February 3rd – European and PGA Tour
The Dubai Desert Classic has seen some of the biggest names win over the past 5 seasons, however, this season only the cream of the European Tour have decided to challenge for the title. Having said that I think The Europeans are holding the early cards for the Ryder Cup to be held later in the year. The players who have performed well int he past are HENRIK STENSON ($19.50), MARTIN KAYMER ($12.50), RORY McILROY ($9.60) and my pick for the week ROBERT KARLSSON ($17.50). Karlsson looked brilliant in winning last weekend and looks to have recaptured some of his 2008 form. I normally wouldn’t back a player who has won the week before because the media commitments and the release from the pressure of winning on Sunday is hard to come back from but Karlsson has proved in the past he can win back to back and the way he played and his past record here I expect a high performance again. The blowout performer here might be JYOTI RANDAWA ($360) or MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENIZ ($85) who are both massively priced and have a preference for the Desert layout.
In the PGA TOUR we head to L.A. for the Northern Trust Open and do I dare mention Mickelson again?? As I stated last week I’m not a fan of his and I have a sick enjoyment seeing him not perform even after I tip him (Weird I know). Well I’m tempted to do the same again. In the last 3 years he has performed erratically at Torrey Pines then headed to L.A. for 2 wins and a runner-up which is hard to go past. However, I can’t bring myself to backing him again especially at the ridiculous odds of $7.60. ROBERT ALLENBY ($21) continued his great start to the year, after we named him as the player to watch this season, finishing high in the standings again last week even though he was given a rough referees decision coming down the home stretch that cost him 3 shots (He ended up 3 shots behind the leaders). Allenby has also performed highly here in the past but I’m a bit concerned his Sunday controversy may affect him this week. STEVE STRICKER ($15.50) is the second favourite this week and I think it can only be on reputation alone. I am a fan of his but his last performance was very scratchy and only the fact he has performed here in the past. Probably the best odds available are for MIKE WEIR ($38) who loves the Riviera layout and is striking the ball well after a 6th place finish at Bob Hope earlier in the season with some great ball striking (A key to scoring well on this course).
Our Bets are:
EUROPEAN TOUR
ALAVARO QUIROS to beat Paul Casey at $1.80 on SportsBet (Sports Managed Fund 15% Bet) **Casey crumbled under the pressure on Sunday and I can’t see him recovering. Meanwhile Quiros stormed home and will come into the weekend with a lot of confidence.
ROBERT KARLSSON to beat Lee Westwood at $1.97 on SportsBet (Sports Managed Fund 10% Bet) **Westwood is having major club issues (Broken drivers and incorrect shafts) and it is amazing that he is still playing so well. That said that can’t continue and Karlsson won the mind battle on Sunday and should carry it on to this weekend.
PGA TOUR
MARK LEISHMAN to beat Luke Donald at $1.90 on SportsBet (Sports Managed Fund 10% Bet) **Leishman has jumped straight back onto the form that saw him finish as the Rookie of the Year last season. Meanwhile Luke Donald has struggled so far this season and doesn’t impress me much.
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