Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

Perhaps the results on the weekend were an indication that a quality player is coming back to form and a new star could be upon us.

Justin Leonard's win at the Bob Hope Classic once again reminded us of this high quality player and what he is capable of achieving. Apart from his play-off loss in the US PGA last year it would be safe to assume that 2004 did not produce what Leonard had hoped for. With an equipment change in the off-season it seemed that he may struggle as he missed the cut at the Buick Invitational. However no equipment worries were evident at the Bob Hope as Leonard produced a high quality ball striking, which was admirably assisted, with his superb putting. If this is a taste of Justin Leonard in 2005 then expect him to contend for Majors again.

Across the other side of the world Nick Dougherty was realising the enormous potential he had shown through his amateur days. As part of the 'Emerging English' pack Luke Donald, Justin Rose, Paul Casey and Ian Poulter have over shadowed Dougherty. As these players became known for their performances Dougherty was fast gathering himself the reputation as a party animal away from the course. A new discipline in the off season looks to have paid dividends and the way he saw off both Montgomery and Bjorn suggests another star for the 'Emerging English' gang has arrived.

And so to this week.

The PGA tour heads to the desert this week for one of the tours most popular tournaments. The FBR Open at Scottsdale Arizona is renowned as a party tournament. It seems like the entire Scottsdale area comes to a stand still and descends on the TPC course as crowds for the week are expected to exceed 500,000! One of the biggest attractions is the par three sixteenth where stands surrounding the tee hold up to 50,000 loud and increasingly drunk fans. This is perhaps the only hole on the US PGA tour where players tee off in front of a crowd that closely resembles a rock concert! It is not for the timid and perhaps it is no wonder Paul Casey has pulled out this week!

Selections:

Vijay Singh: pretty boring I know but it is hard to get away from the Fijian and his record around the TPC course. Twice a winner in 1995 and 2003 Vijah also boasts four other top twenty finishes. It may be hard to get past him this week.

Phil Mickelson: a local resident of Arizona Phil will, like most weeks, be the crowds favourite. He only began his 2005 season at the Bob Hope and showed some signs of rust. However he still finished in the top ten and he will improve and contend this week.

Chris DiMarco: like Phil Mickelson, Chris started his 2005 campaign last week and was slightly off the pace. However he has won here in 2002 and three other top fifteen performances in the last five years suggests he likes this course. Look for him to contend come Sunday.

Worth Mentioning: Charles Howell III, Tom Lehman, Shigeki Maruyama and Jonathon Kaye.

The European tour continues its globe trotting this week as it holds the Heineken Classic in Melbourne, Australia. Played over the famous Royal Melbourne composite course this tournament attracts players to the course as much as it does to the title. Designed by Dr Alister Mackenzie (also co designed Augusta National) in 1926 the composite course is regarded as one of the top ten Golf courses in the world. The course is built on a sand dune platform and relies on its quick greens, deep bunkers and thick bracken to restrict low scoring.

Selections:

Ernie Els: quite simply he has made this tournament his own. With wins in the last three years Ernie has played inspired Golf around one of his favourite courses. It seems that Ernie's game reaches new heights around Royal Melbourne and he must go very close this week again.

Peter Lonard: in contention the last two weeks on the US PGA tour before the last round Lonard is clearly a player in form. In Australia he seems to be able to close out tournaments with clinical precision. With three wins in Australia in the last three months Lonard has proven he is the man in form in Australia. He will be contending this week.

Adam Scott: a rather cool start to 2005 for this extremely talented player. It can only be a matter of time before his game clicks and with two weeks of hard practise behind him I expect Scott to perform this week. He chased Els last year and could easily go one better this time.

Worth Mentioning: Stuart Appleby, Peter Fowler, Craig Parry and Stephen Gallagher.