Sports Betting Index - Betting Tips

6.5.07

19.50

Golf

US Open Antepost

Steve Stricker

A quick play on Stricker who is currently giving Woods a run for his money in the Wachovia played on a similarly difficult US Open style course.We think it is only a matter of time before he wins an event and he has a great record on difficult courses especially US Opens where he has 3 top 6 finishes to his name

1/2 pt ew 125/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Lost

+41.06

29.5.07

11.11

Golf

Celtic Manor Wales Open

Mikko Ilonen

The Finn has been in the doldrums for the last few month since his first win in Indonesia but last week returned to form with a 12th place finish last week.Whilst he missed the cut here in 2005 he was out of form and we really think the course should suit him.

1/2 pt ew 100/1 Boylesports 1/4 6 or Betfred 1/5 6

t6th

+42.06

30.5.07

13.53

Golf

Oceânico Developments Pro-Am Challenge

James Kamte

Surprised to see such a big price about the most promising black player to come out of South Africa.
He has just finished 3/2/2 in his last few starts at home and has taken a few weeks off to become a first time dad! The last time he faced the European Challenge tour players was in Kenya when he finished 2nd, and whilst he missed the cut here last season he now has valuable course experience and is a much better player now.

1/5 pt ew 100/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

+36.56

29.5.07

22.23

Golf

Celtic Manor Wales Open

Christain Cevaer

One last play for the European event this week - we think the Frenchman is somewhat overpriced in this field.Last week he played 4 solid par/sub par rounds for a 20th place finish at Wentworth and this week we think the course should really suit his game - on his debut here in 05 he played superbly apart from a poor 3rd round.

1/5 pt ew 150/1 Generally Available 1/4 5

Lost

+36.96

29.5.07

21.38

Golf

Ginn Open

Kirsty McPherson

We have a small stab on MacPherson in an event being played on a new course in her home state of South Carolina. She has struggled a bit since hitting the main tour but has improved a lot of late and last year she did win twice on the Futures Tour.

1/10 pt ew 400/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

+37.36

29.5.07

20.43

Golf

La Salle Bank Open

DA Points

One of the biggest events on the Nationwide calender and one of the best fields all year for this tour - so why go for a man seemingly out of form.Well its simple - course form of 3rd 03 and 2nd 04 when he last played the event and in each year he lowered the course record - and the reason why is quite simple - he is a local player.

1/4 pt ew 80/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

+37.56

29.5.07

14.51

Golf

Oceânico Developments Pro-Am Challenge

Michiel Bothma

We promise this is the last year we will back Bothma in this event if he fails to perform!The South African stays opposite the course when in Europe at a house owned by his mate Fichardt.He always seems to get off to a good start but fails to see it through - he showed this again a few weeks ago when he dropped away having led at halfway in France

1/4 pt ew 66/1 Bet365 1/4 5

Lost

+38.06

29.5.07

12.03

Golf

Boeing Championship

Tim Simpson

We picked Simpson for this event last year as it was his debut on the Champions Tour where sadly he disappointed - however at least he now has course experience and he has certainly been playing some very good golf of late capped off with a top 5 finish in last weeks Major.

1/2 pt ew 66/1 Sporting Odds 1/5 5

Lost

+38.56

29.5.07

11.51

Golf

Memorial

Jose Coceres

Yep - its that man Jose again - we were kicking ourselves when he finished 5th at the Players and we still cannot believe the prices on offer about the man who has taken us to 2 playoff losses this year.The key to his form is his driving accuracy and this weeks course should be suited to his style of play again.This time we will also back him in the top ROW market where he could well win without the agony of a playoff!

1/5 pt ew 125/1 1/5 6 Betfred + 1/2 pt ew top ROW 33/1 Betfred 1/4 4

Lost

+39.56

28.5.07

20.08

Golf

Memorial

Kyle Reifers

We know we want to back the youngster this week as he is playing on his home course having got a sponsors invite - the question has been - which market? Therefore we have gone for all markets available!He has shown in the past he is a streaky player and could get off to a flyer and hopefully he will be able to keep it going.He has plenty of course experience - playing it lots when at High School and was even Jay Haas' caddie in the event a few years ago.The fact he was no 1 ranked amateur in the US in 2006 and won his first 2 pro starts shows he has got game.

1/10 pt ew 600/1 Skybet Outright 1/4 5

1/5 pt ew 250/1 Top US no Woods Skybet 1/4 4

1/10 pt ew 250/1 1st rd leader Betfred 1/4 5

1/5 pt top 10 Stan James 50/1

Lost

+40.96

28.5.07

12.07

Golf

Celtic Manor Wales Open

Marc Warren

Not the best field ever assembled especially with an out of sorts Goosen as favourite.We know Warren can win in this quality of field and has finished top 30 in the last 2 stronger events and had a solid 16th place here on his debut with all rounds under par.

1/4 pt ew 100/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Lost

+41.96

21.5.07

17.04

Golf

Senior PGA Championship

Denis Watson

We picked out Watson a few weeks ago and he disappoited somewhat and we were slightly annoyed when he came out last week and finished 3rd!.We have to go again at this price this week where although its a Major the windy exposed nature of Kiawah Island should be right up his street.

1/2 pt ew 80/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Won

+42.46

23.5.07

16.45

Golf

Melwood Prince Georges

Brad Elder

We picked him a few weeks ago when sadly he followed his 5th place finish with a 6th and just out of the money.Last week he was 30th in the pro-am but on closer analysis an 8 on par 4 was the difference between that and another top 10 finish.When a new couse is being used it is often worth sticking with a player in good form at a decent price

1/2 pt ew 80/1 Stan James 1/4 5

Lost

-7.54

22.5.07

16.50

Golf

Melwood Prince Georges

Del Ponchock

A new event on the Nationwide calender and information on the course etc is difficult to get hold of.However this guy grew up next door to the course and won the Maryland Open here a number of years ago.Whilst he is not a well known player and has never achieved much he has won 5 mini-tour events in Florida where he has now located.

1/10 pt ew 200/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

-6.54

22.5.07

12.43

Golf

Crowne Plaza Invitational

Tommy Armour III

An unusual selection maybe but Armour has been playing well on his limited opportunities this season and has often had to Monday qualify.He did manage a 4th at Houston earlier this season and is getting very close to regaining his status for next year and we cannot forget his record breaking performance in the Lone Star state in 03 when he last won.

1/10 pt win 250/1 1/5 pt top 5 50/1 1/4 pt top 10 20/1 Sportstab

Lost

-6.34

21.5.07

21.40

Golf

Crowne Plaza Invitational

Ted Purdy

Purdy has had a pretty poor season this year until a top 25 finish at the Wachovia was followed by a 16th place finish at Sawgrass.In 05 he had a solid start here and in 06 a solid finish - he just needs to put both together.He does seem to like par 70 courses in Texas with a win and a top 5 finish in the past under his belt.

1/4 pt ew 100/1 Ladbrokes 1/4 5

Lost

-5.79

21.5.07

21.40

Golf

BMW PGA Championship

Gary Orr

We have to have our annual top 10 bet on Orr at Wentworth - the fact of the matter is he now has 5 top 10 finishes in his last 10 starts here so 11/1 simply is way too big no matter what form he is in.

1/2 pt top 10 finish 11/1 Paddy Power

Lost

-5.29

21.5.07

19.06

Golf

BMW PGA Championship

Richard Green

We were somewhat annoyed when Green bogeyed 2 of the last 3 holes on Sunday to reduce our full place payout but when you consider that was his first event for some time and the weather it shows how good his game is.We will go again this week at a slightly bigger price as his good scrambling and GIR figures should be well suited here and he has finished 5th before.

1 pt top 5 12/1 Unibet

Lost

-4.79

21.5.07

17.38

Golf

Crown Plaza Invitational

Steve Stricker

Yes its Stricker again!!
From 12 starts this season he has managed to finish in the frame 3 times.In his last 2 events he has been ranked no 1 for Driving Accuracy - an important stat on this old course. Whilst he has been an infrequent visitor here he showed he can play here when in 05 he was 2nd going into the final round - he is in much better form now.

1/2 pt ew 40/1 Victor Chandler 1/4 5

Lost

-3.79

21.5.07

15.58

Golf

Crown Plaza Invitational

Peter Lonard

A really surprising price for the Aussie in what is a very poor field for a great traditional event.When you think he has been 3rd and 4th here for the last 2 years you would think he was badly out of form but he was 6th a the Players Champs just 2 weeks ago on another course which demands accuracy.We will err slighlty on the side of caution as he has been missing quite a few cuts this season.

1/4 pt ew 66/1 Tote 1/4 5

Lost

-2.79

21.5.07

13.45

Golf

BMW PGA Championship

Carlos Rodiles

The Spaniard seems to be at his best on tree lined tracks and they don't get much more tree lined than Wentworth.He had a solid finsh in his own Spanish Open when 3rd and last week at Adare Manor had 3 out of 4 very solid rounds.
Add in a 4th place finish here back in 2002 and he is worth a small bet at a big price.

1/5 pt ew 200/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Lost

-2.29

21.5.07

12.58

Golf

BMW PGA Championship

Robert Karlsson

Again - the tall Swede has a rather average record at Wentworth but we cannot ignore his form in the US this season especially in Florida with an 11th in the World Champs event at Doral and a 6th in the prestigious Players event last time out - 40/1 should be nearer the mark

1/2 pt ew 66/1 Ladbrokes 1/4 5

Lost

-1.89

21.5.07

12.28

Golf

BMW PGA Championship

Simon Dyson

This just seems a very big price for a player who has now a seasoned performer and confirmed winner on the tour over the last 2 years.In his last 10 events he has racked up 6 top 10 finishes and whilst his performances here have never been exceptional he is a better player now.

1/2 pt ew 80/1 Betfred 1/5 6

Lost

-0.89

14.5.07

14.41

Golf

AT & T Classic

Ryuji Imada

One day the Japanese player will get it all together and win on the PGA tour and fulfill the promise he showed as a youth.As a college student in the state of Georgia he has strong local ties and has improved with every start here - 74/15/10.His top 10 finish in the Byron Nelson just a few weeks ago reads well in this weeks field and is a big price.

1/4 pt ew 125/1 Blue Square 1/4 5

2nd

+0.11

15.5.07

00.05

Golf

Irish Open

Richard Green

Green returns from his annual spring break to a course where he has played solidly before in the JP McManus pro-am.His solid accurate game should be even more suited to a re-vamped course but he really does struggle to convert winning chances but he does have a fantastic top 5 strike rate.

1 pt top 5 finish 10/1 Unibet

t4th

-7.45

15.5.07

17.50

Golf

BMW Charity Pro-Am

Todd Fischer

Our work on the Nationwide Tour in the last few months has reaped good dividends and in Fischer we think we have another one this week.He has lost his status on the PGA tour but seems to have come to grips with it and is coming nicely into form.He clearly likes the pro-am format with solid performances in those events on the main tour over the last 5 years and in his one appearance here before he was 2nd.

1/2 pt ew 66/1 Bet365 1/4 5

t5th

-13.78

14.5.07

15.47

Golf

Irish Open

Michael Jonzon

The veteran Swede seems to be having a new lease of life atm with finishes of 7/6/4 in his last 3 European events.He is certainly a talented performer and capable of winning and in the past has played very well in Ireland.

1/5 pt ew 150/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Lost

-17.6

14.5.07

14.01

Golf

Irish Open

Alastair Forsyth

We will have another go with the Scot who gave us a good run a few weeks ago.Since he started training with Bob Torrance his form has turned round and he is currently one of the best ball strikers on the European tour.The course should play right into his hands and for an Irish Open it is a weak field this year.

