Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

A Monday finish to the Duetsche Bank tournament will mean a quick turn around for many of the players who are heading to Canada. But this won't bother Olin Browne who will be smiling after his gutsy win. Many times down the stretch it looked like Jason Bohn would catch and pass the faltering Browne, but he held on with some clutch putts. This victory will go along way to smoothing out the poor performance over the weekend at the US Open.

Sergio Garcia won in Europe with a one-stroke victory in the Omega European Masters in Switzerland. Ever the showman Garcia clinched his victory late on Sunday with a chip in at the 71st hole. If this tournament had slipped away from the Spaniard then he would have been unhappy as he had a chance from the second round to bury the opposition.

A special mention must go out to all our American readers who are experiencing the worst natural disaster for some time in New Orleans. I know I speak for the entire European golfing community when I say our thoughts and prayers are with you all.

This week the US PGA tour heads north to Canada for the Bell Canadian Open played at the Shaughnessy Golf Club outside of Vancouver. The course will be a real test for the players as it is regarded as one of Canada's best courses. With tight driving areas and a combination of long par fours and reachable par fives this course will throw up some birdies to players in form, and punish those who are not. Don't be surprised if an unknown player performs well this week as this tournament has a history of surprise winners.

Selections:

Vijah Singh: this tournament may have had some surprise winners during its history but every player needs to beat Vijah to have any chance. If his back is okay after the week lay off then he should be very hard to beat.

Ben Crane: already a winner this year the 'slowest man on tour' may just put the rest of the field to sleep this week. A solid all round game with a hot putting touch Crane can shoot the numbers required to win here. He should contend this week.

Loren Roberts/Craig Stadler: have taken the unusual step of recommending two at once but as they are both 50+ players I thought this was okay. Both are in form on the Champions tour and remember Stadler won last year when a senior tour member. They could surprise many of the 'kids' this week.

Others to mention: Pat Perez & Stuart Appleby.

The European tour heads back to Germany this week for the Linde German Masters played in Cologne. The Jack Nicklaus designed course has been toughened up considerable with narrow driving lines and penal rough bordering both the fairways and the greens. Accurate ball striking will be the key this week.

Selections:

Henrik Stenson: one of the most improved players on tour this year the Swede is one of the best ball strikers playing. His weakness is the putter however and if he can keep this club under control then he will contend. This course will play to his strengths.

David Howell: buoyed by his win two weeks ago the likeable Englishman will be looking to win again very soon. He has a strong all round game and can shoot very low scores. With the added confidence of the recent win it will be interesting to see where he takes his game from here.

Michael Campbell: you don't win the US Open without finding fairways and greens and Campbell will be ready to contend again after his major hangover. A solid game with a silky putting stroke he has the game to win this week. Expect to go very close.

Others to consider: Richard Green, Bernhard Langer and Colin Montgomerie.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!