blonde poker forum

I thought it was about time we had another one of these since the fairway wedge chaps are now busy with nappy-changing etc.

I've thrown a few darts at the WCG matchplay event although I'm not a fan of the round-robin format for the first three rounds which in theory makes it far more favourable for the top players than straight knock-out over 18 holes would be - it also makes those first three days (well certainly the first two) a bit of a snoozefest.

None of which prevented me from throwing several small darts at players who I feel have the right sort of game for match-play especially being strong short-game exponents.

Patrick Reed@50, Matt Fitzpatrick@90, and Daniel Berger@90, all in betty's win market.

I also like a couple in the LPGA Kia Classic in California:

Lizette Salas @100/1 EW looks like good value to me for a hometown girl rediscovering some form.

In Gee Chun @16/1 EW is an auto-bet for me at that price.

GL

Seems appropriate time to start the thread as I had Kisner backed at 66s last week and get beat when trading as low as 1.34! Some things never change. Currently in Australia so woke up and sweated it earlier doors, wish I hadn't bothered!

I've had a couple of small darts on the Matchplay, really for interest more than anything else. Backed Pieters and Paul Casey. Tie on the group stages is Garcia vs Rahm.

In the first round - Kisner at odds (11/10) against to beat Koepka looks a five star bet given their respective form. Fitz to beat Na at Evens seems next best. Also just added Hatton to beat Howell III at 5/6.

I think that as soon as a decent odds golf bet hits ~1.3 you should lay a chunk off.  You have already got decent value for your bet and the minimal commission loss is well worth paying for bankroll insurance. 

Also I rather suspect that simply laying anyone who hits 1/3 on courses known for tough/tricky finishes like Bay Hill might be value.

Might be terrible from a profitability stand point but if I'm on e/w I never lay any off.

Good lord, Kisner and Na suffered the heaviest loses of the first stage of the groups. Bloody match play, makes no sense. Bookies in clover as hotpots beaten all over the place.

You'll be betting against people with much faster info and you aren't going to lay off a fair few golf wins* without moving the price.  So not sure the commission is your only loss.  There is always going to be a lag watching on TV.  Shots migth be showed a good time after they were played and the leaderboard isn't going to change instantaneously.  I guess if you did this, you'd have to resort on just betting after seeing a betfair price move, even if you aren't sure why.

* 25 e/w on a 33/1 chance and you are having to lay off a grand.

There's plenty of opportunities between shots with a very liquid market to lay off.  It is obvious when the market has little uncertainty, you don't actually need to look at any pictures, just how liquid the market is.

Even if I'm not correct about leaders being overbet at certain tricky courses, I think its a perfectly reasonable insurance play to lock up some profit* when you have a long odds shot trading at 1/3 given the huge variance of golf betting.  If you can find a way to break even from the win side of bets, the place side will show a decent profit.

*this doesn't mean all your winnings and I didn't say that you should do that.

Hatton won to salvage the day. Lost 1.17 points. Pieters and Casey, both 40s outright ew, won.

My bets for tomorrow:

Berger (13/8) to beat Mickelson
Grace (5/6) to beat McGirt
Haas (11/10) to beat Willett

Just put this up on TfT.

The LPGA heads to California this week for the Kia Classic. Defending Champion is World number one Lydia Ko. Bets first, reasons after.

£25 E/W Ariya Jutanugarn 10/1 S Jam

£15  E/W Sung Hyun Park 16/1 various

£20 Top 10 finish, Lizette Salas 10/1 Bet 36+5

Only four Women have shot four bogey free rounds in a tournament since 2011 and two of them happened last week. World number one Lydia Ko and Local Girl Lizette Salas had the blemish free rounds and Salas heads home for this weeks tournament in high spirits.

Her best finish here is T2 in 2014 and she has posted a couple of top tens before. She is in great form at the moment and if she can hole some putts this week then a top ten is very likely.

Ariya Jutanugarn is a machine at the moment. Her last four tournaments are T2, 2, T8, T3. It's only a matter of time before she wins again and Stanley Jammo have taken the view that it won't be this week. Most firms are 7/1 and they've inexplicably gone 10/1. She could quite easily be the Tiger Woods of Womens Golf, only 21 and been a pro for two years, she's ridiculously long, 49th in driving distance and only uses a three wood. She currently leads the way in Birdies and tops the money list for 2017. Ariya won five times last year and could easily surpass that this year. Maybe the last time we see double figures for her to win a tournament before a balls been hit.

Sung Hyun Park has one of the best swings in Golf. Awesome scorer, number one in scoring average and Rounds under par and is playing in her first season on the LPGA tour. Again, it's only a matter of time before she wins and I hope I'm on her when she does. She's played two tournaments this year and hasn't shot a round in the 70's. I've played five tournaments this year and I also haven't shot a round in the 70's. Unfortunately, mine are all in the 80's and 90's whilst hers are all in the 60's. Bitch!

There's a couple of other bets I considered, I'm not recommending them but I'll put them up.

Lydia Ko is in impressive form and is the defending Champ so likes the track. At 12/1 though I've passed her over for two that I feel are better value.

Lexi Thompson missed the cut last week after shooting -4 in the first two rounds. It was the highest cut line for an LPGA tournament. I didn't see any of her rounds but she took 60 odd putts which isn't good. Hopefully she has worked on that aspect of her game and is currently 25/1 with various firms. We were betting her a couple of weeks ago at 12/1 and I don't think missing the cut will have made her a bad player overnight.

Former World number one Yani Tseng has showed signs that she might be coming back into a bit of form. She dispensed with her coach and caddy for whatever reasons and has had a couple of bad years. Her old coach is back on her bag though and although she has missed three cuts this year she also has had a T14. You can get 400/1 on her not discovering the form that won her 5 majors and $10 million.

Maude Aimee Leblanc is another you would have to take a massive leap of faith to back. She missed the cut last week but shot a 64 in her second round. The 77 in her first round killed any chances of her doing anything on the weekend. She was T7 in the Australian Open in Feb though so that sort of form and no stupid 77's will make the 400/1 currently available look ridiculous come Sunday.

All the best if you have a flutter.

Hope Peter is okay and Horsey as well. Guess Tikay will outlive us all but glad you're back posting.

Later.

I think you are one of the smartest people on Blondepoker Doubleup.

But this is the worst advice ever IMO.

By all means hedge for psychological reasons if you must. But don't kid yourself it can be value. If your blind lay has been matched, you are taking the worst of it.

I think it's decent advice for anyone who's bet solely in betty's win market if you look at the number of odds-on players leading going into the final round who fail to win.

Like Rinswun I hardly ever hedge if I'm on EW.

To clarify, I wasn't suggesting that you put up a lay and leave it there, I was suggesting that you click on the lay side in a liquid market. 

I really wish people wouldn't perpetuate the myth that Betfair prices are always correct.  The only long term success I have had there is laying.

Cheers Rubbish, enjoyed the write up. For those of us who can't use Stan, what price would you consider Ariya value at? 8s look about right so leave?

Hi Bud, 8's is about right. She's 7's in places. 10's is a little too high which is why I'm on at that price. I wouldn't bet on anything lower to be honest.

Fair do's, best of luck! I've backed your other two. The only other bet I've ever placed on the LPGA was a small bet on Brooke Henderson for the money list this season, e/w at 50s.

You honestly think the difficulty of the finishing holes isn't built into the price?

In general terms I think that people are more likely to overbet than underbet - free money! eg 1.01 blind laying is profitable on horses (unfortunately it's impossible to get to the front of the queue, where you have to be, as not all the 1.01 will be matched).  I think that a lot just look at the lead and number of holes left, without considering the double-bogey potential (perhaps with some obvious exceptions like the 17th on Sawgrass).

I am perfectly happy to admit I might be wrong on this point, because it is based on limited observation and gathering the actual data would be very difficult and the sample size wouldn't be conclusive, but I'd be surprised if it was a huge mistake.

1/3 again. -2.07 so far. Pieters lost and Casey won, neither eliminated but neither through either a sweat this evening.

For this final group stage, taking the obvious approach of backing guys who top their groups against guys who are already eliminated. Motivation pretty key and I don't think these particular games are priced appropriately.

Kevin Na (5/6) v Chris Wood - Wood's already out and his missus is due any minute. Can't see him particularly putting in a shift here.
Mickelson (4/5) v JB Holmes
William McGirt (19/20) v Andy Sullivan - Sadly Sally's slide from the top of the game continues. Already out and seemingly out of his depth.
Brooks Koepka (Evs) v Patrick Reed - Reed has yet to find his form this year and even his beloved Matchplay hasn't sparked him. I was looking to be against Brooks this week but two straight 6&5 victories is some going and he'll be desperate to carry this form into a deep run.

Excellent starts from both of my girls: -6 for In Gee Chun and -2 for Lizette Salas.

Not so much for my darts in the WCG although Berger still has a chance.

After some indredible heroice from Matt Fitzpatrick to birdie the final four holes and come from two down after 12 to beat Justin Thomas 2&1 with Chris Wood simultaeously defeating Kevin Na to create a playoff to win the group it was all for naught as Kevin Na makes a fantastic birdie at the first, almost holing his approach to deny him.

All three WPG darts appear to have missed the board.

Went 3/4 in the third group stage to bring the record back to 5/5 and the total to -0.3 points. Pieters was eliminated so that was an additional -2 points on the outright, but Casey came through his sudden death tie with Schwartzel to advance.

Meanwhile, Jon Rahm destroyed his idol Sergio to advance. Insanely talented kid.

Women's Golf bets aren't dead and buried but aren't in fantastic shape either after two rounds.

After telling the World that Sung Hyun Park hadn't shot an LPGA round in the 70's this year she opened with, you've guessed it, a 70. She's -5, four shots off the pace.

After telling the World that Lizette Salas didn't have a bogey last week she's managed to have six so far. Currently T40 at -1 so needs a couple of good rounds.

After telling the World that Ariya Jutanugarn could be the next Female Tiger Woods she goes out and shoots a two over 74. Came back with a 67 yesterday but has to go some over the next couple of days.

Of the other notable mentions Lexi is -5 and the others missed the cut including World number one Lydia Ko?

In other news Moriya Jutanugarn and Azahara Munoz both had holes in one on the first day. Yet again there's zero tv coverage of either shot which now makes four aces, one caught on film in two weeks. How hard can it be to set a camera up on a par three? Laughably, on the LPGA website they have an highlights reel where there is no mention of any holes in one. You would think an ace might make it onto an highlights package?

I did have a few photos to post but really struggling with photobucket. Is there a different site I can use?

Later

All the matches today look priced about right to be fair. Was tempted by Zach Johnson most but sitting out.

It's a packed leaderboard in Puerto Rico at the halfway stage with about ten players within one shot of the lead.

Alex Cejka is one of the group lurking a shot off the lead and looks a decent value 12/1 poke(bigger on betty) for those of a punty disposition looking for a sweat(yes you Woodsey).

Was on a plane for the last 16 and quarters. However, all set up for an absolute blockbuster final between DJ and Rahm. We all know about the rookie curse at Augusta but he could very well be the guy to break it. Those of us on at the fancyish prices for The Masters and all others majors as put up on Fred will be eating value pie for a few months.

Thanks for whoever put up Rahm on TfT.  Thread must be on quite a run.

Lizzie Salas blitzed her final round for a bogey-free 65(-7) but it looks like being just too late even for top 10 wagers.