1/4 pt ew 100/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Lost

-17.2

16.5.07

11.24

Golf

Telenet Trophy

Van Phillips

We will stick with Van this week who came very close to getting a place last week.
In his prime on the European tour he was a solid driver - something that seems to be returning to his game and which will be very suited to this old fashioned course at Waterloo.

1/4 pt ew 50/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

-16.7

16.5.07

11.07

Golf

BMW Charity Pro-Am

Tommy Gainey

We will risk a small bet on the guy with the "Big Break" background.He hails from South Carolina and is always in ominous form in his home state.He recently Monday qualified for the Wachovia which should give him a taste for this week.On the Tarheel tour set in the Carolinas over the last 14 months in 14 appearances he has 8 top 5's including 3 wins!

1/10 pt ew 150/1 Tote 1/4 5

Lost

-16.2

15.5.07

23.15

Golf

Macau Open

Scott Barr

The Macau course tends to be a specialists course suiting those who drive the ball well and in 4 appearances here he has 2 runner-up spots and a 5th!.
With 3 top 21 finishes in recent co-sanctioned events he is also definitely in good form for this weak Asian event.

1/4 pt ew 40/1 Bet365 1/4 5

Lost

-16.0

15.5.07

12.01

Golf

LET Swiss Open

Louise Friberg

A rare venture into the realms of the LET but we think there is a bit of value in the young Swedish golfer this week.If you take out the 2 poor performances in Australia her last few starts on this tour look impressive - 7/52/6/4 and she played in a couple of minor events in Arizona last month finishing top 4 in both.

1/5 pt ew 100/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

-15.5

14.5.07

19.58

Golf

AT & T Classic

Matthew Goggin

We picked out Goggin a few weeks ago and will pick him again in an event which appears very weak on paper.The Australian played very solid golf in Sawgrass with all 4 rounds under par and he led the all round stats.He has played Sugarloaf 4 times before and has recorded a 6th place finish before and his solid long hitting game should be suited here.

1/2 pt ew 100/1 Betfred 1/5 6

Lost

-15.1

14.5.07

16.06

Golf

AT & T Classic

Justin Bolli

You might remember we picked out Bolli in his home state of Georgia a few weeks ago on the Nationwide Tour when he finished 2nd and we have to go for him on the main tour this week.He actually lives in the town and was 2nd again in his last NW tour start.He has one start here a few years ago where he improved with every round to finish 15th.

1/10 pt win 200/1 1/5 pt top 5 40/1 1/4 pt top 10 16/1 Sportstab

Lost

-14.1

14.5.07

15.47

Golf

Irish Open

Michael Hoey

One of those just in case bets - Hoey has been poor for some time but in his last 2 Challenge Tour events since they hit mainland Europe he has finished 1st and 7th - a talented player it will be interesting to see how he copes on the main tour.

1/10 pt ew 250/1 Sporting Odds,Victor Chandler 1/4 5

Lost

-13.55

9.5.07

11.46

Golf

Toulouse Open

Van Phillips

The Engishman has given up on coaches and gone back to playing his natural game having won the Maurtius Open before Christmas he has played well in his last 2 events and is worth a small bet

1/5 pt ew 100/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost(7th!)

-13.35

8.5.07

22.21

Golf

Michelob Ultra Open

Reilley Rankin

We will take a small risk on a player who was 5th last week having entered the final round tied for the lead.She was 7th here last season and won on the Futures Tour in Virginia and from what we can discover she seems to play well in poor weather which is forecast for this week.

1/5 pt ew 150/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

-12.95

8.5.07

12.47

Golf

Players Championship

Rocco Mediate

Again not a lot to add but with a 13% top 10 rate in his home state and twice here we have to have a bet at 25/1

1/4 pt top 10 Bet365 25/1

Lost

-12.55

8.5.07

12.47

Golf

Players Championship

Frank Lickliter

Not a lot to add to what we said before except in his last 50 starts he has 8% top 5 finishes so this price is too big

1/5 pt top 5 Unibet 64/1

Lost

-12.3

8.5.07

12.12

Golf

Players Championship top US no Woods

Boo Weekley

Another pick in this market and although Boo has no course experience his good ball striking game should be suited here and he will probably get a load of local support being from Florida himself.

1/4 pt ew 80/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 4

Lost

-12.1

8.5.07

11.03

Golf

Open de Toulouse

Julien Xanthopoulos

In the last 11 full field events on French soil 5 have been won by French players so we will concentrate the rest of our efforts here - the question is which Frenchman!?
Well we will pick the one who sounds Greek.On his debut in France in 2005 he finsihed 5th and last season on the Alps Tour he was 5th on the Money List with 5 top 5's and a win.

1/10 pt ew 200/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

-11.6

8.5.07

11.03

Golf

Open de Toulouse

Wil Besseling

Most of the attention seems to be on Luiten who is 20/1 favourite but we will pick his compatriot at 5x the price.It was Wil who was top player at the Eisenhouer Trophy in the Autumn yet Luiten got all the credit.Whilst he missed the cut a few weeks ago on his Challenge Tour debut he also did this on the EPD tour in February in his first pro start and then won the following week.

1/4 pt ew 100/1 Skybet 1/4 5

Lost

-11.4

7.5.07

22.33

Golf

Players Championship

Anthony Kim

The young American is a really talented player and we are surprised he is available at 3 figure odds for this weeks event having 3 top 5 finishes in his last 5 events.Whilst he has no course experience he hasn't had it at the other courses he has played so well at in recent months.

1/4 pt ew 100/1 Ladbrokes,Coral 1/4 5

Lost

-10.9

7.5.07

18.21

Golf

Andalucia Open De Espana

Andrew Oldcorn

This really is a poor event and we have struggled to find much but the veteran is worth a small bet for a number of reasons,
Firstly he was 7th in his last Euro start in Portugal and he showed he is still playing well with a good performance in Scotland last week.
He has lost his 5 year exemption for his PGA win and needs mainly sponsors invites to play now but gets in here as a previous winner in Andalucia so he should have fond memories of the area.

1/5 pt ew 250/1 Bet365 1/4 5

Lost

-10.4

7.5.07

17.32

Golf

Players Championship top US no Woods

Arron Oberholser

Quite fancy Oberholser as an outright but he often flatters to deceive but we simply have to play at this price which is double what it really should be

1/2 pt ew 50/1 ,Blue Square 1/4 4

Lost

-10.0

7.5.07

16.44

Golf

Players Championship top US no Woods

Frank Lickliter

Like Mediate Lickliter also hails from Ponte Vedra and also can boast 2 good finishes round Sawgrass with a 3rd and 7th.He has been playing some steady golf over the last few months especially in Florida and actually has an excellent % of top 5 and top 10 finishes.

1/2 pt ew 100/1 Generally Available1/4 4

Lost

-9.0

7.5.07

16.44

Golf

Players Championship top US no Woods

Rocco Mediate

You will see that in most of our picks this week we will be avoiding Woods and the non US players this week as we see the top US market as particularly weak and some big prices on our favoured players.Rocco reckons he is free from injury now and has had a 2nd and 9th this year + he has finished 3rd and 4th in his own backyard before.

1/2 pt ew 125/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 4

Lost

-8.0

7.5.07

14.14

Golf

Players Championship

Camilo Villegas

Wow - stunned that he is an even bigger price and an extra place to boot!!

