Golf Events / Dan Geraghty / 25 March 2009 /

Split your stake between two markets this weekend, says Dan Geraghty, because Tiger's gonna tear it up!

I'm not quite sure what happened to Jim Furyk last week, but after a godlike first round he fell away like he'd been shot. Hopefully anyone that backed him managed to trade out at a short price. Ryo Ishikawa impressed in making the cut but also, perhaps understandably fell away as the tournament progressed. Meanwhile, David Toms had a good week and stayed in touch with the leaders until disappointingly falling away midway through the final round.

This week I do feel a little guilty about including Tiger Woods at such a short price, but I've certainly been convinced he's going to win and win well. In my opinion his long game has looked better than ever since his return, he's driving the ball as straight and as long as he ever has. In fact, it was his (usually immaculate) putting that stopped him challenging at the very top of the leaderboard in his last outing at the CA Championship. This week he should be even sharper and will take a lot of beating.

With the likelihood that this week turns into a one man show, I'd recommend backing my other two selections in the without Woods market.

Since finishing tied second at the Mercedes on his first start of the year Anthony Kim has had a very disappointing time of things. After making a big name for himself last year it may be the case that he's tried to spread himself to thin this time around. At this early stage of the season he's already been over to play in Malaysia on the European Tour, where he was always playing catch up after a terrible first round and he followed that up by hopping straight on a plane to Australia to compete in the Johnnie Walker Classic where despite playing well, he essentially disappointed.

Following that hectic start to the year, perhaps tiredness can be given as an excuse for his below par performances at the World Golf Championships. Like Tiger he's now had a week off since the CA Championship and will be eager to repair his ailing reputation.

Padraig Harrington has had his customary slow start to the season, it's well known he's basing his year around peaking at the right time for the majors. Last time out at the CA Championship he showed significant improvement to finish tied 20th and he was competitive for the first time this season. The week before each of his two Open wins Padraig has won the Irish PGA. This will be Harrington's penultimate tournament before the year's first major. Winning breeds confidence and with the Masters just two weeks away, we're getting towards the time when Pod needs to peak.

Selections: Winner Market: Tiger Woods ([3.6]). Winner W/O Woods Market: Anthony Kim ([29.0]), Padraig Harrington ([29.0]).

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