In Gee Chun my last hope for a positive result now.

 ;cheerleader; ;cheerleader; ;cheerleader;

Good luck!

There should really just be a camera for every single shot Aza Munoz plays in my opinion.

We were a shade unlucky with the 2 of these we were able to get on.

We were EW Sung Hyun Park (1,2,3) & she finished tied 4th I believe.

We were Top 10 on Lizette Salas & she was........11th.

So we hit the woodwork twice.

Never mind, we go again this week all being well.

The Salas bet (£20) was facilitated by Doobs, so I've sent him a crisp new £20 note this morning by Bank TX.   

In Gee Chun was cruising along in her final round -3 through seven holes, then failed to birdie the par-5 8th followed by 3-putting the 9th from 25'.

She still looked pretty much nailed-on for place money but couldn't make a birdie for love nor money on that back nine lipping out several times and continuing to produce uncharacteristically sub-standard wedge play from 100 yards in eventually Arsenalling up the last hole to fall out of the big tie for 4th. Pesky women eh!

On the plus side she will probably continue to be overpriced by those evil bookie chaps and the day of reckoning is not too far away.

Blacktype completely wrong odds on Shell Houston.  They have a golfer I have never heard of at 1/12 to win and hugely out of line on others.  Betstars have the same odds - interesting connection!

Also shows that the golf odds compiler has utterly no basic understanding of the sport.

Unsurprisingly when going to the betstars site they are in line with everywhere else. Old Ricky is 350/1 not the 1/12 i was about to lump on :(

yeah both sorted now.

Interesting that the odds compiler just moved out prices on favoured players after he had made the big error to get to the required over-round.  Possibly worth keeping an eye on the early prices as there obviously could be value if they are short on a favourite and just lengthen randoms.

What are everyone's fancies for the Masters?

I've gone for Leishman @ 60-1 with Sky's 8 places, only allowed £8 ew tho.  He is in ok form with a recent win and has played well at Augusta.

Neil put him up in Tighty's article on betting emporium last week, so a bit unlucky on the timing.  Think Sky limited me to £3 e/w at 66/1.  On Rahm at big prices from TfT and Daniel Berger.

More scumbags going a fifth first 6.  Hello betfair sportsbook

Would like a Ladbrokes account to back Matsuyama at 25/1.  Will wait and see if he drifts elsewhere, otherwise might not bother.

I bet on Koepka @80/1 ew several weeks ago just before he went into a bit of a slump but thankfully he's shown a glimmer of form recently.

I also couldn't resist having a dabble @450 on Kevin Na who has had a pretty solid season and has finished 12th a couple of times at Augusta.

It was me not Neil,lest he be saddled with it....

since been tipped up by WLB and Ben Coley too so we can all drown with him together

Sorry Tighty.  Thought I read it was his tip.  Good luck. 

I've got my Leishman Speedos on, too, having followed Tighty in from Road to Riches. 

ey up

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C8kgAKlWsAEtG4A.jpg:large)

You'll need at least 15 minutes, even if you can read & comprehend at a reasonable clip, but I thoroughly recommend a peruse of this piece, which is unusually candid, & definitely not wishy washy or sitty on the fencey.

"Who can & who can't win the Masters, & why"


http://www.golfdigest.com/story/who-can-and-who-cant-win-the-masters-and-why

I have no idea if his views add up, but it's a vastly entertaining read.

The Masters draw;


http://www.masters.com/en_US/players/pairings/index.html

I did the Matchbook betting podcast today with Neil, Jesse May and Emmit Kennedy. Was good fun and I think we had a good discussion about the tournament and some of the contenders. Could be worth a listen for anyone undecided on their bets.

What a wonderful piece. Put some considerations in I hadn't thought of.

Loved the line about Westwood. He has got better, but he is still worse than average...or such like. Magic.



I gather it will be windy and as such looked for stats on good windy players. There is a difference of opinion about interpretation but the same players keep popping up, Speith, Day, Garcia, Johnson.

I was all over DJ. I said the week before he won his first major, once he did it once he would fly. That turned out to almost be an underestimation! I dont think you can kick him out of the frame, unless he has a total disaster first two days. He is almost too strong and you can get carried away. I suspect until you win Augusta, it is still like winning your first major, its that special.

As a long term fanboy of Jordy, its hard to fathom I have yet to back him, but again, looking at his 2-1-2 record he has to be a slam dunk for the Top 5, especially if its windy, even if he hasn't been in the same form as previously. He just has the patience for it.

Enough has been written about Rahm, Im a convert, Im on and at the juicy prices.

I like the new wave of Thomas, Berger, Grillo, and have backed Berger as he is the form horse of the 3.

Its a shame its Tyrell Hatton has no experience here, as that statistically rules him out, but I am hoping he shows up well and shows a liking for the course for future years.

Finally, for the weekend fun bet I have had an under achievers ew double, that feels like it could reap rewards. Sergio and Saphir.

What a weekend ahead. Bring it on.

Listened to the RP Pod, only because Steve Palmer was in it, and I think he's com.

He's got about £2k on DJ :D

http://futureoffantasy.com/strokes-gained-performance-in-the-wind

All you need to know about wind Adz

I've decided that after his mum's successful surgery Jason Day might well now be on some kind of emotional high and play out of his skin.

Serious wind might be a problem though as I'm not convinced his high ball-flight is entirely suited to that.

It's a bit of an quandary that Augusta is best suited by high ball hitters but very windy conditions are not ideal for them.

Haha. One of the sites I used.

I always felt Rory was suspect in the wind....what do I know!!

I still do but unlike you I'm a bit obstinate ;)

At least nobody got bokked this year by winning the par-3 contest.

Oh, and no Masters is complete without the first round leader ew bet on Freddie and Charley Hoff

Had a bit on Fowler @ 20s as well with the Sky 8 places.

Oh my word

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/39510391

Just listening now, really informative and you've come up with with some amazing stats.  I've just added Kisner to my ridiculously large portfolio!  Thanks

No worries, thanks for listening! Obviously recorded before DJ got injured!

Dustin out - so quite a lot of free money for anyone who backed anyone else. 

Look forward to bookies introducing rule 4 for golf.

13-way tie for 1st place currently @ -1.

sweat on now...

Laid a chunk back at 1.34, so all good either way, but the win would be a great start to the week.

5 under now.

GL, GL.

This is getting ridiculous.

Nah. Great result all round. Kerching!!

Time to get stuck in/double up on some of those big names at around level.

Well done mate, nice one!

Hoffman on fire!!

Think this is the best Rory has scored in a round of golf ive ever seen.

Normally in his rounds we can say he left 4 or 5 shots out on the course. He hasnt left a thing out there today.

Nice start Adz.

WOW!

Very nice indeed, sir!

Boom, great stuff mate.

Good work Adz!

Cheers chaps.

Certainly don't think he will stay there though.

Casey and Rose looked steady, and I may top up on them. Rory could walk itfrom here or finish mid pack,, but I really liked the way Matty Fitz and John Rahm played.

Oh I do wish Sergio could just putt well for the next three days, but I surely won't happen.

Gl

Dedicated sports channel SSN has some bloke on there covering The Masters and he spoke about a player "HITTING six birdies on the back nine".

I think it was that wally who usually does the transfer deadline countdown.

 ;grr;

so pick me the 1-2 in order chaps....

quite a final day in prospect

(https://pbs.twimg.com/media/C87TzqUVwAAThA7.jpg)

Heart says Sergio.
Head says Spieth.
Wallet says Ryan Moore.

Looks like Rickie Fowler first, Justin Rose 2nd then...

Being entirely wallet oriented, I'd like to see:

1st Casey - another stunning round but no mistakes this time! He's avail @ >100/1 1/4 1-3 for those who fancy this
2nd Rose - what a back nine yesterday... he def has the win in him
3rd Fowler - his day will come very soon

But in my heart, and at the cost of my wallet, I wouldn't begrudge Sergio the win. He's a credit to the game, and the backstory is un-beatable.

Good luck to everyone today. What's not in doubt is that we'll have one of the best (open) final days at the Masters for some time.

As I have the first four all nice and green, I advise you all get on Adam Scott! ;D

To my untrained eyes, it seems like Sergio has played the best golf tee to green this week.

If only he could get hot with the putter just for one round...

Rahm to shoot 8 under and win the lot.  :)up

Or, Sergio and Westwood clear by 3, tied going down the last. Wouldn't mind who won.

Spieth is the man to beat though isn't he? Feel like if you finish ahead of him you probably win.

I think both would need to be 5 clear to ensure at least one of them won it!

Go on Serge.  One time!! 

Booooooooooomio Segio.

What a legend. Delighted for him. Casey made it a profitable week for me but still disappointed we didn't get to see DJ go at it.

Not sure there's ever been a more deserving or popular winner. Delighted to see Sergio achieve his dream.

Tiger's over the moon.

That ball definitely moved in the pine needles btw. Late Stewards' Enquiry?

Ball can oscillate but not move. Looked to me like it moved slightly up and down as the pine moved but stayed in the same position, which is fine.

So nice of Sergio to give monty his title back

What's the betting on next year's Masters' dinner?

Evs Paella, 6/4 Fried Chicken.

Paella is a nap.

Had a few this week - Wang, Elvira and Fritelli outright and top 20 in Morocco. Knox, McGirt, Stanley and Herman outright and top 20  at Harbour Town.

Looking forward to watching the BMW Golf from the revamped Wentworth. Think Sky Sports have coverage from start to finish.

I've thrown 4 small & doubtless blunt darts in the general direction of the bull as follows; (EW, 6 places,)

Poulter

Branden Grace

Chris Wood

Martin Kaymer

Come on Ralph, Adzy, rinswun, and our other golf specialists - post your 4 against the field, let's see who has the sharpest darts. 

Bugger, meant to look last night. 

My main bet is Tyrrell Hatton.

Also had a small wager on Beef Johnstone at a big price.

It was an early start this morning, & as nobody stuck any bets or suggestion up, I just had a quick dabble before I went to bed last night to give me some added interest. If they all shoot 3 over today, that interest will be short-lived.

Come on, anyone want to take me on & put up 4 darts?

Bait taken....

In order of staking, I have backed

Soren K

Thomas Pieters

Tommy Fleetwood

Tyrell Hatton

( I have also backed Lucas Beergarden, who is hopefully going to make a proper breakthrough now he has tasted some glory, albeit in the pairs thingy recently)

The headline writers will have a ball if Beef wins.

Good stuff - we've got Methuselah, Adzy & me now.

Any more?

I didn't think it was possible, but the new "improved" European Tour website seems far worse than the crappy previous version.

Agreed.

First and foremost, you go there to see up to date scores. You dont need the site taking forever to tick over because it is full of crap interviews and oddities that no one looks at more than once a year.

Do the first bit properly and the rest will follow.

^^^^^

I would also suggest that anyone backing Poulter this week is taking an enormous leap of faith as he has always said he couldn't stand Wentworth.

Perhaps the remodelled holes will make all the difference.

I'm on Hatton, Fisher, Levy and Larrazabal. At Colonial I've backed Spieth, ZJ, Sneds and McGirt. Profit please!

The 1st round of the LPGA Volvik is done and dusted with a couple of players shooting 65's.

First off, the top three ranked players all shot evens and are 7 shots off the pace. Whilst Ariaya Jutanugarn, So Yeon Ryu and personal favourite, Lexi Thompson could all make a charge there's someone who's odds seem stupidly out of cinc.

