Behind The Scenes Of Darren Clarke Hinting Withdrawing From Ryder Cup Captaincy

If you think Darren Clarke got up yesterday morning and while brushing his teeth decided to no longer be in the race for Europe’s next Ryder Cup Captain, then you’re a bigger fool than me.  If this Ryder Cup committee were a parliament it would be Italian and Monty would be Silvio Berlusconi.  Blissfully unaware of his deep unpopularity due a rare glitch in his cerebral cortex, he wants back.  It’s highly political and getting messy.

And where is  Darren left?  I wonder what his friends and confidants would be saying to him over a beer.  Maybe something like this.

Bottle of bud: Who wants to be pitched against Tom Watson next time anyway?  And you have to be ready to deal with being beaten if McGinners is chosen this time, after all he has the experience?

Bottle of bud: Whatever happens mate, both yourself and Paul certainly don’t want to come off looking like little schoolboys with reddened bottoms if Montgomerie barges back in and spanks your ass? That’s the worst case scenario. Wait until America, play your golf, enjoy your exemptions. They’ll love you over there, and if we win, it will be against the odds.

Chaser: Anyway they’ll probably have Jay Haas or the like as Captain in 2016; you’re taller and more handsome than him; you’ll look great bra!

Bottle of bud: Why not just say you’re playing too well to do this time.

The word inside the ropes is that it’s a done deal.  McGinley will Captain in 2014 with Clarke taking over in 2016.  Monty will not be Captain. 

Personally I dont get the hullabulloo over countering who the USA Captain is. Tom Watson wont be playing, so what’s the problem. The Irish soccer team appointed one of the greatest managers of all time in Giovanni Trappatoni to great fanfare then his team performed horribly on a big stage. It’s a proven fact that you cannot shine a shite, not comparing Team USA to a shite for a second, but hopefully you get the point. Watson wont make a good team into a great team, that doesn’t happen in golf, otherwise the USA would still be playing against GB&I every two years. GB&I had some great Captains yet needed European players to bolster the roster and save the Ryder Cup. A great team will make a great team.

Time for Darren to say a few words on the matter. He told SkySports 

"As much as I would dearly love to be captain, this may not be my time.  I am exempt for another three years and if I was given the opportunity to do the captaincy, I'd effectively be throwing two of those years away. I played my best golf for about 18 months towards the end of last year. If they asked me to do it in Gleneagles it would be a difficult decision."

This is not over yet! They say its a done deal, but there’s sure to be plenty of shouting!

 

Technorati Tags: Darren Clarke,Ryder Cup,Paul McGinley

GCD Funny: When Tiger Met The Qatar Sheikh to Discuss Terms!

You have to love this.  Qatar want Tiger to come play in their event where the winner gets about $460,000.  Tiger asks for a $3 million appearance fee. The Qatar sheikh (lets call him that) who has cottoned on to the fact that players think they just throw money everywhere to get what they want  gets angry and tells everyone 

“Tiger Woods demands $3 million just for an appearance, if he were to compete in the Commercial Bank Qatar Masters - which is not worth paying for a tournament of $2.5 million prize money.”

But only I know what really happened in the negotiations between Woods and the Qatar Sheikh.  Enjoy!

When Tiger Met The Qatar Sheikh

Technorati Tags: Tiger Woods Qatar Master Funny Story

15 Minutes Of Fame With Rory. Right. Back to Being A Nobody Again!

Thanks to all our GCD readers to facebooked and tweeted to tell me who had latched onto the Rory Nike bag pics.  It went viral!

First Ryan Lavner on golfchannel had it (took my logo off the pic mind you) but how and ever they did link back to me!

Then the King of equipment himself David Dusek from Golf.com published it.  All hail the King!

 

Shane Bacon on Yahoo had it as did USAToday for God sakes!

But the icing on the cake was a mention from Geoff, yes Geoff Shackleford.  I’ve been trying for 5 years to give a mention on that damn site and I finally made it.  My work here on Earth is complete.  Right back to being a nobody then I suppose!

Oops! Forgot To Mention Rory’s Charitable 6 Bags Foundation

Thanks to everyone who clicked through to the Rory bag pics yesterday.  Please be assured it was not planned or anything like that, a reader just sent me the pic and I posted.  I didn’t ask for or receive anything in return.  I’m too thick for that!

