Noticed the last golf thread we had was the "open championship" thread so thought we needed one for the new season as were a month or so in since the big boys started.

Anyone watching the WGC in Miami? Put a cheeky little bet on Rory at 12/1 earlier. Dustin Johnson seems to have problems with his nerves on the last day of big comps. Also had a small bet on Donald at 6/1 too. He's in fine form at the mo. The way he played in Arizona in the matchplay was brilliant. It's a very good time for British golf right now.

Also good to see Tiger having a solid tournament. He's -3 today and -5 alltogether. No matter what you think of him Golf needs a strong Tiger. It's an exciting time though with some of the young ones coming through. Fowler is a prospect and I like the look of Kevin Na.

Aye I'm watching, got a feeling that Luke Donald may win again tonight.

Your right about Dustin Johnson he seems to struggle to finish off in the big tournaments but he should be in the mix at the end of Today along with Kuchar and McIlroy(who I want to win

).

I hope Tiger Woods gets back to his best soon because it's a far better game when he is involved IMO, even with all the great players about at the moment especially the Europeans to me without Woods at his best there is just something missing. Also nice to see the top 4 in the rankings are Europeans, not sure it's still on but if certain situations happen the top 6 could be all from Europe at the end of this tournament, and Woods could be outside the top 10 by the time the masters starts!!

On another note is it just me that thinks Lee Westwood has gone downhill ever since he became #1 in the world? I know he is still doing well position wise in the tournaments but a few months ago he was challenging for most tournies he was in.

TBF on Westwood he bacame No1 just before winter break. He's still playing some brilliant golf though, it's just that Kaymer is so good. He is like a machine that very rarely does anything wrong, then just picks his moments to make birdies. The Americans dont like him because he has no "personality" but IMO he is typically German. All Business when it matters.

Anyway this is going to be a very close tournament. 8 players within 4 shots of each other and Rickie Fowler is having an amazing round. Probably too late to have a chance but with a bit of luck you never know.

So it's Nick Watney (probably the only player I didn't mention earlier

) that wins



Can't wait for the Masters now, very happy it's on Sky this year aswell because the BBC coverage is rubbish IMO, Peter Alliss and Sam Torrance get on my nerves with all the rambling on they do . I know there are adverts to put up with on Sky but it is on all day instead of a few hours and at least they won't cut out halfway through for Alliss to read a letter about some old dears 100th birthday at an old golf club no-one has ever heard of or cares about

(Did I mention I hate the BBC coverage and Peter Alliss/Sam Torrance, I wouldn't mind but I like the rest of the commentary team

)

So the Masters is only a week away. Im sure this thread will get some viewing over the 5 days but whats anyones thoughts on it going in...

Kaymer is priced at 18/1 at the moment!!! Im putting something on that. That seems a rediculous price as far as im concearned.

Rory is due something too I reckon. He has all the talent in the world and will be number 1 in the next year or 2.

Im going to throw this out there though (ok, I know its not really a surprise but no one has mentioned him)... Dustin Johnson.

He has the game that suits Augusta but has a last day nerves problem after blowing 3 big comps in the last 9 months when leading going into the final day. If he want to push on in the world rankings then he will need to get over this.

Rickie Fowler... one of my favorite golfers to watch. This kid is pure entertainment and plays at 100mph. Not always the most accurate golfer but he knows how to save a hole from awkward positions.

Bubba

Another fun golfer to watch but when he messes up he does it in style. Massive off the tee averaging 310 yards!!! (Yes, thats an average). He is capable of holding it together and wouldnt be surprised to see him being handed the green jacket just after midnight early Monday morning.

As Sal said Kucher will be there or there abouts. He is in my top 3 in world golf at the moment. He is all class and is such a controlled person, like Kaymer, which is what you need in a Major.

The people im ruling out...

Westwood - Cant ever see him winning at Augusta. The greens are the toughest in world golf and if you get into trouble around them you need a short game thats 2nd to none and by his own admission, thats where he falls short.

Woods - Yes, he's starting to find his old game more and more now but he is shooting the scores he wants in 1 or 2 rounds a comp. The other 2 or 3 are average to poor still. He will need to have 3 good rounds and a solid round to have a chance at Augusta and I just dont think he's there yet.

Mickleson - His games gone recently. Unless he miraculously finds some form next week I think he will be around the cut mark at best.

A few people have mentioned Garcia's name but WTF?

He never looked like winning when he was in his prime! Now he has lost interest in the game and is content on being an average golfer who makes half a mill or so a year. He hasnt won for almost 3 years now and would be shocked if he even made the cut in this.


As an outside-outside bet have a look at Kevin Na. He's a 27 year old American who has his moments. He is ranked 24th in the FedEx cup at the moment and is averaging 2 shots a round better than Woods this year.

