THIS WEEKS GOLF, April 2nd – 5th.

[wakeman]

Good afternoon to everyone.

An intriguing week this week as if they all aren’t, one it’s the week before the first Men’s Major of the year that being of course the Masters so we can safely assume that many will be fine tuning their games for next week, in saying that on the flipside some will be geared up for this weeks offering whilst secondly this week marks the first Ladies Major of the year.

As it is the first Ladies Major this week I will begin on that note the event in question the Kraft Nabisco Championship.

Firstly what do we think will happen with my favourite lady Paula Creamer, obviously things appear not to be ok at the moment unless I have overlooked something and as such we have a tempting price on offer, on the other side of the coin her record in this is I think fair to say moderate by her standards, it has been a very tormenting couple of day’s as to whether I include her this week, loyalty is one thing they say but sometimes you have to go with your hunches.

Lorena Ochoa you feel is due having won this last year but again on the flipside she has been for her standards very hit and miss and there was a welcome return to form last week by one of my old school Karrie Webb, having won this in 2006 coupled with last weeks exploits she does at least come here in reasonable fettle.

From my original cast Angela Stanford gets a turn this week doing the Vanstone house chores , I have a feeling that last week could mark the time to leave her alone for a bit, If she does keep up her excellent recent run then I will be more than ok with that given my investment in the Order Of Merit, all players have a lull of sorts at some point but still finish in the top 10 or 20 more often than not without it seems disapearing of the radar so if she does come up trumps or posts a good finish then that will do nicely on that score.

Main Selection.

After much debate Karrie Webb 25/1 will be my main bone of contention although since winning here in a playoff with Lorena in 2006 she does have to put a couple of disapointing reverses behind her but as was previously mentioned maybe last week’s efforts will enable that process to take place.

Next Best.

I know a lot has to be taken on trust here at present but at the odds Paula Creamer 28/1 almost three times what you would under normal circuimstances expect i feel reflect what many might expect this week and i would be lying if i said that did not include me, if however all is well then I would hope that she could if by coming up trumps by my Mansion and maybe we could design a Golf Course together with the rest of the Winners Cheque , seriously though I hope all is ok and she can have a say of sort’s come presentation time.

I am going to also include Katherine Hull 50/1 in this part for someone who has improved somewhat over the last year despite it has to be said a couple of disapointing recent efforts prior to those she was doing rather well, in the hope that recent events have not had an adverse effect then at the odds obtained I felt merited a second look.

Finally for this part somebody who does not figure regularly in my assessments I am going to side with Cristie Kerr 25/1.

Recent performances in this event may make you think what on earth am I doing and rightly so you would not touch her with a barge pole given a total of +9 for her last two visits here, but in a conversation with my colleague last night on current wellbeing she has come out of traps far quicker than is the norm so here’s hoping that the current wellbeing is far better than the previous.

Longshot.

Well you pay’s your money and takes your chance where this lady is concerned but at the odds Helen Alfredsson 100/1 I feel is worth a smallish investment, granted she could well be in the spectators bar or doing other things come the cut Friday evening but in the hope that all is well then it is a chance I feel worth going with.

Moving on to the Men’s now and The Houston Open which is the final port of call for those wanting to get their A game in order for the challenge that lies ahead at Augusta next week.

Who is up for it and who ain’t, that’s the beauty of this one well I would like to think that I have a few who are.

Main Selection.

After a subdued effort last time at Doral it may be unwise to overlook the chance of Geoff Ogilvy 16/1, had to pop into Coral’s in town to get that yesterday given that he nearly obliged in the corresponding event last year, coupled with some fine victories this year most noticeably at the Accenture then we have someone who as all followers will know can mix it with the elite whether in stroke or matchplay format, he will want a good showing here to advertise his wellbeing along with obviously several others for the upcoming Masters.

Next Best.

A couple to throw in here and it’s fair to say a lot needs to be taken on trust at present it would seem.

Henrik Stenson 60/1 is for me overpriced, granted he has been in the doldrums recently, but as has already been stated he will want to show that all is well regarding next week and if I’m not mistaken then it’s the first time I feel he has played here so a new challenge will hopefully signal a return to the qualities that we all know he has got.

Robert Karlsson 55/1 again courtesy of Coral’s is next for me for reasons not to dissimilar to those given to Henrik, although he does have a missed cut two years ago here to put behind him.

Longshot.

At the odds I could not pass up Martin Kaymer 80/1, again I feel it is his first foray here and what’s more I feel he will want to impress some of the best around before moving onto next week.

Finally for me then this week offering from the European circuit the Portuguese Open which marks the next stop in the Race To Dubai.

This features the last two winners of this Gregory Bourdy and two years ago Pablo Martin coupled with our friend from two weeks ago Estanislao Goya who surprise surprise did not come out for the second half last week, obviously that victory took a bit out of him, in the hope that the Bounce factor has worn off a prominent showing from master Goya could be forthcoming again alas not for me though.

For me however I feel a few Rands making their way to the Vanstone bank account this week.

Main Selection.

On recent showings Thomas Aiken 25/1 has to you feel figure prominently and if in the same mood as he was at Doral a few weeks back then I am surprised slightly that he is not vying for or even allotted outright favouritism here.

