Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

(PRESS RELEASE) -- Certain golf courses fit a player's mental 'eye' and they play well on the course, no matter how poorly their form leading into that tournament. Take Marcus Brier for example: here is a guy who has made only four cuts this season, yet his form around the Fontana G.C (site of the BA-CA Open) was nothing short of superb. He won a Challenge tour event there previously, as well as a top five finish. No wonder he started at a price of 40/1 for the BA-CA Open instead of the expected 150/1 if played at any other course. Brier went on to win by three.

A special mention must also be made about Vijah Singh's victory at the Barclays Classic. His victory was based around a phenomenal putting display as he was tied second in total putts for the week. Played at Westchester Country Club the tournament has given the players a taste of things to come at the US Open this week. Singh must enter the tournament this week with increased self-belief and momentum.

The US Open is the only tournament worth talking about this week and rightly so as the toughest major provides the ultimate test to every player. This year will see the event go back to Winged Foot Golf Club situated in upstate New York.

This will be the fifth U.S. Open held on the classic Tillinghast design in Mamaroneck, N.Y., a course known for greens that slope severely toward the front, cavernous bunkers, tree-lined fairways and deep rough. Playing to a par 70 at 7,264 yards the course features the longest par four in U.S. Open history - the 9th hole at 514 yards. As with all US Open courses you will need to drive the ball straight as the rough is penal, however shaping your tee shot is also crucial as there are no less than eight holes which favour a draw (right to left) and three holes that move left to right requiring a fade.

Unlike most US Open set ups Winged Foot has introduced a 'gradual rough scale' with the intensity of the cabbage increasing as you stray off line. The bombers of the tee ball will be severely punished if they cannot find the short stuff. The greens will also bake if the sun is out and will be brown by the back nine on Sunday. The winner will need to hit every shot well and hole five to six eight footers every round for par.

As the course is only playing 7,264 yards I think the shorter and straighter hitters will have a chance this week. Many players will prefer a seven iron from the fairway instead of a nine iron from deep rough. Add to this the number of unknown factors about the form of certain players – Woods, Els, Goosen, Garcia etc and I feel you have a wide-open tournament.

Selections:

David Toms: keeping faith with Toms as I selected him last week as well. He is playing steady golf for most of this year and his game is based around fairways and greens. If he can get his short game working then I feel he has the ideal temperament for the US Open.

Jim Furyk: he pulled out of the Barclay Classic with an injury however reports state it is minor and he will be fully fit for the US Open. If so then he must go very close with his game peaking over the past two months. He has no real flaws and his entire game is set up for a US Open style course. I expect him to go close this week.

Tiger Woods: he is a hard one to weigh up this week but at 5/1 he is an each way bet to nothing. Of course he is still hurting after the death of his father but this is Tiger we are talking about. I think he will be motivated for his Dad and the 5/1 is too good a price to miss.

Others to mention: Mike Weir, Fred Funk & Rod Pampling.

As with all Major tournaments there will be a number of speciality markets for you to wager on. In regards to the Top Nationality market I would suggest the following players: Rod Pampling for top Australasian player, Luke Donald for top GB&I and Tim Clark for top Rest of the World player.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!