Having spent yesterday busily fending off USAtoday, the golfchannel and irate suits, I didn’t get around to posting details of Rory’s new charitable foundation.  Here are the details

‘The Rory Foundation’ launches with The 6 Bags Project

Today, Thursday 10th January at 1pm (GMT) in Holywood, Co Down, the birthplace of World Number 1 Golfer and 2012 US PGA Tour Player of the Year Rory McIlroy, details of the first fundraising initiative of The Rory Foundation were released.
The Rory Foundation – a registered charity (1137174) has been set up by Rory to help children from around the world. Rory said from Dubai today “When I was younger my parents sacrificed everything to allow me to play the game I love. Having that support from my family gave me the opportunity to chase my dreams. But I know that every child is not so fortunate. My aim is that The Rory Foundation will support children’s charities big and small, around the world, that try to give kids that helping hand”.
The 6 Bags Project is the first fundraiser that The Rory Foundation is undertaking. For each of the first 6 tournaments Rory plays in for the first four months of 2013 Rory’s golf bag will carry the name and logo of a children’s charity.  During the tournament the bag will be auctioned through www.roryfoundation.com with all monies raised going to the featured charity.  The aim where possible is that each charity will be active within the community where the tournament is being held.
The first charity whose logo will be carried on the golf bag in Abu Dhabi is a charity from Rory’s home – The Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children (NICFC).  Gillian Cleery, CEO for the charity said today “We are so proud to be the first of the 6 nominated charities benefiting from The 6 Bags project. This association with Rory will not only have a significant impact on children and young people who look up to Rory and are inspired by him, but will also help to maintain Rory’s very important links to Northern Ireland as he moves increasingly into a global circuit. Our aim is to create a brand new therapeutic centre for children and their families any monies raised from being part of The 6 Bags Project will go towards fulfilling this dream”.
Gerry McIlroy, Rory’s father who is one of four trustees of The Rory Foundation said “Myself and my wife Rosie are very proud of what Rory has achieved on and off the golf course. The creation of this Foundation is, for Rory, we feel a natural progression and is ultimately about giving back. “
The 6 tournaments are listed below with the respective charity that will benefit. The exception is The Masters where the charity has been decided upon but will be  announced at a later date.
(1)HSBC Abu Dhabi (17 – 20th January) – Northern Ireland Cancer Fund for Children

(2) WGC -Accenture Match Play Championship (20 – 24th February): Boys & Girls Clubs of Tucson
(3) Honda Classic (28th February – 3rd March):  Child Protection Team of the Palm Beaches
(4) WGC-Cadillac Championship (7th – 10th March): First Tee Miami-Dade Amateur Golf Association
(5) Shell Houston Open: (25th -31st March):  Chinquapin School
(6) The Masters (11th-14th April):  To Be Announced
The 6 Bags Project is the first in a number of innovative fundraisers that The Rory Foundation is going to be involved with during 2013. As Rory himself said from Abu Dhabi  “I had a childhood, a great childhood and if The Rory Foundation can help one child achieve a better quality of life then job done”.

Exclusive Pics: What’s In Rory McIlroy’s New Nike Bag. Scotty Cameron Putter Is Staying. For The Moment.

Update 7th February

Don’t forget you can browse and buy all Rory’s clubs new and pre-owned on golfbidder. 
DRIVER Nike VR_S Covert Tour (9.5°) with a Mitsubishi Diamana X 70 shaft 
FAIRWAY METALS Nike VR Limited Edition (15°, 19°) with Fujikura Rombex X shafts 
IRONS Nike VR Pro Blades (three-PW) with Project X 6.5 shafts 
WEDGES Nike VR Pro (54°, 60°) with Project X 6.5 shafts 
PUTTER Nike Method 006 prototype and Scotty Cameron Studio Select Newport GSS prototype 
BALL Nike 20XI-X 

We still think he retains the option of using his Scotty Cameron putter if he wishes.