In the hope that I have not put the wind up him he is you would feel more than capable of achieving his first victory this week.

Next Best.

Um quandary time here but at the odds I am going to give a chance to Nick Dougherty 50/1 who if he can regain his best after it appears he has begun to put the unfortunate happenings of last year behind him then the odds obtained I feel are more than acceptable.

Longshot.

Another one here who if he can recapture former glories and just missed out last year, a lot it has to be said to be taken on trust here but again at the odds the Swindon machine when it decides to work can be as good as anything here so my final port of call after hopefully talked his chances up enough for a prominent showing will be David Howell 70/1.

Well as always The Best Of Luck to primarily Pete and to anyone else who decides to have a dabble.

Cheers.

Adrian.

[SwallowCottage]

Good luck to Adrian and anybody else betting on the golf this week

The pga tour moves to Texas this week for the

Shell Houston Open

and some of the top players will be using this event as a warm up for the Masters next week. Phil Mickelson is in very good form and I am expecting him to be trying his best as he will be keen to continue his momentum.
His odds are too short for my liking however and I’m betting on four players –

One player who is sure to be focused on winning this event is the flamboyant Columbian

Camilo Villegas

. He has improved a lot during the past 12 months and nearly won the Buick in Feb and played very well to finish 5th in the recent World Golf Championships. This par 72 course will suit his style of play.

Hunter Mahan

is a player I have bet on regularly without any success but he did play reasonably well last week until the windy conditions and some moderate putting got the better of him. He grew up in Texas and a 5th place at this event in 2007 is encouraging.

Steve Stricker

does not win as many events as he should because he gets too edgy when leading on the final day. He is a consistent player and already has a 2nd place and a 3rd place to his name in only seven events played this year. Hopefully he can keep his cool and win this week.

Aaron Baddeley

has not shown much form this year so far but is still rated as one of the best putters on tour. His inaccuracy has been a big problem to him over the past year. He has recently decided to return to his former coach so I am hoping that this will be of benefit to his game and BF odds of 120/1 will look great value if it is.

The Race to Dubai continues with the

Portugese Open

and the best European players are not competing here because of the upcoming Masters but there are still a lot of experienced players taking part. I have again made four selections –

I bet on

Francesco Molinari

when he played his best golf for a while last week in Spain and he again looks worth an interest at odds of 22/1.
I was not impressed with some of the putting of

Gonzalo Fdez-Castano

last week but he may have been a bit rusty as he had not played for nearly two months and improvement can be expected. A 5th place finish at this event last year gives me hope.

Thomas Aiken

has improved a lot this season and has finished in the top ten in his 3 most recent events which included a 7th place finish in the World Golf Championships which is a much better event than this one. He has the profile of a player about to taste victory soon in my opinion…..so I’ve now put the mockers on his winning chances for a few months

Pablo Larrazabal

is an inconsistent player who is capable of producing a winning performance from nowhere which he did last year when he won the French Open so he is my optimistic choice this week.

The first lpga Major of the year takes place in California with the

Kraft Nabisco Championship

which Sky are showing.

Lorena Ochoa

( 7/2 win ) is my first selection. She is not playing as excellently as she was in the first half of 2008 but is still in good form and started the year well with a win in Thailand and nearly won in Mexico. She won this event easily last year and has often played well at this course.

Paula Creamer

( 28/1 each way ) withdrew late in the Phoenix International last week and the reason was not disclosed but could have been due to injury or illness. If it was an injury then I would be concerned but Paula has stated that she often plays better when not feeling well and she played good golf in Singapore earlier this year when ill. She enjoys playing in California and is worth an e/way interest in my opinion despite the concerns about her health.

Angela Park

( 33/1 each way ) stated recently that she has improved a lot since last year and she has shown good form in this year’s events with three top 10 finishes in 4 events. It may be expecting too much for her to win this week but a place looks a possibility.

Song Hee Kim

( 33/1 each way ) is my final proper selection. She has not played this event before but comes into this week’s Major in good form with fourth place and sixth place finishes in her 2 recent events.

Finally I am having a

small covering win bet

on

In Kyung Kim

at 66/1. I have previously stated that I expect her to do well this year so the predictable happened and she played moderately when I bet on her and nearly won last week when I didn’t – one of the hazards of golf betting unfortunately.

Happy punting

Pete

[crizzy]

Thanks for top analysis boys. Being a man of few words, I’m going to plough straight into my selections!!

HOUSTON

Ogilvy
Stricker
Crane
Verplank

PORTUGUESE

Forsyth
Storm
Drysdale
Levet

GOOD LUCK. Hopefully I’ll return to winning ways!

[wakeman]

Welcome back Crizzy.

Yes Pete and myself are putting a claim in for Chapper’s and co’s position at RP Towers, we are on a roll at the mo, we are eiether both winning on the same week or one of us is.

Catch you soon.

Adrian.

[FanciedHorseLayer]

Good Luck

Value Match Bet [Season, – £20]

Verplank

to beat Glover @ Evs

..Stake,£30

[FanciedHorseLayer]

Tie

[Author]

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