The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 06 March 2010 /

Steve's picks have struggled in Florida but he's got a strong hand in Malaysia, where the question is, what's it all about....Alfie?

Whenever a tournament is staged in the Far East, with play starting late on a Wednesday night, it's always a bit nerve-racking logging on, Thursday morning. Three of my four selections had morning starts at this week's Malaysian Open, so when I woke up early at around 4.30 and logged on, I knew I'd have an idea of how the week was going to pan out. Fortunately, all in the garden was very rosy indeed.

Tournament favourite and main pick, Thongchai Jaidee, was leading on -8, with four holes still to play, closely pursued by another of my picks, KJ Choi, playing in the same group. Jaidee had already been matched at below [4.0], and he'd given himself a chance to separate himself from the field at a very early stage, but it wasn't to be. He dropped two shots in his last four holes, but I wasn't going to start moaning, especially as my outside pick, Kiradech Aphibarnrat, backed at [170.00], had also made a fair start to the event - shooting four under.

Although it was very early days, I had two small further bets on Thursday morning, taking [95.0] about Sang-Moon Bae, when he was three under through five holes, and [70.0] about Chapchai Nirat, when he'd gotten to two under par halfway through his round, but neither player kicked on after I'd backed them.

On Friday bad weather closed in with the afternoon starters having most of their rounds to play. It looked as though there wouldn't be any more play so I went out.

I came home to a very pleasant surprise, my outsider Aphibarnrat, who I've been referring to as Alfie the Barn Rat, had hit the front. He still had four holes of round two to negotiate, but it was welcome news and the only downside to the wager thus far is constantly having 'Our Cilla' belting out "What's it all about Alfie" in my head....

Getting up this morning at 4.00am was disappointing on a number of levels... Last night's red wine had my stomach churning and my head aching, Rhys Davies (who's price had caught my eye on Monday, but whom I'd disregarded on account of his woeful GIR stats) had opened up a two-shot lead on completion of round two, my man Aphibarnrat had dropped a couple of shots, the leaders didn't go out until nearly five (so I could have had another hours kip), and when they did get started, the TV coverage was lost! I was left wondering why I wasn't tucked up in bed like normal people!

My headache abated, some tea and toast sorted out the churning and my picks lifted my mood. Day three was eventually completed and I've not got four of those playing in the last two groups onside - as I'd added young Korean, Seung-Yul Noh, at an average of [22.0] in running.

It's going to be a battle of youth verses experience tomorrow, with the last group containing all the pups, Joint leaders, Rhys Davies, who's led after each round so far, and my man Alfie, who are both on -11, together with young Noh, who's just a shot back.

Also a shot off the lead are the entire penultimate group which comprises my other two picks Jaidee and Choi, along with Soren Hansen. The Dane had started round three knowing he had a real chance and the result was three bogeys in four holes, but he managed to recover well. I'm just hoping for more of the same tomorrow, but without the recovery.

At the Honda Classic, both my picks had truly abysmal first rounds. I questioned my sanity beforehand for backing Robert Allenby, and I was right to do so. The first day's windy weather should have been a plus for him, but after a perfectly respectful start his round fell apart and he ended the day six over par and effectively out of the competition.

My only other pick, Stephen Ames, who started later on in the day, looked to be heading for just as bad a round but he managed to bag two late birdies to restore some semblance of respectability, getting in three over. Then yesterday, much to my surprise, he played an absolute blinder - nudging it round in six under par. He looks to have too much to do, now five off the lead but at least my instinct was correct; his game does suit the place.

Camilo Villegas and Anthony Kim are making the running but they were in the hunt last week before disappointing on the weekend so they don't make much appeal. I backed Vijay Singh in-running last night at an average of [14.0] and he ended his round just one off the lead. He's not been in contention for ages, thanks to his lingering knee injury, so it's great to see him back. It would be even greater if he could convert from here but there's still an awful long way to go.

So, what's it all about then? Well, in our house, it's pretty much all about Aphibarnrat, or should I say Alfie the Barn Rat! I'm struggling to envisage him winning if I'm honest and if he drops away tomorrow so be it, at least Cilla's droning may fade, but for now she can sing her little heart out...

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