singing: "I have a dream, la la la la..."

I did indeed have a dream. On Sunday afternoon, we will be watching Tiger Woods, Ernie Els, The Fist Pumper, and Goose battle out the last few holes of the Open. Woods will win, probably birdieing three of the last four but not until Graeme Mc Dowell and Sergio (he's only 26 you know) have shone brightly. Go and find a bookie who's offering a price on the first four. I know it'll happen but I can't bring myself to do it as I still think one of my three figure specials is going to do a "Todd".

Adam Scott, my friends, "can't win". There, that should do it.

Give us the longshots!

We're buried under an avalanche of emails here at Golftipster Towers, one from a Mrs Trellis of North Wales and another from "CJ", who wrote to say "I didn't get where I am today by tipping short priced favourites!..ludicrously long priced outsiders chosen through laughably thin "research"...that's what the public wants!

Who am I to argue. I think Tiger will win at Hoylake...there's four par fives so he's virtually 16 under already. I'm worried as usual that the Fat Controller's wife and kids will be running onto the eighteenth come Sunday night in another of those USA apple pie moments. But let's not let any of that spoil our punting fun!

There's no value in backing Monty or Howler. Although if you were one of the smarties who backed Kenny Ferrie before (or whilst he was in the middle of) his obvious form showing at Loch Lomond, you may have a great 500/1 e/w ticket current burning a hole in your proverbial. Like me. For the rest of you, here goes a few against the field:

PAUL BROADHURST. He's a Brummie, but he's won here a number of times and he's in the second summer of his career having already won this year in Portugal. With a couple of good finishes under his belt over recent weeks, he'll have this earmarked as the highlight of his season (barring a return to Ryder Cup action). He's on offer at 50/1 a place, kings ransom for a win. Got to be worth a few of whatever it is you spend in the country you call home

ROD PAMPLING. Everybody's famous for one thing according to the Rocking Vicar and whilst everybody knows that Rod Stewart used to dig graves and David Bowie has different coloured eyes, golf bores know that Pamps led at Carnoustie a few years ago only to shoot 86 in round two and tragically miss the cut. He's a much better player than that and has a US Tour win against the A grade at Bay Hill, so he's definitely worth the three figure quote that's out there.

J B HOLMES. Well stranger things have happened. the words "Todd" and "Hamilton" come to mind, closely followed by "Ben" and "Curtis". He's 300/1 fercrissakes..

I won't be at Hoylake. Important business to attend, but will be watching on the other side of the world in the middle of the night. But good luck to all who do go, especially GT visitors and dear friends Mr. Andy and Mr Wenty-Ping. Hope you all have a fabulous time. Pip Pip!

No good at links golf!

We're back (back!) and eagerly looking forward to the Open at Hoylake. We're going to give the Scottish Open a miss for sentimental reasons, but form already suggests that we might be looking at a local winner in the big one next week. I think Els is in the field here and saw Goosen plodding along just now, but the form horses are all Brits. In fact, the best bet for the week is going to again be betfair's "betting without the favourite" market, if only because it knocks Woods and his overweight compatriot out of the market.

Monty! he's apparently no good at links golf (2nd in last years open, used to LIVE at Troon) but we're still very impressed with the way he's swinging and he sounded confident and upbeat yesterday. He's staying at his dad's place this week and then making the short journey down to Liverpool. Back him.

And back Howler too. He's struggling to make the cut in Scotland but he can't be written off.

We must not, repeat must not chase outsiders in the Open. They never win, except Todd Hamilton and Ben Curtis of course. So we definitely won't be taking the three figures on offer about JBH, Philip Price and Nathan Green.