Although a certain football tournament is destined to overshadow the second golf major of the year, there will still be plenty of interest all over the world in the US Open which gets underway at Pinehurst Number Two tomorrow.
Whilst certain golfers love Augusta and The Masters and others handle the links conditions of Open Championship courses more so than others, the US Open is fiendishly difficult to predict.
This years will be played on a course what can be described as unique in US Open terms. With no rough and browned out fairways, it is set to favour the long hitters as it measures in at 7,562 yards with the Par being just 70.
With Tiger Woods still out injured, the talk is of Phil Mickelson finally getting his hands on a trophy he wants so badly after six near misses in the tournament including at Pinehurst in 1999 or a Rory McIlroy V Adam Scott rivalry truly coming to life.
However, here are three men with longer odds at the bookies who I feel will be in contention come Sunday.
Webb Simpson: The 2012 US Open champion is my main pick for this tournament. He showed magnificent patience and shot making when winning two years ago and that is something you are going to need at Pinehurst, particularly if it is going to be blazing hot.
Not many people shoot 68-68 over the course of a US Open weekend but that is exactly what Simpson did at the Olympic Club. And the 28 year old is coming back into form at just the right time after an indifferent 2014 which has seen him miss the cut at both The Masters and the Players Championship.
However a tie for third at last weeks St Jude Classic suggests Simpson is feeling good about his game again. Blessed with a great ball striking game and a hot putting streak, Simpson has all the attributes to tame Pinehurst and collect that trophy for the second time in three years.
You can back him at a best price of 45/1.
Matt Kuchar: Anyone that has had the 'pleasure' of listening to me talk about golf for the last couple of years knows that I'm utterly convinced Kuchar will be a Major winner some day.
And whilst Webb Simpson might be my main pick this week, I fully expect Kuchar to be in the mix come Sunday. He might not be the longest hitter, but he hits two out of every three fairways as well as a similar amount of greens in regulation. He's also sixth in the scrambling stats on the PGA Tour this season, a talent that is required at any US Open course, no matter the layout.
Unlike Simpson, Kuchar has enjoyed a very impressive 2014, winning the Heritage a week after finishing in the top five at The Masters and before that he had enjoyed top four finishes at both the Houston and Texas Opens.
There is a school of thought that Kuchar is too nice to win a major, but if he was so nice he wouldn't even want to put himself in contention the amount of times he does. With a great iron game that will give him plenty of birdie chances and the fact that he is in fine form, Kuchar is worth a bet at a best priced 28/1 currently.
Henrik Stenson: The man from Sweden who enjoyed a sensational 2013 has found the going a bit tougher in 2014 but this is a course that should suit his long hitting and he is coming into some form at the right time.
He isn't getting any younger having turned 38 in April and will be keen to lift a first Major sooner rather than later. He finished in the top three at both The Open Championship and PGA Championship last year as well as completing a historic double by winning the PGA Tour's Fed Ex Cup series as well as the European Tour's Race to Dubai, becoming the first player to do so.
As a former winner of The Players Championship, the World Matchplay Championship and the Dubai Desert Classic, the current World Number Two is a man for the big occasion.
With top ten finishes recently in his homeland at the Nordea Masters, at Wentworth in the BMW PGA Championship and in China, Stenson is on the prowl for a win and a US Open course with no rough and ideal for great driving might just suit him. You can back him at 28/1 as well.
Of course, the US Open has thrown up some surprise winners over the years including Michael Campbell at Pinehurst No 2 in 2005, so I could be way off with my tips. But I believe the three men above have the game to tame Pinehurst and be in with a shot at glory come the back nine on Sunday.
Wednesday, 11 June 2014
Tuesday, 10 June 2014
Five teams to watch at the World Cup
With the 2014 World Cup kicking off in Brazil this Thursday, excitement has reached fever pitch levels among football fans across the globe as they eagerly await the first match between Brazil and Croatia.
That will set the ball rolling on a month of football which is certain to provide high drama, wonderful goals and lots of talking points. For the past few weeks, everyone and their dog has given their predictions on what the outcome will be in Brazil come the final on Sunday 13th July.
Rather than do that, here are five teams I reckon you should keep an eye on for different reasons during the 2014 World Cup.
Brazil: The hosts may seem an obvious choice, but it is always interesting to see how the hosts do, no matter the quality of their team. The 2014 host nation also happen to be the favourites for the trophy and it will be fascinating to see how they cope with that pressure.
Despite seemingly picking up a knock in training, Neymar is fit and raring to go for their opening match against Croatia on Thursday evening and a lot will rest on the Barcelona man's shoulders. At the age of just 22, he has already scored 31 goals in 49 matches for his country and now a nation expects.
After an indifferent first season at Barcelona, there is no doubting Neymar will want to prove he is one of the best in the world, but if Brazil are to win the World Cup for a sixth time, then he is going to need help.
With 2002 World Cup winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in charge, the Brazilians have a manager who has quite literally being there, done it and lifted the World Cup. But does he have enough depth this time? The one- named Fred, Jo and Hulk aren't exactly Emile Heskey esque when it comes to finishing but compared to other nations, in particular their South American rivals Argentina, it won't strike fear into the opposition.
This isn't a bad Brazilian squad by any means as it features plenty stars from all over Europe's top leagues, but I'm just not convinced this is a World Cup winning squad. Can they prove me wrong?
Colombia: Even without the lethal finishing of Radamel Falcao, Colombia are another South American side that should be watched with interest this summer. Blessed with a good group draw where they will come up against Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan in group C, they should be confident. None of those teams will be push overs, but Colombia will be very keen to make an impression on their first World Cup in 16 years.
They finished 2nd in the South American qualifying group (which Brazil didn't compete in as hosts), behind Argentina collecting 30 points from 16 games. With the talent of Jackson Martinez and James Rodriguez in particular, Colombia play a lovely brand of football that could catch many teams unaware this summer.
Helped by having a top goalkeeper in Nice's David Ospina, experience such as captain, 38 year old Mario Yepes and the confidence to do well in the Brazilian climate, then a last 16 tie against Uruguay, Italy or England would be wonderful to watch and in the knockout stages of the World Cup, anything is possible.
England: Roy Hodgson's men are proving more difficult by the day for me to predict how they will do in this World Cup and that is why they make my list of five teams to watch. One minute I think they will be soundly beaten by Italy and Uruguay and possibly even by the vastly under-rated Costa Rica, then the next I reckon some of their youngsters could spring a surprise on some of the top nations.
Usually England make hard work of relatively easy groups, but they can't afford to do that this time thanks to their draw in Group D. The first game against Italy I suspect will be a cagey affair but if Hodgson wants to win, then I think he has to be bold and start some of these youngsters like Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley who will be eager to shine on the biggest stage of them all.
Having failed to break down a ten man Honduras on Saturday, all signs point to an early exit for them in a lot of people's eyes but I wouldn't be surprised to see them scrape through to the quarter finals.
France: Like England, France are one of the European nations who are being written off by most people before the tournament starts. And much like England, I think that's why Didier Deschamps squad will be worth watching.
Warming up with a thumping 8-0 win over Jamaica, France also enjoyed a successful qualifying campaign, only losing once to Spain before beating Ukraine 5-0 on aggregate in the play-offs. And with a fresh squad, the memories of a disastrous 2010 World Cup are long gone from the memory, although Les Blues will be keen to atone for that with a good run in Brazil.
On paper, Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras don't present the hardest of challenges to France, certainly compared to the rest of the major European nations. Whilst losing star man Franck Ribery was a big blow, there is still enough talent in this French squad for them to make an impression on the tournament. With the fire power of Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Greizmann backed up by the superb midfield talents of Paul Pogba and Mathieu Valbuena, France will not be short of creating chances.
A World Cup winner as a player in 1998, Deschamps has what it takes to inspire his players for big games and one thing is certain when it comes to France; it won't be dull viewing.
Belgium: My final side to keep an eye on is Marc Wilmots highly rated Belgian side. There has been a lot of hype around the country's national team for a few years now and they are expected to deliver big time in Brazil.
They strolled through qualifying, winning eight of their ten games including two against Scotland and only conceding four in the process. Now comes the real test though as they participate in their first finals since 2002.
They've been handed a favourable draw in Group H with Algeria, Russia and South Korea providing the opposition. Not three easy matches by any means, but with the quality they have Belgium should finish top of that group.
But will they then fall at the first hurdle? Despite having world class talent in all areas of the pitch, from goalkeeper Thibuat Courtois, to defenders Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen, to Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel in midfield and Romelu Lukaku up front, this is a massive test for Wilmots side.
They have been talked up so much, they might well panic on the big stage in Brazil and their first knock out game is likely to be against Portugal or Germany so there is a distinct possibility they will be coming home early.
There is a lot of individual talent in this Belgian team, the finest to come out of the country in a generation, but the big question is do they believe they can really go all the way?
There are 27 other teams competing in Brazil and I'm sure each and everyone one of them will have us talking at some point over the next month. It's time to sit back and enjoy a festival of football.
That will set the ball rolling on a month of football which is certain to provide high drama, wonderful goals and lots of talking points. For the past few weeks, everyone and their dog has given their predictions on what the outcome will be in Brazil come the final on Sunday 13th July.
Rather than do that, here are five teams I reckon you should keep an eye on for different reasons during the 2014 World Cup.
Brazil: The hosts may seem an obvious choice, but it is always interesting to see how the hosts do, no matter the quality of their team. The 2014 host nation also happen to be the favourites for the trophy and it will be fascinating to see how they cope with that pressure.
Despite seemingly picking up a knock in training, Neymar is fit and raring to go for their opening match against Croatia on Thursday evening and a lot will rest on the Barcelona man's shoulders. At the age of just 22, he has already scored 31 goals in 49 matches for his country and now a nation expects.
After an indifferent first season at Barcelona, there is no doubting Neymar will want to prove he is one of the best in the world, but if Brazil are to win the World Cup for a sixth time, then he is going to need help.
With 2002 World Cup winning manager Luiz Felipe Scolari in charge, the Brazilians have a manager who has quite literally being there, done it and lifted the World Cup. But does he have enough depth this time? The one- named Fred, Jo and Hulk aren't exactly Emile Heskey esque when it comes to finishing but compared to other nations, in particular their South American rivals Argentina, it won't strike fear into the opposition.
This isn't a bad Brazilian squad by any means as it features plenty stars from all over Europe's top leagues, but I'm just not convinced this is a World Cup winning squad. Can they prove me wrong?
Colombia: Even without the lethal finishing of Radamel Falcao, Colombia are another South American side that should be watched with interest this summer. Blessed with a good group draw where they will come up against Ivory Coast, Greece and Japan in group C, they should be confident. None of those teams will be push overs, but Colombia will be very keen to make an impression on their first World Cup in 16 years.
They finished 2nd in the South American qualifying group (which Brazil didn't compete in as hosts), behind Argentina collecting 30 points from 16 games. With the talent of Jackson Martinez and James Rodriguez in particular, Colombia play a lovely brand of football that could catch many teams unaware this summer.
Helped by having a top goalkeeper in Nice's David Ospina, experience such as captain, 38 year old Mario Yepes and the confidence to do well in the Brazilian climate, then a last 16 tie against Uruguay, Italy or England would be wonderful to watch and in the knockout stages of the World Cup, anything is possible.
England: Roy Hodgson's men are proving more difficult by the day for me to predict how they will do in this World Cup and that is why they make my list of five teams to watch. One minute I think they will be soundly beaten by Italy and Uruguay and possibly even by the vastly under-rated Costa Rica, then the next I reckon some of their youngsters could spring a surprise on some of the top nations.
Usually England make hard work of relatively easy groups, but they can't afford to do that this time thanks to their draw in Group D. The first game against Italy I suspect will be a cagey affair but if Hodgson wants to win, then I think he has to be bold and start some of these youngsters like Raheem Sterling and Ross Barkley who will be eager to shine on the biggest stage of them all.
Having failed to break down a ten man Honduras on Saturday, all signs point to an early exit for them in a lot of people's eyes but I wouldn't be surprised to see them scrape through to the quarter finals.
France: Like England, France are one of the European nations who are being written off by most people before the tournament starts. And much like England, I think that's why Didier Deschamps squad will be worth watching.
Warming up with a thumping 8-0 win over Jamaica, France also enjoyed a successful qualifying campaign, only losing once to Spain before beating Ukraine 5-0 on aggregate in the play-offs. And with a fresh squad, the memories of a disastrous 2010 World Cup are long gone from the memory, although Les Blues will be keen to atone for that with a good run in Brazil.
On paper, Switzerland, Ecuador and Honduras don't present the hardest of challenges to France, certainly compared to the rest of the major European nations. Whilst losing star man Franck Ribery was a big blow, there is still enough talent in this French squad for them to make an impression on the tournament. With the fire power of Karim Benzema, Olivier Giroud and Antoine Greizmann backed up by the superb midfield talents of Paul Pogba and Mathieu Valbuena, France will not be short of creating chances.
A World Cup winner as a player in 1998, Deschamps has what it takes to inspire his players for big games and one thing is certain when it comes to France; it won't be dull viewing.
Belgium: My final side to keep an eye on is Marc Wilmots highly rated Belgian side. There has been a lot of hype around the country's national team for a few years now and they are expected to deliver big time in Brazil.
They strolled through qualifying, winning eight of their ten games including two against Scotland and only conceding four in the process. Now comes the real test though as they participate in their first finals since 2002.
They've been handed a favourable draw in Group H with Algeria, Russia and South Korea providing the opposition. Not three easy matches by any means, but with the quality they have Belgium should finish top of that group.
But will they then fall at the first hurdle? Despite having world class talent in all areas of the pitch, from goalkeeper Thibuat Courtois, to defenders Vincent Kompany and Jan Vertonghen, to Eden Hazard and Axel Witsel in midfield and Romelu Lukaku up front, this is a massive test for Wilmots side.
They have been talked up so much, they might well panic on the big stage in Brazil and their first knock out game is likely to be against Portugal or Germany so there is a distinct possibility they will be coming home early.
There is a lot of individual talent in this Belgian team, the finest to come out of the country in a generation, but the big question is do they believe they can really go all the way?
There are 27 other teams competing in Brazil and I'm sure each and everyone one of them will have us talking at some point over the next month. It's time to sit back and enjoy a festival of football.
Monday, 9 June 2014
Amelie Mauresmo is a very shrewd appointment by Andy Murray
Despite being the current Wimbledon champion and having also won an Olympic Gold and a US Open in the last two years, it is fair to say that since that Wimbledon triumph, Andy Murray has reached a bit of a crossroads in his career.
Ruled out of the last quarter of 2013, so he could have vital back surgery, Murray hasn't exactly roared back in 2014. He has slipped to number eight in the rankings and has suffered a meek defeat to Sanitago Giraldo in Madrid as well as slipping up against Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov, two of the game's bright young talents from winning positions in Indian Wells and Mexico respectively.
However, the signs are starting to look rosier for Murray. In the event before the French Open, the Rome Masters he played his greatest clay court tennis of all time to take the first 6-1 off Rafael Nadal and led 4-2 in the final set, before succumbing 7-5.
And in the French Open he played his first two five set matches since coming back from back surgery and won them both, which was an extremely positive sign. Firstly in the third round, he defeated German Philipp Kohlschreiber over the course of two days, eventually winning 12-10 in the final set before winning his quarter final against Gael Monfils 6-0 on Wednesday in the fifth in one of the craziest matches of tennis I have ever witnessed. Cruising at two sets up, Murray let Monfils off the hook in the third before being destroyed 6-1 in the fourth set.
