Golf Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….

In last week's column I made comment about the tortuous nature of golf and how a player must be prepared to put everything on the line and potentially fall from grace in order to win a tournament. For players who have spectacular implosions many do not make it back to the winners' circle however the events of the last week must give heart to all players.

Jean Van De Velde – remember him? Of course you do, he was the guy who had a three-stroke lead in the 1999 Open Championship at Carnoustie only to dump it in the water twice at the last hole and then loose a playoff to Paul Lawrie. I thought this quirky little Frenchman would slip away into our sub conscious, only to be rekindled during the week of The Open along with Doug Sanders missed putt at St Andrew's. Well I was wrong – he has just won the Madiera Open and this is his first victory in thirteen years, although true to form he did try to loose the tournament with a double bogey on the last hole!

No such worries for Stephen Ames at the Players Championship. He showed the rest of the field how to hit fairways and greens which is the key to the TPC at Sawgrass. Considering it is only a month ago since he was defeated 9&8 by Tiger at the Matchplay event his confidence and game have returned impressively.

I hope that all tournament organisers were able to look at the Players Championship and recognise a brilliant course when they see one. This (in my opinion) is how a course should be set up with good shots being rewarded and poor ones being punished. Long may it last!

The US Tour moves into Georgia for the Bell South Classic. Played at the Sugar Loaf golf course this tournament is the last event before the Masters. The course was designed by Greg Norman and has distinct greens and fairways with large run offs capturing balls that are not on line. It is a good scoring course that perhaps will favour the bigger hitters in the field.

Selections:

Phil Mickelson: the defending champion is a player who was untidy at the Players Championship yet still looks to be coming back into form. He is proven around Sugar Loaf and I expect another big show.

John Rollins: one of the longest and straightest drivers in the game. He is in form and a solid showing at big each way odds is assured.

Rory Sabbatini: if this hot head can calm down a bit, especially if partnered with Ben Crane then he must be a definite contender.

Others to mention: Pat Perez, Brandt Jobe and Bo Van Pelt.

The European Tour moves to the Algarve for the Algarve Open. Played at the Le Meridan Penina Resort this tournament requires accuracy from the tee and into long, slim greens. With the addition of extra length and rough this year this is a tournament that ball striking will be the key.

Selections:

Stephen Dodd: the Welshman has been playing both on the US circuit and in Europe. His form is okay without being spectacular but he is a very good ball striker and in a weak field he does stand out.

Nick Dougherty: without a doubt the form player in the field this week. He has already had two seconds this year and a win is not far away. If he can control his putting stroke he must be a good chance this week.

Ross Fisher: the young Englishman has shown promise this year for three rounds but is yet to grasp the concept of a four round tournament. That said he is a good ball striker and the more times he gets in contention the more likely he is to win. A good each way option.

Until next week – May The Golfinggods Be With You!