The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 10 November 2009 /

There's another weekend of sleep deprivation in store for Steve, but could Tiger Woods make it all worthwhile...?

After last week's classic in Shanghai, it's hardly great news that two of this week's three tournaments are also night shift jobs.

First up is the Australian Masters, which starts at 8.00 pm UK time on Wednesday night, where Tiger Woods, for an appearance fee of a staggering US$3 million, will be teeing it up at Kingston Heath, Melbourne, last used for the Australian Open way back in 2000.

I've read nothing but glowing reports about the course and after his practice round there on Tuesday, Woods was very complimentary saying: "[It's an] unbelievable golf course, and it's just a treat to play"..

US $3 million may see like an awful lot of dosh but it seems to have done the trick. The event is completely sold out and could just be the kick-start the ailing Australian Tour so badly needs.

I've made Woods my sole pick for the event at [2.70]. He looked out of sorts last week but his stats didn't back that up. He was in the top 20 for every category, so no single facet of his game was to blame for his rare weekend stumble and in what is a very weak field on a track that looks like it may suit; he's an obvious choice and a fair price. I won't be trading in-running for the first few days, so I've not gone mad but the price does look a bit too big.

Selection:

Tiger Woods @ [2.70]

Also starting on Wednesday night (at 10.50 pm UK time) is the Hong Kong Open, an event that I really enjoy, though perhaps I shouldn't. I don't have a very good record here, but I've had a few near misses. I had Francesco Molinari in the event last year, when he lost in a play-off, and I still have nightmares about James Kingston's collapse back in 2005, but it's an aesthetically pleasing traditional old course which usually serves up an exciting finale.

Of my three picks this year, two of them were selections last. As stated, I was on Molinari last year, but at a much bigger price. I took all the [28.0] available on Sunday and I've backed him down to as low as [23.0]. Quite a difference to last year's [60.0], but he's in fine form and really does seem to like it here.

In contrast, I backed Miguel Angel Jimenez at just [18.5] 12 months ago but have taken [36.0] this. He was the defending champ in 2008 and that may have had a bearing on his somewhat disappointing 24th placed finish.

The affable European Tour stalwart has won this event twice in the last five years and although he's not the tenacious in contention fighter he once was, he looks worth chancing.

I've also backed Thongchai Jaidee who has a superb record at Fanling, with form figures of 19-2-3-7 over the last four years.

Selections:

Francesco Molinari @ an average of [25.0]
Thongchai Jaidee @ [34.0]
Miguel Angel Jimenez @ [36.0]

The last event this week is the final event on the PGA Tour - the Childrens Network Classic, a pro-am played on two very easy courses at the Disney resort in Florida.

I've spent longer on this than either of the other two events but can't claim to have much confidence about any of my picks.

Although there's plenty of course form to peruse, no clear patterns emerge. First time winners are commonplace, as are winners without previous course form and when Ryan Palmer took the title in 2004, he was not only winning his first event he was also playing here for the first time. There are a couple of trends of note though - there have been a number of recent veteran winners and there have been plenty of big-priced winners.

My first pick is certainly not a veteran, far from it. Scott Piercy is looking to emulate Palmer and bag his debut win on his first trip here. He's been very frustrating when in contention, most recently at the Frys.com when I was aboard, but I'm prepared to chance him once more. After a run of fine dry weather there'll be plenty of run on the fairways and Piercy can use his length off the tee to his advantage. He's also high up on the 'birdie average' stats list, which in the past has been a decent pointer here.

Next up is the aforementioned Ryan Palmer, who seems to flourish at this time of year in Florida. As well as his win here in 2004 he was also successful in the Sunshine State in last year's Fall Series, at the Ginn Sur Mer Classic.

Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark can secure a place on the Tour next year if they can finish in the top three this week. Fowler looks a tad short to me but I'm chancing Lovemark at [95.0] following his play-off defeat last time out.

My last two picks, Mark Calcavecchia and Steve Flesch, both fit the veteran remit, and both have some past event form. Flesch, at 122nd on the money list, could do with a good final week to make certain of keeping his card.

Selections:

Scott Piercy @ [60.0]
Ryan Palmer @ an average of [90.0]
Jamie Lovemark @ [95.0]
Mark Calcavecchia @ [140.0]
Steve Flesch @ [180.0]

I'll post an update on all three events on Friday

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