Golf Events / Paul Krishnamurty / 15 October 2007 /

Two-pronged approach should carry me through the four-man tournament, says pro-punter Paul Krishnamurty

Rather than the usual Thursday to Sunday schedule, there's an extra treat in store for golf punters this week with the annual PGA Grand Slam of Golf starting on Tuesday evening for two days.

This is a 36-hole strokeplay event for the four 2007 major winners. However, an event of this stature is not enough to entice the Tiger out of his lair this late in the year so he is replaced by fellow American Jim Furyk.

Previously, the Grand Slam of Golf was played later in the year on the Hawaiian island of Kauai, but we have a change of venue this year as it moves to the Mid Ocean Club, Bermuda. The test remains much the same though, on a short, coastal course whose main defence is the wind. As we have no previous Bermuda form to assess, it seems fair to look at the players' records under similar conditions in Hawaii.

It seems to me that two of the four contenders are particularly unsuited to the demands of this tourament. US Open champion Angel Cabrera, not known for producing his best on this type of golf course in any case, must be knackered. Thirty-six holes for four days consecutively at Wentworth would be a gruelling schedule for younger and fitter players than Cabrera, and that's before jetlag is taken into consideration. I'm sure he's grateful for the appearance fee, but it's asking a lot for the Argentinian to be at his best so soon after Sunday's demoralising thrashing at the hands of Ernie Els.

Masters champion Zach Johnson was an equally surprising Major winner, and he too looks up against it here. Zach's game is all about accuracy, which doesn't look the most important attribute this week. In three trips to Hawaii Johnson has achieved nothing. He had only six players behind him when finishing a poor 23rd in the 2005 Mercedes Championship, and in two trips to Waialee for the Sony Open he's finished a lacklustre 47th and missed the cut.

Everything seems to point to the two members of the world's top-10, Furyk and Open champ Padraig Harrington.

World No.3 Furyk has a home in Hawaii, and is therefore well versed in playing golf under these conditions. After winning his sole Major, the 2003 US Open, Furyk went on to win the Grand Slam of Golf at the end of that season. Last year he was invited to make up the four-ball because Woods had won two majors, and his response was to finish second to the runaway favourite. Despite four weeks passing since the last Fedex Cup event, Furyk shouldn't be rusty as he had to play in the President's Cup just a fortnight ago.

World No. 7 Harrington looks a big danger. His poor showing at Wentworth is easily overlooked as he's long been on record as disliking the West Course. There are few better wind players around than the Irishman as shown in his fine Open and links record. Furthermore, Pod seems to perform at his very best in relaxing circumstances. Whereas he's struggled in the past when carrying the burden of expectation, his very best golf has come in jovial, relaxed pro-ams like the Dunhill Links. This event always has a light-hearted, end-of-season feel to it so I'm expecting a good week for Europe's leading player.

Taking everything into consideration then, the two market leaders look very worthy favourites. My betting strategy will be to lay Johnson and Cabrera at 4.5 and 5.0 respectively. This equates to laying a combined price of just 2.36, which seems reasonable value considering I've got clearly the best two players on my side even before taking into account the various reasons specific to this event that I estimate will accentuate their advantage.

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