Golf
Betting Column: What The Golfinggods Say….
If you look at the career of
a golfer you can suggest that their rise from
mediocrity to world-class player was due to
a couple of pivotal shots along the way. Take
David Howell for example. Here was a guy that
had a great game but could not find a way to
win. He was, along with Padraig Harrington becoming
a second place specialist. In nearly a decade
of touring around Europe he had only won once
on tour. However I believe two shots have changed
his mental approach to his game and made him
realise how good he can be.
The
first shot was at the 2004 Ryder Cup when he
hit a superb four iron, under the most extreme
pressure to win the seventeenth hole and then
go on to win a crucial point at the eighteenth
with his partner Paul Casey. That match changed
the whole feel of that Ryder Cup and Howell
produced when required. The second shot was
his approach to the tenth hole at the HSBC Champions
tournament in Shanghai. After making back-to-back
bogeys at eight and nine, and having Tiger breathing
down your neck he produced a fantastic pitch
to five feet and held the birdie putt. This
stopped the mid round crisis and he went on
to win in style. David Howell is a world-class
player now and at the end of his career he may
look back at these two shots and realise how
important they were.
Apart
from the performance of Howell in Shanghai the
only other notable thing to occur was the lack
of back nine charge from Tiger. He was two shots
back with nine to play but never got it going
coming down the stretch. I am not sure if it
was tiredness but it was strange to see such
a moderate performance.
The
major tournament this week is the last World
Golf Championship event – The World Cup
of Golf to be played in Portugal. Once the premier
team event for Golf this historic tournament
is still respected by all who participate in
it. Played around the Victoria Club de Golf
the teams will play a mixture of stroke play
and team formats. The course is relatively straightforward
with little to no rough. The greens are smallish
and slow so I expect low scores if the wind
stays calm.
Selections:
England:
Luke Donald and David Howell are by far the
most in form team playing this year with a recent
win for Howell and consistent performances by
Donald. Both players are consistent and have
experience from the Ryder Cup with team events.
Should win!
Ireland:
Padraig Harrington and Paul McGinley have combined
to form a very good side but there are a few
doubts over them. Firstly Padraig has not been
in good form since his Father passed away and
McGinley is suffering from a knee injury. Beware
the wounded however and they must have enough
class to contend this week.
Australia:
an outside chance if both players – Peter
Lonard and Mark Hensby can find some form. At
their best they would be live contenders and
if the team events can spark some Australian
passion then they may just surprise the rest
of the field.
Until
next week – May The Golfinggods Be With
You!
For
all your Golf Betting requirements log onto
http://www.golfinggods.com/
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