FIELD 156
The tour hits mainland Europe for the first time this year, and thats the reason why I'm choosing to tip on this tourney, rather than across the pond at the HOUSTON OPEN, the US MASTERS warm up this year.
One hell of a lot of golfers have chosen to sit out both tournaments, and fine tune their game for Augusta elsewhere.
Paul Broadhurst has won this tournament for the past two years - only Tiger Woods has successfully defended a title twice. Broadhurst is no Woods, so is overlooked this week.
Oitavo is a hilly (mountainous) course, buffeted by strong Atlantic winds and inclement weather at this time of year, so we need golfers who don't mind a bit of that!
First up is Charl Schwartzel, a maturing golfer, coming of age, hasn't missed a cut all year so far, and has good course form from when he was an amateur.
Second is Dougherty. Not much to beat this week Nick. Come on now...
Third is the elder Molinari - Francesco. A faultless swing, and a good finish last week after a dreadful start, combined with a magic putter sometimes and a good year so far.
Broadhurst WILL be third - if only because he'll regard himself as three up on the first tee after the last two years, and lastly I'll "plump" for "Dumpy Doddy", the Welshman Stephen Dodd. He finished 6th here two years ago, after suffering from the worst gales of the week, and won the World Cup here with Bradley Dredge of Wales, 16 months ago, in a sodden Portugal. He's not playing great so far this year, but hasn't missed a cut so far, so maybe Portugal will bring out the best in him again...?!
Twenty Six needs it...!
Current balance: £424.50p
SELECTIONS:
Schwartzel £1.50p e/w 20-1
Dougherty £1 e/w 20-1
F.Molinari £1 e/w 40-1
Broadhurst 50p e/w 25-1
Dodd 50p e/w 50-1
Balance after stake (pre-tournament): £415.50p
RESULT:
Schwartzel - FINAL POS’N: =3rd
Dougherty - FINAL POS’N: =21st
F.Molinari - FINAL POS’N: =46th
Broadhurst - FINAL POS’N: =54th
Dodd - FINAL POS'N: m/c
WINNINGS: £6.75p
PROFIT/LOSS: -£2.25p
BALANCE AFTER TOURNAMENT: £422.25p
COMMENT:A wind blown Portugal threw up an Amateur winner for the first time in the European Tours history (although 2nd place Jacquelin walked away with the first prize winnings of 140,000 euros!)
A poor tournament for "26", although Charl Schwartzel was leading midway through the final round, then bogeyed 3 holes on the trot. Sound familiar?!
Masters next week - surely "26" will make some money then...?!
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