As expected, David Haye was too strong for Chisora. I hope there is a second Battle of Britain between those two (as there usually is), because I think Haye would win again.
Surprise, surprise, yesterday's headline news saw one of Tour de France's favourites, Frank Schleck, leave the race because of a failed drug test. How credible is that tour, or any other tour for that matter? Cycling definitely will fit well at the Olympics, siege of rampant drug use. No Olympics is complete without a sensational drug scandal.
Tomorrow, the British Open takes centre of attention, and many pundits are talking about an ominous starting point for Tiger Woods to resume his Major quest after 4 barren years. It's amazing to think that it has been that long. Today's Tiger is not the same as the old dominating one, he's become unpredictable to say the least. But like most others, I'm sure there are more Majors in him, I just don't know if it will start at Royal Lytham this week-end.
This major is probably the most open there is, no pun intended. The weather and design of the link course play a crucial role. It will not be surprising that the big guns fail and that it goes to a novice Major winner. The last time in 2001, it gave David Duval his first and only Major.
So I believe the safest way to start the punting is to find a group of players that will make the cut on Saturday. If we can call that process relatively safe, I suppose. Unless they are bestowed with unbelievable foul weather or do not have their A game for the first 2 days, I believe the following are good value to make the cut (at least in first 70 of 156) at their current odds;
Tiger Woods - evidently.
Lee Westwood - he should make the cut, but I don't think he'll win it.
Ernie Els - will have gotten confidence from his US Open showing. Great links player. 3rd in 2001.
Jimenez - almost always in the thick of things. 5th in 2001. A little risk but with great reward.
Padraig Harrington - getting back to form after 4th at the US Open this year. Big-game player.
I would caution against the following ones that are prominent names in the market.
Rory McIlroy - his mind is probably more focused on the coming Olympics cheering Caroline Wozniak.
Mickelson - probably will make the cut, but the British Open has never been his thing.
Luke Donald - poor record in recent Majors. No 1 means nothing in these tournaments.
Showing posts with label Phil Mickleson. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Phil Mickleson. Show all posts
Wednesday, July 18, 2012
Tuesday, April 10, 2012
Flip Flops
The football form was good over the week-end, with 5 selections out of 6 hitting the target, but the golf prediction on Tiger and Rory was a helluva-wayward shot to say the least. Both finished with a dismal +5, far from the Top 10.
What else to say in EPL? City have blown it big time. Alex Ferguson is an unparalleled genius. Man City's money cannot buy what Man Utd have; their manager, their heritage and their instilled desire to win. This 20th title (who can doubt it's not a done deal) will feel super sweet for the Red Devils, that's for sure.
What a turn around of events between La Liga and EPL. A few weeks ago, it looked like Real Madrid was cruising easily to the title in Spain, while the Manchester teams were battling it out to the wire in England. Suddenly, Man Utd have killed off the rest of the pack in a quick and decisive fashion, while Real's 10-point lead has frittered to the point where they have Barcelona smelling blood. A four point advantage is still consequential, but Guardiola is fooling no-one by saying that his team's chances to go top is near-impossible. Real are still masters of their destiny and should win this, but one more faux-pas and Barcelona will be the ones to enjoy all favouritism come the Clasico in a few weeks time.
In a few hours, Barcelona should cut the gap to just 1 point when they host Getafe. They should win this game no problem.
So what to make of the Tiger and Rory flops in the Masters? They both had a good opening round on Thursday and then it all went downhill from there. Maybe Tiger still needs have to work on a few more things and that the Augusta Major came a little too soon since his win just a couple of weeks back. Maybe Rory shouldn't have taken 3 weeks off, and would have been better off with a prep tourney a week before the tournament? Just maybe's. But I felt Lee Westwood was the one to feel that this was one he should have won. He was the best at hitting fairways but just couldn't get hot on the putter. The fact that he putted 21 times more than Phil Mickelson, yet still finishing with the same score, and only 2 shots off the winner, says it all. It wouldn't be surprising if Westwood captured his first Major (finally) soon.
Win: Barcelona
What else to say in EPL? City have blown it big time. Alex Ferguson is an unparalleled genius. Man City's money cannot buy what Man Utd have; their manager, their heritage and their instilled desire to win. This 20th title (who can doubt it's not a done deal) will feel super sweet for the Red Devils, that's for sure.
What a turn around of events between La Liga and EPL. A few weeks ago, it looked like Real Madrid was cruising easily to the title in Spain, while the Manchester teams were battling it out to the wire in England. Suddenly, Man Utd have killed off the rest of the pack in a quick and decisive fashion, while Real's 10-point lead has frittered to the point where they have Barcelona smelling blood. A four point advantage is still consequential, but Guardiola is fooling no-one by saying that his team's chances to go top is near-impossible. Real are still masters of their destiny and should win this, but one more faux-pas and Barcelona will be the ones to enjoy all favouritism come the Clasico in a few weeks time.
In a few hours, Barcelona should cut the gap to just 1 point when they host Getafe. They should win this game no problem.
So what to make of the Tiger and Rory flops in the Masters? They both had a good opening round on Thursday and then it all went downhill from there. Maybe Tiger still needs have to work on a few more things and that the Augusta Major came a little too soon since his win just a couple of weeks back. Maybe Rory shouldn't have taken 3 weeks off, and would have been better off with a prep tourney a week before the tournament? Just maybe's. But I felt Lee Westwood was the one to feel that this was one he should have won. He was the best at hitting fairways but just couldn't get hot on the putter. The fact that he putted 21 times more than Phil Mickelson, yet still finishing with the same score, and only 2 shots off the winner, says it all. It wouldn't be surprising if Westwood captured his first Major (finally) soon.
Win: Barcelona
Monday, June 20, 2011
Rory! Rory! Rory!
Without doubt, the news from the week-end was Rory McIlroy's tremendous win at the U.S Open. 4 rounds of under par and leading from start to finish, we haven't been witnessing this kind of dominant display for a long time. Soon enough, the questions abound as to how many more Majors is he going to win, and more importantly how does he and Tiger compare. Basically, what is the expectation of the Irish man?
It is often said that the first Major is the most difficult to get, and the floodgates open soon after that. Phil Mickleson was the ridicule of many for years before he finally ended his Major drought. Since his breakthrough, he has gotten a few more. When Rory came close in the 3 Majors before this year's US Open, particularly after his collapse in the final round of the Masters, there was little doubt in everyone's minds that he had this mental barrier to overcome first; would he close Majors like Greg Norman or like Tiger? The resounding answer now, is that maybe neither. He blew the opposition from the gates like Frankel did in the Guineas!
With this first win, can he aspire to many more to levels of Tiger and Nicklaus? It's very much too early to say even though age-wise, he has gotten very much a head-start. The thing with Tiger is that winning the most majors has been his almost-singular goal in life. It's ingrained in his DNA. Rory appears more laid-back and does not seem to have that urge to be the all-time best, at this moment. Anyway, it would seem pretentious of him, given that Tiger is still active.
Rory's domination this week-end was a pivotal moment. Before, the saying was if Tiger is playing at his best, every one else is playing for second place. The feeling now is even if Tiger plays at his best, a top-notch Rory could still outgun him. 2 Champions, 2 contrasting styles. If Tiger can get his old form back or be even better, this new rivalry could be worth its pot of gold.
It is often said that the first Major is the most difficult to get, and the floodgates open soon after that. Phil Mickleson was the ridicule of many for years before he finally ended his Major drought. Since his breakthrough, he has gotten a few more. When Rory came close in the 3 Majors before this year's US Open, particularly after his collapse in the final round of the Masters, there was little doubt in everyone's minds that he had this mental barrier to overcome first; would he close Majors like Greg Norman or like Tiger? The resounding answer now, is that maybe neither. He blew the opposition from the gates like Frankel did in the Guineas!
With this first win, can he aspire to many more to levels of Tiger and Nicklaus? It's very much too early to say even though age-wise, he has gotten very much a head-start. The thing with Tiger is that winning the most majors has been his almost-singular goal in life. It's ingrained in his DNA. Rory appears more laid-back and does not seem to have that urge to be the all-time best, at this moment. Anyway, it would seem pretentious of him, given that Tiger is still active.
Rory's domination this week-end was a pivotal moment. Before, the saying was if Tiger is playing at his best, every one else is playing for second place. The feeling now is even if Tiger plays at his best, a top-notch Rory could still outgun him. 2 Champions, 2 contrasting styles. If Tiger can get his old form back or be even better, this new rivalry could be worth its pot of gold.
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