The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 24 September 2008 /

Steve Rawlings makes his first moves in the betting for this week's two big events.

After last week's Ryder Cup, the European Tour heads for The Belfry, a venue used for four Ryders since 1982.

It's a place that evokes happy memories for most Europeans as 82 was the year the tide turned. That was the very first European win and the first time the USA had been beaten since 1957. With Europe winning three of the matches staged there it will feel slightly strange for Nick Faldo's defeated team members to be playing there this week.

The defending British Masters champion, Lee Westwood, is one such player. He has, probably very wisely, decided to back track somewhat from his grumbling stance of last week, stating: "A lot of what I said in Valhalla during and after the Ryder Cup didn't come out quite as I intended and finished up sounding like sour grapes."

Fair play to him, I think it was something that needed to be done, he's a very popular player worldwide and rightly so. Some of his gripes during the Ryder Cup were not going to enhance his reputation that's for sure. Winning here this week would certainly help the reputation rehabilitation but I can't see it. In fact, I don't fancy any of last week's team to bounce back so quickly for obvious reasons and have looked elsewhere.

First up is Nick Dougherty @ [40.0]. He hasn't any sparkling form at The Belfry but a week before his defence of the Dunhill Links he comes here on the back of two top-tens in his last three starts. Having just missed out on last week's event he will be fresh and raring to go.

Second up is Niclas Fasth @ [70.0] who seems generously priced given he's finally started to show glimpses of his old form and finished tied fourth here last year.

Yet again I've thrown a few pounds at Paul Broadhurst, who will appreciate being so close to home and on Marc Warren who I still fancy will pop up soon at a decent price.

Others that didn't make the portfolio because they were a shade too short were Michael Campbell and Richard Green.

Selections:

Nick Dougherty @ [40.0]
Niclas Fasth @ [70.0]
Paul Broadhurst @ [160.0]
Marc Warren @ [200.0]

In the States, Vijay Singh will be crowned the Fed-Ex Cup winner following the Tour Championship, regardless of the result. I nearly backed him to finish off in style but was just put off by the price. I can easily see him winning this week but at [7.0] he's just a tad too short for me.

Jim Furyk will be keen to chalk up a win this year and certainly putted miles better last week than he has all year but again, at [12.0] he's plenty short enough.

Anthony Kim's career moved up yet another notch last week but he won't carry my money at just [13.5], which is shorter than his new best friend Mickelson. Lefty did get my attention this week as he looks a decent price but I'm going to leave him for now. He shouldn't be a bigger price than Furyk or Kim though.

So it's just two selections to start with, firstly the quiet man of last week's victory, Chad Campbell at [44.0], who's a former winner of this event, albeit at a different venue. He comes here a week after a decent enough Ryder Cup and a year and a week after his last win in the Viking Championship. And in common with this year's Viking winner, Will MacKenzie, Chad is also a recent first time dad of a son, something that time and time again produces vastly improved form and very often a win.

My other bet is Kenny Perry who will need a miracle to raise his game back up to the level it was on Sunday but he's just too big to be ignored at [50.0].

Selections:

Chad Campbell @ [44.0]
Kenny Perry @ [50.0]

I'll post an update at the halfway stage of both events on Saturday morning.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: