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What a pleasant surprise it was to see all the major firms chalk up Westwood Vs Mickelson.

For a number of reasons I have a high conviction that Westwood should win this duel quite cosily.

With the exception of a T2 finish for Lefty here last year I see no other bullish points he has over Westwood.

LW also boasts a fine record round TPC Southwind, the course rewards accuracy over anything else, and has been viewed

by the players as one of the toughest par 70 course layouts on the PGA Tour .

Phil's insider trading issues overhanging him are well documented, but even for one of the most user friendly, affable, most loved players on Tour, this week will surely push him to the limit in the press tent. He is a man who performs best when his back is to the wall, but for my money, this is a different basis. If he was carrying some decent form into the weekend I would still be bullish on Westwood beating him. But the fact he is carrying indifferent form too (134^th driving accuracy, 106^th strokes gained putting, 49^th for scrambling year to date), it suggests to me he is in for a difficult weekend.

If Phil manages a top 20 finish this weekend my already lofty views of him will go up a notch or 3. But the fact Westwood very rarely puts in a poor shift, I'll take an Englishman and his model of consistency (and odd putting issue under pressure!) over the American Legend whose poor year on the golf course has been usurped by allegations of insider trading too.

I hope all turns out well for Phil off the course, but please don't tear it up on the course this weekend!.

Good luck!

Woz