Stacey Lewis leads but hasn't won on tour for ever. She's had a ridiculous amount of runner up finishes including one in March. I guess she will win again, let's hope it's not this week.

Also on -7 is Wei-Ling Hsu. Her round included two eagles which will be almost impossibe to replicate again this weekend. She's never won on tour and has only one top ten finish in her career so we can draw a pencil through her.

Other people there or thereabouts include tour rookies Nelly Korda and another favourite of mine Sung Yung Park. Whilst both are capable of winning I'm against them until they do.

Ilhee Lee has a win under her belt but this years performances have been pretty dire so I'm scrubbing her.

Suzann Pettersen is a top performer and TV Producers nightmare. I don't think I've heard a Woman swear as much as her. She reckons she gets on really well with her caddie as they both have mouths like fucking Dockers (apologies to Dockers everywhere, her words not mine). She's had a couple of top tens this year and is a proven winner with fifteen career firsts. At -5 and 8/1 though I'm giving her a miss.

Brittany Lincicome won the first event of the season and then went off the boil. A neck injury curtailed a month and a couple of missed cuts. Her recent form is sketchy with a T23 her best in the last month. She shot a bogey free 67 yesterday and is two shots off the lead. She started the tournament as a 66/1 shot. You can still get 66/1 for her now with Billy Hills????

To put this price into perspective, Jutanugarn, Thompson and Ryu who are seven shots back are 50/1.

The only other bookie with prices up are 364 and they make her a 25/1 shot.

Have faith in Brittany I say, pray to your Gods her neck injury has gone (no mention of it in any interviews) and smash Uncle Billy for not being a beleiver. I've had £25 E/W at 66's, hope you can get on if you fancy following me in.

Who's going to be low Fisher - Ross or Oliver?

I actually had a sneaky few quid on Paratore @~360 last week at Wentworth and he missed the cut with ease.

Obviously left him out this week...

As Parot ore might say  "thats not the way to do it"....

US Open starts on Thursday.

https://www.oddschecker.com/golf/us-open/winner

Any obvious value spots there?

 
Does anyone know who might be quoting "Winning Score"?

I'm keen to have a small wager, but cant see it quoted anywhere.

Struggling to see beyond Dustbin as its so long, but got a sneaky feel for Shane Lowry who always seem to be thereabouts in US Opens. 70-1.

Gotta have a few bob on Sergio now the duck has been broken and if the need to be straight and long is a prerequisite he fits the bill nicely.

And last dart will go on Paul Casey, has to be in the mix as per usual.

Just had another nipper, too.

Or is his Mrs waiting to drop?

Bobby1 always reckoned we ought to back Golfers after their wife had a baby.

Was exactly who I thought of when I read about it :D

'Nappy factor' at its strongest straight after the birth of a first child, even more so if it is a son.

Scrap that then, as they already have one.

 rotflmfao

Billy Ho.(150) and Tyrell Hatton(180)are my two early speculative picks in the outright market.

Just nipped in on Billy after he birdied his last four holes on Sunday before the market adjusted so feeling fairly smug for now.

I'm not sure straight is a prerequisite for driving if the rumours of 60 yard-wide fairways are true

Still find it hard to understand why  ;bigadz;  is still named after me, with Ralph posting his weekly. ;D

I think you have some kind of chip-on-shoulder disease Adz - have you considered seeking seeking professional help?

 ;nanana;

Yes. I want to be you Ralph......... ;tightend; ;tightend; ;tightend;




 rotflmfao

Very Fair point. 

Rahm.  Rose.  Pieters.  Oosthuizen.

Surprisingly few septics.  Stats aren't my friend here.

Lowry is 80/1 right now with nanny/fred.  They aren't laying much though.

Victor are paying an awful fifth first 6.  How they offer "value" like this and still need to close accounts is a mystery. 

As someone is bound to ask...

Given same price, think this is roughly right.  Where a golfer is very short, or long, then it may fall over.

1/5 first 8 is better than 1/4 first 6; which is better than a fifth first 7; which is better than 1/4 first 5.  1/5 first 6 is for complete mugs.

 (http://[/url)
There are quite often slight differences in odds.  This spreadsheet will cover all the mid-price scenarios.


https://1drv.ms/x/s!AtKSOpG8b_uugR33Zup1yJ7EKME5 (https://1drv.ms/x/s!AtKSOpG8b_uugR33Zup1yJ7EKME5)

I think Pieters EW @50/1 cannot be a bad bet on a course like this.

Can anyone assist with this?

Shane Lowry and Louis Oosthuzien look good to me.

I do feel like Sergio might go on a spree now he's got one.

Westwood makes some puts he's gonna have a shot.

I can't recall ever seeing this bet in a book - sporting index have it as 279/280 (as a spread)

All look good to me. Back Rahm AP at a nice price and backed Rose and Oosty this week. Course sets up well for Pieters but not yet convinced in top class company (Masters aside).

I think Ralph mentioned Hatton. He struggles on Bentgrass greens generally. However, who am I to say a 200/1 shot can't win!

I'm on Jimmy Walker at 125s. Not in great form but course should suit and has showed hes capable.

And Thomas Pieters at 40s. Again, course should suit.

what do you know about anything

Five-time major winner Phil Mickelson has withdrawn from the US Open to attend his daughter's graduation.

Is there any logical reason (apart from the event being run by the USGA) why there is no shot-tracker available on PGA.com for the US Open?

Listened to the podcast at lunchtime only to miss the each way terms.   So not on Fowler.  Good luck through gritted teeth.

What do you think the line might be now?

I think -5

for the cut?

The spreads still seem to think about -8 with ~277/282.  Aren't there still thunderstorms forecast?  As long as the course stays soft, I would think that a score in the spread seems very likely.  The course does seem ultra dangerous though, hero to zero seems likely to happen at some point, laying a few in the top 20 or top 10 markets after the cut might be a decent angle.

I think how they set the course up today will give us a few clues. If they tuck the pins away and stretch the tees all the way back for instance.

I thought the storms were only forecast for Sunday but obviously that could change.

I think Koepka might just win it here, which is fitting because it's one of the very few times he wasn't in my pre tourney team. 

I had a team of 5 with:

Fowler
Snedeker
Oosthuzien
Reed
Rahm ( seen him on here and on twitter and ditched Matsuyama)

Yep absolute brains weekend on the golf.

Ricky can birdie 18 get into tie for 5th and salvage something from the wreckage

This is something of a surprise, is it not?

It all seems very amicable though.

Have to say, I found it vey odd that Lefty withdrew at the last minute from the US Open due to wishing to attend a Graduation Ceremony. It's not like Graduation Ceremonies pop up without warning.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/40350221

He was only going to be able to play The US Open if there was a weather-delay hence the late withdrawal.

He was never going to miss his daughter's graduation and was crystal-clear about that.

As for the split with "Bones" - I have a feeling that the operations he had to replace(?) both knees recently had something to do with this - he certainly looked pretty uncomfortable when he first came back and pulled out from carrying the bag for at least one round mid-tourney since his return.

this is an interesting read

Phil's Insider-Trading Escape

How a legal opening let Phil Mickelson wiggle out of an insider-trading case that snared Billy Walters.

http://www.golfdigest.com/story/phils-insider-trading-escape

What a great read that is, utterly fascinating.

Presumably, Mr Butter Would Not Melt in his Mouth Mickelson will be losing one of his sponsors - Barclays.

Correction - he already parted company with them, around the time of the Court case.

They were replaced by........a Merchant Bank.

Can't make this stuff up.

I quite fancy Tyrrell Hatton to have a decent run this week in France after settling down again after his American adventures.

My selections usually win the following week so I've cunningly stuck with TyrrellH - also thrown a dart at Jamie Donaldson.

My 125/1-shot Jamie Donaldson was looking like an interesting sweat for the weekend on -8 after two rounds - until he withdrew that is...

Marvellous.

I hope his finger didn't fall off: http://www.dailymail.co.uk/sport/golf/article-3404812/Jamie-Donaldson-shows-gruesome-hand-injury-chainsaw-accident-looks-set-miss-Abu-Dhabi-Doha-tournaments.html

That article was from Jan 2016?  Am I being whoosed?

I couldn't find anything on today's withdrawal so posted that as a possible reason.

I see that my girl Titiya Plucksataporn is making an appearance in the LPGA Scottish Open this week.

The Canadian Open is hosted this week for the 27th time at Glen Abbey in Oakville Ontario just West of Toronto and was the first ever course designed by Jack Nicklaus in 1976.

I lived in Toronto for a few years during the 1970's and played a round at Glen Abbey with a few of my snooker pals shortly after it opened and if I'm honest it was a bit tough for me.

It's pretty sad to hear that the Glen Abbey property is now about to be developed for housing within the next few years.

This really appalls me especially from juniors - In my world golf means playing the game in the proper spirit and we're talking about a four-inch putt here.

http://www.golfchannel.com/news/golf-central-blog/shepherd-us-junior-final-after-concession-controversy

Hmmm. If she is being genuine, then it's the rules that are more appalling.

Her instant reaction was to say she didn't give the putt, fair enough, but she says she would have allowed it, but the rules state once she has verbalized it there is no take back.

As it's a young kid who may never have been in that situation before, the rigid nature of the rules seems to be the culprit here.

That said, the video won't play on my kindle and her expressions may tell another story, but the worded version, seems harsh but fair if you are playing to the letter of the law.

Massive angle shoot. Absolutely horrible..Ads, the pictures really show how much of an angle this is. She 100% was walking to the. Ext then though 'hold on, I could win this here'. Smirky grin in the interview compounds it. She's only 16 and we all made mistakes (still do at 32) but this is a horrible misstep on her behalf.

Absolutely disgraceful and definitely significant that both cases were in Ladies golf.

I just can't imagine men doing that.

Conclusive proof that Adz is prepared to disagree with me on any given subject.

Adz plays golf too which makes this even more surprising.

You are super boring Ralph.

As I said "I havent seen the video" but I made my statement based on the comments on the actions, not a visual interpretation.

However, having read rinswuns comments, I am happy to admit I may be wrong.

Happier now you boring old drama queen? :D


Anyway, off to Saunton Sands this Sunday to play the East and West course in a single day. As its a short step across the water from Porthcawl, which has been blowing a hooley, I am dreading the numbers that I could rack up!!!

I haven't seen the video either.

Medias reports suggest that Rory has fired his caddie, who has been on his bag almost since he turned Pro, 9 or 10 years ago.

Not seen any explanation for it though. Anyone know?

Curious that two long term golfer/caddie relationships have split in the last month or two, as Lefty did the same thing.

Apols. I am on one today.

Women golfers getting all worked up about dress code.

Fine and good, but until male pros can wear shorts, why should women kick off about being allowed to wear gym gear etc.

Ps. I am clearly being contrite, as I love the short skirts etc ;)

Joke Orals 10 place offer is pretty good for the long shots.  I've gone for Tommy Fleetwood and Kevin Chappell both at 66-1.

Burnt Cheeseburger @250/1 tempted me in too.

My Lady Godiva EW on Cheeseburger moved the jokers market he's now 150/1!

I just couldn't help myself having a dabble on Larry "the larrap" Larrazabal @1000 on betty.

If Derek Ernst can win there I'm sure Larry's worth a small punt.

