Volvo World Match Play Preview
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Volvo World Match Play | Thursday 16 May - Sunday 19 May | The Thracian Cliffs
This weekend, one of the biggest events on the European tour tees off in Bulgaria as some of Europe’s finest line up to take part in the Volvo World Match Play. The prestigious tournament has been won by some of the biggest names in golf over the years and holds a special place in South African golf fans’ hearts, as Ernie Els has dominated here having won on seven separate occasions. He won’t be competing this year, but the South African contingent is still strong as the likes of George Coetzee, Branden Grace, Richard Sterne and Thomas Aiken all make an attempt to be crowned champion come Sunday. The par 72 course measures in at 7291 yards and has a reputation for providing a serious challenge. Often hit by gusting winds, the task of those competing this week will not be made any easier by the numerous bunkers and cliffs ready to punish wayward shots. So who will win this one? Let’s have a look.
Volvo World Match Play | Thursday 16 May - Sunday 19 May | The Thracian Cliffs
This weekend, one of the biggest events on the European tour tees off in Bulgaria as some of Europe’s finest line up to take part in the Volvo World Match Play. The prestigious tournament has been won by some of the biggest names in golf over the years and holds a special place in South African golf fans’ hearts, as Ernie Els has dominated here having won on seven separate occasions. He won’t be competing this year, but the South African contingent is still strong as the likes of George Coetzee, Branden Grace, Richard Sterne and Thomas Aiken all make an attempt to be crowned champion come Sunday. The par 72 course measures in at 7291 yards and has a reputation for providing a serious challenge. Often hit by gusting winds, the task of those competing this week will not be made any easier by the numerous bunkers and cliffs ready to punish wayward shots. So who will win this one? Let’s have a look.Byron Nelson Championship Preview
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Byron Nelson Championship | Thursday 16 May - Saturday 19 May | TPC Four Seasons
It can’t be easy for tournament organisers to generate hype when their tournament follows the Players. However, the string-pullers of this one seem to be doing a good job, as there is a ton of anticipation building around this year’s instalment of the competition. With that in mind, you can be sure that some of the top names in the game will be here to try and claim a portion of the $6.5 million prize fund. The course is TPC Four Seasons, a par 70 measuring in at 7,166 yards. The greens are large and undulating and the fairways are lined with trees. Add to this a variety of creeks and ponds and you have a remarkably picturesque course. Last year, Jason Dufner edged out Dickie Pride in an exciting final day and so it comes as no surprise that he is one of the favourites to win. Will he be able to retain his title though? Let’s have a look.
Byron Nelson Championship | Thursday 16 May - Saturday 19 May | TPC Four Seasons
It can’t be easy for tournament organisers to generate hype when their tournament follows the Players. However, the string-pullers of this one seem to be doing a good job, as there is a ton of anticipation building around this year’s instalment of the competition. With that in mind, you can be sure that some of the top names in the game will be here to try and claim a portion of the $6.5 million prize fund. The course is TPC Four Seasons, a par 70 measuring in at 7,166 yards. The greens are large and undulating and the fairways are lined with trees. Add to this a variety of creeks and ponds and you have a remarkably picturesque course. Last year, Jason Dufner edged out Dickie Pride in an exciting final day and so it comes as no surprise that he is one of the favourites to win. Will he be able to retain his title though? Let’s have a look.Madeira Islands Open
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Madeira Islands Open | Thursday 16 May - Sunday 19 May | Clube De Golf Do Santo da Serra
Having pretty much just tipped favourites in the other European Tour tournament this week, it’ll be good to try and find some bigger prices in the weaker one. The tournament is renowned for being played on a stunning course which is set in the hills of Madeira and measures 6,826 yards in length. The course is short but don’t let that fool you, the wind plays a big part in keeping scores down so it is important that players are able to scramble efficiently and control their drives. So who has it in them to win here? Let’s have a look.
Madeira Islands Open | Thursday 16 May - Sunday 19 May | Clube De Golf Do Santo da Serra
Having pretty much just tipped favourites in the other European Tour tournament this week, it’ll be good to try and find some bigger prices in the weaker one. The tournament is renowned for being played on a stunning course which is set in the hills of Madeira and measures 6,826 yards in length. The course is short but don’t let that fool you, the wind plays a big part in keeping scores down so it is important that players are able to scramble efficiently and control their drives. So who has it in them to win here? Let’s have a look.The Players Championship Preview
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The Players Championship | Thursday 09 May - Sunday 12 May | TPC Sawgrass
The ‘Fifth Major’ tees off this week at the illustrious TPC Sawgrass and this instalment promises to be full of intrigue as the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and more face off. The quality of the field comes as no surprise though as the prize money on offer, which includes a $1.7 million first prize, is second to none. With such experience featuring in this field, you’d do well to stick with some of the bigger names in the game and ignore the minnows. This is one that everyone wants to win and I personally can’t see anyone on offer at more than 70/1 who looks a good bet. Don’t despair though, there is still plenty of value to be found if you discount Tiger Woods, which I’m going to do based solely on the fact that he’s at 15/2. So who is good enough to outplay the best in the game? Let’s have a look.
The Players Championship | Thursday 09 May - Sunday 12 May | TPC Sawgrass
The ‘Fifth Major’ tees off this week at the illustrious TPC Sawgrass and this instalment promises to be full of intrigue as the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Adam Scott and more face off. The quality of the field comes as no surprise though as the prize money on offer, which includes a $1.7 million first prize, is second to none. With such experience featuring in this field, you’d do well to stick with some of the bigger names in the game and ignore the minnows. This is one that everyone wants to win and I personally can’t see anyone on offer at more than 70/1 who looks a good bet. Don’t despair though, there is still plenty of value to be found if you discount Tiger Woods, which I’m going to do based solely on the fact that he’s at 15/2. So who is good enough to outplay the best in the game? Let’s have a look.Wells Fargo Championship Preview
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Wells Fargo Championship | Thursday 02 May - Sunday 05 May | Quail Hollow
After a slight lull in the golfing calendar following the Masters, the big names in the game will all be regrouping this week at Quail Hollow to take part in the renowned Wells Fargo Championship. Since its inception the tournament has always attracted the best in the game and this week is no different as McIlroy, Mickelson and Westwood head up a field full of top class players. The course itself is known to be one of the more difficult on the Tour and the Green Mile, consisting of holes 16, 17 and 18, is renowned for being a true test of any golfer’s ability. Interestingly, the average score is dropping so either players are getting better or the course is playing easier. No matter what the case, whoever wins this one is going to need to be on form with the putter because this is won and lost on the greens. So who can handle this 7,442 yard par 72? Let’s have a look.
Wells Fargo Championship | Thursday 02 May - Sunday 05 May | Quail Hollow
After a slight lull in the golfing calendar following the Masters, the big names in the game will all be regrouping this week at Quail Hollow to take part in the renowned Wells Fargo Championship. Since its inception the tournament has always attracted the best in the game and this week is no different as McIlroy, Mickelson and Westwood head up a field full of top class players. The course itself is known to be one of the more difficult on the Tour and the Green Mile, consisting of holes 16, 17 and 18, is renowned for being a true test of any golfer’s ability. Interestingly, the average score is dropping so either players are getting better or the course is playing easier. No matter what the case, whoever wins this one is going to need to be on form with the putter because this is won and lost on the greens. So who can handle this 7,442 yard par 72? Let’s have a look.The Zurich Classic Preview
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The Zurich Classic | Thursday 25 April - Sunday 28 April | TPC Louisiana
The Zurich Classic, formerly known as the New Orleans Open, tees off this week at TPC Louisiana. The course itself is a relatively new one, having been opened in 2004. Set in the Mississippi Delta, this 7,500 yard course is long but is fairly unique in that the ability to blast it off the tee is not really a huge advantage. Rather, accuracy will be key because the course includes over a hundred bunkers and there are water hazards on eight of the holes. Players will know to avoid those because the pesky local alligators don’t take to kindly to visitors. So who has the game to dominate this challenging course? Let’s have a look.
The Zurich Classic | Thursday 25 April - Sunday 28 April | TPC Louisiana
The Zurich Classic, formerly known as the New Orleans Open, tees off this week at TPC Louisiana. The course itself is a relatively new one, having been opened in 2004. Set in the Mississippi Delta, this 7,500 yard course is long but is fairly unique in that the ability to blast it off the tee is not really a huge advantage. Rather, accuracy will be key because the course includes over a hundred bunkers and there are water hazards on eight of the holes. Players will know to avoid those because the pesky local alligators don’t take to kindly to visitors. So who has the game to dominate this challenging course? Let’s have a look.Ballantine's Championship Preview
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Ballantine’s Championship | Thursday 25 April - Friday 28 April | Blackstone Golf Club
This week the European Tour heads to Asia for the Ballantine’s Championship, a tournament which has been around for the last six years. It was initially hosted by Pinx Golf Club but it wasn’t long before the event shifted to Blackstone, arguably the most prestigious course in South Korea. Located in Incheon, the course is a par 72 7,302 yard beauty and although the field this year isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, there are still a few big names to keep an eye on. With the talent that is present you can expect some low scores this week considering that last year’s champion Bernd Wiesberger carded an 18 under final score, which included back-to-back 65s. So who has it in them to go low and win here this year? Let’s have a look.
Ballantine’s Championship | Thursday 25 April - Friday 28 April | Blackstone Golf Club
This week the European Tour heads to Asia for the Ballantine’s Championship, a tournament which has been around for the last six years. It was initially hosted by Pinx Golf Club but it wasn’t long before the event shifted to Blackstone, arguably the most prestigious course in South Korea. Located in Incheon, the course is a par 72 7,302 yard beauty and although the field this year isn’t as strong as it has been in the past, there are still a few big names to keep an eye on. With the talent that is present you can expect some low scores this week considering that last year’s champion Bernd Wiesberger carded an 18 under final score, which included back-to-back 65s. So who has it in them to go low and win here this year? Let’s have a look.RBC Heritage Preview
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RBC Heritage | Thursday 18 April - Sunday 21 April | Harbour Town Golf Links
Traditionally, this tournament has always been the first after the Masters and is one of only five on the Tour that has been awarded invitational status. The result is that the field is smaller than that which would usually be found on Tour and so there’s a lot of value floating around, particularly in the places. The course itself is also special because it is one of the few links courses that feature on the PGA Tour. The lack of experience most players have on this layout means that the first step in looking for a winner is to find someone who has done well here before. The next is looking for players who are accurate from tee to fairway and who can handle the wind, which will be blowing hard at some stage. Overall it’s going to be a great tournament and a fitting follow-up to what was a classic Masters tournament.
RBC Heritage | Thursday 18 April - Sunday 21 April | Harbour Town Golf Links
Traditionally, this tournament has always been the first after the Masters and is one of only five on the Tour that has been awarded invitational status. The result is that the field is smaller than that which would usually be found on Tour and so there’s a lot of value floating around, particularly in the places. The course itself is also special because it is one of the few links courses that feature on the PGA Tour. The lack of experience most players have on this layout means that the first step in looking for a winner is to find someone who has done well here before. The next is looking for players who are accurate from tee to fairway and who can handle the wind, which will be blowing hard at some stage. Overall it’s going to be a great tournament and a fitting follow-up to what was a classic Masters tournament.Open de Espana Preview
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The Open de Espana | Thursday 18 April - Sunday 21 April | Parador de El Saler
Although the Open de Espana is overshadowed by the Masters, the tournament is still one of the most iconic on the European Tour and although some may be burnt out after a full weekend in front of the TV, the purists out there will be watching this closely. Traditionally it has attracted a high quality field with previous winners including the like of Seve, Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer. More recently, Sergio Garcia was crowned champion and so it comes as little surprise to see the in-form Spaniard as the favourite this week. The 11/2 on offer doesn’t look worth a bet to me considering he isn’t exactly known for his ability to win with ease. This means that there is some value floating around this par 72 6,945 yard course, the question is can we find it?
The Open de Espana | Thursday 18 April - Sunday 21 April | Parador de El Saler
Although the Open de Espana is overshadowed by the Masters, the tournament is still one of the most iconic on the European Tour and although some may be burnt out after a full weekend in front of the TV, the purists out there will be watching this closely. Traditionally it has attracted a high quality field with previous winners including the like of Seve, Nick Faldo and Bernhard Langer. More recently, Sergio Garcia was crowned champion and so it comes as little surprise to see the in-form Spaniard as the favourite this week. The 11/2 on offer doesn’t look worth a bet to me considering he isn’t exactly known for his ability to win with ease. This means that there is some value floating around this par 72 6,945 yard course, the question is can we find it?The Masters Preview
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The Masters | Thursday 11 April - Sunday 14 April | Augusta
Let’s get this out of the way; this is the biggest golfing tournament of the year. The history behind it, the mystique of Augusta, the difficulty of the course and the pace of the greens all combine to create a test like no other. I’ve already had a look at Tiger Woods and explained how I don’t think he can be backed at 3/1, so with him out of the picture, who will be crowned champion? In uncovering this mystery, two points are key. The first, is distance off the tee. This will be a huge asset because although the course is quoted as measuring 7,435 yards, the fairways are mowed in such a way as to minimise roll, reducing driving distance. That extra few yards will go a long way in assisting the player in gaining an advantage. The second, is that these are the most difficult greens a golfer will face. Obviously, the winner will need to be competent on the dance floor. So who will win this one? Let’s have a look.
The Masters | Thursday 11 April - Sunday 14 April | Augusta
The Master of the Masters: Tiger Woods
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As the year’s first Major nears, focus is slowly turning to Augusta. The key question on everyone’s lips seems to be whether or not Tiger Woods, who has seen a resurgence in his game in this 2013 season, has what it takes to win. Opinion is fiercely divided between those who think it’s his to lose and those who feel that a few solid performances don’t make a Major winner. Sure, he’s won fourteen Majors and has dominated the game like no other in recent years but has his game improved enough to justify backing the 3/1 on offer with most bookies? Here at Hollywood we know you lead a busy life so have taken it upon ourselves to look at both sides of the argument to help you make a more informed decision when the time comes to have a bet on this historic tournament.
As the year’s first Major nears, focus is slowly turning to Augusta. The key question on everyone’s lips seems to be whether or not Tiger Woods, who has seen a resurgence in his game in this 2013 season, has what it takes to win. Opinion is fiercely divided between those who think it’s his to lose and those who feel that a few solid performances don’t make a Major winner. Sure, he’s won fourteen Majors and has dominated the game like no other in recent years but has his game improved enough to justify backing the 3/1 on offer with most bookies? Here at Hollywood we know you lead a busy life so have taken it upon ourselves to look at both sides of the argument to help you make a more informed decision when the time comes to have a bet on this historic tournament.Valero Texas Open Preview
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Valero Texas Open | Thursday 04 April - Sunday 07 April | AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio
With just over a week until the first Major of the year tees off, a lot of players are coming into this tournament looking to get themselves ready for what should be an epic battle at Augusta. Included in this group is current world number two, Rory McIlroy. After having initially indicated that he would not be playing, he has now entered after realising that he possibly needs the practice. Unsurprisingly, he comes into this as favourite. Whether or not he has what it takes to win on this tough par 72 is another story entirely. The 7,435 yard course has consistently been named as one of the toughest on Tour and this comes as no surprise given the combination of difficult greens and especially tight fairways. Whoever wins this will need to have the ability to handle not only the difficult tee and approach shots, but also the skill to master some of the toughest greens. So who can pull this off? Let’s have a look.
Valero Texas Open | Thursday 04 April - Sunday 07 April | AT&T Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio
With just over a week until the first Major of the year tees off, a lot of players are coming into this tournament looking to get themselves ready for what should be an epic battle at Augusta. Included in this group is current world number two, Rory McIlroy. After having initially indicated that he would not be playing, he has now entered after realising that he possibly needs the practice. Unsurprisingly, he comes into this as favourite. Whether or not he has what it takes to win on this tough par 72 is another story entirely. The 7,435 yard course has consistently been named as one of the toughest on Tour and this comes as no surprise given the combination of difficult greens and especially tight fairways. Whoever wins this will need to have the ability to handle not only the difficult tee and approach shots, but also the skill to master some of the toughest greens. So who can pull this off? Let’s have a look.
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Shell Houston Open | Thursday 28 March - Sunday 31 March | Redstone
With just two weeks to go before the Masters this tournament allows players one of their last opportunities to sneak into the top 50 and qualify for the year’s first Major. Whilst that incentive will inspire some of the players on the fringe of the top 50, those higher up and whose place is secure can rest assured that they too will be rewarded if they pull off a win, as a $1 million first prize is nothing to be laughed at. Many see the course itself as a good warm up for Augusta as its numerous bunkers and lightning fast greens challenge even the handiest of golfers. Traditionally, long hitters and solid putters have fared well here and this year should be no different. A good temperament will also be key because players are faced with numerous challenges and setbacks. How one does will depend on the ability to bounce back from any such mishap. So who will come out and win this? Let’s have a look.
Shell Houston Open | Thursday 28 March - Sunday 31 March | Redstone
Trophee Hassan II Preview
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Trophee Hassan II | Thursday 28 March - Sunday 31 March | Golf du Palais Royal
After the horrid weather that plagued last week’s Malaysian Open and resulted in there being only 54 holes played, fans and players alike will be looking forward to this year’s Trophee Hassan II. With better conditions expected in Morocco this week for the fourth instalment of this new tournament, the question on everyone’s mind is who can win this week? Previous winners have included some big names, including Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington as well as some lesser known players, one of whom was Payne Stewart. The course is a par 72 8,844 yarder and is located within the walls of the Royal Palace. It is located on the coast as well and so wind will prove to be a factor at some stage in this tournament. So who has it in them to beat the field and take home first prize? Let’s have a look.
Trophee Hassan II | Thursday 28 March - Sunday 31 March | Golf du Palais Royal
After the horrid weather that plagued last week’s Malaysian Open and resulted in there being only 54 holes played, fans and players alike will be looking forward to this year’s Trophee Hassan II. With better conditions expected in Morocco this week for the fourth instalment of this new tournament, the question on everyone’s mind is who can win this week? Previous winners have included some big names, including Ernie Els and Padraig Harrington as well as some lesser known players, one of whom was Payne Stewart. The course is a par 72 8,844 yarder and is located within the walls of the Royal Palace. It is located on the coast as well and so wind will prove to be a factor at some stage in this tournament. So who has it in them to beat the field and take home first prize? Let’s have a look.Arnold Palmer Invitational Preview
Arnold Palmer Invitational | Thursday 21 March - Sunday 24 March | Bay Hill Club & Lodge
The US PGA Tour remains in Florida this week and the action will be going down at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, a 7,419 yard par 72 which was designed by Dick Wilson in 1961. The course was later purchased by Arnold Palmer and since then he’s made a lot of changes which have resulted in it being recognised as one of the finest courses in the country. A quality tournament attracts a quality field and this is no exception as the likes of current FedEx leader Brandt Snedeker and Tiger Woods come up against eleven of the other top 20 on Tour. Last year, Tiger Woods proved to be too good when he won by five strokes over Graeme McDowell, a victory that was handed to him on the final day as Woods’ final round 70 proved too good for McDowell’s 74. Prior to that, Woods has dominated here and with that in mind it comes as little surprise that he tees off as the bookies’ favourite at 3/1. So will he be able to continue his dominance or is it time for one of the others to claim victory? Let’s have a look.
The US PGA Tour remains in Florida this week and the action will be going down at Bay Hill Club & Lodge, a 7,419 yard par 72 which was designed by Dick Wilson in 1961. The course was later purchased by Arnold Palmer and since then he’s made a lot of changes which have resulted in it being recognised as one of the finest courses in the country. A quality tournament attracts a quality field and this is no exception as the likes of current FedEx leader Brandt Snedeker and Tiger Woods come up against eleven of the other top 20 on Tour. Last year, Tiger Woods proved to be too good when he won by five strokes over Graeme McDowell, a victory that was handed to him on the final day as Woods’ final round 70 proved too good for McDowell’s 74. Prior to that, Woods has dominated here and with that in mind it comes as little surprise that he tees off as the bookies’ favourite at 3/1. So will he be able to continue his dominance or is it time for one of the others to claim victory? Let’s have a look.Maybank Malaysian Open Preview
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Maybank Malaysian Open | Thursday 21 March - Sunday 17 March | Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
This week, it comes as no surprise that some of the biggest names in Europe will be heading to Malaysia to take part in the Malaysian Open as the prize fund now consists of US$2.75 million. Unsurprisingly again, Luke Donald leads the betting at 11/2 as he comes into this on the back of a fourth place finish in Tampa Bay. He will be joined by the likes of Charl Schwartzel, Padraig Harrington and Matteo Manassero; players who can all fire on their day. The tournament is now in its fifteenth year and history has shown that the locals struggle a bit here, which makes sense because I’ve never heard of a decent golfer from the country. On a more serious note, former winners include South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, Matteo Manassero and Thongchai Jaidee, who is the only player in recent history to win back-to-back titles here. So will one of these superstars of the game win this one or is it time for someone else to claim the victory? Let’s have a look.
Maybank Malaysian Open | Thursday 21 March - Sunday 17 March | Kuala Lumpur Golf & Country Club
This week, it comes as no surprise that some of the biggest names in Europe will be heading to Malaysia to take part in the Malaysian Open as the prize fund now consists of US$2.75 million. Unsurprisingly again, Luke Donald leads the betting at 11/2 as he comes into this on the back of a fourth place finish in Tampa Bay. He will be joined by the likes of Charl Schwartzel, Padraig Harrington and Matteo Manassero; players who can all fire on their day. The tournament is now in its fifteenth year and history has shown that the locals struggle a bit here, which makes sense because I’ve never heard of a decent golfer from the country. On a more serious note, former winners include South Africa’s Louis Oosthuizen, Matteo Manassero and Thongchai Jaidee, who is the only player in recent history to win back-to-back titles here. So will one of these superstars of the game win this one or is it time for someone else to claim the victory? Let’s have a look.Avantha Masters Preview
Avantha Masters | Thursday 14 March - Sunday 17 March | Jaypee Greens
This week the European Tour moves across to the Greg Norman designed Jaypee Greens, an imposing 7347 yard par 72 course set in the heart of India. The course itself is tough and loaded with hazards. Overall there are 14 lakes to contend with and when you consider that on top of this there are 88 bunkers scattered around the course, you realise the players have a pretty tough time ahead of them. The bunkers are deep and the greens are fast and hard so don’t expect too many low scores and be aware that players with experience are going to be the ones who fare well here. Knowing how to avoid the hazards will be key but so will a clear head and unshakeable confidence. So who can win this one? Let’s have a look.Tampa Bay Championship Preview
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Tampa Bay Championship | Thursday 14 March - Sunday 17 March | Copperhead Course at Innisbrook
This week the tour moves to Tampa Bay for the Tampa Bay Championship. This tournament has undergone numerous facelifts over the last few years so you’d be forgiven for not being entirely sure how the course plays, but that’s why we’re here, isn’t it? On that note, the par 71 course measures in at 7300 yards and is lined with trees, placing a premium on driving accuracy. A look at some of the past winners shows that consistency is key, which isn’t really a surprise, but it does mean that it is unlikely that there will be an upset so you’d do well to look at the top of the betting in this one. The last two winners were Gary Woodland and Luke Donald, both of whom will be returning for this instalment, so the question is can they hold it together or will one of the other pretenders steal the crown?
Tampa Bay Championship | Thursday 14 March - Sunday 17 March | Copperhead Course at Innisbrook
This week the tour moves to Tampa Bay for the Tampa Bay Championship. This tournament has undergone numerous facelifts over the last few years so you’d be forgiven for not being entirely sure how the course plays, but that’s why we’re here, isn’t it? On that note, the par 71 course measures in at 7300 yards and is lined with trees, placing a premium on driving accuracy. A look at some of the past winners shows that consistency is key, which isn’t really a surprise, but it does mean that it is unlikely that there will be an upset so you’d do well to look at the top of the betting in this one. The last two winners were Gary Woodland and Luke Donald, both of whom will be returning for this instalment, so the question is can they hold it together or will one of the other pretenders steal the crown?Puerto Rico Open Preview
Puerto Rico Open | Thursday 07 March - Sunday 10 March | Trump International Resort Course
After tipping a lot of favourites in the WGC Cadillac it is now time to step back and look for some bigger prices. A lot has been made of the fact that the last three winners of the Puerto Rico Open have been big prices but that doesn’t really come as a surprise considering the top players in the betting start at around 20/1 in general. The course itself is a long 7500 yard par 72 that sits on the coast and as you’d expect from the location, it gets battered by the wind. This means that come Sunday it is still anyone’s game as one poor round could easily knock a player out of contention. Consistency will be key, but it’s easy to say that and another thing entirely to find a player in this field who is consistent enough to inspire confidence. Having said that, there is a lot of value floating around and I’ve found it so that you don’t have to.
After tipping a lot of favourites in the WGC Cadillac it is now time to step back and look for some bigger prices. A lot has been made of the fact that the last three winners of the Puerto Rico Open have been big prices but that doesn’t really come as a surprise considering the top players in the betting start at around 20/1 in general. The course itself is a long 7500 yard par 72 that sits on the coast and as you’d expect from the location, it gets battered by the wind. This means that come Sunday it is still anyone’s game as one poor round could easily knock a player out of contention. Consistency will be key, but it’s easy to say that and another thing entirely to find a player in this field who is consistent enough to inspire confidence. Having said that, there is a lot of value floating around and I’ve found it so that you don’t have to.WGC Cadillac Championship Preview
WGC Cadillac Championship | 07 March - 10 March | The Blue Monster
With the first Major of the season just around the corner, focus is slowly starting to shift to who will be able to win that. In the meantime, we have a lot of good tournaments to look forward to. Traditionally this has been a great tournament to watch and despite the ominous course name, the Blue Monster ranks as one of the easier courses on Tour. The wide fairways, generous landing areas and overall length of the course make it less intimidating than most, but there are still a handful of difficult holes, including the tough 18th. The par 5s are where the tournament is won or lost so keep an eye on who handles those well on the first day. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s have a look.
With the first Major of the season just around the corner, focus is slowly starting to shift to who will be able to win that. In the meantime, we have a lot of good tournaments to look forward to. Traditionally this has been a great tournament to watch and despite the ominous course name, the Blue Monster ranks as one of the easier courses on Tour. The wide fairways, generous landing areas and overall length of the course make it less intimidating than most, but there are still a handful of difficult holes, including the tough 18th. The par 5s are where the tournament is won or lost so keep an eye on who handles those well on the first day. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s have a look.Tshwane Open Preview
Tshwane Open | Thursday 28 February - Sunday 03 March | Copperleaf Golf and Country Estate
The Tshwane Open is a new addition to the tour calendar and takes the form of a co-sanctioned event between the European Tour and Sunshine Tour. Having noted this addition when I first saw the calendar, I was pleasantly surprised to calculate that South Africa now hosts the most official European Tour events. This only bodes well for the future of golf here and it will be interesting to see how players who are currently part of the Sunshine Tour improve over the next few years. The handsome prize fund of 1.5 million Euros has attracted some top names in the sport but at the moment it’s tough to say who will win this one because there isn’t much information available on the course. Despite this, there’s still some value to be had so let’s have a look at the field.
The Tshwane Open is a new addition to the tour calendar and takes the form of a co-sanctioned event between the European Tour and Sunshine Tour. Having noted this addition when I first saw the calendar, I was pleasantly surprised to calculate that South Africa now hosts the most official European Tour events. This only bodes well for the future of golf here and it will be interesting to see how players who are currently part of the Sunshine Tour improve over the next few years. The handsome prize fund of 1.5 million Euros has attracted some top names in the sport but at the moment it’s tough to say who will win this one because there isn’t much information available on the course. Despite this, there’s still some value to be had so let’s have a look at the field.Honda Classic Preview
Honda Classic | Thursday 28 February - Sunday 03 March | PGA National Championship Course
After having to deal with horrific conditions in the Accenture Match Play last week, players will be looking forward to the start of the Florida Spring and better weather. The Champions Course at PGA National is known to be one of the toughest around and interestingly Americans seem to struggle here. A quick look at previous winners shows that no American has won since 2007. One of the reasons the course plays so tough is the wind factor. The course sits on the Atlantic coastline and conditions can be blustery. If that happens this week, players will struggle from the thick rough. Who has it in them to handle the conditions and take home that coveted first place cheque? Let’s have a look.
After having to deal with horrific conditions in the Accenture Match Play last week, players will be looking forward to the start of the Florida Spring and better weather. The Champions Course at PGA National is known to be one of the toughest around and interestingly Americans seem to struggle here. A quick look at previous winners shows that no American has won since 2007. One of the reasons the course plays so tough is the wind factor. The course sits on the Atlantic coastline and conditions can be blustery. If that happens this week, players will struggle from the thick rough. Who has it in them to handle the conditions and take home that coveted first place cheque? Let’s have a look.WGC Accenture Match Play Championship Preview
Accenture Match Play Championship | Wednesday 20 February - Sunday 24 February | Dove Mountain
It’s that time of year again where the Official World Golf Rankings’ top 64 players face off in the Accenture World Match Play Championship. The tournament is structured so that the field is divided into four brackets, each made up of 16 players. The top two players from each bracket will then qualify for the quarter finals. Unlike traditional golf tournaments, this format is not for everyone and makes for some interesting match-ups, as the superstars of the game take on the minnows in hotly contested games. The golfers themselves are not the only ones who struggle with this format. Punters are divided on how best to tackle the betting. The difference between life and death is often a single shot and consistency is key because one bad day means a player will almost certainly be on his way home. So where does the value lie this week? Let’s have a look.
It’s that time of year again where the Official World Golf Rankings’ top 64 players face off in the Accenture World Match Play Championship. The tournament is structured so that the field is divided into four brackets, each made up of 16 players. The top two players from each bracket will then qualify for the quarter finals. Unlike traditional golf tournaments, this format is not for everyone and makes for some interesting match-ups, as the superstars of the game take on the minnows in hotly contested games. The golfers themselves are not the only ones who struggle with this format. Punters are divided on how best to tackle the betting. The difference between life and death is often a single shot and consistency is key because one bad day means a player will almost certainly be on his way home. So where does the value lie this week? Let’s have a look.Northern Trust Open Preview
Northern Trust Open | Thursday 14 February – Sunday 17 February | Riviera Country Club
It’s tough to imagine that we’re already into week seven of the PGA Tour season but at least we can be thankful that so far, we’ve been treated to some great golf over those weeks. For those who aren’t too keen on watching the mediocre field that has gathered for the Africa Open this one should come as a real treat, as 16 of the world’s top 25 golfers will take to the course to prove their worth and get a bit of practice in before the WGC next week. This course is tight and full of hazards so don’t expect to see any spectacular scores. Players are going to have a pretty rough time navigating this one. So who has it in them to win? Let’s have a look.
It’s tough to imagine that we’re already into week seven of the PGA Tour season but at least we can be thankful that so far, we’ve been treated to some great golf over those weeks. For those who aren’t too keen on watching the mediocre field that has gathered for the Africa Open this one should come as a real treat, as 16 of the world’s top 25 golfers will take to the course to prove their worth and get a bit of practice in before the WGC next week. This course is tight and full of hazards so don’t expect to see any spectacular scores. Players are going to have a pretty rough time navigating this one. So who has it in them to win? Let’s have a look.The Africa Open Preview
The Africa Open | Thursday 14 February – Sunday 17 February | East London Golf Club
This week sees another tournament tee off in South Africa and, unsurprisingly, the calibre of the field is not really up to scratch. Having qualified for the WGC match-play event, last week’s winner Richard Sterne will not be participating in this one and neither will two-time champion Louis Oosthuizen. That means we need to throw our hat in the ring with some of the other talented locals and at first glance Thomas Aiken certainly catches the eye. The question now is will he be able to tackle the coastal course? Let’s have a look.
This week sees another tournament tee off in South Africa and, unsurprisingly, the calibre of the field is not really up to scratch. Having qualified for the WGC match-play event, last week’s winner Richard Sterne will not be participating in this one and neither will two-time champion Louis Oosthuizen. That means we need to throw our hat in the ring with some of the other talented locals and at first glance Thomas Aiken certainly catches the eye. The question now is will he be able to tackle the coastal course? Let’s have a look.AT&T Pebble Beach National Preview
AT&T Pebble Beach National | Thursday 07 February - Sunday 10 February | California
The PGA Tour heads to California this week for the Pebble Beach National, a Pro-Am tournament which has a huge field of players. The tournament will be hosted at three different courses, the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula CC. Hollywood have priced Phil Mickelson up as favourite and this comes as little surprise. The Tour veteran won last week and loves this tournament, having won the event on four separate occasions, including last year. Will he manage to pull off back-to-back wins or is it time for one of his pretenders to steal his crown? Let’s have a look.
The PGA Tour heads to California this week for the Pebble Beach National, a Pro-Am tournament which has a huge field of players. The tournament will be hosted at three different courses, the Pebble Beach Golf Links, Spyglass Hill Golf Course and Monterey Peninsula CC. Hollywood have priced Phil Mickelson up as favourite and this comes as little surprise. The Tour veteran won last week and loves this tournament, having won the event on four separate occasions, including last year. Will he manage to pull off back-to-back wins or is it time for one of his pretenders to steal his crown? Let’s have a look.Joburg Open Preview
Joburg Open | Thursday 07 February - Sunday 10 February | Royal Johannesburg and Kensington Golf Club
The European Tour heads to the bustling metropolis of Joburg this week and as usual the field is jam-packed with South Africans. The golf club itself consists of two courses, the East and West, both of which are used during the first two rounds of play. After the cut, the remainder of the tournament is played on the slightly longer East course. With this distance to negotiate, the big-hitters will certainly be at an advantage and there should be a few of those in the 200+ player field. This year, two-time winner Charl Schwartzel will face some stiff competition if he wishes to make it three, as a handful of talented competitors will be looking to knock him from his throne. Who can win this one? Let’s have a look.
Dubai Desert Classic Preview
Dubai Desert Classic | Thursday 31 January - Sunday 03 February | Emirates Golf Club
This week the European Tour heads to the UAE for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the tournament that kicked off the Middle East’s love affair with golf. First played in 1989, this was the tournament that started it all and year after year the world’s best have been drawn here by big appearance fees and the world-class Emirates Golf Club. The course itself is a par 72, 7,301 yard miracle, located in the middle of the desert. As one would expect, there is plenty of sand for the players to contend with but surprisingly there are also numerous water hazards. Seeing as it’s one of the longer courses on Tour, length off the tee will be an asset and pinpoint accuracy when it comes to approaches will go a long way in avoiding the numerous hazards. So, who has it in them to win this one? Let’s see.
This week the European Tour heads to the UAE for the Omega Dubai Desert Classic, the tournament that kicked off the Middle East’s love affair with golf. First played in 1989, this was the tournament that started it all and year after year the world’s best have been drawn here by big appearance fees and the world-class Emirates Golf Club. The course itself is a par 72, 7,301 yard miracle, located in the middle of the desert. As one would expect, there is plenty of sand for the players to contend with but surprisingly there are also numerous water hazards. Seeing as it’s one of the longer courses on Tour, length off the tee will be an asset and pinpoint accuracy when it comes to approaches will go a long way in avoiding the numerous hazards. So, who has it in them to win this one? Let’s see.Waste Management Phoenix Open
Waste Management Phoenix Open | Thursday 31 January - Sunday 03 February | Scottsdale
On Thursday all eyes will turn to Scottsdale, Arizona for one of the highlights of the golfing season. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people flood to the course to watch their heroes battle it out against one another in what has always been a hotly contested affair. Right now, you’re probably thinking that hundreds of thousands is a bit of an exaggeration but I can assure you that it is the case, as last year’s crowd attendance was recorded at a record-breaking 518 000 people. The reason for the popularity of this one can’t be put down to a single factor, but one must certainly be the level of excitement generated by a course design that rewards strong hitters. Three of the par fives are reachable in two and one of the par 4’s are drivable. So who will take home the coveted first prize and sink that final putt in the face of a deafening roar? Let’s try and find out.
On Thursday all eyes will turn to Scottsdale, Arizona for one of the highlights of the golfing season. Every year, hundreds of thousands of people flood to the course to watch their heroes battle it out against one another in what has always been a hotly contested affair. Right now, you’re probably thinking that hundreds of thousands is a bit of an exaggeration but I can assure you that it is the case, as last year’s crowd attendance was recorded at a record-breaking 518 000 people. The reason for the popularity of this one can’t be put down to a single factor, but one must certainly be the level of excitement generated by a course design that rewards strong hitters. Three of the par fives are reachable in two and one of the par 4’s are drivable. So who will take home the coveted first prize and sink that final putt in the face of a deafening roar? Let’s try and find out.Farmers Insurance Open Preview
Farmers Insurance Open | Thursday 24 January - Sunday 27 January | Torrey Pines
The US PGA heads to Torrey Pines this week for the Farmers Insurance Open and as usual, a strong field has assembled for this one. Unsurprisingly, Tiger Woods heads the betting as he attempts his seventh win here, but having watched his dismal performance last week I simply cannot justify betting on him at the price, so I will be looking for value elsewhere. Who has it in them to take control of the North and South courses and come out on top this week? Let’s try and find out.
The US PGA heads to Torrey Pines this week for the Farmers Insurance Open and as usual, a strong field has assembled for this one. Unsurprisingly, Tiger Woods heads the betting as he attempts his seventh win here, but having watched his dismal performance last week I simply cannot justify betting on him at the price, so I will be looking for value elsewhere. Who has it in them to take control of the North and South courses and come out on top this week? Let’s try and find out.Humana Golf Challenge Preview
Humana Challenge | Thursday 17 January- Sunday 20 January | La Quinta
A solid field will head to California this week to take part in the Humana Challenge and golf fans are in for a treat, as traditionally scoring has been low and the tournament has provided some great TV viewing. In previous years it has taken place over five days, four of which included celebrity players, but this time around the format has been shortened to a more traditional 72 hole format. A quick look at previous winners shows that it’s generally the lesser known golfers who fare well here and this comes as little surprise, as the possibilities for shooting low scores mean on their day anyone can dominate the course. For us punters this means that there is a lot of value to be had. The only issue is finding it.
A solid field will head to California this week to take part in the Humana Challenge and golf fans are in for a treat, as traditionally scoring has been low and the tournament has provided some great TV viewing. In previous years it has taken place over five days, four of which included celebrity players, but this time around the format has been shortened to a more traditional 72 hole format. A quick look at previous winners shows that it’s generally the lesser known golfers who fare well here and this comes as little surprise, as the possibilities for shooting low scores mean on their day anyone can dominate the course. For us punters this means that there is a lot of value to be had. The only issue is finding it.Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship
Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship | Thursday 17 January - Sunday 20 January | Abu Dhabi Golf Club
This week sees the European Tour head to Abu Dhabi in the UAE for the seventh instalment of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The tournament has been dominated by Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer since its inception, with Kaymer winning three of them and Casey having won twice. Worth noting is that Rory McIlroy has come in second twice, in 2011 and 2012, and he’ll be looking to go one better this year. The par 72 course measures a lengthy 7,600 yards and is suited to the big hitters but accuracy will also be key as the fairways are narrow. Added to this is the wind factor. If it blows the course is exposed and we can expect to see some big scores. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s have a look.
This week sees the European Tour head to Abu Dhabi in the UAE for the seventh instalment of the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship. The tournament has been dominated by Paul Casey and Martin Kaymer since its inception, with Kaymer winning three of them and Casey having won twice. Worth noting is that Rory McIlroy has come in second twice, in 2011 and 2012, and he’ll be looking to go one better this year. The par 72 course measures a lengthy 7,600 yards and is suited to the big hitters but accuracy will also be key as the fairways are narrow. Added to this is the wind factor. If it blows the course is exposed and we can expect to see some big scores. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s have a look.Volvo Golf Champions Preview
Volvo Golf Champions | Thursday 10 January - Sunday 13 January | Durban Country Club
The European Tour gets underway this week as a select field of 33 players take to Durban Country Club for the third renewal of the Volvo Golf Champions. I generally get excited about watching a bit of golf over the weekend so imagine how keen I am for this one, seeing as though I can practically see the course from my office. This is the first time DCC will host the tournament and from what I hear, the course is in immaculate condition. According to Twitter a few of the local boys have managed to shoot rounds as low as 65 over the past week, so expect scoring to be low. The question is whether Ernie be able to put in a solid performance at the course he so clearly loves, or will one of the other South African pretenders steal his glory? Additionally, will a European sneak a victory on our home turf? Let’s have a look.
The European Tour gets underway this week as a select field of 33 players take to Durban Country Club for the third renewal of the Volvo Golf Champions. I generally get excited about watching a bit of golf over the weekend so imagine how keen I am for this one, seeing as though I can practically see the course from my office. This is the first time DCC will host the tournament and from what I hear, the course is in immaculate condition. According to Twitter a few of the local boys have managed to shoot rounds as low as 65 over the past week, so expect scoring to be low. The question is whether Ernie be able to put in a solid performance at the course he so clearly loves, or will one of the other South African pretenders steal his glory? Additionally, will a European sneak a victory on our home turf? Let’s have a look.The Sony Open Preview
The Sony Open | Thursday 10 January - Sunday 13 January | Waialae Country Club
After the delays experienced in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions there is an almost straight run into this week’s tournament, the Sony Open. This year the event will be held at Waialae Country Club, which is a par 70 course playing at just over 7,000 yards. Last year’s champion was Johnson Wagner and his performance wasn’t one to set the golfing world on fire. Rather he had a consistent four days and was rewarded accordingly. A quick look at the betting shows him on offer at 60/1, so the question is whether he has what it takes to successfully defend his title or will one of the more favoured players steal his crown?
After the delays experienced in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions there is an almost straight run into this week’s tournament, the Sony Open. This year the event will be held at Waialae Country Club, which is a par 70 course playing at just over 7,000 yards. Last year’s champion was Johnson Wagner and his performance wasn’t one to set the golfing world on fire. Rather he had a consistent four days and was rewarded accordingly. A quick look at the betting shows him on offer at 60/1, so the question is whether he has what it takes to successfully defend his title or will one of the more favoured players steal his crown?Hyundai Tournament of Champions Preview
Hyundai Tournament of Champions | Friday 04 January - Monday 07 January | Plantation Course
After what seems like a very short break, the first tournament of 2013 will tee off on Friday. The Hyundai Tournament of Champions will see thirty of last year’s PGA Tour winners compete against one another at the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii and whilst the players will be keen to start the season off with a win, so will all the punters out there. The track is a reasonably long one, measuring in at 7,411 yards, but don’t let this fool you. Distance off the tee isn’t imperative, as Steve Stricker proved last year. What players will need is experience and the ability to make birdies because traditionally debutants have failed to do well, and scores have been low.
Nedbank Golf Challenge Preview
Nedbank Golf Challenge | 29 November – 02 December | Gary Player Country Club, Sun City
Our resident golf tipster @Matt_Cee has found himself a well-earned holiday and assures us that despite battling against tremendous inner forces, he will not be going anywhere near the Nedbank Golf Challenge this weekend. We tried everything within our power to try and wangle a tip or two out of him but he deflected our careful probing with a stony silence. Upon leaving the office and fading into the distance for the next month, he seemed to mutter something under his breath, something that sounded strangely like, “It could well be a South African.” With that cryptic slice of knowledge and a season of tentative golf bets under my belt, here are a few tips for South Africa’s most prized golf tournament, with a little bit of trivia for those slightly more inquisitive.
Our resident golf tipster @Matt_Cee has found himself a well-earned holiday and assures us that despite battling against tremendous inner forces, he will not be going anywhere near the Nedbank Golf Challenge this weekend. We tried everything within our power to try and wangle a tip or two out of him but he deflected our careful probing with a stony silence. Upon leaving the office and fading into the distance for the next month, he seemed to mutter something under his breath, something that sounded strangely like, “It could well be a South African.” With that cryptic slice of knowledge and a season of tentative golf bets under my belt, here are a few tips for South Africa’s most prized golf tournament, with a little bit of trivia for those slightly more inquisitive.DP World Tour Championship Preview
DP World Tour Championship | 22 November- 25 November | Earth Course
57 players will be taking to the Earth Course to battle it out in this European Tour season finale and by the looks of it, this has all the makings of a classic. The past two years have been won by players who started off at pretty big prices. Hopefully there'll be a bit of value to be had but with some of the top names in golf taking to the course, the final result is anyone’s guess. The Earth Course plays a lengthy 7,675 yards and features wide fairways and undulating greens. Just because they’re big does not mean the greens aren’t tricky though and over the years they have been the undoing of numerous players. A premium is placed on precision here. So who has it in them to win this? Let’s try and find out.
57 players will be taking to the Earth Course to battle it out in this European Tour season finale and by the looks of it, this has all the makings of a classic. The past two years have been won by players who started off at pretty big prices. Hopefully there'll be a bit of value to be had but with some of the top names in golf taking to the course, the final result is anyone’s guess. The Earth Course plays a lengthy 7,675 yards and features wide fairways and undulating greens. Just because they’re big does not mean the greens aren’t tricky though and over the years they have been the undoing of numerous players. A premium is placed on precision here. So who has it in them to win this? Let’s try and find out.WGC HSBC Champions Preview
WGC HSBC Champions | 01 November - 04 November | Mission Hills
Golf fans are in for a treat this week as the likes of Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood head to Mission Hills in China for the WGC HSBC Champions tournament. Much has been said about the fact that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have chosen to sit this out after competing in an exhibition in China, but the fact is they’re not here so there’s little use crying about it. Rather, the question is, who of this stellar field have it in them to dethrone defending champ Martin Kaymer? The course is tough and literally littered with bunkers so accuracy will be important here. Interesting, there are 5 par fives and as many par three’s; a rarity in golf. Emphasis will also be placed on those who can control their short irons because history has shown the green to be small and firm. So who will win this one? Let’s try find out.
Golf fans are in for a treat this week as the likes of Luke Donald, Justin Rose and Lee Westwood head to Mission Hills in China for the WGC HSBC Champions tournament. Much has been said about the fact that Tiger Woods and Rory McIlroy have chosen to sit this out after competing in an exhibition in China, but the fact is they’re not here so there’s little use crying about it. Rather, the question is, who of this stellar field have it in them to dethrone defending champ Martin Kaymer? The course is tough and literally littered with bunkers so accuracy will be important here. Interesting, there are 5 par fives and as many par three’s; a rarity in golf. Emphasis will also be placed on those who can control their short irons because history has shown the green to be small and firm. So who will win this one? Let’s try find out.
The BMW Masters | 25 October- 28 October | Lake Malaren Golf Club
With the field that has been put together for this one, there is going to be some great golf played and I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how this pans out. An increased field, which sees 78 players tee off as opposed to last year’s 30, consists of all the big names in Europe and no less than 11 Ryder Cup players will be looking to one-up their former team members in what is sure to be a heated battle. With no course form to go on there’s not much to say in that respect so let’s have a look at which players make the most appeal.
With the field that has been put together for this one, there is going to be some great golf played and I’m certainly looking forward to seeing how this pans out. An increased field, which sees 78 players tee off as opposed to last year’s 30, consists of all the big names in Europe and no less than 11 Ryder Cup players will be looking to one-up their former team members in what is sure to be a heated battle. With no course form to go on there’s not much to say in that respect so let’s have a look at which players make the most appeal.CIMB Classic Preview
This week sees the prestigious CIMB Classic tee off in Malaysia and all involved will be itching to claim their share of the $6.1 million prize money on offer. The event, co-sanctioned by the Asian and PGA Tour, has drawn the top 30 players in the FedEx Cup standings and the top 10 from the Asian Tour. Throw into the mix a couple of sponsor’s exemptions and you have a recipe for an ultra-competitive tournament. The course is divided into a tree-filled opening 9 and an open back 9 but even there, players will have a lot of water to contend with. The cliffs located around the course also make for some interesting golf so accuracy into the greens is a must here. Tiger Woods heads up the betting here and this comes as little surprise. The only question is can he be beaten?Frys.com Open Preview
Frys.com Open | 11 October - 14 October | CordeValle
While some of the bigger names on the US PGA Tour take part in the Turkish Airlines invitational, the balance will be teeing up for the Frys.com Open. The challenging par 71 7,368 yard course features a narrow layout and large greens, so accuracy off the tee is going to be a key asset here. Despite the length, the course is not only suited to big hitters, as the large greens make it possible for even those who are short off the tee to attack and have high GIR percentages. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s try see.
While some of the bigger names on the US PGA Tour take part in the Turkish Airlines invitational, the balance will be teeing up for the Frys.com Open. The challenging par 71 7,368 yard course features a narrow layout and large greens, so accuracy off the tee is going to be a key asset here. Despite the length, the course is not only suited to big hitters, as the large greens make it possible for even those who are short off the tee to attack and have high GIR percentages. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s try see.Portugal Masters Preview
Portugal Masters | 11 October - 14 October | Oceanico Victoria
The European Tour heads over to Portugal this weekend for the imaginatively named Portugal Masters, and at first glance it certainly seems there is a lot of value in this field. Tom Lewis will be defending his title and is the first to catch the eye, but there are many more that make as much appeal. Last year’s birdie-fest saw players tear apart the lengthy par 72 layout, which was surprising considering the number of bunkers and the amount of water. However, it certainly made for interesting viewing so make sure to keep this on your weekend sport schedule. So who has it in them to take this? Let’s try and find out.
The European Tour heads over to Portugal this weekend for the imaginatively named Portugal Masters, and at first glance it certainly seems there is a lot of value in this field. Tom Lewis will be defending his title and is the first to catch the eye, but there are many more that make as much appeal. Last year’s birdie-fest saw players tear apart the lengthy par 72 layout, which was surprising considering the number of bunkers and the amount of water. However, it certainly made for interesting viewing so make sure to keep this on your weekend sport schedule. So who has it in them to take this? Let’s try and find out.Justin Timberlake Open Preview
Justin Timberlake Open | 04 October - 07 October | Las Vegas
After the biggest upset in Ryder Cup history, the PGA Tour resumes this week and I wouldn’t be surprised if the USA has lost interest in this game completely. Having watched their team get decimated by an incredible European outfit, it’s impossible to imagine what they must be thinking at the moment, but I doubt it’s about how much they love golf. Fortunately, they are in for a bit of a treat here as the tournament is known to be a birdie-fest and anything but boring. Seeing as though none of the Ryder Cup players want to show their faces in public, they’re sitting this one out, which improves everyone else's chances. Perhaps an upset is on the cards?
After the biggest upset in Ryder Cup history, the PGA Tour resumes this week and I wouldn’t be surprised if the USA has lost interest in this game completely. Having watched their team get decimated by an incredible European outfit, it’s impossible to imagine what they must be thinking at the moment, but I doubt it’s about how much they love golf. Fortunately, they are in for a bit of a treat here as the tournament is known to be a birdie-fest and anything but boring. Seeing as though none of the Ryder Cup players want to show their faces in public, they’re sitting this one out, which improves everyone else's chances. Perhaps an upset is on the cards?Alfred Dunhill Links Championship Preview
Alfred Dunhill Links Championship | 04 October - 07 October | St Andrews
Following the excitement of last week’s Ryder Cup, golf fans are in for another treat this week as the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, one of the richest tournaments on the European Tour, tees off on Thursday. Whilst players contend for their share of the $5 million prize pool, the pro-am part of the tournament cannot be forgotten as well-known personalities from the world of sport and entertainment tee up alongside the professionals in what is always an interesting display. Seeing as we’re here for the betting, focus is going to be on the To Win Outright market. The pro-am will just serve to add an interesting dimension to a special event. So who will win this one? Let’s try find out.
Following the excitement of last week’s Ryder Cup, golf fans are in for another treat this week as the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, one of the richest tournaments on the European Tour, tees off on Thursday. Whilst players contend for their share of the $5 million prize pool, the pro-am part of the tournament cannot be forgotten as well-known personalities from the world of sport and entertainment tee up alongside the professionals in what is always an interesting display. Seeing as we’re here for the betting, focus is going to be on the To Win Outright market. The pro-am will just serve to add an interesting dimension to a special event. So who will win this one? Let’s try find out.Ryder Cup 2012 Preview
The Ryder Cup | 28 September - 30 September | Medinah Country Club
The time has come for the return of the prestigious Ryder Cup and I cannot believe that it’s already been two years since the last one. This year the USA will play host to the tournament and will certainly be hoping to turn around the unfortunate results of the past few years. The American side seems to have a slight advantage this year as their big hitters and fast green specialists will be able to handle the lengthy track and speedy putting surfaces with ease, but don’t discount Team Europe who are brimming with talent. All I know is that it is going to be a hotly contested tournament and golf fans across the world cannot speak of anything else at the moment. So where does the value this year lie? Let’s try find out.
