The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 15 February 2010 /

Andrew Dodt captures the Avantha Masters for Steve, at the cracking price of [80.0], but the miserable sod's still not completely happy as last week's wager wins in the States......

At the Avantha Masters, pre-event pick Andrew Dodt, backed at [80.0], hit the front four times. Once on Friday, once on Saturday and twice yesterday - mercifully, the last time was on the 72nd hole and nobody could quite get to him after that.

In the States, Dustin Johnson hung on grimly to defend his AT&T Pebble Beach National Pro-am title, in totally unconvincing fashion.

My Bets

Marcel Siem, backed at [70.0], slipped back badly after an opening 64 had seen him lead on day one. A couple of in-running bets had fallen by the wayside but going into the final day, with 14 players within two shots of the lead, I had three players in with a chance.

Thaworn Wiratchant and the aforementioned Siem had very poor final rounds but mercifully Dodt managed to scrape home with birdies at two of the last three holes for a handsome win. I had one in-running bet all weekend, backing eventual second, Richard Finch at [32.0], as he charged through the field yesterday.

Having pondered the halfway leaderboard at length in the States, I decided to go in again on pre-event shot, Phil Mickelson at [7.6]. It was a weak looking leaderboard and I felt he had a fair chance, just three off the lead.

Dustin Johnson was one of those tied for the lead at halfway and he was trading at around the same price as Lefty. Although I'd backed him when he won here last year, I was really put off by his abysmal effort, when I'd backed him again, at last week's Northern Open, and I was quite prepared to let him go un-backed. Unfortunately, he opened up round three with an eagle and never looked backed. He ended up shooting an eight under par 64 but he could have gone even lower - he was six under through just seven holes!

Going into yesterday's final round Johnson was tied with veteran Paul Goydos and they were four clear of a pretty uninspiring bunch. After Johnson's efforts at Riviera when leading and given that Goydos is always a bit dodgy in the mix I felt the pair were vulnerable but couldn't see an obvious alternative other than JB Holmes, who I backed modestly at [14.5].

In no time at all the front two were getting in each other's way and my man, having birdied two of his first four, was soon on their heels. Holmes had got there too soon though and as unconvincing as Goydos and Johnson were, Holmes was every bit as bad.

I also backed veteran David Duval, at [26.0], as he closed in on the leaders with a birdie on the 13th.

When Johnson bogeyed the 17th there was a three-way tie between him and my pair in the clubhouse and I very nearly backed him at the [2.3] available to guarantee a profitable event. But given he'd played just one of his previous 18 holes under par I made the decision to wait and at least see his drive. Unfortunately, he drilled it straight down the middle and odds against were never seen again. A simple up and down from the greenside bunker gave him the title and I was left frustrated.

I can't complain though, as Dodt had grabbed victory so late in the day I had layed very little back on him, so it had been a cracking week.

Player to Follow

Brian Gay has a poor west coast record, so his tied 15th at the Bob Hope Classic (his best to date) and his tied 16th here, which was the first time he'd made the cut at Pebble Beach, read particularly well. Having won twice last year and given these two very solid efforts, I'm going to be keen to follow him going forward.

Player to Swerve

Darren Clarke started the week as third favourite in India and was right in the mix on Saturday; indeed he was matched at a low of [3.45] before he found water with his second shot on the 18th. He dragged himself back in it again yesterday but once again struggled in contention. I'm sad to say it, but Dazzler may just have left his winning days behind him.

What have we learnt for next year?

9-9-9 - call the police! What a hole the 14th at Pebble is! First Alex Prugh, then Bryce Molder and finally poor ole Paul Goydos (who was leading at the time) all made nine on this devilish par five yesterday. For the record, it could well have cost Duval the crown too, he made a bogey six.

Normal in-running rules don't apply with this hole, a five is very acceptable, and it will be no surprise to me if this hole has a major bearing on the outcome of this year's US Open.

The action starts early this week with the exciting World Golf Championships Accenture Match Play kicking off on Wednesday and there's also a reasonable turnout in Mexico for the Mayakoba Golf Classic on the PGA Tour - I'll preview both events on Tuesday evening.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: