The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 27 August 2008 /

The Fisherman can land himself a Ryder Cup pla(i)ce at Gleneagles, says The Punter in his betting preview of this week's big events.

The speculation over who is in the Ryder Cup team will finally be over on Sunday night by which time we'll also know that Ross Fisher has won the 10th Johnnie Walker Championship. How's that for confidence?

I'm setting myself up for a fall here but I really fancy Fisher this week and have backed him accordingly at [36.0]. He played poorly here last year, missing the cut, and he didn't fair too well last week but both performances can be excused because of his debut win at last year's KLM Open. The pressure to defend last week must have had a bearing on his display but he did shoot a final round 66 in finishing 20th, not a bad defence. And last years missed cut in this event came just a week after that maiden victory in Holland, so can also be readily excused.

His only other appearance here saw him finish in a tie for 28th in 2006 but I really do think with his length, he has the game to master Gleneagles, and in particular the five par fives.

Just in case, for some bizarre reason, Fisher doesn't oblige I've backed a few others. Raphael Jacquelin also finished very well last week and has a decent bank of Gleneagles form to draw upon, as does mercurial Italian Francesco Molinari.

A few other generously priced picks make up the portfolio, including last year's runner up and Open nearly man, Simon Wakefield.

Selections:

Ross Fisher @ [36.0]
Raphael Jacquelin @ [55.0]
Francesco Molinari @ [65.0]
Paul Broadhurst @ [190.0]
Simon Wakefield @ [190.0]
Hennie Otto @ [200.0]
Steve Webster @ [240.0]
Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano @ [250.0]
Chapchai Nirat @ [400.0]

Over in the States it's the Deutsche Bank Championship, the second FedExCup Playoff event and I see absolutely no reason to desert Vijay Singh, who did me a big favour when edging out Garcia in last week's Barclays Classic.

Singh's career seems to be enjoying yet another Indian summer. A journeyman pro for years, working his way up through the minor tours to become a multiple major winner, much of his success has been since he turned 40.

He won this event back in 2004, one of nine titles won that year! In addition to that win he was 4th here in 2003 and he was mauled by the Tiger in 2006, when Master Woods responded to Singh's sensational third round 61 with a scintillating 63 to overhaul a three shot final day deficit. I took [17.0] about the Fijian soon after the market opened but he's still value to keep his late season run going.

Ben Crane's wheedled his way back in to my portfolio this week. I can't let him go un-backed at [330.0].

I looked at Phil Mickelson, I always do, and I wouldn't be in the least bit surprised to see him put up a stout defence of his title this week. Yet again he missed countless short putts last week but was only beaten by four shots in the end. I think he's very close to blowing a field away and I'll be keeping a very close eye on him again this week.

Selections:

Vijay Singh @ [17.0]
Ben Crane @ [330.0]

The Deutsche Bank Championship is played out between Friday and Monday as Monday is Labor Day in the States, so I'll post an update on Sunday morning this week instead of Saturday.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: