BMW PGA Championships from Wentworth, Surrey

The European Tour comes this week from Wentworth and the BMW PGA Championships with Luke Donald attempting to go for a hat-trick of wins. This is one of the Blue Ribbon events on the European Tour and a whole host top class players come here to win this prestigious event. Although most of the top European players play over in the US, they have returned for this top event. Only one player from the victorious Ryder Cup Team is missing here this week, making this years event a strong field...

The course itself seems to be modified nearly every year at the moment, only a couple of holes at a time, largely due to the fact that Ernie Els lives on the grounds of Wentworth himself. The Big Easy has had a lot of say in the design and modifications of this wonderful course and has improved it to be one of the best in the world. There are some really good, testing holes, plus some tricky greens that will test the top putter on the Tour. The scoring for the last 4 years of this tournament show a big difference in what will be needed to win here. Scores of -15, -6, -6 and -17 shows that if the conditions go against, it becomes a bit of a monster course. Good conditions and the golfers will make hay in the sun…



Branden Grace finished a solo 5th last year on his first visit to Wentworth and the South African returns here to hopefully better that performance this year. Came a T3rd in the World Match Play tournament last week so is obviously hitting the ball very well at the moment…

Paul Lawrie is a player who has re-found his form and excitement for the game after a few years missing all sorts of cuts after his Open win in 1999. He enjoyed the 2011 and 2012 years, winning three times to claim a place in the 2012 European Ryder Cup Team, and go on to defeat Brandt Snedeker Super Sunday Singles day. He is a player who can score heavy and hold onto his form if the conditions turn a bit. He came 2nd last year to Luke Donald, and has 3 top 10’s in the last 6 years…

David Lynn has had a remarkable year over in America after almost quitting the game here on the European Tour. A solo 2nd and 3 top 10’s on the PGA Tour this year and an unexpected 2nd place finish to Rory McIlroy in last year’s PGA Championship means that he has the game to do well, but just hasn’t got the results to prove it over here. Hopefully he will bring his new found confidence back from across the pond and play really well here as his record here is at best described as awful…

Richard Sterne, like Branden Grace, is making his 2nd visit here after finishing 6th last year one shot behind his South African compatriot. A winner of the Jo’Berg Open back in February, he has followed that up by finishing inside the top 25 for every event he has played in so far this year. He is a player who has gradually got better and better the longer his career has gone. Along with Branden Grace they could well be one of the first South Africans to win this tournament in its 57 year history…


Branden Grace @ 40/1…
Paul Lawrie @ 50/1…
David Lynn @ 66/1…
Richard Sterne @ 66/1…

All done in the usual £2.5 e/w… PadPow pays ¼ odds top 6…

 

Red :cheers:

4 for me this week

Thongchai Jaidee 66/1 - Played really well last week in the MatchPlay. Held a lead in the final before being overhauled late on. Has shown for on our shores before so may continue the good form

Nicolas Colsaerts 66/1 - Someone who didnt do so well last week having been one of the favourites. I tend to stick to the same crop of players throughout a season, so will continue with Nicolas in the hope the belgian bomber can produce the goods

Paul Casey 66/1 - Certainly comes attached with risks but this englishman can put together 4 rounds when on form. Recently showed a bit of a revival. could go well

Gregory Bourdy 150/1 - This guy can shoot some ridiculously low rounds. His problem seems to be stringing 4 together. At the price he represents decent e/w value


Goodluck all

p.s iv tried skybet for a change...change of bookie, change of luck haha

 

Ahhh I haven't got a bet on before the start so I am going to see what way she finishes up today and try place a bet on someone then. Really like this tournament too. Good field. Goodluck men

 

Leaderboard after the 1st round...

Leader - James Kingston @ -6

T12 - Paul Casey............ -2
T22 - Richard Sterne....... -1
T22 - Branden Grace....... -1
T22 - Gregory Bourdy...... -1
T45 - Nicolas Colsaerts.... E
T79 - David Lynn............ +2
T79 - Thongchai Jaidee..... +2
T100 - Paul Lawrie............ +3

Weve only had 1 round of the BMW Championships and already it looks like its going to beat a fair few of the top golfers on the tour. Luke Donald, who is looking for a 3 timer, is way off the pace at +6, (edit +8 now into his 2nd round...!!!) along with Ian Poulter who is at +6, to name but 2...

But it is James Kingston who sits proudly at the top with his -6 under par score yesterday, making it look like i picked the wrong South African for the tournament... Still a lot of golf to be played and it can all change very quickly...

 

None of the picks came in the top 10...