The full team(for the avoidance of  ;bigadz; accusations) is: Koepka, Grace, Cheeseburger, and Larry.

http://www.dailymail.co.uk/news/article-4777626/British-golfer-Lee-Westwood-facing-50m-divorce.html

What an absolute fruitbat Kevin Na is - he was -5 through his first six holes today - then he came to his senses..

The Kisner lad is really stretching them.

I know a lot of people will probably disagree with what I'm about to say here, but the BBC's coverage of the PGA has been dreadful so far. It's so dull and the amount of mistakes the commentators make and the casual racism every time The Japanese Boy plays a shot. At one point yesterday, poor Hideki was standing there with a protien bar in his hand and Peter Alliss tells the whole world that hes probably eating sushi.

Give me adverts and Monty any day.

^^^^

Overall, a poor effort by the BBC, who did all of the commentary from a studio here in the UK, with the exception of a single reporter at the course who I only saw used once. To be fair to them, they had insufficient prep time, as the deal only fell in their lap about 5 weeks ago, & these things take a lot more planning & organisation than can be sorted in a month or so.

A positive - imo - was listening to Alliss & Brown non-stop for hours at a time. I know Alliss is a bit Marmite, but to me, he's the finest golf commentator since dear old Henry Longhurst, who was the best ever, no danger. Long time ago, mind - only Karabiner would be old enough to remember Henry. Pairing Alliss up with Brown is pure gold to me.

I was pretty miffed with the coverage, just a succession of players teeing off or holing out on the green, but then, in the extended late night session on BBC2 last night (after the weather break), & as opposed to the Red Button coverage, it seemed to improve markedly. 2 hours without a single ad break, Sarah Frumpy, or Monty, was excellent late night viewing. It's a beautifully verdant course, too, very cameragenic.

Pretty sure that Sky Sports will regain coverage next year. An over-bold negotiation play by Sky Sports resulted in the PGA giving them a slap round the chops by giving this one to the BBC. Can't see them repeating that, once they realise how half-hearted the BBC coverage was.   

Incidentally, if you ever get the chance to read the Henry Longhurst autobiography, "My Life & Soft Times" (available in good bookshops or Amazon I suppose), don't pass it up. You'll never read a better golf book, & it epitomises the spirit of how golf should be played.

It was written a very long time ago though, (1983), & in the book, he constantly bemoans the fact that some players took OVER THREE HOURS to play 18 holes. How times have changed, eh?

It was dreadful. Full stop.

I can't buy the lack of prep arguement.  These guys have been there many times before, and should have done better.

There were times yesterday listening to Mark James and, I think, Maureen medill,where I could have got a better commentary from guys at my club.

As stated, would rather have 20 adverts an hour.

I have to agree as to Miss Madill (actually, real name Mrs Garner).

The BBC are in a tough spot with females these days, as we know from the (un)equal pay debate which recently erupted, but for me it was "token female" & added nothing to the coverage. The same applies, of course, to Sky Sports with Sarah Frump. Actually, I'd take Miss Madill over Sarah Frump any day of the week.

Sky Sports seemed to have fallen into the same PC trap with their football coverage for the new season. They added their own lady to the Arsenal coverage last night & it was embarrassing to watch, as she trotted out banal, scripted questions. Sky are blessed with an abundance of well qualified ex-footballers who, whether we agree with their views or not, offer real insight which we as Team Armchair really enjoy. We want more Neville & Co, not less.

IMO, obv.

Best commentary by far was this IMO:

After Alliss remarked about the precision of Dustbin's beard, his co-commentator opined

"Do you think Dustin spends more time shaving now, than he ever did before he grew a beard?"


Meanwhile, I think Alliss has gone waaayyyy past his sell-by date. Casual racism and general delivery as if he's broadcasting to pre-school nippers does not add flavour for me.

Ken Brown is wonderful. genuinely think he is approaching national treasure status, one of the best in any sport at making the technical aspects of his game accessible

sadly for the rest,coverage of the game has moved on. Sky have showed this at the Open, where any thoughts i had of missing the bbc coverage were soon secondary to the excellence of the info that was coming my way

Its the same across TV in general. Tokenism.

Even the wife says when she watches women talking sport on TV, its so obvious they know nothing about the sport and couldn't hold a conversation in a pub etc, about what really goes on.

While that happens it spoils the coverage. PC gone mad, and still they complain they dont get paid enough......

When the football came on I had the golf on a stream which was the US coverage - it was so much more enjoyable than Alliss's tiresome repertoire despite the many ad-breaks.

"tokenism" doesn't explain the numerous incompetent male pundits/commentators.  You (and your wife) are completely wrong on this issue.

On the wider issue, Aliss is def getting too old and appears to be simultaneously addressing Adz's anti-PC, old school golf club demographic while also rather ineptly trying to keep casual viewers engaged.  The BBC team are also commenting on a stream with no producer telling them who or what is about to appear on the screen, so its a bit harsh to compare them to an on site sky team (who in any case are inferior to the Golf Channels European team).

Alliss also referred to Kevin Kisner as "another one of these new young pros".

KK turned pro in 2006 and has over $11M in official winnings..

They should both be done under the trade description act for calling their coverage live.

That is according to the law that is doubleup.......never going to be something I can PROVE, therefore neither can you, despite your arrogance that I am COMPLETELY wrong.

Mine is clearly only an opinion.

At what point have I said that the male commentators are flawless, as your comments suggest????

Not the first time you have worded stuff to make it fit.

Carry on though, its all good fun.

You put forward the case that if a woman is incompetent (iyo or your wife's) the reason is tokenism.  What is the reason that a man is incompetent as it can't possibly be tokenism?

Sigh.

Again, a twisting of what I said.....why??

I never said a woman is incompetent because of tokenism.

I said that woman presenters are token gestures, based on the pressures of modern society requirements. I would dare to suggest they get jobs not based on the fact they are the best candidates for the jobs, because as discussed elsewhere-we would nearly all rather listen to an ex pro than some dolly bird, who has never kicked a ball in her life, for example.

As a result, we get women in these roles that would never get them if they were men with the same level of knowledge.

Therefore tokenism.

No mention of any male commentators competency, just that we have many women in jobs they dont deserve.

If that is COMPLETELY wrong, I apologise, but I suspect I'm not. 8)

tokenism a real word?

Having fun and learning!

It's a little-known fact that Tokenism is the religeon created by JRR Token which in turn inspired L.Ron Hubbard to create Scientology.

Wow, that is little-known!

Peter Alliss.

WTF are you talking about man, how many fucking snooker references are you going to make this weekend. IT'S FUCKING GOLF MATE. GOLF.

Tilted me up and I'm watching on mute now.

Also this Chris Stroud guy using this belly putter - I thought they were banned. CHEAT GET OF THE LEADERBOARD.

Professional golfers not shouting "fore" when the ball is heading into the people really gets my goat. No amateur would behave in that manner.

Apparently it's not obligatory on the US tour for some unknown reason - possibly because the US crowds wouldn't understand what it means?

I must have seen 4/5 shots heading deep into the crowd during the last half-hour with not even one shout  :tikay:

Makes for better viewing, though.

WHACK!

Been a lot to be tilted about this week on the golf.

And what in the world was Jason Day doing behind that three? Do they have tree's in Australia? Maybe Australia have these special tree's that golf balls just go straight through?

Typically though if you fire a golf ball at a tree, it's going to hit it and go off in another direction.

That really was a daft choice as even if he brought off the snap-hook and gained an extra 100 yards he was hitting a tree on his follow-through and risking serious injury.

Louis Oosthuizen was in a similar position just before, chipped out sideways and made the up-and-down for par.

yeh chipped back into the fairway and he's got a very straightforward 5 and only a good iron shot/put away from escaping with a par.

Perhaps he just didn't see the trees?

couldn't see Tiger Woods for the trees

The rise of the 'Young Americans': the friends making America a formidable golfing force again

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/golf/2017/08/14/rise-young-americans-friends-making-america-formidable-golfing/

According to this:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Jodi_Ewart_Shadoff

Jodie Ewart's father is an ex-jockey and trainer.

I assumed James Ewart, but he's Scottish (I think) and Jodi is from Yorkshire.

Not sure James is old enoughto have a 29 year old daughter either...

So, if not James Ewart, who is her father?

Harvey Ewart. He is listed as a groom-rider at Mark Johnston's yard.

Thanks Doobs.

Calling him a trainer is a bit of a stretch!

Reading around, he was a head lad at one time, though didn't see him listed as a trainer. 

Wouldn't be surprised if he is related to James Ewart.  Racing tends to run in families.

Most of the favs in the Portugal Masters are out of form, admittedly in stronger company.

Eddie Pep is only 28-1, and I wrote him off long ago, having cost me too much(cue egg on face).

A trio of players that have started to look like they are getting back to form, also have some improving year on year stats at the Victoria Club, namely Mikko Korhonnen, Robert Rock and Marc Warren.

At odds of 70x2 and Warren at a massive 150-1, I am hoping to get a bit of a run for my cash this week(cue more egg).

good shout on Warren

Cheers.

Rocky continues to disappoint, and Koronen scored much better to make the cut, but Warren is showing his shoulder injury is behind him, and we have a 150-1 joint leader going into the weekend(now around 12s), for a bit of a sweat.

Fingers crossed

Great shout, indeed.

Good luck mate!

Can't really name a house Marc Warren, can you?

Doesn't have the same ring as Many Clouds :)

LoL. Long long way to go yet mate.

Good shout on Eddie Pep too.

I think you misunderstood. I have given up backing the pep.....that's why he is doing well......sure he will still bottle it, if that was not a well intended post though...fwiw

Well, Warren finished second at 150-1, for a very tidy weekend, beaten only by the guy who I pointed out in May, Lucas Beergarden, as my guy to follow for the year....a top weekend, and I hope a few followed.

Oh Good Lord. Blonde has finally lost the plot.

Plaudits aplenty elsewhere for someone picking the right side of two odds on flips, and not a bloody word for finding a 150-1 placer paying nearly 40-1 the place(not even a dig from Ralph)! Thats nearly 40 odds on flips you can lose before you are behind ;) ;)

I despair!

Why do I bother, I don't even get paid for sharing...... ;marks; ;marks;


 rotflmfao rotflmfao

(http://i.imgur.com/GLfUGmO.jpg) (https://imgur.com/GLfUGmO)

Did you make this especially for me, or is there an imposter doing the rounds??? :)

You only get plaudits on the TfT thread as this is a comparative backwater.

Some of us had already complimented you on your picks before the final round - but you can't expect adulation unless they win.

 ;kneelsucker;

Meh

Rather have a 35-1 place than a 10/11 winner 35 times a week ;)

Playing a lot this week so gonna post this to the two readers early.

Presidents Cup, and no point over thinking this.
Paddy Reed finally showing some form, will be eager to play, while the headliners in the Yank Team might be a little jaded.

Top US player ew at 15-2 looks golden.


In The Masters up at Close House, its a tricky affair on a new course. Having played there a couple of times, I can confirm its tight and favours those with a fade.

George Coetzee has come back in sparkling form after a break and 50-1 for a fader in form looks tidy.

Noren is the best fader in the field

Matty Fitz is nice and straight and is blowing hot, and finally, I just have a hunch the Barn Rat is about to strike after hitting some nice rounds recently. GL to both of us!

Im going on the Friday and my goal is to get a photo with the Barnrat. Love him.

