Sybase Classic

FINAL RESULT: 1-2-0; +1.47pts

Creamer/Bowie WON by 3
Cavalleri/Icher WON by 9
Daniel/Mallon LOST by 8

The LPGA matchups again (partially) saved the event. Creamer won the event and needed such a performance to beat Bowie who also finished in the top-five, while it was the match that I fancied the most that was the loser.

Matchup plays (1.5pts):

Paula Creamer to beat Heather Bowie -105 @ Centrebet and SuperOdds
Everyone else makes Creamer the clear favourite in this match except Centrebet/Superodds. Yes, she did miss the cut last week, but she had been 2nd favourite for the Corona Morelia Championship only four weeks ago and she has finished ahead of Bowie in four of their last five common events. No course form, as usual, but with Bowie posting finishes of 67th and mc in her last two visits, it is not a problem in this match.
(also available at Five Dimes and NordicBet)

Silvia Cavalleri to beat Karine Icher -102 @ Five Dimes
Icher finished ahead of Cavalleri in their sole common event in 2005 - the Corona Morelia Championship - when she finished 2nd. But looking further back to 2003 and including the Ladies European Tour, Cavalleri has a 7-3-3 h2h record in her favour. With Icher finished 69th the following week - her last start which was three weeks ago - and having never played at Wykagyl, the favouritism should be with Cavalleri who has finished 12th and 4th in the last two weeks and has five years of experience at Wykagyl which includes three top-20 finishes.

Beth Daniel to beat Meg Mallon -102 @ Five Dimes
Surprising choice of favourite in this match as well. Mallon may have been the far better player in 2004, but in five common events in 2005, she has yet to finish ahead of Daniel. With Daniel's worst finish this season has been 26th, that position has been Mallon's BEST finish of 2005. And it is not that Daniel's course form is poor either. She won this title in 1994 and has finished outside the top-30 only twice in fourteen visits.
(also available at Paddy Power and Skybet)