May 2007

Cecil holds strong Oak hand

Editor / 31 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Henry Cecil holds a strong hand in the Group 1 Oaks at Epsom (16.05), a race in which he might easily score a 1-2 via Passage Of Time and Light Shift. The Betfair ante-post favourite for the Fillies' Classic, Passage...Read more »

Four Sins in great form ahead of Oaks

Editor / 31 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Four Sins is in great form ahead of her bid to win the Group 1 Epsom Oaks, according to County Kildare trainer John Oxx. The fast-improving three-year-old, due to be ridden by big-race ace Mick Kinane, came to prominence in...Read more »

Lefty unfazed by Woods rivalry

Editor / 31 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Phil Mickelson has played down his rivalry with Tiger Woods ahead of the Memorial tournament in Ohio, which begins on Thursday. It is widely known that the two Americans are not the best of friends and they have failed to...Read more »

Soft ground may upset Dandy Man

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

5f 6yd Group 2 Betfair Temple Stakes. Sandown, Thursday, 20.20 The soft ground must be a concern for backers of Dandy Man, the likely favourite for this long-established Group 2 sprint (20.20) at Sandown. Admittedly, he looked at least as...Read more »

Cecil's double-barrelled attack

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Henry Cecil may not have won the Oaks since 2000 with Love Divine but it is a race that he has made his own and he goes into this year's race with two of the top three candidates. Bidding to...Read more »

Woods content with changing role

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Tiger Woods has admitted that his priorities will change when he becomes a father for the first time in July. The world number one's wife Erin is due to give birth in early July, around the same time as Woods...Read more »

Memorial Tournament preview

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Many of the world's top golfers will be seeking confidence-boosting performances at this week's Memorial Tournament with the second major of the season, the US Open, now just a fortnight away. World numbers one and two, Tiger Woods and Phil...Read more »

Quicker pace to suit Al Rayanah

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

A slow pace proved the ruin of Al Rayanah last time out over course and distance but the four-year-old can bounce back to form at Yarmouth (15:55). George Prodromou's filly was an improving sort at the backend of last season...Read more »

Prince may not make Derby

Editor / 30 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Trainer Paul Cole has suggested Strategic Prince may not make the Epsom Derby on Saturday if the ground remains soft. The three-year-old looked all set to make a bold bid for Classic glory having shaped well in the 2000 Guineas...Read more »

Dredge eyes home win

Editor / 29 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Bradley Dredge has spoken of his desire to become the first Welshman to win Newport's Celtic Manor Wales Open. The Tredegar man, who is trading at 20 in Betfair's outright winner market, knows he will have the support of family...Read more »

The Celtic Manor Wales Open - Preview

Editor / 29 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Europe's golfers will go in search of golf's Holy Grail this week as the European Tour moves west to the Celtic Manor Wales Open. No player in the 35-year history of the tour has ever managed to break the magical...Read more »

Handicapper sweet on Archipenko

Editor / 29 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Ireland's leading handicapper believes Aidan O'Brien's Archipenko has every chance of claiming another Irish victory in the Epsom Derby on Saturday. Gary O'Connor, the Flat handicapper of the Irish Turf, believes the colt's performance in winning the Derrinstown Stud Trial...Read more »

GOLF - Robert Karlsson profile

Editor / 29 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Robert Karlsson earned a place in the record books last year when he became Sweden's most prolific winner and he has high hopes of continuing his winning sequence in 2007. Karlsson's victory at the Deutsche Bank Players' Championship of Europe...Read more »

Final round bottlers in 2007

Editor / 28 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Converting a final round lead into a winning position and eventually lifting the trophy at the end of a tournament is one of the hardest things to do in golf. Tiger Woods has made the conundrum something of an art...Read more »

Rose prepares for Major test

Editor / 28 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Justin Rose has withdrawn from this week's Memorial Tournament in America, with the Englishman making sure he is fully fit for the upcoming US Open. The 26-year-old suffered play-off disappointment at Wentworth at the weekend, losing out to Anders Hansen...Read more »

Romero seeks rare international win

Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Eduardo Romero leads the Senior PGA Championship by two shots going into the final round, as he looks to become the first international winner of a senior major for 17 years. After opening two rounds of 68 and 70 at...Read more »

BMW PGA Championship fourth round preview

Editor / 27 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Ross Fisher and Paul Broadhurst will be aiming to clinch the biggest victory of their careers when they tee off today in the final round of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth. The English duo both birdied the final three...Read more »

Clark braves elements to lead in Texas

Editor / 26 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Tim Clark carded a second-round 64 to lead the Crowne Plaza Invitational field by one shot on 11-under par but 28 players have yet to complete their second rounds. The first day's play was cut short due to heavy rain,...Read more »

BMW PGA Championship weekend preview

Editor / 26 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Justin Rose must be wishing he could play in front of a hometown crowd every week after taking the joint-lead at the halfway stage of this week's BMW PGA Championship. Rose is making his first appearance at Wentworth for three...Read more »

Kim leads rain-affected Colonial event

Editor / 25 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Anthony Kim shot an opening round 63 to leave him as the clubhouse leader at the Crown Plaza Invitational, although around half the field are yet to complete their first 18 holes. American Kim fired six consecutive birdies at his...Read more »

Sidebottom keen to outdo father

Editor / 24 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Ryan Sidebottom is hoping to throw off the family's one-cap wonder tag after being called up to the England squad for the second Test with the West Indies at Headingley. Sidebottom's father Arnie made just one Test appearance for the...Read more »

Singh saddened by US no-show

Editor / 24 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Vijay Singh feels more big-name players from the US Tour should have made the journey to Europe for the BMW PGA Championship this week. The Fiji ace lines up at Wentworth with just a handful of stars from the US...Read more »

Order of Merit and PGA Money List feature

Editor / 24 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Last year's battle for the Order of Merit was one of the closest and dramatic in living memory, and there are signs that the 2007 race to be crowned Europe's number one player could be every bit as exciting. It...Read more »

Faldo opts for McGinley and Olazabal

Editor / 23 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Paul McGinley and Jose Maria Olazabal have been named as Nick Faldo's assistants for next year's Ryder Cup. The experienced duo have been key performers for the Europeans over the years, with Olazabal forming one half of the competition's most...Read more »

GOLF - Justin Rose profile

Editor / 23 May 2007 / Leave a comment

He may still only be 26, but Justin Rose has already produced enough material during the first decade of his golf career to have the Hollywood producers knocking down his door to make a full-length feature film on his life....Read more »

BMW PGA Championship preview

Editor / 22 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Vijay Singh will make a rare appearance on the European Tour this week as he bids to become the first player to win the PGA titles on both sides of the Atlantic. While Singh has twice managed to win the...Read more »

Howell suffers Wentworth woe

Editor / 22 May 2007 / Leave a comment

David Howell will not have the chance to defend his title at the BMW PGA Championship as back problems have forced him out of the event. The 31-year-old claimed the trophy 12 months ago, after carding a 17-under par score...Read more »

Harrington hails Irish Open win

Editor / 21 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Padraig Harrington overcame a nervy finish to end Ireland's 25-year wait for a 'home' win in the Irish Open by beating Bradley Dredge in a play-off....Read more »

Imada and Matteson in pole position

Editor / 20 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Betfair customers see the final round of the AT&T Classic as a shoot-out between the top two, Ryuji Imada and Troy Matteson, but Zach Johnson is waiting in the wings. Japanese star Imada and American Matteson both carded three-under par...Read more »

Matteson and Imada share AT&T lead

Editor / 19 May 2007 / Leave a comment

America's Troy Matteson and Japan's Ryuji Imada shared the lead on 10 under par at the halfway stage of the AT&T Classic at the TPC Sugarloaf in Duluth, Georgia Matteson made the biggest impact on the leaderboard, firing eight birdies...Read more »

AT & T Classic - PREVIEW

Editor / 19 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Zach Johnson already has very fond memories of Georgia and there is every chance that it will become his favourite state in America if he pulls off victory at this weekend's AT &T Classic. Six weeks after Johnson stunned the...Read more »

Sutherland on top in Georgia

Editor / 18 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Veteran American Kevin Sutherland leads the field by two shots following the opening round of the AT&T Classic at Sugarloaf. The 42-year-old fired an opening round 65 on Thursday, which included eight birdies, to leave him on -7. Sutherland admitted...Read more »

European Tour v US PGA Tour comparison

Editor / 17 May 2007 / Leave a comment

It has been something of a mystery that, while Europe has dominated the Ryder Cup against their more illustrious American counterparts over the last decade, players from this side of the Atlantic have struggled to make the breakthrough in the...Read more »

Howell on verge of Major breakthrough

Editor / 17 May 2007 / Leave a comment

David Howell says his hard work on the range has paid off and now believes he has the ability to make the breakthrough and win a major championship. The 32-year-old Ryder Cup star has been putting in the hours with...Read more »

Clarke pulls out of Irish Open

Editor / 16 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Darren Clarke has been forced to withdraw from this week's Irish Open as he continues to struggle with a hamstring injury. The Ulsterman has been struggling with the problem for the last month and lasted just six holes of last...Read more »

Phil Mickeslson moves up to second

Editor / 15 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Phil Mickeslson's victory at Sawgrass on Sunday has seen him move back to second place in the world rankings behind Tiger Woods. The 36-year-old put in a superb round on Sunday to claim the Players Championship by two shots from...Read more »

AT & T Classic preview

Editor / 15 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Stewart Cink has enjoyed more than his fair share of near misses over the years, and there will be no more popular winner if he can prevail at this week's AT & T Classic in Georgia. Cink has finished second...Read more »

Irish Open preview

Editor / 15 May 2007 / Leave a comment

European number one Padraig Harrington will lead the home challenge at this week's Irish Open and as he bids to become the first Irish winner of the tournament for 25 years. It seems incredible to think that, with all the...Read more »

