I MADE it back-to-back wins last week thanks to Jason Day in the Accenture Matchplay.
Day was a 20-1 2pt ew tip and followed on from Thomas Aiken winning the Africa Open at 12-1. Can I make it three in a row? Don't bank on it but I'll give it a go and hopefully earn a pay rise from Mr Fixit.
The Honda Classic is the first tournament in the Florida Swing at the PGA National where hitting the greens in regulation is paramount. That’s why I think Graeme McDowell, who is having a steady start to the season with four top-10 finishes in five starts, stands a chance.
He is 67 per cent in driving accuracy and 75 per cent in GIR so up there in stats.
In the Accenture last week he never teed off ahead in the first three rounds but won them all then in the fourth round he was two up after three and lost.
He felt like he was “robbing” the guys he beat but that’s golf. He just never seems to give up.
Sergio Garcia, second in the Race to Dubai, is another one I fancy here. In three starts on the PGA Tour he’s not been out of the top 11. On the European Tour he has four top-10s (including a win and second) in five starts.
He’s just back after a few weeks off and I am looking for him to continue his good start to the season.
Rory McIlroy, who won here in 2012, has had four top-10s in six starts on the European Tour and two from three on the PGA Tour.
He’s certainly looking a different player from last year and has that bounce back in his step. It could be a big year for Rory now he’s got a driver he’s happy with and the problems with changing clubs last year have gone.
When he won here in 2012 he went on to win the USPGA. Can history repeat itself?
Zach Johnson is having a good year with three top 10s (not counting Accenture Matchplay). He’s No.1 in driving accuracy, second in birdie average, third in GIR and fourth in scoring averages so all in all his stats are impressive.
He won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at the beginning of January and could go close again this week. Very strong each-way chance.
In the Tshwane Open in South Africa, the eighth and final tournament on the European 2014 Tour schedule to be held in the country, we have a strong home presence with defending champion Dawie van der Walt and recent Tour winners George Coetzee and Aitken.
Aiken's stroke average is his best ever on tour, driving accuracy is slightly down on last year but still beats every other year, and his GIR at 79.89 is well up on his previous six years. I don’t normally pick someone to win twice in a row but in this case he looks a good bet.
Another who could have a good year on the European Tour is Jaco Van Zyl. His driving accuracy is 71.21 per cent and GIR 69.81, although not great, most of his stats are getting better year on year. Could be a good each-way bet.
20pt staking plan
Graeme McDowell (2.5pts ew) 22-1 bet365
Sergio Garcia (1.5pts ew) 22-1 bet365, Ladbrokes
Rory McIlroy (2pts ew) 10-1 Betfred
Zach Johnson (1pt ew) 25-1 Betfred, bet365
Thomas Aiken (2pts ew) 16-1 Paddy Power
Jaco Van Zyl (1pt ew) McBookie, BetVictor
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.
The Honda Classic
tournament winner
ZACH JOHNSON 25/1 various bookies
first round leader
ZACH JOHNSON 33/1 e/w various bookies
Tshwane Open
tournament winner
TOMMY FLEETWOOD 45/1 e/w stan james
first round leader
TOMMY FLEETWOOD 55/1 e/w stan james
Honda oleson tringale oosty
schwane wall horne quesne bjerregard
lpga hedwall piller mathew pressel all w/o favs wi skybet..good luck guys
cant seem to find the last 2 guys on the list aitken and zyl.
Markb they are in the TSHWANE OPEN mate
johnb, just wanted to say good luck today. Ignore the doubters – I’ll deal with them. You have 100 per cent backing from everyone on this site who is aware of the research you do and the knowledge you have. But in racing you need luck more than anything else.
ahh ty :)
Hi gents, great tipping last time out, had day each way, dont know much about golf how long do these tournaments last as can’t find the start and finish dates, thanks again. Simon
simon, strokeplay events always last 4 days (4 rounds) and usually run Thursday to Sunday as they do this week.
Cheers Mr f
Honda Classic
R.Mcilroy 9/1
Z.johnson 25/1
R.Knox 150/1
Tshwane Open
T.Aiken 16/1
E.Molinari 45/1
HSBC Championship
P.Creamer 25/1
S.Gal 66/1
Anyone know why George Coetze is so short a price for Tshwane Open ?
Got a winner last week so here goes again. All level stakes except the ew suggestion where I’ll half them.
Honda Classic
Graeme McDowell
Sergio Garcia
Keegan Bradley
Tshwane Open
David Howell ew
Jaco Van Zyl
Honda Classic
McDowell, Fowler, Oosthuizen, Donald & Westwood
Long shots – Jones, Cink
Tshwane Open
Aiken, Fichardt, Otto, Madsen,
Long shot – Heath.
EW Doubles
John B’s
Aiken & McDowell
Coetzee & McIllroy
Van Zyl & Oosthuizen
Oosthuizen has withdrawn due to back problem.
my golf nap this week is at ladbrokes honda classic top scottish player knox 5/6 to beat gallagher i feel knox is more suited to the american tour all the best.
Johnson after round 1 is currently tied 5th does that mean he is a winner each way for the end of round 1?
these were my tips been away at work
thwane
madsen
bhullar
ahlers