Have walked it a couple of times, fully expecting the pros to rip it apart and wouldn't be suprised if the winning score score is less than 20 under.

All aboard.

If any of those get home, you'll deffo get a "well done" from me this week, trust me.

;)

He knows I always am.

More fun letting Adz wring his hands, though ;)

Nice start

Big George leading after round 1.

Barn Rat and Fitz not far behind.

Long way to go, but I know Marky like to hear from me.

Yes, excellent start.

3 decent sweats now, lovely job.

Arsenal 4-1 up, too. :)

Early days, but Patrick Reed got off to a perfect start in the President's Cup, too.

It appears we have been well and truly Teeked.

George the only one in the top 1000 to shot over par..... ;tightend;

We go into the final round with George two off the lead

Matty 3 off the lead, and Barn Rat 4 off the lead.

Chances!

Probably best if I refrain from commentating. I'll leave it to Marky.

What a massive overblown non-event The President's Cup is - not dissimilar to the president really.

Don't want to hear a peep out of you in Vegas next year :D

Cant say I am terribly impressed by the hawkeye putting device.

Cant say I have ever seen someone hit it on the projected lines and ever seen it drop.



Oh, and nice three putt from ten foot George you twat!! Must have tried to follow hawkeye!

Oh dear.

Like a typical Arsenal season. Promised so much, looked good at halfway, but fell apart when it mattered. No bottle.

Dunhill time. Love it. Lets see if we can get back on the winning trail reader. ;)

I am sweet on the chances of my old mucka Miko Illonen this week. Starting to hit form and a tidy links player, and just outside top ten last year.

You may have noticed I try to take advantage of those players I feel are starting to hit form after baron spells. No one has been out in the comparative wilderness for longer than GMAC, but I sense he may have turned a corner, and he too plays this area well.

Gonna keep some faith with the Barn rat. Showed plenty last week, and again plays well in these parts.

Some small ew darts also fired at Stephen Gallacher, Thorbjorn Olsen, and Marc Warren. GL

Don't do yourself down. I'm assured there are at least TWO readers - possibly 3.

You, Marky and my mum, lurking....

Shock horror I am on Mikko this week too in a small way but at a tasty 160 on betty - I wondered why his price had plummeted.

Also dabbled on Lucas Budgerigar and GGG for old times' sake.

Incidentally I spotted this picture of Jack Nicklaus and Justin Thomas who are both 5' 10" according to wiki. - Jack must be shrinking faster that Tikay.

sweat on

Yes The Dude looks to be playing and putting really well - if he can just stop throwing in a daft double-bogey per round..

Tough school this.

5 of the six selections in top 20 with a round to go and probably not going to get a pick up.

Need the luck to change.

Cigar has been primed last few weeks but still not able to light it.

I'm pleased to see that Adzy finally managed to bring himself to post an update this week. ;)

I update all my bets, win, lose, draw.

Ralph, ever thought your endless dullard posts and drivel everywhere(any thread you pop into) might be why this place is getting so few posts?

In which case it's rather surprising that you can't wait to read them and reply in typically waspish fashion.

Are we having a bad day?

No. I just get bored answering to someone that adds so little to everything here.

You have a selection doing well for your annual sweat. Congrats.

However, if you keep picking the same old names, which you do, its like a busted clock, it will be right twice a day. However, you only seem to manage it once a year.

Your posts are insults to those people that actually put some thought and effort into finding selections, by way of watching many hours, looking at stats etc.

If we are lucky, we might get told that Kevin Na, did well at X, the year before, if not, its the usual Tringale/GGG/Hatton etc, however you are that shrewd, having posted Hatton all season, you managed to stop posting the minute he hit form. WP.



Same as in the other thread. Last year all we heard about was Rob Holding. This season, now he is being universally laughed at, not a word.

Its just boring and predictable.


Still, at least we should be thankful you have stopped aftertiming for a while, since you were called out.

Good luck with your selection tomorrow.

You come across as a very sad and bitter man Adz with no sense of humour and extremely thin skin.

Your insults are actually a source of great hilarity to me so please keep them coming.

You go down this road every time Ralph. Everyone is fine with you posting your random losing tips everywhere, but just don't start taking pot shots at the profitable people here, there aren't many of us left.

Fwiw,I have a lovely life,  and just because I nail your obvious shortcomings doesn't make me bitter.

Maybe a little sad, because i really don't enjoy having to remind you in public how pointless your posts are.

If that causes you great hilarity, then you are even odder than you currently appear.

Now, I'm off to play our monthly medal, and have a few scoops with the lads, I hope when I return, your bet has won. Gl.

Yay, that got me out if it very nicely, thanks Adzy.

It only takes one, even a place, at prices like that.

Yup. We were never gonna win. Hatton had it tied up almost from the start.

However 4 in the official top 15, shows we are looking at things the right way......just as the season comes to an end.... :D

My height is shrinking in direct proportion to the increase in my waistline. Distinctly pear shaped now.

Evening listener.

Justin Thomas has won the last two CIMBs and this looks quite a week field. I worry that he might be flagging after a long season, but 9/2 could look like a gift on Sunday. Win Only

If he isnt at the races, I have covered with Scott Piercy who has shown up ok last couple of years, and showed some promise after a break last time. He looks a nice back up at 40-1


Over in Italy, I like Matt Fitz, who did well here a couple of years ago, and is in top nick 20-1 will do. Rahm, could blitz them but he looks like a big gangly 2 year old who needs a summer(or in his case, a winter) on his back to fulfill his potential(FWIW, i have backed him for the FEDEX next year, as he just seems to want to play every week, and is hungry!)

Back up bet is David Horsey, who strangely seems to play well around all the central European courses. He has been in ok form and has previous here. 60s+ available.

GL

Giddyup

Well we got a dividend last week after Marc Warren placed at a monster price, and then Mr Trigg chimed in with a 7/1 shot today, so I'm gonna follow you in there and see if we can spin it up.

Listener update.

Europe. Horsey just completed a -8 round to put himself back in contention. My experience is that he will now bomb out tomorrow after hitting a monster low round. #realist

Matty Fitz should make the cut, but hasn't excelled the way i hoped.

USA. Looks like a total blow out, with neither Thomas(who looks frustrated, hot and bothered everytime I see him) or Piercy cutting much ice, in the heat!

Not dead yet, so fingers crossed.

I'll happily settle for Horsey, though I thought he was -7 today, & -8 overall.

GL GL

Shot a 63, so pretty sure that -8 and -9 overall. Hope so anyway!!


Also beggars the question, whatever did happen to horsey???

I find it really hard to watch Austin Connelly.

He has the swing of a gangly kid who has, at best, a ten handicap and he must be 5 stone max.

Incredible stuff.

Horsey tied 6th for a small return if you backed him in the right places.
 
The radar is good at the moment with both in the top 15, but its so annoying we cant hit the mother load.

Tyrrell Hatton is on fire;


⛳️ 8 rounds
🐥 54 birdies
🏆 Dunhill Links
🏆 Italian Open
💰 €1.7m prize money

No worries, we've been thereabouts, keep them coming.

Oh Its Wednesday again, and in a one man effort to keep Blonde posts in double figures for the week, I have been routing around looking for some bets...


CJ.

New event on the tour and as such, no back form to rely on.

I am swerving JT this week, who looks jaded and probably needs a break(as he wins by 10!).

Time for the brits to step forward and I am being selective and backing good old Poults who seems to play so well in Asia.

Casey has been having such a magic season in the States, you feel by the law of averages(yes, I know we dont back on the basis of averages!), has to put 4 good rounds together very soon, and finally actually WIN!

Conditions are a big factor with a fitness edge being another issue and I think both boys are well up to the humidity test.


Over in Valderamma I feel I should include Sergio, back in Spain in his Masters year.

As winner last year he will be the centre of attention, and trying his little pop socks off.

Rahm may just take this as added incentive and I just favour him of the big boys.

Shane Lowry has a great record round here, and seems to be getting his act together again, and will be keen to maintain this recent improvement. He goes into the staking plan.

Finally, my old mucker David Howell is a massive 300-1 round a course he too plays well and after a few decent rounds last week is a real banzai for win and Top Ten.


Selections. All ew

P Casey  12-1
Poults     60-1

Rahm      5-1
Lowry     14-1
Howell    300-1(Top Ten 25-1)

GL Reader

All aboard. Modestly, but on.

Justin Thomas jaded and needs a break.

First round Nine, yes Nine under.

Shrewd Ads, very shrewd.

Meh ;whistle;

Crisps for tea this weekend reader.

V poor. ;marks;

As, I believe, Wm Shakespeare said, nothing makes a fool of us more than Sports Betting.

Another very frustrating week where the best were written off after day one.

However, gradually Casey and Lowry both managed to grind their way back into positions where place pay outs were a distinct possibility.

Sadly, Casey the bottler ran true to form and was about the only top twenty player to Chuck in an over par final round, and Shane Lowry again showed the form that has seen him slip so far down the rankings.

Onwards.

Anyway, I was flicking through oddschecker earlier and saw my nemesis Mr Justin Thomas was priced up at 40-1 for the Masters..........wtf!

It turned out to be a stale Billy price.

However it did make me investigate further, and I was shocked to find that the hottest running guy in golf is still priced at bigger odds than people like Adam Scott and Justin Rose in some Majors next year.

Sky clearly don't rate him and have him priced up at odds of 35-1 for our Open. Surely crazy.

I have invested some ante post money on each, as this kid is only getting better and surely won't be anywhere near these prices next season.

Back tomorrow for this weeks bets.......I know, you can't wait!!!!

I think you were correct.....


;)

Yes. It was certainly a weekend of polar opposites.

Managed to get the golf completely wrong, but Saturday was full of joy, after a stable visit to Oliver Sherwoods, spending way too much time with him discussing the Clouds, before we headed off to Ascot and having emptied the clip on Lord Glitters a couple of weeks ago, watch him fly home in the final race on Champions Day.

Its gonna be a good week regardless of punting highs and lows as I celebrate the 5th anniversary of my kidney transplant. ;D

Bloody hell, well done you.

Looks like you have tucked in across the board with JT reader.

Its a sea of blue across all Majors on oddschecker!! ;)

Happy anniversary to the organ, Adz ;)

Just so Adzy doesn't feel so lonely

Had a few quid e/w 1/5 1-6

Rose 20/1   Bit like Casey and throws a nightmare round in

Finau 40/1   Pure grinder

Chasing the e/w value hopefully

Nice one Trev.

My best work never happens when I go with the obvious......a la last week....

So, we are back fishing in the deeper waters where we feel happiest.

Firstly, I love back form and Danny Berger has some proper results here in the past. Second last year and 11th in the previous year, it looks like he has prepared himself for another charge at this rather decent top prize.

2017 feels like a decent year for Hao Tong Li, and this up and coming Chinese Pro has plenty of experience round here, will be naturally acclimatized and played well here in the past for a 125-1 shot. Again you know that because of the venue, it will mean so much to him to play well.

Finally, its cliff time, and I am sticking with Matty Fitz who keeps starting slowly and then surging through the field but putting too much pressure on himself up the final stretch. Again, he is playing well and has previous here and is my main hope for the week.


Summary

Berger  40-1

Matty Fitz 35-1

Li 125-1

All ew. GL reader(s)

All aboard.

A nice enough start(much as I would love a pillar to post ten shot victory every week).

All three of this weeks heroes are sat on minus three in 13th place.

Go team.

Peaked too soon, they were still playing!!

Li managed to blow three late shots but Berger and Fitz picked one up.

And don’t let’s forget my two beauties sat one shot better at minus 5

Can't blame King Bok this time, eh?

 

oioi, gl Trev.

Six shots down with nine to play against the world number one

Some show that

Great shout Trev. Top tipping mate. ;applause; ;tightend; ;tightend;

I can safely pass the baton while I take a nice long Blonde sabbatical.

Please keep posting.

Thank you

Things get out of hand so quickly

Public forums are minefields, say what you like but be very well prepared to be shot at

Anyway going to Skegness now for a walk

Kevin Chappell backable ew at 33/1

Pro golf is getting silly :-)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=PFLssz2T_Uk

Never up never in.

Haha, he held back a bit

Fancy Russell Henley this week. Tidy enough spin round last week, excellent Bermuda green putter, former winner. Nice e/w chance at a fair price.

So Thomas Pieters managed to take four from 112 yards at the 72nd hole to finish T5 and halve my payout for the top-5 bet.

Sometimes I think they do it deliberately.

I've gone for Tyrrell Hatton in The Dubai Classic 25/1ew and Tiger 22/1ew in The Farmers Insurance.

Obviously couldn't resist the cornetto ew double just in case lightning strikes twice.

Sure Tiger will be pleased to know you're bokking him :D

GL!

Spooky I also have gone for Hatton and Woods - was going to do it as a double - but cant figure out how to do it on WH online.

Good luck to us both.

Tiger's price is currently drifting like the Kon-Tiki I reckon he must be spraying it all over the practice range and/or hacking it round in today's pro-am.

Squeaky bum time in Dubai...

I'm being offered £7.54 to cash out my tenner ew @25/1 on Hatton with him in da house leading on -20 !!!

Was that for the entire bet?  You should have taken a screenprint as that is pretty much criminal and would certainly get a write up in a major newspaper.

Yes that was the offer for the whole bet.

Utterly shocking.  Greg Wood on the Guardian would do a whole piece on that if you sent him the screenprint.  Titled "Bookies cashout ripoff scandal " or something like that.

Good luck, mate!

Presume they're playing now?

 Hatton played well and will surely win soon, and at least it covered my bet on Tiger who is now 300/1.

Just need Tiger to shoot ~60 this evening to get the place double up  ;D

Anyone see the climax of the Torrey Pines golf?

Ended with a sudden death play off which went to 5 holes, the last of which was carried over to today, with Jason Day eventually beating Alex Noren.

The real talking point though was J B Holmes, who sort of mentally imploded over the last few holes, spraying the ball everywhere & racking up bogies, after being tied for the lead a few holes earlier.

On the 18th, after his first shot, & needing an eagle to tie, he dithered & faffed for four minutes before taking his shot - eventually deciding to just lay up.

Meanwhile, Alex Noren, in real contention, was waiting all the while to hit his 2nd, and after all that delay, he over-cooked it and run right through the green &, in fact, all the way through the players exit route under the Grandstand. Thankfully, he somehow recovered to get in what began as a 3 way play off.

I almost - almost - felt sorry for JB afterwards, he was getting some almighty stick from Pros, Commentators & fans alike.

http://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/golf/42860454


 


(http://i.imgur.com/JTHfSLA.png) (https://imgur.com/JTHfSLA)

 

The new sky "pundit" in the chair alongside Ms Screechy is the most crushing bore I've ever come across and suitably impressed by himself.

After 70 holes of play four players had a chance to win: Day, Noren, Palmer and JBH. When Screechy asked him to pick a winner and he selected JBH I almost fell off my chair as he was imo the one with absolutely no chance as he'd just pulled his last two wedge shots miles left of the green.

Re the delay: It's a shame they don't have John Paramour running their rules comittee on the PGA as he would never have stood for that.

Final group took six hours to complete their round. Shocking.

Yup, pretty dreadful really.


 

There were some mitigating circumstances with a guy in the 2nd-last group taking an eight on the par-3 third hole, and needing several rulings which backed up play considerably.

The glaring fact remains that the USPGA do not seem to penalize slow play - I can't recall an official warning a group for losing their place - in stark contrast to the European tour where warnings happen frequently with occasional 1-shot penalties, and subsequently the pace of play is far quicker.

Who can name these four golfers?

You guys all go to school together?

:)

Harry Vardon on the left looking extremely happy.

I think the others are Ian Botham, King George V and Ronnie Biggs. Ideal 4 ball.

Lord Lucan, 2nd from right?

That's actually a Scotsman - James Braid.

Rubbish was correct about the gentleman on the left being Harry Vardon who invented the still popular and probably most-used Vardon grip.

I've actually found the photo knowing who two of them are. Is there a reason why you posted it? 1000 Guineas classic at Gleneagles or something isn't it?

It was James Braid's birthday 6th February 1870.

Braid, Harry Vardon and J.H. Taylor(on the right) formed The Great Triumvirate who dominated golf around the turn of the 20th century winning sixteen Open Championships between them.

For a bonus point who is the fourth man standing next to Harry Vardon? He also won an Open and a US Open too.

Ted Ray was the fourth man in case anyone was vaguely interested.

Here's what I think is a very pertinent article on what the Donald is doing for golf:

http://www.nybooks.com/daily/2018/02/09/trump-making-golf-horrible-again/

Not sure I've ever done this before?

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=szkloUQu4w8

Lots of us love that sort of stuff, keep it coming Uncle Ralph.

It's the final leg of The California Swing this week at the renowned Riviera GC - aka Hogan's Alley.

I've slung a few darts namely: Pieters, Berger, Schauffele, Sang Moon-Bae, and a sentimental just in case couple of shekels on Tiger.

It's a great course which always provides excellent viewing especially when you have a sweat.

GL all those who play!

Good luck Ralph.

No bet for me this week as I'm working away so can't watch.

The headline writers would like to see the man in form win it, they love a good pun, and Reavie @ Riviera would give them some decent material.

Very sweet on Pieters this week. Finally time for him to get one over the line with the weight of my money dragging him down!

Kevin Na seems very determined to stick it in my eye this week.

Thomas, Cabrera-Bello, Pieters, An, Poults, and Weisburger are my musketeer dart-agnons this week v's The Bear Trap.

I like An at the price.

Thomas and some place money from Ben An have given me a little more ammo for chelters.

Signs of a revival by Tiger, too. He seems to have his head in a better place now.

He's swinging the club really well and at his current rate of improvement might well be a live shout for The Masters.

The current top price of 20/1 does not appeal to me though.

Agree, think I'd want 33/1 & plenty places paid.

I'm liking the way Justin Thomas is progressing, too.

Justin Thomas is a beast.

https://twitter.com/sportingnews/status/964620404353654785

Ha, excellent.

Nice one, Ralph.

Tiger hitting two birdies on one hole.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=FXckj2_gOY0

Struggling to find much that I consider to be value for the WGC Mexico apart from a decent EW dabble on Ross Fisher who played very well there last year.

Autobetting Justin Thomas is tempting but this is a much stronger field than last week and 9/1 seems a little skinny - probably hose up now.

GL if playing.

It's The Valspar Championship in Palm Harbour Fla. this week and I have had a couple of modest EW wagers at a working-man's price.

Ben An and Brandon Grace both seem a little overpriced to me chez betty so let's hope they prove me correct.

GL

In the Valspar, from Florida, more signs that Tiger is at last getting his game together.

We will never see the old Tiger, but there may be life in the old dog yet.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0y2e_rg7zrI

What Tikay said

^^^^

Really enjoyed watching the old boy yesterday, solid round, too, 4 birdies & only the lone bogey, now he is right in the mix.

He's had a personality makeover, too, seems much more warm, friendly & outgoing.

If he can sustain the improvement, gotta be good for golf. He had huge galleries on Days 1 & 2, & attendance at the Valspar broke all records.

The TV coverage was the best I've ever seen on Sky, too. Instead of parachuting in their own commentators, & Miss Shriek, they just took the USA feed "as is", think it was the Golf Channel, & we got coverage for 10 hours straight, from 0730 local to close of play. The Studio stuff was a bit naff, but overall, I'd take that every day.

I hope Tigermania does not drown The Masters, but if he can hold his game together, he'll definitely rev up the interest.

Not a betting proposition however, I fear, way too short.  

The PGA Tour website broke yesterday, due to the volume of use requests. Tiger is transcendent.

Tiger is currently 2nd fav to win The Masters with most bookies.

Bonkers!

Ha, yeah, now it's all getting a bit silly.

Be great if he got into the lead today & so went out in the final group tomorrow though. That'd break the internet.

That rather depends on who one has money on..

Although it is great to see Tiger playing like Tiger again.

YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=TsjilNGj5zE

One off the lead with a proven record of not bottling siyuations like this. 3.55 on the exchange. Is that buying money or sentimental punting?

^^^^

I really don't know, to be honest, but it's not for me. When I bet on an event, I sort of watch it through my pocket, & I don't want to do that today. I'd just like to see him come down the stretch in contention. The galleries would be roaring, & the internet would go loopy.

I was unable to watch it yesterday, due to a social occasion, but I'll watch every shot tonight, can't wait.

Will he wear the old-style black trousers & red shirt, as always worn on Day 4, or will we see a different get-up?


(http://i.imgur.com/PdaeKji.jpg) (https://imgur.com/PdaeKji)

It just feels really short to me.  Rose is bigger and done a lot more winning recently.  I would love to see him win, but am more likely to lay.   

The pick of the prices looks to be Corey Connors to me, 17/2 (qtr 1, 2, 3).

The top 3 all birdie the first, while Connors drops a shot, so goes from 1 ahead to 1 behind.

Bokking of the highest order, that.

Nice to see that you've not lost your touch.

Personally I could not force myself to bet on Conners with counterfeit.

Last chance saloon saver on LT Gray @6 on betty.

English golf is in pretty good shape at the moment!!

It'll be really interesting to see Rose at Augusta, I think he's a massive price atm.

Tiger is top-priced 6/1 for Bay Hill this week and that is only in a couple of spots now - could be a bookies bloodbath if he wins.

Gooooooooooooooo Tigerrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrrr

I somehow contrived not to be on Ben An this week and he appears to be taking full advantage of the opportunity to stick it squarely in my eye.

The Arnold Palmer Invitational is coming to the boil, quite a finish in prospect, well worth tuning in.

Hes bacccccck

Whilst he continues to sink 30 footers for birdie

Astonishing back nine putting

He left 4 from inside 10 feet right by the hole though. It was an amazing display. The chip in and the putt on the 18th were just a bit of variance but he couldn't have played much better.

Stunning performance by Rory, especially as nothing was happening after 5 or 6 holes, & then, suddenly, whoosh, he took off.

Tiger was on a roll, too, just 1 (?) behind, until he thwacked it clean out of bounds on the par 5 16th. As the ball sailed over the OOB fence, there was a sort of pregnant silence from the commentators. Such an anti-climax.

There seems to be such goodwill from the Galleries towards Tiger, it seems he is fully forgiven for those dark days & bad times. And I'm pleased about that, not that my view matters one jot, iota or tickle.

With Tiger likely to be way underpriced for the Masters, there ought to be some value to be found.

I don't get much revved up watching Rose, his personality & bearing underwhelms me, but my oh my, he's playing well week in & week out.