Zach Johnson profile

Editor / 15 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Zach Johnson arrived at this year's US Masters ranked 56th in the world with few expecting much from the 31-year-old from Iowa. By the end of the week, he had cemented his place in golfing history and the signs are...Read more »

Mickelson targets US Open

Editor / 14 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Phil Mickelson carded a textbook 69 to win The Players Championship - then immediately turned his attention to next month's US Open. Mickelson fired four birdies, including the first two holes, and just one bogey at the final hole to...Read more »

Players Championship fourth round preview

Editor / 13 May 2007 / Leave a comment

A first-time winner to The Players' Championship looks guaranteed on Sunday as Sawgrass prepares itself for one of the most exciting climaxes in the tournament's history. The top 15 players are all yet to taste success on Pete Dye's infamous...Read more »

Donald moves into contention

Editor / 13 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Luke Donald was delighted with his superb seven-under-par 65 to move into contention after the third-round at the Players Championship. Betfair punters who have been following the Englishman closely this week, will have been impressed at how cleanly the 29-year-old...Read more »

Players' Championship weekend preview

Editor / 12 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Phil Mickelson has never won the much-coveted Players' Championship title but he lies in the ideal place at the halfway stage of this year's event in Florida. Mickelson's previous best finish came three years ago when he finished third behind...Read more »

Mickelson holds halfway lead at Sawgrass

Editor / 11 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Phil Mickelson holds a one-shot lead over Australia's Nathan Green at the halfway stage of the Players' Championship after shooting a level-par 72 in the second round at Sawgrass. The American struggled on the outward nine when picking up three...Read more »

Mickelson enjoys first round TPC lead

Editor / 11 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Phil Mickelson shares the lead with South Africa's Rory Sabbatini following the first round of the Tour Players Championship at Sawgrass. The left-hander fired an opening-round 67, the highlight being a 65-foot birdie putt at the eighth, to tie with...Read more »

Conditions to test the best at Sawgrass

Editor / 10 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Overcast conditions and a testing early morning breeze greeted the world's best players as the early starters got their TPC Championship challenges underway at Sawgrass. High winds, forecast to gust to 20mph during the day, and rain are also expected...Read more »

Mickelson defends Sawgrass set-up

Editor / 09 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Phil Mickelson has disagreed with Tiger Woods' criticism of the Sawgrass signature hole, claiming the 17th adds something to the course. Both players will be among the field at this week's Tour Players Championship, with the majority of the world's...Read more »

The Players Championship - PREVIEW

Editor / 08 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Canada's Stephen Ames will find things very different when he steps on to the first tee on Thursday to defend his title as Tournament Players Champion at the legendary Pete Dye-designed Sawgrass venue in Florida. Ames was an astounding big-priced...Read more »

Castano seeking home comforts

Editor / 08 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Spain's Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano is hoping to carry his momentum into the Valle Romano Open de Andalucia, a new tournament which gets underway in his homeland this week. The 26-year-old claimed his third European Tour win with a play-off victory over...Read more »

GOLF - STEPHEN AMES PROFILE

Editor / 08 May 2007 / Leave a comment

There aren't too many golfers who can take a massive 9 & 8 pounding when going head-to-head with world number one Tiger Woods yet still manage to bounce back and win a tournament less than a month later. But that's...Read more »

Woods back to winning ways

Editor / 07 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Tiger Woods claimed his third PGA Tour title of 2007 on Sunday, after winning the Wachovia Championships by two shots. The world number one started the day one shot behind third round leader Rory Sabbatini, but a 57-foot eagle putt...Read more »

Sawgrass course profile

Editor / 06 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Mark Calcavecchia once said: "It's like having a three o'clock appointment for a root canal. You're thinking about it all morning and you feel bad all day. You kind of know sooner or later you have to get it." He...Read more »

Record-breaking Sabbatini ahead after Woods sip

Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Rory Sabbatini took over at the top of the third round leaderboard after Tiger Woods bogeyed the final two holes at the Wachovia Championship in Charlotte. Woods dropped a shot at 17, then bogeyed the par-four 18th after a wayward...Read more »

Short game aids Woods in Charlotte

Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Tiger Woods was delighted to overcome his swing problems and sit joint-top of the leaderboard, with Vijay Singh and Arron Oberholser, after round two of the Wachovia Championship...Read more »

Wachovia Championship weekend preview

Editor / 05 May 2007 / Leave a comment

A mouth-watering prospect awaits golf fans over the weekend with Tiger Woods and Vijay Singh both in the group of joint leaders at the halfway stage of this week's Wachovia Championship. Woods and Singh have won more tournaments between them...Read more »

Harrington ahead at Wachovia

Editor / 04 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Ireland's Padraig Harrington leads the Wachovia Championship by one shot in North Carolina after firing an opening round 66...Read more »

Course the carrot for Furyk

Editor / 03 May 2007 / Leave a comment

Defending champion Jim Furyk's suggestion that the cream usually rises to the top at the near immaculate Quail Hollow could leave punters not looking beyond the favourites for the Wachovia Championship. The George Cobb-creation, twice renovated by Tom Fazio, is...Read more »