PGA Golf - The Barclays

[Ian R]

When a new venue is in use the key is to read up as much about the course and I especially like to look at pictures to see what it reminds me of. With the Liberty it does have that distinct "links" look to it but I don't think it will play like a links course over here - the ground is basically different - it was a landfill site! It does remind me of one venue played on the PGA tour and that is Whistling Straits - the venue of the 2004 PGA Championship and whilst I don't think it will play exactly the same I do think players who did well there will be to the fore. The only bet I have had at this stage is the winner of that event Vijay Singh - this must be a first for me as I don't think I have ever backed him before. Whilst he is the defending champion I don't think the pressures are the same when the venue changes and although he hasn't won this season - last year he didn't win til August and then won the WGC at Firestone and the first two Fedex playoffs. There is no doubting his fitness has been an issue after early season knee surgery but he won't want his first winless season since 2001. There have been encouraging recent signs of form of late - he was 4th at the cut in the Open and was 2nd at the cut in the PGA Championship which leads me neatly on to how I have bet him. I have placed £250 on Betfair win only at 55/1 - if he gets into contention his odds will drop considerably and I am quite happy to lay the stake back at 10/1 and then see what happens.

[Ian R]

Re: PGA Golf - The Barclays One other bet in the Barclays at this stage - Jerry Kelly in the top US no Woods market. Take away the PGA Championship missed cut he is in really good form - 3rd in the US Bank,5th in Canada and 11th at the WGC where he would have been tied 4th in this particular market. One of the reasons I like him is his ability to play well on coastal courses - such as Waialae,Trump International,Harbour Town and the Mayakoba - so he should feel at home at the Liberty - £30 ew at 66/1 for me. Valuefinder - just to play Devils Advocate for a minute - why do people persist with Mahan - won once on tour in a poor event where he had good course form - have been guilty of following players off a cliff in the past but when he eventually wins again most people will have lost more than they will win. Also - yup Stricker - great putter but will the greens suit him? - they are A4 Hybrid bent a bit like Augusta but much smaller