These pics were taken at the Els Club in Dubai where Rory McIlroy was practicing.  A passer by snapped a pic of Rory’s new Nike clubs and there, pride of place was his trusty Scotty Cameron headcover. It seems incomprehensible that a Nike Method putter would be sheathed in a Scotty headcover. However eagle eyed spotters will also notice the Swoosh headcover of the Nike Method putter snuggled in behind the irons. My read is that Rory has his choice of both (like Tiger Woods), otherwise Nike would not even allow the Scotty to be seen in the bag under their strict marketing rules.
There are 15 clubs in the bag shown.  Along with the Nike VR II Pro blades, it looks like Rors is also going to choose between a Pro Combo cavity back long iron, a 3 and 5 fairway wood. Also there are 46, 50 and 54 “Rors” stamped wedges.  The Nike Covert driver is also in the bag.
I’ve been doing Rory’s what’s in the bag since he turned pro so am really delighted to have got the first look at this.
Also check out my updated Rory McIlroy What’s In The Bag 2013 post here.

What’s In The Nike Bag 2013 Rory McIlroy

Please follow me on twitter to keep up to date with all the fun on golfcentraldaily and to interact with Doc.  Just click the button on the right.

I’m Doc From GolfCentralDaily:
GolfCentralDaily is a site dedicated to all things fun and humorous in golf.  Run by me the Doc, you’ll find everything here from bag posts and betting tips to outrageous satire. Whatever takes my fancy! GolfCentralDaily only stays afloat thanks to its loyal readers and the support of my sponsor Golfbidder.  They are the nicest guys in the business and the best place to buy clubs in Europe, new and pre-owned. Please give them a click.

I’ll will be at the PGA Show in Orlando with Golfbidder from January 23-26 where we will review all the new seasons clubs and product.  To meet Doc and have a review done please get in touch through twitter , facebook or linkedin.

Technorati Tags: What's In The Nike Bag 2013 Rory McIlroy,whats in the bag Rory McIlroy,Rory McIlroy witb

True Grit Or Daft Git? Dangerous Monty Just One Eye Patch Short of Being The Rooster Cogburn.

Colin Montgomerie is not a bad man. But he is a proud man, a man with an ego. You don’t get to the top in professional golf without one. But beneath the soft underbelly there’s a cutting edge there. The edge that got him all those Ryder Cup singles wins, the edge that made him a feared Captain. That cutting edge is double sided though, and is capable of inflicting damage to his own if he doesn’t get his way. Monty is Rooster Cogburn in True Grit; armed and ready, undoubtedly heroic, but of questionable character.

Monty didn’t win a Major during his career but he did become one of the most feared European players in Ryder history. That’s his thing, that’s his shtick. The media made him Mr. Ryder Cup and he was happy to run with it. His Captaincy in Wales further enhanced his credentials. And sharpened that edge.

Even though the unwritten rule amongst the players clique says that the days of one man Captaining a team twice are gone such is the waiting list, Monty, in his hearts of hearts is bursting to do it all again. And why wouldn’t he? It is human nature to want to relive great moments in life, to want to be in the limelight, to be in the thick of the action again, to crave the adulation, to want to stay relevant. Like The Rooster.

Montgomerie also knows the story and he sees Darren, Paul, Thomas, Paul, Padraig and co in the queue. He’s not openly canvassing for the job. Yet he his. By making statements, by planting doubt, by not backing anyone else, by being very political when asked about it. It’s killing Monty that he can’t make like Vladamir Putin or Robert Mugabe and change the rules so that he can stay in charge forever.

In South Africa yesterday, Monty, just one eye patch short of The Rooster, said “I've always said that we need the best man for the job, whoever that is….and if we're going for the best man for the job then that doesn't say you shouldn't do it again.” And you know he’s not talking about Bernard Gallagher, Tony Jacklin, Woosie or Torrance.

Monty now works part-time as an analyst for Sky Sports and having done a crash course in media, he’s well aware of the wound his words can inflict on the face of the Ryder Cup debate. With only days to go before the Captaincy is decided, he’s got his horse saddled. Just in case.

He’s quickly becoming a master in planting doubt in people’s mind by using something an unnamed someone else said; “I thought it was between Darren and Paul until Darren said something, then my name was mentioned”. Slick.

Yes indeed Monty is the real life the Rooster Cogburn, in the face of insurmountable odds, the only man who can go out and get the bad guy. “I've never canvassed, as I didn't last time. I've not spoken to anybody about this. But I've always felt that if I was asked I would do it and that's still the case.”