1/2 pt ew 175/1 Stan James 1/4 6

Lost

-7.0

7.5.07

12.55

Golf

Players Championship

Camilo Villegas

We are quite surprised that the young Colombian is such a big price in his adpoted state of Florida - in 10 starts in the State he has recorded 3 top 5 finishes including here on his debut last year.The win part maybe about right but there is certainly a lot of value in the place part

1/2 pt ew 125/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Lost

-6.0

7.5.07

09.42

Entertainment

Eurovision Song Contest

Andorra

We have been following the market closely for a springer in the market and it looks like we have one from an unusual source.Whilst they are not from a favourable location in Europe they really could be the surprise package this year

1/4 pt ew 40/1 Blue Square
Betfred 1/4 4

Lost

-5.0

3.5.07

08.53

Golf

Wachovia Championship

DJ Trahan

Another player we have been considering all week and at this price we will have a small investment. Trahan has been top 15 here in the last 2 seasons and was a solid 8th a month ago in Houston, a winner already on the PGA tour he may be a surprise package this week.

1/10 pt ew 250/1 Portlandbet 1/4 5

Lost

-4.5

3.5.07

08.53

Golf

Wachovia Championship

Jeff Maggert

Not a lot to add to what we have already said about Maggert and we have to have a small bet now he has been pushed out to 300/1.

1/5 pt ew 300/1 Portlandbet 1/4 5

Lost

-4.3

2.5.07

18.29

Golf

Fort Smith Classic

Stephen Gangluff

We think the bookmakers have missed the fact that Gangluff won the Canadian Order of Merit last season and returned with a 4th place finish 2 weeks ago.
He has played here once before - 4 years ago when he was top 5 after round 1 showing he knows how to play the course.

1/4 pt ew 150/1 Bet365 1/4 5

Lost

-3.9

1.5.07

18.04

Golf

Fort Smith Classic

Greg Chalmers

To say we were frustrated with the Australian last week would be an understatement.- he finished 1 shot out of the play-off as well largely caused by one bad tee shot on Saturday that ended up in a triple bogey.This continues a rich vein of form and we really cannot pass him up at a price well above our expectations.

1/2 pt ew 40/1 Bet365 1/4 5

Lost

-3.4

1.5.07

16.36

Golf

Fort Smith Classic

Brad Elder

Elder has struggled a bit over the last few years but showed he is in good form last week finishing 1 shot out of the play-off.This weeks course isa fairly tight par 70 which should suit his game and he has finished top 10 here before and is a two time winner on this tour - albeit a while ago.

1/4 pt ew 100/1 Tote Bet365 1/4 5

Lost 6th!!

-2.4

1.5.07

13.31

Golf

Wachovia Championship

Jeff Maggert

Maggert is one of those frustrating characters normally difficult to back on a going week but the difficult Quail Hollow course could be right up his street as shown when 5th in 2004.Maggert really does excel when the going gets tough and has recently returned to a bit of form after an early season injury.
We couldn't put you off a small win bet but take the 300/1+ available on the Exchanges

1/2 pt top 10 18/1 Skybet

Lost

-1.9

1.5.07

12.48

Golf

Sem Group Championship

Karin Sjodin

We will also have a small play on the LPGA tour this week as well.The young Swede has yet to emulate her great amateur form but in her recent starts her form has been fairly good with finishes of 9/c/14 and in her last event she was top for DD and GIR. We will be playing her this week as she was 7th here last year - possibly as she has strong local ties - she went to University in Oklahoma and still has a house there.

1/5 pt ew 125/1 Sporting Odds 1/4 5

Lost

-1.4

1.5.07

10.17

Golf

Fedex Kinkos Classic

Denis Watson

A rare dabble in the Seniors market but we think we have spotted a bit of a rick.
The South African had shoulder surgery and took a while to recover but this year on the Seniors tour he has had 5 starts and can muster a 2nd,5th and 10th in those starts.At first glance he has no course form but if you delve deep enough you will discover he played here on the Nationwide Tour in 98 and finsihed in the top 10.Talking of the NW tour he kept his hand in on this tour over the last few weeks making both cuts and even leading after round 1 last week

1/4 pt win 80/1 3/4 pt top 5 16/1 Expekt

Lost

-1.0