I've gone for Reed EW and Thomas win only in the "round-robin to protect the top names" match-play event.

I'm actually more interested for betting purposes in the Kia LPGA event in California where So Yeon Ryo looks a very decent proposition having fully recovered from her shoulder injury. I managed to find a little 28/1 EW 1-6 but 25/1 looks generous enough to me. She was world #1 this time last year and finished strongly last time out a couple of weeks ago in Singapore.

GL to any who play.

Proper crapshoot this week. Went for small stakes on Rahm and Noren but no real view. Just a bit of fun.

What are your thoughts on In Gee? I'm still convinced there's a big coup to be had. Getting 28/1+ these days.

I agree. Just a matter of time before she eliminates the errors and puts a big tourney together.

Love In Gee.

Decent start in both tourneys especially Ryu's bogey-free -4.

Have added Xander Schaffele @46 to my match-play team - he seems priced as though the match with Sergio will be a formality for the Spaniard.

Good shout on Ryu, nice to have an interest with In Gee taking the week off. I think Harman is an outright bet as well, for similar reasons.

Nice steer on Harman kuku - I was surprised to see he was still 80 on betty this morning.

Rory has been demolished, fingers crossed for Xander.

We make an OK team, I always remember when we nearly won the world on McNulty in the Seniors Open.

Great shout on Harman.

I watched most of it, Rory was outdriving him off the tee on most holes by 50 or 60 yards, but Harman got the job done in fine style.

Both original soldiers Thomas and Reed through to the last sixteen along with one of the two conscripts Harman for the final push.

So Yeon Ryu reasonably positioned on -6 for what is potentially a decent weekend sweat.

Noren v Thomas in the final for the sweats. Without a doubt two best players left.

The two I've got left on my draftkings are Bubba and Amphibarnrat, at least I'll have one guu through to the next round

I'd settle for that!

I'm actually considering bailing out of my bet on Thomas - laying 2.8 seems fairly tempting to lock up a decent overall profit having backed him @~15.

Last evening's ladies' debacle might have something to do with today's dithering..

i'm tempted by pieintheskies 10 places paid for the masters and throwing a few darts at it, any ew tips out there?

Most of the outright prices are proportionately shortened so the best way to take advantage is to select those closest to betty in their win market.

Personally I'm concentrating on the first ladies' major of the season this week in Mission Hills Ca.

I've always found that predicting what women are going to do is a tricky job at the best of times so this week is fraught with danger.

Amen

Inbee Park, In-Gee Chun, and So Yeon Ryu are my team for the ANA Inspiration starting tomorrow.

Play well ladies.

Pernilla Lindberg joined the LPGA tour in 2010.

She has never won a tournament or even led after three rounds before, but currently leads by three shots going into today's final round having played and putted fantastically.

Will she flounder under the pressure of leading the final round of a major of with a host of top players 3/4 shots behind waiting to pounce - including my girl Inbee Park.

In the men's last chance saloon in Houston Ian Poulter has performed mightily thus far with only a win being enough for a Masters spot.

Go Poults and of course Inbee!

^^^^

Amazing effort by Poulter after such a dreadful Day 1.

£40 matched @1000 on Poults.

Squeaky bum time for someone.

The Postman

;)

Inbee is pretty damn clutch too - that slippery 15-foot birdie putt at the 17th followed by a sparkling 9-iron into the 72nd green for a kick-in birdie to tie Jennifer Song was amazing.

High school golfer gets upended by an attacking goose, 'but I did par that hole' https://bsun.md/2K9HUYC

Cristie Kerr tends to play well on courses where she has had success previously, and this week's venue for the LPGA Texas Classic definitely falls into that category as she only lost in a playoff last year, and in the two previous years finished T10 and T2nd, all of these at The Colony GC Tx.

The widely available 40/1 1/4odds 1-5 looks like a tremendous spot.

Good luck Ralph, that looks a good spot so have followed you in.

Sorry lads but I'm in toooooooooooooo

I better join in as well!

Poor girl will be lucky not to be struck by lighting, nevermind win the tournament.

Marky is in.

We are buggered. Proper buggered.

I'm not going to miss out either if you lot are getting a 40-1 winner!

A few groups played 4/5 holes before play was suspended and the round was eventually cancelled due to high winds and lightning in the area.

I'm assuming they will still play four rounds starting tomorrow - weather permitting.

Tiger is max material at Betfred's 9/4 for his 3 ball today. Koepka's long game is way off the pace and I make Tiger a small favourite over Reed taking motivation/focus factors in to account. Tiger looked really solid yesterday to me.

Think that's a palp.  They have mixed up Koepka and Woods I'd guess.

Good spot, my mate says we're on in the shop. I'll check what price he got, he has screwed up in the past.

LPGA Texas delayed again today but play will start at 1.30pm local time(allegedly) - and is now shortened to a 54-hole tournament.

It's In Gee time. Lots to like about her in this field. I'm convinced 54 suits her as well.

I've had a saver on her too @ a boosted 25/1 - let's hope I can punish them one time.

In other news the start has been put back to 3pm local time while they clean up after the inch of rain that has fallen today.

It's now become a 36-hole event due to the late start(now 3.30pm local time) and fog forecast for tomorrow morning - not just us with peculiar weather then.

Consult your local bookie as to whether the bets still stand.

Bookies rules on shortened golf tourneys are confusing to say the least.

European tour events only have play 36 holes to qualify all win bets.

USPGA tour events have to complete 54 holes.

LPGA events seem to only have to complete 36 holes although this seems to be somewhat moot currently as investigations with bookies' customer services continue..


If it transpires that a 36-hole tourney is void(announced ~9pm yesterday) why have they not refunded stakes? is the question I am currently asking as it looks a little freerolly.

TBC...

It's the Players Championship this week, 14/1 the field.


https://www.oddschecker.com/golf/players-championship/the-players-championship/winner?selectionName=adam-hadwin


Before betting EW, check the place terms, they vary from qtr odds top 5 to one fifth top 8, & of course prices are adjusted accordingly.

Any particular fancies or value on offer?



 
(http://i.imgur.com/ciMeilF.jpg) (https://imgur.com/ciMeilF)

Jimmy Walker has shown definite signs of a return to form in recent weeks and looks like a decent value spot to me especially in betty's win market.

Justin Thomas @18.5 is the biggest price he's been for a while too.

Both of these guys have played well here previously.

The top fifty players all taking part - that must be the first for some time.

Tommy Fleetwood added to the team.

What a strange choice of shirt for Mickelson. Not sure I've ever seen a pro golfer wearing such a shirt.

Here it is, in all it's glory;


(http://i.imgur.com/OX1GvmT.jpg) (https://imgur.com/OX1GvmT)

I guess this explains it. The things we say to earn a buck, eh?


On Thursday, menswear brand Mizzen+Main announced a partnership with the five-time major champ that will have Mickelson looking more formal at future tournaments.

“I was waiting to find the perfect apparel partner that allowed me to move from the board room to the golf course," Mickelson says in a press release. Of course you were, Phil. Of course you were.

As part of the deal, Mickelson now owns a stake in the company. He will begin wearing Mizzen+Main at this week's Players Championship, and we're guessing Mizzen+Main are pretty pumped about their guy's Thursday-Friday pairing with Tiger Woods.




Mickelson's day 1 score was +7, which was 13 shots off the lead.

I reckon it's a good look, I used to play cricket in something similar, smartish but kinda stretchy. Incredible to see his short game in tatters, nothing wrong with his shirt game though.

Jimmy Walker's in with a shout. 69-68 leaves him on -7 and currently T6.

One time with feeling please Jimmy!

A stunning round by Webb Simpson, including 6 straight birdies, followed by a double bogey at the watery 17th, has taken a lot of the punting fun out of the Players.

I selected 10 hopefuls, 2 of whom missed the cut, and any of the 8 could run into a place, but it'd need a minor miracle for any of them to win now. At one point I had a 100/1 shot briefly (very briefly) leading the field on Day 2, but Webb Simpson just blew them all away. So it's all about place money now for me.

Was really enjoying watching the whole thing, but once Webb had his hot streak, it sort of took the edge off it for me. 

Rickie Fowler had a fun moment, mind.

His ball stuck in a palm tree, but although he could see a ball in the tree, he could not positively identify it. The spectators tried to help.


(http://i.imgur.com/qOVM2UK.jpg) (https://imgur.com/qOVM2UK)



(http://i.imgur.com/EneEc9D.jpg) (https://imgur.com/EneEc9D)

They showed this clip of Poulter, which amused somewhat;


YouTube: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VEZVcN0Jto8

You could always lump on Webb @2.84 to rekindle your interest - decent price if you think he's a certainty.

Seriously tempted Ralph, but I think I'll stick with what I've got, & hope 1 or 2 hold/run into a place, I've got 7 places, & if the right ones place I'll be out of it with a bit to spare. And if they don't, conkers will be done.

Webb is only 1/10 when leading after two rounds fwiw.

Sawgrass is just the track to trip anyone up & a stray shot or 2 could cost him his lead, but against that, how often has he been 5 shots clear?

As my previous, I'm tempted, but I'm gonna stick with my current team & just hope I get a sweat.

Really ? You don't think he's going to win it do you ?

I hope he does  ;bigadz;  ;scarymoment;

Well I'd rather be on him at his original SP than any of mine at the moment.

In that case, Lisa & Rinswun are surely right.

;)

PS - Ha, go on my son.

How many are you on mate?

GL GL

Who do you guys (+ 1 young lady) fancy from here?

Jimmy Jimmy.

GL Uncle Ralph.

Ha!

Just had a fiver e/w on Palmer's

Billy Horschel
Webb-Simpson
Cameron Smith
Zach Johnson
Russ Henley

Got to follow the local boy :)

I've not had a 270/1 winner since Angel Cabrera won the US Open a decade or so ago - I'm due!

PS It was around that time that you and I chopped a Sunday £100 tourney in the Genting subterranian casino in Nottingham - I must have been on quite a heater..

Blimey, happy memories there Ralph.

Webb Simpson may or may not win it ( obviously ). I was just commenting on what I perceived to be your suggestion that it was all over and consequently not worth watching. I'm a layer of him from here to win it, Top 5 and Top 10.

oooh

Ha same here, love following Palmer in these big events, said he's going to buy some rabbits if he wins anything this weekend  :D
No way this is over or anything like it but obviously a great spot to be in.

I didn't even know who he was, until I saw him singing to the TV in the betting documentary.

Only 10 minutes up the road, so I'll pop down and treat him to a KFC if he wins :D

Blimey, Tiger on fire.

I think that illustrates why a five-shot lead is not that secure - this course will give up a low score.

Yup, wiser counsel may well prevail. Which is good for everyone.....except MarkyMcMarky Boy.

Ralph just bokked himself, and Webby gonna bust that record open today :D

I have a great deal of experience when it comes to self-bokkery.

Let's hope Jimmy has got that snap-hook/heave out of his system now or I might have to rely on Chompy's Bulgaria getting me out of it.

One of my somewhat optimistic hopes was Chesson Hadley (100/1 ew) who was well placed at -9 overnight.

Think he's about the only one of the overnight Top 20 who is over par today, (+2), marv.

oioi, Jimmy Jimmy.

Nice putt from off the green.

Sigh

If Webby wins this, I'll treat you to a curry when we eventually sort out this Blondepoker gymbash ;)

Same if Jimmy does the business too.