Anyone who’s seen the Rooster knows that his services always cost. Monty at the helm again would cost too. And I’m not talking about money.  If Monty does ride off into the Sunset at the end of this with a lifeless Tom Watson draped over the back of his saddle, yes he will have won the day, but the wounds inflicted on his own side along the way will be tough to patch up.

Video-Ben Crane-Therapy Sessions-Slow Life

Easily his best yet, here’s Ben Crane’s latest video. Therapy Sessions-Slow Life, directed by Samm.

Technorati Tags: Ben Crane youtube video,Therapy Sessions,Slow Life

What’s In The Bag 2013 Dustin Johnson – WITB Photos and Graphic

Here’s what’s in the bag of TaylorMade staffer Dustin Johnson for the 2013 season.

Driver: TaylorMade R1 (10 degrees, Fujikura Motore Fuel 2.0 X shaft)
3-Wood: TaylorMade R11S (15.5 degrees, Aldila RIP Series X shaft)
5-Wood: TaylorMade R9 (19 degrees, Aldila RIP Series X shafts)
3-9 Irons: RocketBladez Tour (True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 shafts)
48-Degree Wedge: RocketBladez Tour (True Temper Dynamic Gold X100 shaft)
54-Degree Wedge: TaylorMade TP xFT (KBS Black Nickel shaft)
60-Degree Wedge: TaylorMade TP xFT (KBS Black Nickel shaft)
Putter: Titleist Scotty Cameron Newport prototype
Ball: TaylorMade Penta TP5

Technorati Tags: What's In the Bag,What's In The Bag 2013 Dustin Johnson,Dustin Johnson witb,TaylorMade Staff witb,Bag Pics

2013 Volvo Golf Champions Betting Preview and Tips

You can make a case for many at Durban Country Club with the elite field made up of last seasons winners and some European Tour legends.  However here’s who I fancy to contend.

also check out my 2013 Sony Open Betting Preview and Tips here

Branden Grace 12/1

Hard to believe this is only Branden’s 75th Tour event.  His 2012 season kicked off with wins at the Joburg Open and at the Volvo Golf Champions at Fancourt where he beat Ernie and Retief in a playoff.  Grace put on a short game masterclass last season and I expect him to come out all guns blazing again this time around.  Third favourite behind Louis Oosthuizen from Mossel Bay and Ernie.

Padraig Harrington 22/1

Podge definitely wont be one who needs to ‘ease’ in the season gradually; he’s on record as saying he’s never worked harder on his game.  Last years tied 10th place finish in this event could and should have been much better but for a final round 76.  After a top 10 in Dubai to finish 2012 , Harrington is the most generous each way odds at 22/1 I’ve seen in a while.

Nicolas Colsaerts 20/1

Finished fourth on his own last year but the real story was his incredible opening round of 64.  The big batting Belgian incredibly birdied seven of the holes on the back nine at Fancourt (I didn’t think it could be done) on his way to a 64.  Alright he lead by four and didn’t kick on, but with his power he is certainly worth a punt again this year.

Best Of The Rest

Watch out for the progress of a fully fit Paul Casey 25/1 this season.  He finished with three top 10’s in his last four events of 2012 and has three career wins in the month of January.  Casey’s last victory was the 2011 Volvo Golf Champions which was staged in Bahrain.

Bernd Wiesberger 33/1 is also on my watch list this week. I recall he played well in Johannesburg  this time last year and was well on the pace throughout.

Finally if you’re looking for some long odds glory this week the word is Darren Clarke has put in a fair amount of practice over the Christmas so don’t discount big D at 66/1

 

 

Technorati Tags: 2013 Volvo Golf Champions Betting Preview and Tips,european tour top tipster,paddypower golf betting tips,betfair golf betting tips,2013 Sony Open Golf Betting Preview and Tips

Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘14 Preview. Take Down Legends Jack, Arnie, Seve and Bobby Jones.

Check out the Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘14 preview below.  The new edition features legends of the game like Jack, Arnie, Seve and Bobby Jones and what appears to be Peter Lawrie attempting to take them down.

Not so sure about EA Sports representation of some of the legends though.  Seve looks he’s wearing a gumshield, Jack Nicklaus has got Keegan Bradley’s body and Bobby Jones looks like he’s a candidate for laser eye surgery!

 

Technorati Tags: Tiger Woods PGA Tour ‘14 Preview

Bland and Howell Join Raft Of Tour Golfers To Come Out As Gay

In a bid to wipe the slate clean and no longer have to veil their true identities Richard Bland and David Howell today joined Paul Casey, Miguel Angel Jimenez, Chapchai Nirat and Colin Montgomerie in revealing they have been living as homosexuals all their lives.

“It’s a weight off our shoulders to be out and proud,” said Bland and Howell in a joint statement from their bed alongside Tim, Darren and Howard Clark who also revealed themselves as gay men today.”

"For years we’ve been on Tour surrounded by burly men; where the only woman is a 70 year old prune in the scoring tent, nature takes its course” said Bland.  “We’ve kept it in until now, worried of what might appear in the Personal section of our profiles on the European Tour site," said Howell whilst holding hands with Bland, Thomas Bjorn, Alex Cejka, Louis Oosthuizen and Ignacio Garrido.

The move prompted several PGA Tour players to follow suit within hours. A joint statement on behalf of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson, Steve Stricker, Graeme McDowell and Davis Love III read, "After years of secrecy, and prompted by the actions of our brothers on the European Tour we decided it was wrong to stay in the closet, especially after Vijay Singh, Retief Goosen, Ernie Els, Johnson Wagner and Bubba Watson had come out."

Following the flurry of outings, a number of satellite Tour players held hands and openly proclaimed their gay love including Walker Cup inseparables Paul Cutler and Alan Dunbar. 

"It’s great that they’re all out now” said Charlie Mulking, the veteran golf journalist. “Between you and me, I had a feeling about Colin Montgomerie and Ignacio Garrido but young McIlroy and McDowell, that’s some serious layers of deception right there. Three cheers for the Bakerloo Boys!”

With both main Tours shook to their foundations, George O’Grady and Tim Finchem, after themselves coming out as also being gay, appealed to the public for calm.

"Golf is for everyone, not just the guy beside you on the factory floor or openly gay men and women like Jack Nicklaus, Arnold Palmer, Nick Faldo, Fuzzy Zoeller and Annika Sorenstam," Finchem said in a speech yesterday. "Gone are the days when being gay is stigmatized.  Yes I am gay.  And so is my wife. And my twin girls are lesbians. And so is our dog."

"And so was Bobby Jones and Walter Hagen," O’Grady interjected.

Though widely met with a quiet acceptance not all reactions have been positive, however. A statement from Rory Sabbatini said “You’re not getting me and you’re not getting behind me either. I’m off to the Asian Tour where there is absolutely no gayness whatsoever.”

 

Inspired by an onion story and Emily Howell’s photo!

Jim Furyk’s Piss and Moan and Sticking Knife In Heart During Golf Magazine Interview

Pretty shocking stuff in golf.com today who interviewed a low Jim Furyk recently.

“I’m going to have to stick a knife in my heart at the end of this,” Furyk said when asked about his low points of last season

Later in the interview, the American said “Golf professionals come in and piss and moan about the two bad shots that cost them a 66, and were the reason they shot 68 or 69. Those two shots will keep them up at night, thinking about how they’re going to get rid of them, so they can trust their swing the next day.”

Furyk went to say “But I’m just not a feel-sorry-for-me type of person, so I’m not sure where the rest of the interview is going, but this isn’t going to be a let’s-feel-sorry-for-Jim thing. That’s just not me. Look, I got paid a lot at both events that I screwed up in front of a lot of people, and no one’s feeling too bad that way for me.”

Come on Jim, it’s only a game mate. We love you really!

 

Technorati Tags: Jim Furyk Golf Magazine Interview

David Duval Is Not Dead! And Not In Humana Field Either.

Nice one by Geoff Shackleford who whilst trawling the papers found evidence that former great Poker face David Duval is still alive somewhere in America.  Yes you might still get the opportunity to ask him how he managed to hit the ball without looking at it.

Pic: Duval has been living as a recluse with a racoon and big bear for the last 10 years.

Apparently Duval (or someone impersonating him, though who would do that?) is on twitter and intends to use it to complain about not getting into tournaments.  He tweeted about next week. 

So it's official. I will not get a spot at the Humana.— David Duval (@david59duval)

Then sent golf historians scrambling for old VHS video tapes.

I guess having the defining moment in the history if the event doesn't matter.— David Duval (@david59duval

What was that then?!

 

Technorati Tags: David Duval Funny story

Padraig Harrington Sings Answers And Set To Play As Grumpy Old Pensioner

Any lingering thoughts Caroline Harrington had of getting her husband back when he’s of pensionable age have been dashed today with the news that  Padraig’s New Year’s Resolution is to play until he’s 70.

Artists Impression: Harrington at 70

The wacky three time Major Champion ‘sang’ his Resolution yesterday to a reporter in the style of Annie Carnes from the musical Oklahoma.

“I'm not a guy who can just say no. (I'm in a terrible fix) You are retired for a long time and I tell you what, I'll still be playing competitive golf when I'm 70,” crooned Harrington, who also intends to sing all of his answers this season to Rogers and Hammerstein big production numbers.

Stat lover Padraig is heading for two in row in the resolution achievement stakes having ticked off last years goal of ‘winning again’ by beating the entire field at the Grand Slam of Golf. The Dubliner however will have to wait another 29 years to even find out if he can achieve this year’s resolution as it involves staying alive until then.

Authorities are currently checking whether it’s allowed to have a ‘29 Year Away’ New Year’s Resolution.  If found that it is actually not allowed by law, Harrington will be pressed for another New Year’s Resolution today.

 

Technorati Tags: Padraig Harrington funny story pic

What’s In The Nike Bag 2013 Thorbjorn Olesen.

Never mind Tiger and Rory, congrats to GCD favourite Thorbjørn Olesen on becoming the latest member of Nike’s Tour Staff signing up to use clubs, ball, footwear, glove, apparel, headwear and accessories in a multi year deal.

What’s In The Nike Bag 2013 Thorbjorn Olesen

 

Thor will debut his Nike gear at the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa on the European Tour this week. He will use the Nike VR_S Covert Tour, Nike VR Pro Blades, VR Pro wedges, VR Pro Limited Edition fairway woods, VR_S hybrids and the Nike Method 001 putter. Olesen will also switch to the Nike 20XI ball. Apparel will be from the Tour Performance and Sport Collections and shoes will be Nike Lunar Control.

Thorbjorn’s 2013 Nike Equipment (shafts will be added once available)

DRIVER: Nike VR_S Covert

FAIRWAY WOODS: Nike VR Pro Limited Edition

IRONS: VR Pro Blades

WEDGES: Nike VR Pro Wedges

PUTTER: Nike Method 001

BALL: Nike 20XI X

A full what’s in the bag specs piece will be inserted here once available.

 

Speaking about his change to Nike from Srixon, Thor said “Nike is one of the most recognized and respected sport brands in the world,” said Olesen. “I want to be with a company that focuses on developing products that help me perform at my best. To be part of a brand that respects but challenges the traditions of the game is an honor.”

 

Technorati Tags: what's in the Nike bag 2013 Thorbjorn Olesen

The Volvo Golf Champions Ballerina Truck Tightrope Stunt Video

In case you haven’t seen it here’s the Ballerina twin truck tightrope walk with approaching bridge video. Nice way to promote this weeks Volvo Golf Champions event in South Africa. Tips up here tomorrow (Tuesday).

 

Technorati Tags: 2013 Volvo Golf Champions Betting preview and Tips

Important Major Golf Dates 2013. Plan Your Holidays!

I know there’s a lot of people that like to know the Major Dates so they can plan holidays/vacations.

Here is the Major fixture list for 2013.

The Masters

• 2013: April 11-14, Augusta National Golf Club, Augusta, Ga.

U.S. Open

• 2013: June 13-16, Merion Golf Club, Ardmore, Pa.

British Open

• 2013: July 18-21, Muirfield, Gullane, East Lothian, Scotland

PGA Championship

• 2013: Aug. 8-11, Oak Hill Country Club (East Course), Rochester, N.Y.

The dates of all the European Tour events are here

The Irish Open takes place from 27-30 June.

