Tipster: Stanley

Honda Classic

Matchup plays (1.5pts):

Robert Allenby to beat Jesper Parnevik -110 @ Bet365 and SIA

A welcome return to form by the Swede, but he is still far sort of Allenby as a consistent contender on this Tour. Allenby leads the h2h stats over the last 3 and 12 months and there seems little reason for this week to be any different.

Stephen Ames to beat Geoff Ogilvy -111 @ BetandWin

Stark contrast between these two types of player. Ames is a very consistent grinder of top-30 finishes, while Ogilvy has missed two of his five cuts this season. Ames is not retained as an outright selection this week, but he looks to have a very good chance of earning some reward in the matchups.

Justin Leonard to beat Rory Sabbatini -111 @ Easybets

Very surprising matchup and an even more surprising price. Leonard leads Sabbatini 12-1-1 h2h on the PGA Tour over the past year and won this title last year. Sabbatini has a best finish of 50th in his last ten starts in Florida, so Leonard should be a much stronger favourite.

(also available at William Hill)

Adding (1.5pts):

Stephen Ames to beat Alex Cejka -125 @ Carib

Backing Ames again as he is such a consistent player and so ideal for matchups. He as made six of six cuts this year, whereas Cejka as made only three of five this year and only two of four in events in Florida.

(also available at Aces)

Justin Leonard to beat Jesper Parnevik -111 @ Stan James

Backing the defending champion again. His worst finish this year is 44th, which Parnevik has finished outside twice already this season. The Swede has missed the cut and finished 7th in the two years since winning this title in 2001 and that only shows how unpredictable he is. Will nearly always side with the more consistent player in matchups.

Final update: 2-3-0; -2.21pts

Allenby/Parnevik WON by 6

Ames/Ogilvy LOST by 4

Leonard/Sabbatini LOST by 3

Ames/Cejka LOST by 1

Leonard/Parnevik WON by 1

Disappointing performance from Ames who missed his first cut in six months. Continue to struggle on this Tour in 2004.

Tipster: Shaker

Honda Classic

Matchup plays (1.5 pts unless stated):

Jeff Sluman to beat Paul Azinger -111 @ Ladbrokes
Just think Azinger's good start to 2004 is slipping and am opposing him with the consistent Sluman - this would be a no-contest on 2003 form. Sluman has a good record in Florida and on Bermuda greens, and after recent back problems I think he'll be stepping up his game now.

Jesper Parnevik to beat Charles Howell +100 @ BetandWin & Pinnacle
Opposing Howell this week because he's been absolutely rubbish this year and I can't see the move to Florida helping him - he has an abysmal record there and only very rare good finishes on Bermuda grass. I think the short game will be important this week with difficult greens and that too puts me off. Parnevik bounced back well last week after the weekend at the Nissan and is miles clear of Howell in every category I deem important this week.

Steve Flesch to beat Charles Howell  +100 @ Bet365 and SIA
Again taking who the books make outsider against Howell. Flesch had five top tens on Bermuda last year while Howell had only one finish better than 15th to show for 13 Bermuda tournaments in 2003. Flesch has before been a little volatile but he's played very well so far this year and his iron play in particular has been top-notch.

Fred Funk to beat Luke Donald -111 @ BetandWin [3pts]
Another for me to oppose this week is Luke Donald. I can't see the testing greens this week being in his favour - his short game stats really are very poor despite his promising start to the season. He has barely any form on Bermuda to speak of, and after his steady performance last week I see Funk's experience winning this match. His scrambling was excellent at Doral and his all-round game looks in fine shape.

 

Sluman/Azinger WON by 5
Parnevik/Howell WON by 5
Flesch/Howell WON by 5
Funk/Donald LOST by 11

Most annoying that the 3 pointer was the only loser.