You buy me a curry that is*.

*Vinny taught me

:D

What happened to Jimmy's second shot on the 9th, bad lie or duffed it?

Half of my sky channels have dropped out and am waiting for main event to watch live grr

Tiger on the charge, three straight birdies (4th, 5th and 6th) to move to -11. Lovely to see the fella starting to find his game.

Scores generally coming in super low today.

Young Tiger would not be allowed on our course sporting that collarless shirt by jove - whatever next denim?

Agree, don't like to see dress standards in golf dropping.

Jimmy Jimmy  ;cheerleader;

Oh well place money isn't too bad when you're on @120/1 w/10 places but there was just a slight glimmer of hope of landing the extra £4K FTW.

I hope a couple of fellow ice-creams kept the faith and turned a nice little profit too.

Well done to Marky, Stevie and the other Webb backers too.

Yup, well done lads. Well done Ralphy, too, on Jimmy Jimmy, plus Ralph wins a curry dinner from Marky McMark.

Of my hopeful selections, here's a list of those that finished in the required top 7 places;


 

Cheers, chaps. Should keep me in Nandos until Vegas ;D

Wonder if old Palmer had the 'face spitter', he talks about in his book.

He tipped up the winner of the other golf tourney @ 50/1, for a 4000/1 double.

well done chaps some good wins here

According to a friend of his on Twitter who seems reliable he had the double in running to return around 40k

Hope he keeps at least some of it, for a while anyway :)

Cheers lads. I've ordered Palmers book for some light holiday reading as a small thank you  :)

I got that last year, and it's definitely good for a laugh.


Probably won't be in Weymouth's Corals branch, singing at the screen :D

If anyone watched the TV coverage of the AT&T Byron Nelson, what did you think of the winner, young Aaron Wise?

I'd be interested in your observations.


(http://i.imgur.com/FXSAjny.jpg) (https://imgur.com/FXSAjny)

Another question to the golf chaps - did you see the work Henni Zuel contributed to the TV coverage?

I thought she was excellent, a breath of fresh air.


(http://i.imgur.com/yJalw1z.jpg) (https://imgur.com/yJalw1z)

As long as she remembers that epitome doesn't rhyme with catacomb next time ;)

She has gained a fantastic amount of confidence in the last twelve months - I like her approach.

The BMW @ Wentworth starts tomorrow, we ought to be able to find a bit of value somewhere, I'd have thought?


https://www.oddschecker.com/golf/bmw-championship/bmw-pga-championship/betting-markets

Come on boys, I need somewhere to chuck my cash ;D

Just a hunch but I think Thomas Pieters is due to play some good golf and the 60/1 1/4 1-6 with 366 looks as good a place as any to dispose of some readys ;)

Also like Ben An but have just played to win on betty.

He's in my mini Team already Ralph, along with Fleetwood, Noren & Poulter.

Am looking for a few more darts, my list is hardly original.

I noticed "Hole in One" was only 4/7, or 5/4 "No Hole In One".

Even "2 Hole in Ones" is only 5/4.

I'm assuming there must be a few really short Par 3's, those prices are quite unusual I'd have thought. 

Im pretty sure the 2nd is the shortest and the 11th sometimes has an accessible front pin-position, but those prices seem extraordinarily skinny rather like your good svelte self.

I have Fleetwood on my firm too and have flung a few shekels on The Dude aka GGG at a working-man's price.

Fitzpatrick wins this at some point and this week seems as good a chance as ever. He's my main fancy this week.

FWIW, after a spell of hot weather, it rained all night here (5 or 6 miles from Wentworth), so the course will likely be receptive.

Casey is striking the ball well at the moment

Realistically, I just have Noren still batting for me. He's in a 4 way tie for third, 4 behind the 2 joint leaders.

The hole in one got home on Day 2, but I was not on, it seemed ridic short.

I could not possibly have backed Rory at the head of the market, but despite some swings & swongs, he's done very well. 

It must be difficult for 2009 US Open champion Lucas Glover to play good golf when he has this waiting at home for him after every round.
https://www.bbc.com/sport/golf/44136513

Jason Day is my main man this week at Memorial - usually referred to as "Jack's Tournament" - he's found his putting stroke again and I reckon he's the man to beat.

In the Ladies' US Open I've gone for youth, mainly in the form of Brooke henderson @28/1ew, and a speculative dabble on Angel Yin @125/1*ew who might be a nascent superstar.


*There is 200/1 available with satan's latest incarnation but they will only lay me bets to take out a tenner.

I mentioned this chap a few weeks ago, & further encouraged by a PM from a blonde who has opinions I muchly respect, (sorry, not replied yet, but will soonest) I've set fire to a modest sum of money by investing in Aaron Wise, who is generally 80/1 (EW, 6 places).

Might just be the worst bet I've ever made, which really is saying something.

Day is my main target to take on this week Ralph! Probably means he wins.

Has said before that he wouldn't play the event if not for the fact he lives nearby and his family come out to watch.

Ooops didn't know that Ollie. He does have bits and pieces of decent form in this event though.

Have also had small 1/2pt ew dabbles on Na, Schauffele, and Niemann.

Guess who didn't get their 1st round leader bet on Joachin Niemann matched?

Brooke Henderson withdraws from the Ladies' US Open before round two for "personal reasons".

Marvellous.

Heard that you had backed her, and didn't fancy the pain of carrying that bokked cash around for the weekend ;D

I need a fingers down the throat Mark Roe emoji added to the list please.

Or someone could always garrotte the fkr first.  ;tk; ;grr; :tikay:

I have given In-Gee Chun @14/1 and Brooke Henderson @18/1 (both EW) the opportunity to redeem themselves in this week's Shoprite 3-round sprint in New Jersey.

posted in TfT that in the US Open Baldfred has some decent prices on the more fancied players with 7 places @ 1/5 odds.

I've gone for Rose, Rahm, Rory, Day and Dechambeau

Already on Brooks Koepka EW@35/1(kindly booosted by ladyboys) have also had a little 170 Jimmy Jimmy Walker on betty.

US Open

For those interested, the Road to Riches column on Betting Emporium - which is free - have put a tip up at a tempting price.

I'm on, thanks to a good friend, as I can't get on from here without risking my account.

Jimmy Walker has an oustanding record putting on this week's poa annua greens which are generally found on The West Coast Swing of the USPGA tour.

I'm not sure his resurgent illness-free form and his affinity for these particular kind of greens are reflected in his price - ~100 still looks yummy.

Also had small 1RL EW dabble and top-10 finish at huge prices Danny Willett who has finally started to show signs of life after a couple of years in a coma.

So I'm putting lines through half my bets before half the field has started.

Day two was better for my team due to the afternoon guys getting the benefit of the draw but could do with Dustin making the odd mistake.

Diabolical and inexcusable behaviour from Phil Mickelson last night who deliberately hit a moving ball to stop it running off the green.

Instead of simply admitting that he lost it due to getting frustrated by the severity of the course set-up, he said it was a deliberate move to exploit the rule - an angle-shot in other words.

I do not understand why the USGA have not disqualified him, although that organization is well-known for making questionable decisions over the years.

Pretty obvious DQ after he admitted to purposely choosing the 2 stroke penalty over the alternative. Seems like they decided against penalising him based on who it is.

I posted about this on my diary, I didn't realise it had been raised here.

Does it matter if he lost it or exploited the rules? It seems like the rules are wrong and not Phil.

I'm open to persuasion as to otherwise though.

its no wonder golf is failing to appeal to the younger generation

no one under 40 will give a toss about the infraction and here's people being precious about it

laugh and move on, create memes,social videos and widen the appeal of golf

For the record, I don't agree with Richard here, I think it rules should be sacrosanct and if you break them you should pay the price, which is what happened here AFAIK.

I'm 33 ;-)

I don't know the exact wording of the rule but essentially it's along the lines of if you consciously do what he did it's supposed to be a DQ. In his post round interviews he said he'd wanted to do it for years and finally did it rather than faffing around missing the same putt over and over.

I'm not bothered by what he did at all, thought it was funny, but I do think the rule should be applied properly to protect the field.

It's a bit like cricket fans "getting precious" over a bit of sandpaper because "it's not cricket".

Golf has an almost unparalleled record of fair play and people calling fouls on themselves which is part of the ethos of the game.

Mickelson should have been disqualified because he deliberately hit a moving ball as opposed to the 2-shot penalty for doing it accidentally, not only that but he admitted to doing it deliberately to exploit what he thought was a loophole in the rule. The USGA is equally at fault for giving yet another poor ruling.

Angle-shooting has never been accepted in the game of golf, and if my being disgusted that one of the game's most respected role-models should behave so poorly on the world stage in a Major Tournament makes me precious then so be it.

He used the rules to his advantage. quick thinking

change the rules, don't blame the player

Thing is, as the rule is written, he should have been disqualified. The USGA just failed to properly apply its own rules. That's not quick thinking or using rules to your advantage, unless you believe he did it thinking the USGA would be afraid to disqualify one of their most popular players in its biggest event of the year (on his birthday).

Also, if you watch the highlights of the rest of his round, it's really looks like he's fully expecting to be DQ'd post round. Basically plays some exhibition shots, similar to watching guys playing the par three contest on the eve of the Masters. Backstopping putts and all sorts.

You're just being stubborn now as you are loath to lose another argument.

I know you have a vast in-depth knowledge of many sports Rich but golf is not one of your specialist subjects.

Do you understand the difference between USGA and USPGA events and how each of them has their own set of rules?

Yes, of course. and i know plenty about golf

not aware i have lost too many,if any, arguments with you!

You have certainly never admitted to losing any or apologized after falsely accusing me of stuff if that's what you mean.

falsely accusing you of stuff?

no idea what you mean.

think you had better get off that high horse (for once)

Did you not recently accuse me of being antagonistic towards Betting Emporium in a post I made in the lead-up to Cheltenham?

Your accusation was totally baseless and laughed at by plenty in posts on tft yet you never retracted it in a post or by PM.

oh ok

in my defence i didn't think it was false and still don't. so therefore never once considered retracting privately or publically and still don't, which is my right

you've consistently been negative (often veiled and sly,i accept ) on BE and myself over various matters. that is also your right.

one of those agree to disagree situations, therefore

There you go again accusing me of "veiled and sly" negativity towards BE with absolutely no evidence.

It's no wonder you've never lost an argument(in your own head that is) in twelve years on this forum as you simply make up your own phantom evidence.

Examples of my "veiled and sly negativity" please or I would like an apology for that and the many other false accusations over the years.


Anyhow on the subject of your plentiful golf knowledge, do you remember during the Ryder Cup when I tactfully PM'd you to advise you of the difference between fourballs and foursomes as you kept using the wrong terminology - thinking that "better-ball" meant foursomes - or has that been conveniently forgotten?

i am not going to search back through past posts. life is too short. nor have there been "the many other false accusations over the years." so even if you disagree with me onmany issues which is fine lets not exaggerate.

as to foursomes/fourballs i don't recall. if you did, thank you. always a man with our best interests at heart.

 ;popcorn;

Actually think Phil cheated and should have been disqualified.

What if he had ran around and hit the ball when it was two inches past the hole and holed it? Just because he was ten foot past makes no difference. They only gave him a two shot penalty because he four putted and he's Phil Mickleson.

Personally I think he should have a huge ban.