Diageo Championship


Back Graeme McDowell 2.5 pts @ 42 at Betfair
I think he is one of the few in this field who could conceivably be considered a possible future star and definitely one of very few who has already proved he enjoys winning. There are plenty of weak finishers ahead of him in the betting, as well as plenty of inferior players around or just behind him, and all things considered I think anything over 33/1 is a very decent price indeed in an unappetising event. He was 22nd on his tournament debut last year and after his start to this year where he has re-established himself as a player of some promise, the win in Italy being particularly impressive golf under pressure, he'll have high hopes of getting the better of this weak bunch. Plenty of 40/1 with the traditional books (see here) if the Betfair price goes.

Back Brett Rumford 1 pt @ 130 at Betfair
Rumford has lost some form recently, but he has shown a good deal this season, is a tour winner too, and I think he is overpriced in this field. He had his third best finish of 2002 here, and I'm forgiving last season's missed cut as it was the week immediately succeeding his maiden tour victory. His last five rounds have been disappointing (final round in Italy and two missed cuts) but before that his form was very consistent indeed and a look at the bigger picture rather than just his last two outings would suggest he has far better claims than many of those at shorter prices. Plenty of 125/1 with the traditional books (see here) if the Betfair price goes.

Half-way Update:
No more bets at this stage, but am very hopeful indeed of a McDowell win. There is nobody else even under par who has shown the liking for pressure and winning that he has, and many of them have regularly shown quite the opposite.

Summary:
An ultimately decent 2nd place for McDowell but his Saturday round was very disappointing. Seemed to really let Tunnicliff off the hook from the word go and he never put any pressure on him.

Loss = 3.5 pts