[BDO World Championships 4-12 Jan]

Re: BDO World Championships 4-12 Jan There'sNoLimit - It's true that you haven't been offensive or insulting but your comments haven't been constructive in this thread. We should all be adults and capable of making our own decisions. Kev has never said "this WILL win" on any recommended bet so your concern for fellow punters is overly motherly. This is a sports betting discussion forum and Kev's selections provoke thought and discussion. Your comments may even deter other people from joining in. It's good to read the analysis on here and adds to my enjoyment of the event. Nothing beats watching sport with your own eyes and forming opinions in your own brain but the information provided on here is helpful, even if the selections don't always win. In his prediction for the Van Eijden/Hofstra match Kev said the underdog Hofstra had recently beaten Stephen Bunting 4-0 and that fact was in my mind in-running as I watched him win every single leg. The selection for a long match was wrong but the main reasoning behind it was right. That's how sports betting goes sometimes. Good luck with your bets later but if you're now blindly backing against all of Kev's selections without any proper reasoning then I think you'll need it.

[BMW Masters 24-27 Oct]

Re: BMW Masters 24-27 Oct

Excellent picking and logic Friar. Mc'Ilroy half spoiled the party for a full house. Well done:clap Late......always better than never!

Thanks jackie. Yeah I was mentally moaning about Rory until he birdied the last to scrape a tie while Gonzo did everything right until falling over the line at the end. Got lucky basically which is what we all need. Next time I'll try to be a bit quicker off the mark although I'm not sure I'll be brave enough to tip anyone before the off like Kev, that's so tough with golf.

[BMW Masters 24-27 Oct]

Re: BMW Masters 24-27 Oct I've left it late to get involved in this tournament but having watched a fair bit play for the last two days I'm surprised Luke Guthrie is still favourite in most places. He's been grinding away for two long rounds trying to defend his lead and that would take it's toll on anyone let alone a young american making his debut in a big tournament overseas after playing in the US last weekend (14 hour flight) plus there's been criticism of his slow play, including from playing partner Ricardo Gonzalez during the third round. In short he must be feeling a bit knackered and as I also think Cabrera-Bello has been slightly disappointing when in contention since his win in Dubai early last year I'll be backing Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano to win the final three-ball (13/8 Ladbrokes/Hills) and hopefully his seventh European Tour win (4/1 generally). He's often written off as being a bad putter - yes he does miss a few shorties but I don't think that's because he's crumbling under pressure and, to compensate, he seems to hole more really long putts than most. He was holing out OK yesterday and looked confident in attacking the flags which I think will be necessary to win as the weather is expected to be fine and less windy than the first two days. Having won in Shanghai before, back in 2006, and also in Singapore in 2011, Gonzo has proved his ability to win on Asian courses so I'll be disappointed if he's not in contention. My bets: 5 points Fernandez-Castano to win outright at 4/1 5 points Fernandez-Castano to win his three ball at 13/8 3 points double Fernandez-Castano 13/8 and Rory McIlroy 10/11 (reasoning - seems to have more of a spring in his step/fair weather forecast/inconsistent playing partners) to win their threeballs. Apologies for late posting. It's been useful exercise putting some thoughts in writing and I may try again in the future unless Gonzo goes round in 95 !

[Ryder Cup 2012]

Re: Ryder Cup 2012 First post and possibly last if these selections don't work out. Really enjoy the Ryder Cup and would love to see Europe come storming back in the singles but can't see it. To spice the matches up I'm putting on a few bets all "Tie No Bet" as it could get very confusing if the US win outright early on. Ian Poulter to beat Webb Simpson - 8/11 with Coral, Paddy Power, William Hill Not the best price in the world but time and time again Poulter has produced the goods when his continent has needed him most. Last night's effort was, as even lots of Americans were heard to say, awesome. Five birdies in a row with a string of tricky puts that went in dead centre. If only Europe had a few more with his balls for a fight. There is a chance that he could suffer a let down after such a high but I still think he's the European most likely to force a win through willpower alone. Webb Simpson strikes me as a streaky, fairweather kind of player. He was poor in the foursomes yesterday especially when the match became tight but very good in the fourballs in a pretty easy win. I just think that if Poulter can keep it close he is way more likely to be strong at the end. If they're all square and both have a 15 footer for birdie at the last I would tell the Queen to put Buckingham Palace on Poulter. Phil Mickelson to beat Justin Rose - 5/6 with Paddy Power Mickleson is having lots of fun this week mentoring Keegan Bradley and always finding his ball in a good lie even when he's way off the fairway. His short game is still brilliant and the fast greens bring this to the fore. He had the afternoon off yesterday and his matches have been quite easy wins so he'll be well rested compared to Rose who, along with McIlroy is the only player to have played in all four sessions from both teams. That's one difference from 4 years ago when Rose actually beat Mickelson in the singles (Rose had won 2 points from 3 matches, Mickelson 2 from 4) and it's asking a lot for him to beat Lefty again. He's been in some close contests and only had one birdie in fourballs yesterday so maybe his schedule, including being in contention for megabucks last week, is taking it's toll. Mickelson is on a roll and I think he'll be grinning liking a cheshire cat later with, at the very least, an unbeaten record. Jim Furyk to beat Sergio Garcia - Evens with BetVictor, Coral, William Hill Sergio looks like he's struggling on the greens again. It's possible that the "Seve" outfits the team will be wearing today will inspire him to play well but I fear it's more likely to make him try too hard. He picked up a point in the fourballs yesterday but that was down to Donald playing well when it mattered. Furyk is a steady, gritty competitor and, although he's had his meltdowns this year when leading tournaments I think he'll grind out a win. The US may be getting close to winning the cup during a lot of this match and Sergio is a sensitive character who may get distracted by the "mashed potato !" types in the crowd. Although Furyk is skinny and quiet I sense he enjoys a scrap (big Pittsburgh Steelers fan) and while not always reliable with the putter I think he's more likely to hole a crucial putt than Sergio. Tiger Woods to beat Francesco Molinari at 4/7 with Coral, Paddy Power, William Hill Not very original and not a big price but I just think Tiger will be trying very, very hard to make sure that he gets some kind of score on the board personally even if the overall match has already been won. With "tie no bet" I don't think I can lose (famous last words). Molinari has actually been playing OK but he was thrashed by Woods in the singles two years ago and in spite of all his erratic play I cannot believe that Tiger will suffer the indignity of "nul points". He is spurred on by individual targets and I'm not sure he'd even turn up for the closing ceremony if he got a big fat zero especially if his "best mate" Lefty has picked up four out of four. That's enough waffle. I'm going to try 4 trebles and an accumulator with Paddy Power (where Furyk is 10/11) and see if anything comes back to soften the blow of a US team victory. If my selections are way out and that means Europe retain the cup I'll be happy anyway so I really can't lose can I ?