The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 25 September 2009 /

There's no joy with Zach but there's still hope with a couple of old-timers as Steve heads for a quiet weekend

It took about half an hour of this year's Tour Championship for me to start moaning.
Having covered for Paul Krishnamurty this week with his 'Find Me A Winner' column and having plumped for Jerry Kelly it was a tad galling to see him bogey both of his first two holes, but things did get better...

Although he stumbled a bit on the back nine on day one, Kelly recovered very well after the poor start and he shot a great round yesterday. A bogey at the last took the shine off it somewhat, but his three under par 67 has seen him move up into a tie for fifth. That sounds good but he's still a triple-figure price!

My only other pick before kick off was Zach Johnson and I really fancied him to do well, but he's been very poor and a bitter disappointment.

Tiger Woods again looks the man to beat and he takes a one shot lead into the weekend. Its worth pointing out that play is scheduled to start early today, as more inclement weather's forecast. Woods will tee off at 3.20 pm UK time.

It's always hard to know what to do when Tiger starts playing really well but I'm not regretting the fact I didn't back him this week. He's not going to win every time he pegs it up and backing him every week at a shade over evens would just be a pointless exercise, unless he has an exceptional course record, a la Bridgestone or Torrey Pines. In fact not only have I not backed him this week, I've now layed him!

I don't lay Woods often; it's not usually a very good idea. But with Zach already beaten and Kelly hardly a certainty to get involved over the weekend, when Tiger hit a low of [1.31] with still two rounds and four holes to play and holding a lead of just a single shot, I felt it was worth taking a chance, albeit very modestly. A couple of minutes later he was down to [1.20] with a five foot putt for eagle and I was regretting my decision.

Remarkably, he missed the eagle putt on 15 and then even more astonishingly, he missed from four feet for birdie on the 16th. He finished the round with a scruffy par on 17 and a bogey on the last, after a fluffed chip. If it had been anyone else I'd be calling it a wobble!

Once play had closed I had another bet, taking [80.0] about Kenny Perry. He plays alongside Kelly today and the two old-timers may just inspire each other. I hope so because being three shots behind Tiger they're going to need to get their skates on...

It's hard to envisage Woods failing to win but you never know. At least he's kept it interesting with his unusual finish.

At the Vivendi Trophy, GB and Ireland, my pick at [2.54] takes a two point lead into the weekend and I'm quite hopeful. I'm not a massive Matchplay fan but I've quite enjoyed watching over the last couple of days. It's been a good opportunity to get a really good look at a few players.

Alvaro Quiros' game looks to be in pretty bad shape and I can see why he's been scoring so poorly lately.

Rory McIlroy didn't play at all well yesterday either, and he and Graeme McDowell may well be vulnerable in the last of this morning's Greensomes against the Swedish pair of Peter Hanson and Henrik Stenson, though for obvious reasons, I hope I'm wrong.

I can't see me doing too much more over the weekend and I envisage a quiet couple of days, trading wise, but whatever happens I'll post a review on Monday.

'.$sign_up['title'].'

'; } } ?>

:

:

:

?

: