Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

Last week saw victories for John Senden at the John Deere Classic and Johan Edfors at the Scottish Open. For Senden this victory was a triumph over a mental brittleness and dodgy putter while Edfors once again showed why he is the success story of 2006 on the European tour. This was his third victory of the year and both entry into the majors and a Ryder Cup spot now beckons. Considering he was a journeyman pro until this year his change in fortune is quite remarkable.

Michelle Wie had to pull out of the John Deere classic with heat exhaustion but it was unlikely she would have made the cut, as she was six over at the time. I personally think she needs to forget the men's event until she is dominating the LPGA. Its time to focus on her own tour.

There is of course only one tournament worth discussing this week – The Open, played at Hoylake (Royal Liverpool) for the first time in nearly forty years. Dating back to 1869 Hoylake was one of the first seaside links courses outside of Scotland. The first Open Championship was played there in 1887 when a local member, Harold Hilton won. Since then another nine Open's have been played here with Booby Jones, Walter Hagen and Peter Thompson among the victors.

Many of the holes are traditional doglegs with the ideal landing areas very tight and affected by undulating fairways. Add to this the expected dry conditions and many drives will run through the fairways and into penal rough. Although short in length (7200 yards), Hoylake will provide a strong driving and course management test. The weather is predicted as fine for the week with perhaps a shower on Sunday. If this is correct then the fairways and greens will definitely be very fast and hard. Most of the greens demand a chip and run style short game if missed which will be a shot foreign to a number of the American players.

The winner this week will be a player in control of his course management, driving and short game. He must also be able to handle the immense pressure attached with winning The Open and battle through the elements and poor shots. Although the course is short I expect the hard and fast conditions to provide a real test this week. I don't expect any major surprises.

Selections:

Jim Furyk: one of the most meticulous players in the world with no real weaknesses to his game. He will be required to chip the ball more this week than he is used to, however I feel his current form, course management and ability to drive the ball onto tight landing areas makes him a real contender. At a price of around 33/1 I think he is a great each-way option.

Robert Allenby: a pupil of the Link's style of golf due to his upbringing on the Melbourne sand belt courses he will not fear the Hoylake test. In cracking form at the start of the year in Australia his performances on the US tour have been solid without being spectacular. However he will like the Hoylake layout and at odds of 125/1 I think he is over priced.

Tim Clark: the South African is a tough player who achieves the very most out of his game. His form has been very solid this year and good defence of his Scottish Open title last week will provide perfect preparation for this week. Although not a long hitter he is very straight and has excellent course management. I think the hard conditions will assist him this week and I expect him to contend. I think he is an excellent each-way option at 66/1.

Many of you may be wondering why I have not selected any of the leading market principles. These include Tiger Woods – not sure of his form and 5/1 is too short, Phil Mickelson – his driver is too loose for this course and I am not convinced he is over his US Open disaster, Vijah Singh – not holing enough putts, Retief Goosen – his form has dipped and is not consistent enough and Darren Clarke – finds it very hard to close out tournaments.

Others to consider: Trevor Immelman, Thomas Bjorn & Nick O'Hern.

Finally I would suggest the following players to win their Nationality markets: Robert Allenby – top Australasian, Grew Owen – top GB & Ireland and Jim Furyk – top US player.