Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

A fitting result for Paul Casey this week at the Johnnie Walker Championship with a victory that was due after a summer of near misses. His game is now back to its best with a combination of booming drives and assured short game prowess. I think he may be a live outsider for The Open in July, especially if Hoylake plays dry and fast.

Although weather has stopped the final round it seems certain that Ben Curtis will win the Booz Allen Classic. It will be his first victory since his amazing win at The Open, and after a few very thin years perhaps he is starting to come back to the form that won him the Claret Jug.

Speaking of The Open the reports coming out of Liverpool are all about the rough, the smallish (for an Open) greens and the toughness of the course if the afternoon breeze comes in. Even if only one day produces a breeze the course will play very tough and luck will prove a big part with the draw.

The US tour this week moves to Connecticut for the Buick Championship played at the TPC of River Highlands. The course is fairly bland with the exception of its greens, which are 'up-turned saucers' with many run offs which make good chipping essential.

Selections:

Lucas Glover: a fine ball-striker who perhaps struggles at times with his putting, however I feel this course will rely on good ball control and thus I feel he will be a major contender this week.

Bart Bryant: much like Glover he is a fairways and greens sort of guy but if the putter can work then he is a good chance. Remember he won the Tour Championship last year around East Lake, which shows his ball striking capabilities. A solid each-way option.

Tom Pernice Jr: he has had a few chances this year to win but has blown them all. That said he is in form and this field is not strong. I expect a good showing at the nice odds of 50/1.

Others to mention: Justin Rose, Peter Lonard & Shigeki Maruyama.

The European tour moves to France for the French Open played at Le Golf National, just outside of Paris. The course in recent years has had severe rough and tight bunkering which places added pressure on the tee shots. You will need to look for a solid driver this week to do well.

Selections:

Padraig Harrington: 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.

Richard Green: okay so the guy is a poor putter but his form has been solid and he will bore you to death with his relentless ability to hit fairways and greens. I think he is an excellent each way option this week.

Graeme McDowell: is he all hype or the real thing? I don't know but he has played well recently in the US and if he can bring that form to Paris he must be a chance. Like Green he must be a solid each-way option.

Others to consider: Henrik Stenson, Niclas Fasth & Nick Dougherty.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!