Good to be back?

At first glance the Mercedes tournament seemed right up our proverbial. We've got a strung out field, heaps of birdies and people shooting 7 under to leap up the leaderboard. Hell, even the boy from the bush shot six under today.

But our original delight at the field soon turned to disappointment when I checked betfair's prices. I was expecting at least 100/1 about each of our two best picks but at time of typing, even 50/1 looks good. Ah well.

Ryuchi Imada is an obvious choice. He's had heaps of birdies in both the opening rounds (and a few bogies yesterday) and of course brings form to the course. How could we forget when we backed him to win at 100/1 last year. Can't help but tip him again.

5 off the lead and just 34/1 also reminds me of last year, when I actually wrote that Camillo Villegas seemed good value but didn't actually tip him. He won of course. He's had heaps of birdies in both rounds, so in a tournament that'll likely be won with 15 or 16 under, he's just about in the frame. Wish he was a bigger price, but I won't get fooled again. Back him now and collect Monday!

He can't win...

It's been a running joke on TGT (that's short for The Golf Tipster by the way) that Adam Scott can't win. Three shots clear, 18 to go, all you have to do is get that pesky ball into a hole that gets tinier as the prize gets nearer. And then the putter starts to wobble. You know the drill.

Well this week, he can't win. He's injured. Although today he said that "had it been the US Open he might have played".

So, let's take this slowly. An AUSTRALIAN player can't play in the AUSTRALIAN Open. But he would have played if it had been the $3m Wannamaker Trophy up for grabs, aka the US Open.

Fair to say the Australian golf forums are wishing him well on his return to wherever. See ya!

Anyhoo. On to business. This weeks Australian Open at Royal Sydney is packed with Australian stars but a bit light on worldwide drawcards. There's Darren Clarke of course and John Daly, but we're probably looking at a local picking up the trophy on Sunday.

I can't pick between the Aussies. Ogilvy looked solid last week but is no value at 7/1, Allenby continues to be Allenby and then there's a toss up between Green, Pampling, Senden et all, 15/1 on offer all round. That's a 36 hole bet for mine.

To start the Aussie season on TGT, we've got a HUGE betting opportunity in the shape of James Nitties. 5th last year in this event is a plus, but here's a guy who is coming home after shooting 23 under to be runner up in PGA Tour school. Now he might be a bit tired, but on the other hand, he might just be surfing a wave of something after getting his card. I'd make him a 40/1 shot at best but even the odious TAB have him at a mouthwatering 66/1, Betfair last night were going 140/1, with 10/1 to finish in the top ten. Ridiculous value and we're in with both boots.

Hope he's not knackered. It's good to be back...

see them fall

The last round of the Turning Stone will see someone achieve their lifetime's ambition whilst many more absurdly named USPGA pro's will see their hopes disappear before them as a miserable last nine unfolds.

We're sitting pretty with a few bucks on the man from East Herts that they used to call Goldfinger, Brian Davis, although since winning tour school, he's not actually tasted PGA victory yet so the chickens are still very much uncounted. But neither have Overton, Day, Thompson or Dustin Warren (who they?). Eagle eyed punters won't have missed Tag Ridings missing from 2 feet on 18 as the nerves kicked in a tad early at the end of the third round.

One man who has won this year is our friend Ryiuchi Imada, who gave us a 100/1 pay day two months ago. Three birdies yesterday puts him just four behind a shaky leaderboard. We're looking at a four figure payout having loaded up on the 330/1 on offer at the start. How do you say "go on my son" in Japanese?

I'm sorry...have we met?

How weak is the field for the Turning Stone Classic? Allenby's the favourite based on his brief glimmer of form last week and tour leviathan Dudley Hart (who he?) is third favourite. The tournament has "wait until the cut" written all over it and it's really hard to find any value this far out.

As usual, we've scanned the field for past winners and Ted Purdy kind of stands out at 500/1 although he hasn't won since 2005. There's three figure prices on Rich Beem and Brian Davis but nothing that sets the pulses racing.

We'll pick the winner of the Epsom to get some cash in the bank and consider options after the halfway cut.

Oh Sergio...

And there was me after the Majors saying "No...he's not...he just got beat by a better player". I'm not so sure now. With him, the FC and the new Chris diMarco at the top of the leaderboard, the 32/1 on offer last night against Cammi seemed poor value. Chokers the lot of them. Looks stupendous value now...

Must work on that "seemed" word. Oh and make a mental note. Never back Allenby again ever, whatever the price.

Final word to the 19 handicapper on Bob's site who posted that Perry could never win. Thanks for that. Much appreciated. Ta.

Tantamount to stealing?

I don't get this. After breezing through the Ryder Cup singles barely drawing breath and with three PGA tour wins under his belt this year, Kenny Perry is 50/1 to win this weekend. That's the precise same price as Ben "swing change and hopelessly out of form Curtis". Is his shoulder injury...the one he sustained when putting Stenson away 3 and 2...really that bad?

Beware the injured golfer. I'm betting up to my limit (using some of the money we won on Vijay) and suggest you do too.

Still not a fan though...