Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

Well the WGC Match Play has produced a worthy champion in David Toms and I think no one could resist his irresistible play over the week. To be over twenty-five under (okay so they are given a few gimmees!), over seven rounds of golf on a course that was damp, miserable and with greens feeling like sponges is a pretty good effort.

In fact the win this week for Toms opens the debate about what type of player makes the best match player? I personally think you need to have someone who is able to maintain constant pressure on their opponent throughout the match. I do not believe that the player who makes plenty of birdies and bogeys is necessary the type of guy you require and I think this philosophy is strengthened by the fact that players like Mickelson do not have great records in the event. Players like Jack Nicklaus, Tom Watson and even Colin Montgomerie who are all great match players and can apply pressure on an opponent throughout a round strengthen this theory.

A special mention must also be made for Ian Poulter. His efforts over the past week have been exceptional and he was unlucky to be seven under par in his match against Retief Goosen and still loose! For those of you who saw this match it was the highlight of the week by far. At one point in the match the players had made ten birdies in twelve holes and they were still all square. One match for the honour roll I think.

And so to this week.

The US PGA tour heads east this week with the Ford Championship at Doral in Florida. Affectionately known as the Blue Monster because twelve holes have water on them Doral has been strengthened in length (about 150 yards) and with bunkers now totally over one hundred. The four par fives give excellent opportunities for birdies while the other holes provide a tough test indeed. The local Bermuda grass greens will also provide a test, as they are particularly grainy and large in area.

Finally there is an incredible bias towards players from Florida or who have a Florida connection in this event. Thirteen of the last fifteen winners of Doral have been Florida residents!

Selections:

Phil Mickelson: perhaps the hottest golfer in the world right now, Leftie comes to Doral full of confidence. An early defeat to David Toms in the WGC Match Play will have given Phil time to prepare for this week. If he can get back a little more control with his driver then he will go very close this week.

Davis Love: if David is fit this week then I feel he could contend. He has a great record around Doral with a number of top ten finishes and there were glimpses of a return to form from him last week. If he can continue his momentum then he will go close this week.

Tiger Woods: obvious choice along with Mickelson but he is hard to get away from. With the new swing improving every week all that is left is for Woods to start holing some birdie putts. His putter has been relatively cold lately and if it heats up in Florida then everyone else may be playing for second place.

Others to mention: Jim Furyk, John Huston, Joe Durant and Kevin Na.

In the past month the European tour has been to Australia, New Zealand and Malaysia. However this week the tour moves 'closer' to home with the Dubai Desert Classic held at the Emirates Golf Club in Dubai. This event is the start of a two-week Middle East leg for the European tour and the highlight this week will be the return of Ernie Els to the desert. The Emirates Golf course is primarily a resort style course with generous fairways, large greens and little rough, however the course has been toughened up considerable since 2001.

Selections:

Ernie Els: he may be a short priced favourite this week but with very good reason. Ernie's record in this event is second only to his record in the Heineken Classic at Royal Melbourne. In the past three years he has not finished worse than third and won the event in 2002, with a stroke average for those three years of 68.25! This is an incredible record and he must go very close again.

Thongchai Jaidee: the best golfer to come from the Asian tour so far, Jaidee arrives in the desert after winning the Malaysian Open two weeks ago. He has a proven record in the event with two top ten finishes in the last three years. He will contend this week.

Miguel Angel Jimenez: the Spaniard is slowly working his way into 2005 with a solid performance in Asia recently. Second only to Ernie Els in the world rankings for the event this talented player will go very close if his form is continuing to improve. Expect him to contend this week.

Others to mention: Colin Montgomerie, Lee Westwood, David Howell and Maarten Lafeber.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!