Golf is very exciting at the moment with the emergence of some of these younger players from the States and indeed the UK and Europe. Im looking forward to getting Woods back to his best and I do see it as only being a matter of time. I think there are quite a few now who could push Woods at his best and since he was pegged back 2 years ago in the PGA on the last day he has lost that invincibility that he previously had when leading.

Phil Mickelson must be a massive favourite after the way he has ripped the course apart this week and his record at the Masters, Mickelson FTW

Bookies have him at 13/2 fav, only right. Not often you'd see Woods 10/1 second fav for a Masters.

Cant see him backing it up tbf. I know he shot a good score but whos to say Kaymer or Johnson wouldnt have shot -22. Fair play to him though, its good to see him back up there winning. A very likable guy and he deserves it.

I'll be on Kaymer, 18/1 with Paddy Power, to say he's 8 points behind Woods is laughable. Not sure where else to put my money though.

Kevin Na at an outside bet of 200/1... he may do crap but at 200/1 its worth it. Going into the Shell Houston Open (which he didnt play in) he was 24th on the PGA tour. He's also the Number 1 putter on tour this year so far, something you need atr Augusta.

I know it will be tough for Mickelson to back up but he has done it before at the Masters so I hope he can do it again

www.weather.com/outlook/recreati ... /1028885:5 Warming up nicely as the week goes on from 16c today to 31c by the weekend. Should be good golf Oh... Masters week is here

www.weather.com/outlook/recreati ... /1028885:5 Warming up nicely as the week goes on from 16c today to 31c by the weekend. Should be good golf Oh... Masters week is here

For anyone that's interested the par 3 contest is on at 7.30 on sky sports t'mora night aswell

Padraig Harrington - Absolute bargain at 50/1. Seems to have finally returned to some form over recent weeks and could have a shot.

Anthony Kim - 40/1 and had a decent performace last week. If he gets the hang of conditions early he'll go low.

Martin Kaymer - Drifting oddswise. Out to 22/1 now = Superb value.

And and I may have £1 e/w on Jose Maria Olazabal and Tom Watson. 500/1 and 1000/1 respectively. (You never know!

Course form always important round here.

Therefore:

Saver on Mickelson at 8/1. Wasn't going to back him until Hills pushed him out this morning. Can't argue with 3 wins from 10 and his form last week was magnificent. Solid favourite and well worth a bet at 8/1 (which has now gone)
Anthony Kim 45/1 - 3rd last year and a 64 at Houston last week shows he's back in form. Don't think he would bottle it as well after shooting 65 on Sunday last year.
Hunter Mahan 30/1 - 8th last year and playing some great golf this year. Slight doubts over temperament but a good ew bet.
MA Jimenez 175/1 - Loves it round here and had 4 top 10s in his last 8 visits. Shouldn't be that price.
Paddy Harrington 50/1 - Slowly coming back to form but still capable of going on a 3-4 bogey run which would prove too costly around Augusta. Think he would keep things in check on a sunday around Augusta but I do ahve my doubts. Worth a punt at 50/1 though.

I've ruled out Kaymer, Westwood, Woods, McIlroy, Poulter, Casey, Donald for various reasons including form, bottle and course form. Wouldn't be surprised to see any of them win it though! Watney and D Johnson tick all the boxes but are too short for me.

I stuck a couple of quid each way on Ishikawa last night. 270/1 is wort a punt for top 5 IMO.

Do I get some of the winnings for bringing his name up t'other day?



I will accept payment in cake

No but you may get some cake money after I purchase NCAA11 off you with some of the winnings

Aslong as I get cake I'm happy

Rory McIlroy is on fire so far, he's just gone to -5 after 11 (tied for the lead atm) and has missed a few birdies since I have been watching aswell!

Great to see Alvaro Quiros doing well. Followed him round a Challenge Tour event at Worsley Park a few years ago. A real nice bloke, chatted to him between shots and I even got a mention in his winners speech! Been following him pretty closely since. Would love him to have a good week.

I love Freddie Couples' swing! Effortless.

Forgot to post up my picks. Went with the following last night, shame Goosen fell away at the end of his round or I was laughing!

Rory McIlroy £2 E/W @ 28/1
Martin Kaymer £2 E/W @ 22/1
Bubba Watson £2 E/W @ 40/1
Jonathon Byrd £0.25 E/W @ 125/1
Tom Watson £0.25 E/W @ 1000/1
Retief Goosen £1 E/W @ 70/1

£5 win Watney @ 12/1
£2 ew Kuchar @ 33/1
£2 ew Choi @ 66/1
£1 ew Kim @ 80/1
£2 ew Couples @ 100/1
£1 ew Snedeker @ 125/1
£1 ew Wier @ 200/1

It really is isn't it!

He seems like the most layed back person I have ever seen, just turns up and plays in his trainers(due to his bad back) and cba wearing a glove, and is still a great player to boot

I would too. He hits such a long ball. Was it last year at the Open where he hit 2 drivers 650 yards onto the green with 20mph winds blowing into his face? I can hit it a fair distance but I reckon Id still be a good 100-150 yards off