Technorati Tags: Important Golf Dates 2013,Major Golf Championship Dates 2013

2013 Sony Open Free Golf Betting Preview and Tips

Here are my top five Power Rankings for the 2013 Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu.
Betting sponsor wanted for 2013. Please get in touch.
also check out my 2013 Volvo Golf Champions Tips Here

Carl Pettersson 20/1

The highlights of 2012 for Carl were a win at the RBC Heritage in April after a good showing in Houston and top three at the US PGA Championship. He’s been irked by what he believes to be a witch hunt against his long putter and that could spur him to big things this season. Three top 20’s to finish last season add weight to that. Speaking of pounds, Carl is the perfect size to battle the Waialae winds this week and has done well here in the past. Despite the stats saying that these are some of the hardest fairways to hit Pettersson has a good course record with tied fifth in 2010 and tied second last season. That 2012 result was even more impressive given that he double bogeyed the second hole in the final round.
 

Charles Howell 25/1

Couldn’t get a pic of Charles so a stick insect will have to do.  Waialae constantly ranks in the top half most difficult courses in the Greens In Regulation stats as well as the aforementioned driving difficulty but that doesn’t stop another anomaly in the form of Charles Howell III doing well here regularly. Not known for his accuracy with the big stick Howell has had five top-5 finishes in this event since 2005 including tying second in 2007 and 2012.
 

Mark Wilson 66/1

There’s not many realistic opportunities for Mark Wilson to really make money on the PGA Tour given his power limitations and modern course setups but this week on a par 70 in Honolulu represents one of them. Three of Wilson’s five Tour wins have come in January and February with the other two in March, so it’s safe to suggest he’s a decent early season performer also. His last victory came here in 2011 and though he missed the cut defending last week, Wilson did go on to win the Clinton Humana event the following week.

Keegan Bradley 18/1

Tied for 13^th last season but I felt he played better than the result suggests. Drove the ball beautifully for the first three days (67,67, 68) before stunting to an even par 70 on Sunday. However I feel that Bradley has gained experience from that and will challenge this year. There may be an issue with his high ball flight depending on how strong the winds get this week but that’s a call you make close to game time.

Matt Every 50/1

Keep an eye out for the performance of Matt Every this week at longer odds. He impressed at the season of last season finishing in a tie for second at the Children’s Miracle Network Classic behind panicky Charlie Beljan. He also putted great at the Sony Open with the enormous headed Blackhawk putter.

Best of The Rest

Short but sweet hitter Brian Gay 45/1 is well positioned to bag himself a good finish this week having improved from T13th in 2011 to T6th in 2012 and he should be available at long odds for those who like such a flutter.

Technorati Tags: 2013 Sony Open Betting Preview and Tips,2013 Sony Open Power Rankings,PGATour,Paddypower golf betting tips,betfair golf betting tips,top pga tour tipster

Ian Poulter Wouldn’t Take That Long To Beat The Living Sh/t Out Of Johnny Miller

When there’s no news at an event where nothing is happening and the wind is blowing the media tent away what do the journos do?  That’s right, they turn to Johnny Miller for guidance.

The lastest sh/tstorm was kicked up around the NBC’s only blonde employee who started waxing on about about Poulter taking a long time before hitting a certain putt. Notwithstanding the fact that George Clooney in A Perfect Storm wouldn’t even dare got outside in the winds, Miller bitched, “You just can‘t stay over the putt that long. You've got to get in there, line it up and hit it………..He’s afraid he’s going to hurt himself, and that would probably set the game back 20 years.”

As you might expect Poults didn’t take long to respond via the twitter machine

“Johnny miller why don't you come interview me live and say that stuff straight to my face. Was you watching a different channel.”

Fight fight fight fight…..or probably not. But it passed a few minutes.

 

Technorati Tags: Ian Poulter Johnny Miller Funny Pic

Ungrateful PGA Tour Gets Mammoth Blowjob And Still Complains

The 2013 PGA Tour season got a saucy start in Maui with a massive blowjob and jiggling balls but alas the tournament steadfastly refused to progress beyond the foreplay stage.

The frigid Hyundai Tournament Of Champions wasn’t just ready to take it to the next stage from Friday to Sunday and kicked up a storm when pressed.

Now Tim Finchem and his gang are hoping to get 36 holes done in an orgy of golf to get the tournament completed before it’s time to island hop to it’s next conquest The Sony Open on Thursday.

 

Technorati Tags: 2013 PGA Tour funny