BROOKS KOEPKA gave us a good run for our money last week but his final round let him down. But one bad 18 holes does not a bad golfer make (well that’s my excuse and I’m sticking to it).
I’m also sticking to Koepka again this week at the Shriners Hospital for Children Open on the TPC Summerlin course in Las Vegas.
I followed Koepka a lot on the European Tour last season and he looks worth keeping an eye on this season. So I’m backing him for a top-five finish in Vegas.
The Summerlin course isn’t the hardest, in fact it’s ranked among the easiest on the PGA Tour. Last year’s winner Webb Simpson won it with a 24-under total of 260 and stats of 86.11 per cent GIR and driving accuracy of 64.29 per cent.
This tournament looks like it’s going to be down to putting so if he can match last year’s strokes gained on the greens (2.461) he should do well.
Over in the Far East we have the Hong Kong Open taking place and this might be the beginnning of a comeback for Nicolas Colsaerts. He played really well in the monsoon-like weather in the Portugal Masters, finishing second to Alexander Levy with a 36-hole 15-under tally.
He’s had an abysmal 2014 with failing to make the cut seven times but after a T4 in the Wales Open three weeks ago and last week’s second he’s looking good again.
One man who has not a bad year on the European Tour is American David Lipsky. The 26-year-old inished T2 in the Championship at Laguna National in May and in September won the European Masters. His GIR is 72.5 per cent with driving accuracy over 62 and average putts of 29. Good each-way bet.
I haven't tipped anyone in the Volvo World Matchplay. It's a strange format and tough one to pick a winner.
The action starts today and I'd consider Henrik Stenson to beat George Coetzee and Victor Dubuisson to take care of Pablo Larrazabal. Both were brilliant in the Ryder Cup and will relish the prospect of returning to match-play action.
Stenson is the outright favourite ahead of Ireland's Graeme McDowell then come Dubuisson and America's Ryder Cup rookie Patrick Reed who performed well and annoyed the European fans. He could be one to watch in Kent.
Recommended Bets
Koepka ew (25-1, Ladbrokes)
Simpson ew (28-1, Stan James)
Colsaerts ew (16-1, Betfred)
Lipsky ew (33-1, bet365)
Ace Venturer
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Love the Lipsky bet. Less so Colsaerts, a bomber with an average short game around a short fiddly course like Fanling. At 16s? Not for me even in this average field.
Meesawat at 40s looks a nice price, really accurate sort with a great short game. Has shown before he can mix it with ET players not least when 2nd here last year.
StevenRG, I like Lipsky too and going to take Laird on a course that suits him. Should have won last week but looks back in form after hooking up again with his old coach.
My tanks lined up for battle this week are
Hong Kong -Ernie Els 12/1
World Matchplay- Dubussion 9/1 and Levy 20/1
Shriners- Walker 20/1 and Overton 100/1
Stenson, mcdowell, reed and dubuisson 11/1
4-fold for me today. Worth a cheeky fiver
May be a daft question, i’m new to this site but are those Ace Ventura’s tips?
Gareth, they are clearly credited to Ace so yes they’re his tips.
Last night…
SL CARDINALS @ SF GIANTS – UNDER 7.0 @ 10/11 *LOST*
BAL ORIOLES @ KC ROYALS – OVER 7.0 @ 10/11 *LOST*
Not sure where else to post these with there not being an other sports thread, but this one seems most appropriate. Will post tonight’s baseball tips later on. Bare in mind that it is effectively the semi-finals of the baseball season currently and therefore difficult to predict but I will post my thoughts nonetheless.
There is another sports thread Jell. You just have to scroll a little further down. It’s titled 12th October.
@ ad any tennis tips
Ricky- Tennis tips are and always will be on the “other sports” thread, even if its a fair few days old. Hopefully there’ll be a new one up soon as it’s becoming harder to find and navigate!
Ad, ah ok, I thought it would have been closed by now as it was a few days ago.
Can’t see odds for Martin Laird anywhere. Has he pulled out?
Thomthumb, PP have him at 28-1. His tee off time is 7.50 so don’t think he’s pulled out
Like the look of Lipsky and Meesawat in Hong Kong. Would also put forward Seve Benson at 55/1.
In the US, Ryan Moore won this event in 2012 and should be thereabouts this time at 22/1. At bigger prices, Steele (66/1), Overton (100/1),Thomas (100/1) and Gore (125/1) might be worth a look.
HONG KONG OPEN
Raphael Jacquelin @40/1
Robert-Jan Derksen @33/1
Marcus Fraser @70/1
soren keljdsen @80/1
BIGGER PICED OUTSIDERS
Jose Manuel Lara 250/1
peter lawrie @ 200/1
Jeev Milkha Singh @250/1.
Shriners – Cameron Tringale 40/1 to win, top 5 8/1
Really neat player with good all round game who I expect to be winning a title this year. Hoping he starts here
just done a double on colsarets and kopeka
really fancied them until I read commente above lol