**I am running a Betfair account which is used exclusively for plays mentioned here on US Tour events. Every single play I put up here will go immediately on my Betfair account. The account started with £1000 and my rate will be £20 per Point. The account is being used solely for Tour-Tips and will therefore tell us exactly what the profit/loss record is, including commission costs. If you wish to take these plays as recommendations, please do so but be aware that I can only manage the bets that I have actually struck and cannot give updates for other bets you may have had (or not had) - prices do fluctuate.** 

PGA Championship @ Betfair

FINAL RESULT:

Loss = 6.5 pts

Bank is now £242.73 after 18 weeks (Down 37.86 pts overall).

Summary:
Unsurprisingly things didn't work out.
 

Page Update #2 (after round 3):
(Winner market)
Back Darren Clarke 1.5 pts @ 30
Little joy really from the selections below, despite Scott lying tied-11th and Flesch tied-18th after three rounds. Good performances but nothing that rewards the bets.
Worried now (although Stanley will be hoping!) that Singh will walk this but if he doesn't then I think Clarke is the value. He has shot more birdies than any of the top ten so far, is looking nicely relaxed as if he is really enjoying himself, and I just wonder if he can conjure up one of his magical final rounds. Mickelson and Els, on the same score, are trading at single figures but I think Mickelson will be unable to follow yesterday's astonishing putting performance, and Els' poor finish last night could leave him in a bad-enough frame of mind to miss out on yet another major in 2004. Three times the price is the smiling Clarke: 36th birthday yesterday, old caddie back, having fun looking under no pressure .. it'd be just typical for him to secure his first major on the back of one of his worst runs for a long, long while.
And isn't this major supposed to be for thirty-somethings looking for their major breakthrough?.......



Page Update #1:
(Winner market)
Back Adam Scott 2.5 pts @ 55
Back Steve Flesch 1 pt @ 230
Back Kirk Triplett 0.75 pt @ 340
Back Craig Parry 0.75 pt @ 370
It's far from a scientific approach for the final major of '04 from me, what with the stat-based failings of last week, the uncertainty over what this new course is like, not knowing whether the wind will blow, and having little idea of what type of player the whole package looks like favouring. It seems like 'Straits' is very long with possibly not too much difficult rough, and looks like a links course but still plays more like the American-style 'target golf' that dominates the PGA Tour.
Presuming that the length is a factor, the already-clear chances of Adam Scott are enhanced greatly. Here is my only reference to stats this week: Scott is the clear leader in long-iron play on tour and as there are par fours over 500 yards and par fives over 600 this week, his ability there really should see him prosper if he can drive the ball well - or maybe even if he doesn't if the rough isn't a hindrance. He is undoubtedly world class and really shouldn't be over 50/1 for any tournament, it's only his inconsistency which tempts the layers that high. But in return for running the risk of him flopping badly, you get a player who does the business like few others could even dream of when he does actually contend.
Steve Flesch managed to finish a 100/1 tied-7th at Shinnecock, and with this coming within a month of his second tour win (a very impressive performance against a proven winner, one that proved his previously-suspect nerve absolutely beyond doubt), he went off a top-priced 40/1 against a field containing Woods, Singh, Love and Weir - four of the top eight in the betting this week - at the Western Open next time out. He flopped there, and has done in three events since, but for me this kind of price is easily enough to compensate for just one bad month when dealing with this class of golfer.
Kirk Triplett was tied-6th at the Masters, has since finished tied-20th at the US Open too, and, overall, with him having 9 top-20s in 17 events so far this season, these odds seem over the top. He had top-10s in all three of his majors of 2001 and obviously has it in him to get involved in the biggest tournaments on a regular basis. I can't be put off by the struggles he invariably has when the pressure is on, not at the moment anyway, in the current climate of a number of renowned weak finishers going all the way, and with the laying facility on Betfair in mind I see this price on such a consistent performer as big, big value.
Craig Parry is just a hopeful punt as conditions may just suit. Possibly more than any other player in world golf, he pops up to challenge (and, very occasionally, beat) the very best without any warning whatsoever, and, despite the feeling that he would probably need firm fairways to take much of the length out of this track, there's no doubt that if it comes down to a hard week with a tough course and windy conditions, "Popeye" isn't a bad man to have on your side. Especially when you get over 350/1, and I am much happier doing that in a top event rather than at much lower odds in a weaker field; if he is on a rare going week and plays to his best, anything is possible whatever the opposition.
Fred Couples, my other original selection, is a NR due to back problems.