Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

It is always good to see an obviously talented golfer start to realise the talent and play accordingly. Stuart Appleby is such player and his emphatic victory in Houston once again reminded us of his exceptional ability. He has always been a top five player but his consistency has only ever been top thirty. Why this was I am unsure, as he is one of the hardest workers on the tour. It seems that this is no longer the case and I hope he can keep his form for the majors, especially the British Open in July where I feel he can contend.

The European tour uncovered another promising Spanish player in Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano. His name may be a mouth full but his game looks very promising and his nerve to beat Henrik Stenson in a playoff must be solid. I think he can go on from this become a consistent European player.

The US tour moves to New Orleans for the Zurich Classic, played at the Jack Nicklaus designed English Turn golf course. The US tour is famous for its generosity and this will be the tour's first visit since the devastating Hurricane Katrina. It says a lot about the residents of this city that they can prepare and conduct a US tour event so soon after the natural disaster.

The course is long with small undulating greens. There are sufficient bunkers and water around the course to add to the challenge and if the weather is fine then this will become a solid test indeed.

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.

Padraig Harrington: another player who ahs slowly started to find some form after a long off-season. His ability to grind out scores will be rewarded on this tough course and if his game is ready I think he is an excellent each way option.

Tim Herron: an incredibly frustrating player who should win a lot more than he does. However he is in good form this year and at large odds could easily sneak a place return this week.

Others to mention: Kirk Triplett, Tom Pernice Jr & Carlos Franco

The European tour returns back to mainland Europe for the first time for many weeks for the Andalucia Open de Espana played at the San Roque golf club. This course is usually affected by breezy conditions and will require good ball striking to manoeuvre the ball around a tight layout.

Selections:

Colin Montgomerie: the Scot looked to be heading into good form in China and is his putter was working then he could have easily won. Always a solid ball striker he is a strong suggestion to win this week.

Migual Angel Jiminez: a fine player when in form and his display at The Masters in April suggested that his best is not far away. If this were correct then he could go very close this week in an event he would dearly love to win.

Nicolas Fasth: the Swedish player is yet to recapture the form of last year but this is a field lacking in depth and I feel it is a golf course that he will like. A good each way option at good odds.

Other to suggest: Ross Fisher, Peter Lawrie & Soren Hansen .

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!