Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

After the events of the last twelve months in New Orleans it was good to see a 'fairy tale' occur during the last round of the Zurich Classic. Little known Chris Couch using a 'cack-handed' approach to chipping and bunker play, (cack- handed is the left hand lower than the right on the grip) won the event by chipping in from a near impossible situation. It was his first win on tour and the winner's check of over $1 million will easily dwarf any amount his won so far.

On the European tour Niclas Fasth showed why he should be in the mix for a Ryder Cup birth and why Thomas Bjorn should not. Niclas held tough throughout the tournament and won a four-hole play-off against John Bickerton. Thomas Bjorn however blew his chances with a four-putt and very sloppy play coming down the stretch. It still seems Bjorn has trouble mentally in winning tournaments 'down the stretch'.

The US tour this week heads back to the East coast with the playing of the Wachovia Championship played at the Quail Hollow golf course in North Carolina. The Tom Fazio designed course has become one of the better golf tests on tour and it will not be long before it hosts a Major. The quality of the course is represented in the quality of the field with twelve of the top eleven players competing this week. The course is long but accuracy is a must and the greens will become dry during the week, making them incredibly difficult to read. Look for good ball strikers this week.

Selections:

Retief Goosen: slowly making his way into form this year after a long lay off. His quality ball striking and solid putting will be rewarded this week and I expect him to go very close indeed.

Sergio Garcia: good driving of the ball is a must around this course and Garcia is as good as anyone in this department. His putter continues to frustrate but his overall ball striking credentials will be an asset this week.

Ernie Els: he is still not at complete fitness but his game is starting to look better every week. I expect a very good showing this week on a tough course that will favour his game.

Others to mention: Mike Weir, David Howell & Lucas Glover.

It is all pizzas and pasta this week on the European tour with the playing of the Italian Open this week at the Castello di Tolcinasco golf course in Milan. The golf course is fairly long and boring with lots of length, thick rough and large greens. The lack of depth in the course's quality is reflected in the lack of quality in the field with only Angel Cabrera being 'world class'.

Selections:

Paul Broadhurst: a winner already this year he will enjoy this golf course with its wide fairways and flattish greens. In good form all year and I expect another good showing at nice each way odds.

Richard Green: the left handed Australian has been in good form this year and he will be hitting a lot of fairways and greens. His putting is his weakest part of his game but I feel this week's greens will assist him.

Robert Karlsson: the Swede was in contention last week but fell away in the last round. His old form seems to be returning and a continuation of this progression will see him competitive again this week.

Other to suggest: Peter O'Malley, Jyoti Randhawa & Anders Hansen.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!