Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

The last major of the year – the US PGA being played at Baltusrol Golf Club in Springfield, New Jersey represents the 'lesser' major of the four played during the year and also represents the best opportunity for a 'regular tour pro' to win.

Do not misinterpreted my comments though for I view the US PGA with great respect but the truth of the matter is it is last on the wish list of all players when asked which of the big four tournaments would they like to win. I am not sure why that is as the tournament is now played over superb golf courses that test every aspect of a professionals game. The tournament is set up closely to the test set by the USGA at the US Open which can only result in a worthy champion. However this tournament is still seen as the little brother to the other three majors but don't tell that to the winner this week!

The course set up this week will be very tough with penal rough bordering tight undulating fairways. The greens are also small in comparison to regular tour events and will be cut fast to exaggerate their subtle slopes. As is the tradition of the US PGA event the course is progressing more towards the US Open set up every year. Add to the toughness of the coursed the expected heat and humidity of New Jersey in August and you have a severe mental and physical test.

So who is going to win? Well like all tight long golf courses you must be able to drive the ball well and hit most fairways. Any tee shots finding the rough may result in a chip out sideways and the likely possibility of a bogey or worse. I think a players scrambling abilities will also be tested fully this week because all the players will miss greens and have to make pars with their short game. The player with the best short game who holes the most eight footers for par will go very close to winning this week.

Selections:

Tiger Woods: is it just me or has Tiger's record in the majors this year, two wins and a second, gone almost unnoticed? I mean he is compiling one of the best Major years of all time and I have not focussed on it much at all. Perhaps it is because we knew it was coming. I mean it was only a matter of time before his swing changes started to solidify and produce the results we have come to expect. That said if he can win this week it will be one of the best years ever! He has the best short game and ability to hole crucial par putts which will allow him to take advantage of certain holes on the course. If he can continue his improved driving of the golf ball then he will be very hard to beat. A very short favourite at the moment but I guess in the form he is in it is better than bank interest.

Vijay Singh: if anyone is to challenge Tiger than Vijah may be the man. There is one thing that may stop him though – his putting. For the previous three major tournaments he has not been out of the top ten but has finished last in all three tournaments for putting! Of course when he does find form with the putter he wins, as shown at the Buick Open a couple of weeks ago. So if the putter behaves then the defending champion might just win again, if it does not then he will endure another frustrating week.

Phil Mikelson: apologise for selecting three fairly obvious players but I think this tournament will see the cream rise to the top as the course is going to be a severe test. Phil has not really had the year everyone hoped for after his break through victory last year at The Masters. It seems that he has gone back to the 'grip it and rip it' mentality of past years and this has affected his performance. However I feel he is ready to contend this week as his driving statistics are improving and he said he is hitting the ball very well. With one of the very best short games on tour he may just sneak under the radar of a lot of people and at nice each way odds as well.

Others to mention: Kenny Perry, Retief Goosen and for those of you who like to have a bet in the novelty markets I suggest Nick O'Hern as the top Australasian player.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!