hitting Argentinean. His form this year has not been spectacular however there have been signs recently that his turn to contend is near. I expect a good showing this week.

Brett Rumford: the quiet unassuming Australian is playing good golf and he has won before in Ireland. His game has no real flaws and at 100/1 he represents a fantastic each-way option.

Others to consider: Robert Karlsson, Simon Dyson & Henrik Stenson.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!