The Ryder Cup - Facts and Trivia
As the golfing world begin to focus on this week’s Ryder Cup, we at Hollywood figure we’ll give you a head start to assist in preparation for the year’s most anticipated golfing event. The biennial tournament will tee off on the 28th of September and as per usual you can expect a full betting preview on Wednesday. However, in the interim we’ve decided to throw together a few facts to help get the juices flowing and lend you a hand in impressing friends and work colleagues alike. After all, the more you know the better it gets.The Tour Championship Preview
The Tour Championship | 20 September - 23 September | East Lake Golf Club
After nine months of competition, the FedEx Cup will be reaching its climax this week as the top 30 players on the PGA Tour battle it out for one of the richest prizes in sport. Amazingly, every player in the field has a chance to win the $10 million prize, from top-rated Rory McIlroy all the way through to Scott Piercy. So for the next couple of days, there are sure to loads of sleepless nights and pre-tournament jitters. 'Calm under pressure' is going to be a massive asset here, so look to the experienced players who perform well in these conditions. Scoring is going to be difficult on this par 70 7,300 yard course so don’t expect anyone to completely dominate the field. This is going to be one fierce battle and I, for one, cannot wait to see how the field lines up.
After nine months of competition, the FedEx Cup will be reaching its climax this week as the top 30 players on the PGA Tour battle it out for one of the richest prizes in sport. Amazingly, every player in the field has a chance to win the $10 million prize, from top-rated Rory McIlroy all the way through to Scott Piercy. So for the next couple of days, there are sure to loads of sleepless nights and pre-tournament jitters. 'Calm under pressure' is going to be a massive asset here, so look to the experienced players who perform well in these conditions. Scoring is going to be difficult on this par 70 7,300 yard course so don’t expect anyone to completely dominate the field. This is going to be one fierce battle and I, for one, cannot wait to see how the field lines up.
BMW Italian Open | 13 September - 16 September | Royal Park Golf Club
A quiet weekend in the world of golf means that there will only be one tournament this weekend, as players on the US PGA are given a welcome break from their hectic schedule. The tournament is the BMW Italian Open, to be played at Royal Park Golf Club. This is the fourth time the course will host this one, so recent history can be analysed and if you subscribe to the “horses for course” maxim, you can look at past winners to see where the value lies. One of the things that a quick look at past tournaments reveals is that putting is key if players are to be in the mix come Sunday, so have a look at those with the stats to help them through to there. The par 72, 7,200 yard course is known for its fairly wide fairways surrounded by a tight tree line and numerous water hazards, so a degree of control off the tee will be another key feature. So who ticks the boxes? Let’s try find out.
BMW Championship Preview
BMW Championship | 06 September - 09 September | Crooked Stick
This week the third of four events in the FedEx Cup will tee off at Crooked Stick, which pits the Top 70 golfers in the FedEx Cup standings against each other. With no cut the tournament can be pretty unpredictable, but in a field containing players of this calibre, if you’re not in the running come Saturday I can’t see you winning this one. Of the five BMW Championships held so far, there have been four different winners. Tiger Woods was the player to win twice, doing so at Cog Hill. With the tournament now moving to Crooked Stick, don’t read too much into this. So who will win this one? Let’s have a look.
This week the third of four events in the FedEx Cup will tee off at Crooked Stick, which pits the Top 70 golfers in the FedEx Cup standings against each other. With no cut the tournament can be pretty unpredictable, but in a field containing players of this calibre, if you’re not in the running come Saturday I can’t see you winning this one. Of the five BMW Championships held so far, there have been four different winners. Tiger Woods was the player to win twice, doing so at Cog Hill. With the tournament now moving to Crooked Stick, don’t read too much into this. So who will win this one? Let’s have a look.KLM Open Preview
KLM Open | 06 September - 09 September | Hilversumsche Golf Club
After a disappointing weekend I now turn to the KLM open, where hopefully I’ll be able to recoup some of the losses sustained last week. The tournament was first played in 1923 and is steeped in history. This year it will be played at Hilversumsche Golf Club. The relatively short, 6,906 yard par 70 course is by no means the longest around, but don’t let that fool you. It plays tough and whoever wins this one will need to be on top of their game, especially considering the quality of the field playing this week. Last year’s winner Simon Dyson will be looking to make it back-to-back victories whilst 2010 champ Martin Kaymer will come into this looking for his first win of the season. Expect a tough battle for the top prize this week.
After a disappointing weekend I now turn to the KLM open, where hopefully I’ll be able to recoup some of the losses sustained last week. The tournament was first played in 1923 and is steeped in history. This year it will be played at Hilversumsche Golf Club. The relatively short, 6,906 yard par 70 course is by no means the longest around, but don’t let that fool you. It plays tough and whoever wins this one will need to be on top of their game, especially considering the quality of the field playing this week. Last year’s winner Simon Dyson will be looking to make it back-to-back victories whilst 2010 champ Martin Kaymer will come into this looking for his first win of the season. Expect a tough battle for the top prize this week.Omega European Masters Preview
With a reasonable field jetting across to Switzerland this week, there seems a lot of value, as all the favourites are great players in their own right but at the same time relatively inconsistent. It’s tournaments like these that I love backing 50/1 to 100/1 players in, as those who would generally write off their chances of beating the big names get a chance to step up. The short 6,800 yard par 71 course plays even shorter seeing as though it’s at altitude, so driving distance isn’t important. Rather, focus on players who are going to be able to avoid the bunkers and hit the small greens. Putting will also be important, as will experience on the course, as players who know the layout will have an idea which par 4’s are driveable and which par 5’s can be easily reached in two. So who will win this one?Deutsche Bank Championship Preview
Deutsche Bank Champs | US PGA Tour | 30 August - 02 September | 13:00 | TPC Boston
The Deutsche Bank Championship tees off on Thursday and the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings will ship off to Boston where they’ll battle this one out. The tournament has been hosted at this course since 2003 so there are some lessons to be learnt from previous years. I reckon the main one is that scores have generally been low, so players who rank high in birdie average should be watched closely. This also means that focus should be on players who have proven to be consistent. Those who have a tendency to blow out on a hole or two could be in the mix but it’s unlikely they’ll win. So who has it in them to win this week? Let’s see.
The Deutsche Bank Championship tees off on Thursday and the top 100 in the FedEx Cup standings will ship off to Boston where they’ll battle this one out. The tournament has been hosted at this course since 2003 so there are some lessons to be learnt from previous years. I reckon the main one is that scores have generally been low, so players who rank high in birdie average should be watched closely. This also means that focus should be on players who have proven to be consistent. Those who have a tendency to blow out on a hole or two could be in the mix but it’s unlikely they’ll win. So who has it in them to win this week? Let’s see.The Johnnie Walker Championship Preview
The Johnnie Walker Championship | 23 August -26 August | Gleneagles
This week things return back to normal with two tournaments over the weekend and I can’t decide if I’m more excited for this or for the Barclays. Ryder Cup positions will be on players’ minds on both sides of the Tour as Poulter, Kaymer and Colsaerts all look to secure their positions on the team. As Sergio proved last week, the coveted positions can be a huge motivating factor so expect big tournaments from all three players. The fairways are going to be soft after a rain-filled few weeks but the new greens should ensure that players who can hit their approaches well are left with decent birdie opportunities. So who will win this one?
This week things return back to normal with two tournaments over the weekend and I can’t decide if I’m more excited for this or for the Barclays. Ryder Cup positions will be on players’ minds on both sides of the Tour as Poulter, Kaymer and Colsaerts all look to secure their positions on the team. As Sergio proved last week, the coveted positions can be a huge motivating factor so expect big tournaments from all three players. The fairways are going to be soft after a rain-filled few weeks but the new greens should ensure that players who can hit their approaches well are left with decent birdie opportunities. So who will win this one?The Barclays Preview
The Barclays | US PGA Tour | 23 - 26 August | 13:00 | Bethpage Black
A poor week last week taught me a few things, the most useful to the punters out there being that whilst it’s always tempting to look for long odds, if you’re feeling confident in a player then back him. There are few things worse than regret. Anyway, the only way to move on is to look forward and this week attention will be focused on the Barclays and Bethpage Black, one of the most feared courses in the world. In order to win this someone is going to have to produce a super consistent four days because as long and narrow the course is, things don’t ease up when it comes to playing approach shots. Unsurprisingly, Tiger and Rory dominate the betting but that’s helped to inflate a few prices, so let’s see if there’s any value out there.
A poor week last week taught me a few things, the most useful to the punters out there being that whilst it’s always tempting to look for long odds, if you’re feeling confident in a player then back him. There are few things worse than regret. Anyway, the only way to move on is to look forward and this week attention will be focused on the Barclays and Bethpage Black, one of the most feared courses in the world. In order to win this someone is going to have to produce a super consistent four days because as long and narrow the course is, things don’t ease up when it comes to playing approach shots. Unsurprisingly, Tiger and Rory dominate the betting but that’s helped to inflate a few prices, so let’s see if there’s any value out there.Wyndham Championship Preview
Wyndham Championship | 16 August - 19 August | Sedgefield Country Club
As the excitement of last week’s Major begins to fade, attention is now focussed on Sedgefield Country Club as players tee up for the Wyndham Championship. This will be the fifth year in a row the course will host the event and the relatively easy layout is going to be a treat for those who were crushed by the trying conditions at Kiawah Island. With scoring here being fairly low, putting is going to be important, so keep an eye on players who can rank highly in this stat. Last year Webb Simpson won with a final score of -18, so expect to see a ton of birdies. Can he do it again this year or do we need to turn our attention elsewhere and find some value?
As the excitement of last week’s Major begins to fade, attention is now focussed on Sedgefield Country Club as players tee up for the Wyndham Championship. This will be the fifth year in a row the course will host the event and the relatively easy layout is going to be a treat for those who were crushed by the trying conditions at Kiawah Island. With scoring here being fairly low, putting is going to be important, so keep an eye on players who can rank highly in this stat. Last year Webb Simpson won with a final score of -18, so expect to see a ton of birdies. Can he do it again this year or do we need to turn our attention elsewhere and find some value?The PGA Championship Preview
The PGA Championship | 9 August- 12 August | Kiawah Island Golf Resort, Ocean Course
As the final Major of the year rolls around, the world’s best once again take the stage to compete for a share of the $8 million prize fund. The Ocean Course at Kiawah is a most brutal course, one of the most these players are going to face and playing at almost 7,700 yards in length, immediately focus has to turn to players who hit it long. This will be especially true if forecasts come to fruition and the course is hit by strong winds in the afternoon. Fortunately, the fairways are wide and the rough is short so accuracy off the tee isn’t key. Unfortunately the same can’t be said for the greens, which demand accurate iron play. Over-par scores are going to be the order of the day and I reckon experience will be key in navigating the difficult layout. This is going to be a tough one to call, but let’s see what we can do.
The Bridgestone Invitational Preview
The Bridgestone Invitational | US PGA Tour | 2 - 5 August | 13:00 | Firestone Country Club
The Bridgestone Invitational tees off on Thursday and all eyes are going to be on Tiger to see if he can continue his domination of Firestone CC. Since 1999 he’s won this tournament 7 times so it’s no surprise to see him priced up at 9/2. However this does mean there’s value to be had in the rest of the field so I’ll be looking at them in the hopes that Tiger doesn’t perform this week. The course plays at 7,400 yards to a par of 70, so driving distance is going to be a massive asset. The tricky pin positions mean that a long drive will make for good angles for approaches and traditionally the big hitters have dominated the leaderboards. Who has the game to win this one? Let’s try and find out.
The Bridgestone Invitational tees off on Thursday and all eyes are going to be on Tiger to see if he can continue his domination of Firestone CC. Since 1999 he’s won this tournament 7 times so it’s no surprise to see him priced up at 9/2. However this does mean there’s value to be had in the rest of the field so I’ll be looking at them in the hopes that Tiger doesn’t perform this week. The course plays at 7,400 yards to a par of 70, so driving distance is going to be a massive asset. The tricky pin positions mean that a long drive will make for good angles for approaches and traditionally the big hitters have dominated the leaderboards. Who has the game to win this one? Let’s try and find out.Reno-Tahoe Open Preview
Reno-Tahoe Open | US PGA Tour | 2nd - 5th August | 13:00 | Montreux Golf & Country Club
Moving away from the Bridgestone Invitational, the less popular event this weekend is the Reno-Tahoe Open. This one is played at Montreux Golf and Country Club, a par 72 measuring 7,472 yards in length. This year a change in format sees the tournament use a Stableford scoring system, so emphasis is going to be placed on making birdies. Change is always good, so it’s going to be interesting to see who adapts to this type of game. As such birdie making stats are the order of the day and players who sit high in this statistic demand your full attention. Who are those? Let’s have a look.
Moving away from the Bridgestone Invitational, the less popular event this weekend is the Reno-Tahoe Open. This one is played at Montreux Golf and Country Club, a par 72 measuring 7,472 yards in length. This year a change in format sees the tournament use a Stableford scoring system, so emphasis is going to be placed on making birdies. Change is always good, so it’s going to be interesting to see who adapts to this type of game. As such birdie making stats are the order of the day and players who sit high in this statistic demand your full attention. Who are those? Let’s have a look.Canadian Open Preview
Canadian Open | US PGA Tour | 26th - 29th July | 13:00 | Hamilton Golf & Country Club
After the excitement of last weekend the PGA Tour heads back across to Canada where an exhausted field will tee off for the Canadian Open. The last time a tournament was played here was in 2006 and it was then that Jim Furyk claimed a narrow victory. The par 70 layout is made up of fast fairways and long rough, so much like last week accuracy off the tee is a must. Small greens make for interesting approaches where a solid GIR% will be rewarded. This isn’t the end of it though as the greens themselves are said to be extremely difficult. Overall, whoever wins this will have to be the whole package. Who will that be? Let’s try find out.
After the excitement of last weekend the PGA Tour heads back across to Canada where an exhausted field will tee off for the Canadian Open. The last time a tournament was played here was in 2006 and it was then that Jim Furyk claimed a narrow victory. The par 70 layout is made up of fast fairways and long rough, so much like last week accuracy off the tee is a must. Small greens make for interesting approaches where a solid GIR% will be rewarded. This isn’t the end of it though as the greens themselves are said to be extremely difficult. Overall, whoever wins this will have to be the whole package. Who will that be? Let’s try find out.Lyoness Open Preview
Lyoness Open | European Tour | 26th - 29th July | 07:00 | Diamond Cup
The Lyoness Open, previously known as the Austrian open, has the unenviable task of having to follow the Open Championship. No doubt a lot of weekend golfers are tired after spending hours in front of the TV watching the game as the past week’s activities made it tough to leave the couch. This one has therefore become one for the purists. The small prize purse and timing have also ensured the field is less than brilliant but don’t let this deter you. The weaker the field, the greater the value to be found! The course is a 7, 386 yard par 72 and there is water all over the show. Two island greens make for interesting viewing so be sure to watch at least a portion of this one. Despite the weak field let's see if there’s any value to be found.
The Lyoness Open, previously known as the Austrian open, has the unenviable task of having to follow the Open Championship. No doubt a lot of weekend golfers are tired after spending hours in front of the TV watching the game as the past week’s activities made it tough to leave the couch. This one has therefore become one for the purists. The small prize purse and timing have also ensured the field is less than brilliant but don’t let this deter you. The weaker the field, the greater the value to be found! The course is a 7, 386 yard par 72 and there is water all over the show. Two island greens make for interesting viewing so be sure to watch at least a portion of this one. Despite the weak field let's see if there’s any value to be found.The Open Championship Preview
The British Open | 19th - 22nd July | 07:00 | Royal Lytham & St Annes
The third major of the year tees off on Thursday and I for one am frothing to see how this one plays out. This year the Open will be hosted at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s for the 11th time and I hope you’re not expecting to see a majestic layout this weekend. The course is by no means an attractive one but it is steeped in history and has seen minimal changes made since 1897. This means the tight fairways and numerous bunkers will once again be ready to challenge those who are wayward off the tee, so accuracy is key. The 6,905 yard course is relatively short and there are a handful of par 4’s that are driveable. What remains to be seen is whether or not anyone has the courage to risk hitting one of the 206 bunkers that scatter the course. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s try and find out.
The third major of the year tees off on Thursday and I for one am frothing to see how this one plays out. This year the Open will be hosted at Royal Lytham & St Anne’s for the 11th time and I hope you’re not expecting to see a majestic layout this weekend. The course is by no means an attractive one but it is steeped in history and has seen minimal changes made since 1897. This means the tight fairways and numerous bunkers will once again be ready to challenge those who are wayward off the tee, so accuracy is key. The 6,905 yard course is relatively short and there are a handful of par 4’s that are driveable. What remains to be seen is whether or not anyone has the courage to risk hitting one of the 206 bunkers that scatter the course. So who has it in them to win this one? Let’s try and find out.The Open Championship 2012 Facts Trivia
The Open Championship - Royal Lytham & St Annes Golf Club - 19th - 22nd July 2012
With the Open Championship around the corner, conversation around the workplace and the pub seems to be revolving around the third major of the year. To make sure you play your part in the discussion, give this a read and drop some of these facts into the banter. It’s doubtful anyone else will be aware of them and you’ll look like a genius. Who doesn’t want that? We've also provided the full field's win and place betting so get your bets on while the value looks good!
With the Open Championship around the corner, conversation around the workplace and the pub seems to be revolving around the third major of the year. To make sure you play your part in the discussion, give this a read and drop some of these facts into the banter. It’s doubtful anyone else will be aware of them and you’ll look like a genius. Who doesn’t want that? We've also provided the full field's win and place betting so get your bets on while the value looks good!The Scottish Open Preview
The Scottish Open | European Tour | 12th - 15th July | 07:00 | Castle Stuart Golf Links
The Scottish Open has been a fixture on the European Tour for years now, but over the past two years major changes have been made. For the past ten years Barclays Capital had been the main sponsors, however it must now be getting a bit costly for them as a new sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management, has taken over. This change in sponsor was preceded last year by a change in course. Traditionally the tournament was held at Loch Lomond Golf Club but the layout there did not suitably prepare contestants for the upcoming Open Championship so the decision was made to move to Castle Stuart Golf Links. The poor weather at the event last year meant only 54 holes were played so it’s tough to look into course form but keep in mind that Luke Donald did win with a massive -19. The par 72 7, 193 yard course is going to see some low scores this week though, so look forward to seeing some great golf. Who will win this one? Let’s try find out.
Read More Now »The Scottish Open has been a fixture on the European Tour for years now, but over the past two years major changes have been made. For the past ten years Barclays Capital had been the main sponsors, however it must now be getting a bit costly for them as a new sponsor, Aberdeen Asset Management, has taken over. This change in sponsor was preceded last year by a change in course. Traditionally the tournament was held at Loch Lomond Golf Club but the layout there did not suitably prepare contestants for the upcoming Open Championship so the decision was made to move to Castle Stuart Golf Links. The poor weather at the event last year meant only 54 holes were played so it’s tough to look into course form but keep in mind that Luke Donald did win with a massive -19. The par 72 7, 193 yard course is going to see some low scores this week though, so look forward to seeing some great golf. Who will win this one? Let’s try find out.John Deere Classic Preview
John Deere Classic | US PGA Tour | 12th - 15th July | 13:00 | TPC at Deere Run
As player’s prepare to take to the course on Thursday, the question on everyone’s lips is does Steve Stricker have what it takes to further stamp his authority on this one and make it four wins in a row? Although he has been priced up favourite (for obvious reasons) there is a chance that this week his putting will let him down so I’m going to avoid tipping the favourite and instead look elsewhere for value. On a track that offers numerous birdie opportunities, approach play and putting are key but don’t be fooled into thinking the long hitters are completely out of it. The relatively forgiving layout means only the most wayward shots are punished. It also means there are numerous angles to look at when picking winners. Let’s see if we can find one.
As player’s prepare to take to the course on Thursday, the question on everyone’s lips is does Steve Stricker have what it takes to further stamp his authority on this one and make it four wins in a row? Although he has been priced up favourite (for obvious reasons) there is a chance that this week his putting will let him down so I’m going to avoid tipping the favourite and instead look elsewhere for value. On a track that offers numerous birdie opportunities, approach play and putting are key but don’t be fooled into thinking the long hitters are completely out of it. The relatively forgiving layout means only the most wayward shots are punished. It also means there are numerous angles to look at when picking winners. Let’s see if we can find one.Greenbrier Classic Preview
The Greenbrier Classic | 5 - 8 July | Old White TPC
The Greenbrier Classic is only in its third year on Tour but has drawn an amazing field this week. Tiger Woods, Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson and a host of other big names will take to the course to battle it out for a share of the $6 million prize fund. The par 70 7,210 yard course was destroyed by Stuart Appleby in 2010 when he won with a final score of -22, so expect low scores. This also means consistency will be rewarded. Who has it in them to win here? Let’s try find out.
The Greenbrier Classic is only in its third year on Tour but has drawn an amazing field this week. Tiger Woods, Webb Simpson, Dustin Johnson and a host of other big names will take to the course to battle it out for a share of the $6 million prize fund. The par 70 7,210 yard course was destroyed by Stuart Appleby in 2010 when he won with a final score of -22, so expect low scores. This also means consistency will be rewarded. Who has it in them to win here? Let’s try find out.The Open de France Preview
The Open de France | European Tour | 5th - 8th July 2012 | Le Golf National
The European Tour heads to France this week for the historic Open de France. This one has been part of the Tour’s schedule since the tour’s inception in 1972 and although it was originally played at a different course each year, it is now regularly played at Le Golf National. A large prize fund generally draws a strong field and this year is no exception as Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and a host of other big names compete for a share of the 3 million euros on offer. This par 71, 7 300 yard course has seen some very low scores so expect much of the same this year. Whose score will be lowest come Sunday afternoon? Let’s try find out.
The European Tour heads to France this week for the historic Open de France. This one has been part of the Tour’s schedule since the tour’s inception in 1972 and although it was originally played at a different course each year, it is now regularly played at Le Golf National. A large prize fund generally draws a strong field and this year is no exception as Lee Westwood, Martin Kaymer and a host of other big names compete for a share of the 3 million euros on offer. This par 71, 7 300 yard course has seen some very low scores so expect much of the same this year. Whose score will be lowest come Sunday afternoon? Let’s try find out.The Irish Open Preview
The Irish Open | 28 June- 01 July | Royal Portrush | 15:00
The Irish Open returns to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1953, and will be held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club. The par 72, 7 143 yard course is known to play into the hands of the strategists and the tough layout means that patience is key here. A host of big names have won this one in the past, but seeing as though no professionals have played this one recently, course form goes out the window. All I know is that the Irish dominate the top of the betting so watch the likes of McIlroy, McDowell and Harrington closely.
The Irish Open returns to Northern Ireland for the first time since 1953, and will be held at the Royal Portrush Golf Club. The par 72, 7 143 yard course is known to play into the hands of the strategists and the tough layout means that patience is key here. A host of big names have won this one in the past, but seeing as though no professionals have played this one recently, course form goes out the window. All I know is that the Irish dominate the top of the betting so watch the likes of McIlroy, McDowell and Harrington closely.AT&T National Preview
AT&T National | PGA Tour | 28th June - 1st July | 13:00 | Congressional Country Club
One of my favourite pastimes is slating Tiger Woods but it's pretty hard this weekend as he hosts this one for his charity, which I’m pretty sure has done a lot of good over the years. This year the event returns to Congressional Country Club and scores on the par 71 course tend to be fairly low, with -13 and -12 enough for victory in 2009 and 2008 respectively. A great field will be turning up on Thursday to show their support for Tiger so expect to see some good golf over the four days. Can Tiger win this one or will he blow up again and let someone else take his tournament? Let’s try and find out.
One of my favourite pastimes is slating Tiger Woods but it's pretty hard this weekend as he hosts this one for his charity, which I’m pretty sure has done a lot of good over the years. This year the event returns to Congressional Country Club and scores on the par 71 course tend to be fairly low, with -13 and -12 enough for victory in 2009 and 2008 respectively. A great field will be turning up on Thursday to show their support for Tiger so expect to see some good golf over the four days. Can Tiger win this one or will he blow up again and let someone else take his tournament? Let’s try and find out.PGA Tour: Travelers Championship Preview
The Travelers Championship | 21st - 24th June | Connecticut | 13:00
As the dust settles after the US Open, players on the PGA Tour will be making their way to TPC at River Highlands to take part in something slightly less stressful. A strong field of competitors will line up here and anyone thinking Webb Simpson will be taking a deserved break is mistaken as he is included in the field. The par 70 course stands at 6 841 yards in length and had played host to the tournament since 1984. Traditionally scores here have been low and last year Fredrik Jacobson won with an impressive 20-under. I expect to see some good golf going down over the four days. Who will win this one? Let’s find out.
As the dust settles after the US Open, players on the PGA Tour will be making their way to TPC at River Highlands to take part in something slightly less stressful. A strong field of competitors will line up here and anyone thinking Webb Simpson will be taking a deserved break is mistaken as he is included in the field. The par 70 course stands at 6 841 yards in length and had played host to the tournament since 1984. Traditionally scores here have been low and last year Fredrik Jacobson won with an impressive 20-under. I expect to see some good golf going down over the four days. Who will win this one? Let’s find out.European Tour: BMW International Preview
BMW International | 21st - 24th June| Cologne, Germany | 07:00
This weekend the European Tour stops over in Germany, for the BMW International. The tournament will be hosted at the Golf Club Gut Larchenhof, designed by Jack Nicklaus, and the par 72 courses measures 72 89 yards and has seen some massive names claim the winners cheque in recent years. Included amongst those are Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, but don’t let this fool you. Smaller names have a good chance of a solid finish here, especially this year as a few of the big guns are sitting this one out. So who will take home 1st prize on Sunday? Let’s see…
This weekend the European Tour stops over in Germany, for the BMW International. The tournament will be hosted at the Golf Club Gut Larchenhof, designed by Jack Nicklaus, and the par 72 courses measures 72 89 yards and has seen some massive names claim the winners cheque in recent years. Included amongst those are Lee Westwood and Martin Kaymer, but don’t let this fool you. Smaller names have a good chance of a solid finish here, especially this year as a few of the big guns are sitting this one out. So who will take home 1st prize on Sunday? Let’s see…The US Open Preview
The US Open | 14 -17 June | Olympic Club, San Francisco | 21:30
The much anticipated US Open tees off at the Olympic Club on Thursday and anyone who follows the game knows that this is going to be an epic. This year the par 70 course measures 7,170 yards in length and if previous years are anything to go by, the course is going to play tough. Driving accuracy is important in this tournament as high rough punishes those wayward shots, but hit it straight and you still have to contend with pinched fairways and undulating greens. The winner is going to have to play an impeccable four rounds here, so experience is key. Who’ll walk away a legend on Sunday? Let’s try finding out.
The much anticipated US Open tees off at the Olympic Club on Thursday and anyone who follows the game knows that this is going to be an epic. This year the par 70 course measures 7,170 yards in length and if previous years are anything to go by, the course is going to play tough. Driving accuracy is important in this tournament as high rough punishes those wayward shots, but hit it straight and you still have to contend with pinched fairways and undulating greens. The winner is going to have to play an impeccable four rounds here, so experience is key. Who’ll walk away a legend on Sunday? Let’s try finding out.Nordea Masters Preview
Nordea Masters, European Tour, 7th - 10th June, Bro Hof Slott
Seeing as though a lot of the top players will be preparing for the US Open next week, this week sees many of them missing out on this one, which opens the door for the locals to get a win on their home turf. Three of the last four winners on this challenging par 72, 7,365 yard course have been Swedish, so there’s a lot of value to be had on the locals. However, one can never discount the likes of Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, so this should be interesting. Strong iron play and precision with the driver are essential as players aim to miss the challenging pot bunkers that scatter the course, so avoid those who tend to be wayward. Who will win this year? Let’s see….
Seeing as though a lot of the top players will be preparing for the US Open next week, this week sees many of them missing out on this one, which opens the door for the locals to get a win on their home turf. Three of the last four winners on this challenging par 72, 7,365 yard course have been Swedish, so there’s a lot of value to be had on the locals. However, one can never discount the likes of Lee Westwood and Sergio Garcia, so this should be interesting. Strong iron play and precision with the driver are essential as players aim to miss the challenging pot bunkers that scatter the course, so avoid those who tend to be wayward. Who will win this year? Let’s see….FedEx St Jude Classic Preview
FedEx St. Jude Classic, PGA Tour, 7th - 10th June, Memphis
The St. Jude classic tees off at TPC Southwind this weekend and it promises to be a low scoring affair. The par 70 7,244 yard course has seen some exceptional golf over the years and this installment promises more of the same as the world’s best compete for the $1 million 1st prize cheque. History seems to favour the US players, as only one European has won in the last 15 years. Interestingly though, three Europeans find themselves right up there in the betting, so it’s anyone’s game this time around. Let’s try find some winners.
The St. Jude classic tees off at TPC Southwind this weekend and it promises to be a low scoring affair. The par 70 7,244 yard course has seen some exceptional golf over the years and this installment promises more of the same as the world’s best compete for the $1 million 1st prize cheque. History seems to favour the US players, as only one European has won in the last 15 years. Interestingly though, three Europeans find themselves right up there in the betting, so it’s anyone’s game this time around. Let’s try find some winners.
The Memorial Tournament, US PGA Tour, 31 May - 3 June, 13:00
The Memorial Tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio, will see the top ranked 75 players in the world take to the field to battle it out for one of Jack's coveted trophies. Steve Stricker will be aiming to defend his 2011 title, while Tiger Woods will be aiming to grab his 5th win at this tournament. Luke Donald enters as favorite to follow up on his victory at the BMW Championship, and Bubba Watson returns to the course after his Masters victory. With Hollywoodbets.net paying out six places on this tournament, there's plenty of value to find in this field! Lets see what the tipsters have to say.
The Memorial Tournament, hosted by Jack Nicklaus at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio, will see the top ranked 75 players in the world take to the field to battle it out for one of Jack's coveted trophies. Steve Stricker will be aiming to defend his 2011 title, while Tiger Woods will be aiming to grab his 5th win at this tournament. Luke Donald enters as favorite to follow up on his victory at the BMW Championship, and Bubba Watson returns to the course after his Masters victory. With Hollywoodbets.net paying out six places on this tournament, there's plenty of value to find in this field! Lets see what the tipsters have to say.- Crowne Plaza Invitational Preview
- BMW Championship Preview
- Byron Nelson Championship Preview
- Volvo World Match Play Preview
- The Players Championship Preview
- Madeira Islands Open Preview
- Wells Fargo Championship Preview
- Open de Espana Preview
APRIL
- Zurich Classic Preview
- Ballantine's Championship Preview
- Valero Texas Open Preview
- Volvo China Open Preview
- US Masters 2012 Preview Golf
- Sicilian Open Preview
- Shell Houston Open Preview
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