With a home crowd behind him, Monfils looked to have all the momentum in fading light. Incredibly it was Murray who ran away with the fifth set 6-0 to ensure he wouldn't have to play another two day match. Although he was soundly beaten by Rafael Nadal in Friday's semi final, Murray has to be upbeat going into the grass court season where he of course defends his titles won superbly last year at Queens and Wimbledon.
And that is where the appointment of two time grand slam champion Amelie Mauresmo as announced by Murray yesterday comes in. Not many will have seen this coming, even if some including myself were very intrigued by Mauresmo watching his first round match at the French Open on May 27.
It seems as though the wheels had been in motion before that and now it is in place it will be fascinating to see how it pans out. Although Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan is coached by his mother and Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan is coached by his wife, this is the first high profile appointment of a woman in the men's game.
And I reckon it might just work wonders for Murray. After splitting with Ivan Lendl in March, Murray knew he was never going to find a like for like replacement for the man who helped him win two grand slams and Olympic Gold.
But what he did need was someone with great tennis knowledge, someone who would focus him on and off the court and someone who can help him win more Grand Slams. Mauresmo ticks all three of those boxes. As a former World Number One and two time grand slam champion, she did it all during a 16 year playing career and won close to £9m in prize money.
Interestingly for Murray, one of those two Grand Slam titles was at Wimbledon in 2006 and she won that with a superb volley game, something Murray might take into account as he defends his crown. And better still, she was part of the coaching staff that helped her fellow countrywoman Marion Bartoli win Wimbledon last year against long odds.
Mauresmo was never the flashiest of tennis players and didn't particularly like the limelight, something which I am sure would have appealed to Murray who likes his quiet life with girlfriend Kim Sears and their dog Maggie May. And that can help prepare Murray for being the focus of attention at Wimbledon, which he has been the centre of for the British press and fans ever since he burst on the scene in 2005.
Mauresmo also knows what it's like to have that pressure of being the home favourite at a Grand Slam tournament, although unlike Murray she didn't manage to win her home tournament, her best being two quarter final appearances. However, with 545 singles wins to her name, and a win in the Australian Open to go along with that title at SW19, she knows how to win big matches. And having someone like that to look up to in the players box is exactly what Murray's being needing since the split from Lendl.
Whilst Lendl didn't have to change much in Murray's game in order for him to win a Grand Slam, it was his sheer presence in that box that gave Murray the belief he could win the biggest titles of them all. Without him, Murray's focus in certain matches, particularly in those two aforementioned five set matches has waned.
And to those who scoff at the idea of a male player being coached by a woman (thankfully I've seen little backlash to Mauresmo's appointment so far), then consider the fact that Judy Murray, Andy's mother, has been a huge influence on his career from a young age and that is bound to have come into Murray's thinking. Judy is still a key presence at his big matches and has always believed in him and Murray's comments surrounding that yesterday were impressive as he said the appointment of Mauresmo didn't feel like something different and that he will be able to communicate with her.
Plenty were surprised when Murray hired Ivan Lendl and look how that turned out. Andy Murray often surprises us on court with brilliant shot making. Now he's done it off court once again. And he might have just played a blinder.
Ruled out of the last quarter of 2013, so he could have vital back surgery, Murray hasn't exactly roared back in 2014. He has slipped to number eight in the rankings and has suffered a meek defeat to Sanitago Giraldo in Madrid as well as slipping up against Milos Raonic and Grigor Dimitrov, two of the game's bright young talents from winning positions in Indian Wells and Mexico respectively.
However, the signs are starting to look rosier for Murray. In the event before the French Open, the Rome Masters he played his greatest clay court tennis of all time to take the first 6-1 off Rafael Nadal and led 4-2 in the final set, before succumbing 7-5.
And in the French Open he played his first two five set matches since coming back from back surgery and won them both, which was an extremely positive sign. Firstly in the third round, he defeated German Philipp Kohlschreiber over the course of two days, eventually winning 12-10 in the final set before winning his quarter final against Gael Monfils 6-0 on Wednesday in the fifth in one of the craziest matches of tennis I have ever witnessed. Cruising at two sets up, Murray let Monfils off the hook in the third before being destroyed 6-1 in the fourth set.
With a home crowd behind him, Monfils looked to have all the momentum in fading light. Incredibly it was Murray who ran away with the fifth set 6-0 to ensure he wouldn't have to play another two day match. Although he was soundly beaten by Rafael Nadal in Friday's semi final, Murray has to be upbeat going into the grass court season where he of course defends his titles won superbly last year at Queens and Wimbledon.
And that is where the appointment of two time grand slam champion Amelie Mauresmo as announced by Murray yesterday comes in. Not many will have seen this coming, even if some including myself were very intrigued by Mauresmo watching his first round match at the French Open on May 27.
It seems as though the wheels had been in motion before that and now it is in place it will be fascinating to see how it pans out. Although Denis Istomin of Uzbekistan is coached by his mother and Mikhail Kukushkin of Kazakhstan is coached by his wife, this is the first high profile appointment of a woman in the men's game.
And I reckon it might just work wonders for Murray. After splitting with Ivan Lendl in March, Murray knew he was never going to find a like for like replacement for the man who helped him win two grand slams and Olympic Gold.
But what he did need was someone with great tennis knowledge, someone who would focus him on and off the court and someone who can help him win more Grand Slams. Mauresmo ticks all three of those boxes. As a former World Number One and two time grand slam champion, she did it all during a 16 year playing career and won close to £9m in prize money.
Interestingly for Murray, one of those two Grand Slam titles was at Wimbledon in 2006 and she won that with a superb volley game, something Murray might take into account as he defends his crown. And better still, she was part of the coaching staff that helped her fellow countrywoman Marion Bartoli win Wimbledon last year against long odds.
Mauresmo was never the flashiest of tennis players and didn't particularly like the limelight, something which I am sure would have appealed to Murray who likes his quiet life with girlfriend Kim Sears and their dog Maggie May. And that can help prepare Murray for being the focus of attention at Wimbledon, which he has been the centre of for the British press and fans ever since he burst on the scene in 2005.
Mauresmo also knows what it's like to have that pressure of being the home favourite at a Grand Slam tournament, although unlike Murray she didn't manage to win her home tournament, her best being two quarter final appearances. However, with 545 singles wins to her name, and a win in the Australian Open to go along with that title at SW19, she knows how to win big matches. And having someone like that to look up to in the players box is exactly what Murray's being needing since the split from Lendl.
Whilst Lendl didn't have to change much in Murray's game in order for him to win a Grand Slam, it was his sheer presence in that box that gave Murray the belief he could win the biggest titles of them all. Without him, Murray's focus in certain matches, particularly in those two aforementioned five set matches has waned.
And to those who scoff at the idea of a male player being coached by a woman (thankfully I've seen little backlash to Mauresmo's appointment so far), then consider the fact that Judy Murray, Andy's mother, has been a huge influence on his career from a young age and that is bound to have come into Murray's thinking. Judy is still a key presence at his big matches and has always believed in him and Murray's comments surrounding that yesterday were impressive as he said the appointment of Mauresmo didn't feel like something different and that he will be able to communicate with her.
Plenty were surprised when Murray hired Ivan Lendl and look how that turned out. Andy Murray often surprises us on court with brilliant shot making. Now he's done it off court once again. And he might have just played a blinder.
Sunday, 25 May 2014
It's great to have Rory McIlroy back in golf's winners circle
Rory McIlroy has just won the European Tour's flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth in what was a quite spectacular final round of golf.
Shooting a wonderful round of 66, the Northern Irishman finally grabbed his first win of the 2014 season at just the right time with three Majors coming up over the summer as well as the race to make the Ryder Cup team in September really hotting up.
And what a week for McIlroy to win such a big event. As was well documented on Wednesday and throughout the tournament, the two time Major winner has broken off his engagement and relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Now let's be spared of people saying McIlroy is brave in winning this tournament. On the eve of the tournament, he hadn't lost a close family member or friend.
But a break up is never easy to do particularly after they got engaged only on New Years Day and had started to send out wedding invitations last weekend. It would only have been natural for McIlroy to let that play on his mind on the course throughout the four days of competition and his golf was up and down all week.
But unlike Thomas Bjorn who started the day seven ahead of McIlroy and five ahead of his closest challenger Luke Donald, McIlroy truly delivered when it mattered most as he so often has during his career so far on a Sunday.
He had promised a lot so far this season with regular top tens over in America including a tied second at The Honda Classic and good performances at The Masters and The Players Championship.
As many have said in the wake of this win, it shows how foolish it is to predict golf tournaments but it does seem that breaking up with Wozniacki has given McIlroy a boost. I'm not saying for a moment that every club golfer or indeed professionals should suddenly call off relationships but McIlroy's form had suffered over the last year or so when in a very public relationship with another famous sports star though of course Wozniacki wasn't the only reason for that poor form.
With Tiger Woods injured right now, there can be no doubting that McIlroy is key to drawing crowds in at tournaments and on TV and that was certainly the case at a superbly attended PGA Championship at Wentworth.
With the US Open just around the corner McIlroy has grabbed the bull by the horns and got himself back in the winners circle at just the right time. And on the back nine today, he was striking the ball as well as he has done in a long time and looked mentally in the zone.
That can only be a good thing for golf. Summer 2014 for Rory McIlroy might just be about to be massive.
Shooting a wonderful round of 66, the Northern Irishman finally grabbed his first win of the 2014 season at just the right time with three Majors coming up over the summer as well as the race to make the Ryder Cup team in September really hotting up.
And what a week for McIlroy to win such a big event. As was well documented on Wednesday and throughout the tournament, the two time Major winner has broken off his engagement and relationship with tennis star Caroline Wozniacki. Now let's be spared of people saying McIlroy is brave in winning this tournament. On the eve of the tournament, he hadn't lost a close family member or friend.
But a break up is never easy to do particularly after they got engaged only on New Years Day and had started to send out wedding invitations last weekend. It would only have been natural for McIlroy to let that play on his mind on the course throughout the four days of competition and his golf was up and down all week.
But unlike Thomas Bjorn who started the day seven ahead of McIlroy and five ahead of his closest challenger Luke Donald, McIlroy truly delivered when it mattered most as he so often has during his career so far on a Sunday.
He had promised a lot so far this season with regular top tens over in America including a tied second at The Honda Classic and good performances at The Masters and The Players Championship.
As many have said in the wake of this win, it shows how foolish it is to predict golf tournaments but it does seem that breaking up with Wozniacki has given McIlroy a boost. I'm not saying for a moment that every club golfer or indeed professionals should suddenly call off relationships but McIlroy's form had suffered over the last year or so when in a very public relationship with another famous sports star though of course Wozniacki wasn't the only reason for that poor form.
With Tiger Woods injured right now, there can be no doubting that McIlroy is key to drawing crowds in at tournaments and on TV and that was certainly the case at a superbly attended PGA Championship at Wentworth.
With the US Open just around the corner McIlroy has grabbed the bull by the horns and got himself back in the winners circle at just the right time. And on the back nine today, he was striking the ball as well as he has done in a long time and looked mentally in the zone.
That can only be a good thing for golf. Summer 2014 for Rory McIlroy might just be about to be massive.
Wednesday, 7 May 2014
The Jester has the last laugh: How Mark Selby won the snooker World Championship
Mark Selby had waited seven long years to get the monkey off his back. Ever since reaching the World Snooker Championship final in 2007, where he ultimately lost to John Higgins, the man nicknamed 'The Jester from Leicester' had been tipped for world glory.
As the years rolled by it looked as though Selby wasn't going to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion, but that all changed on bank holiday Monday at just after quarter past ten when he sealed a fantastic 18-14 win over the five time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
World titles don't come easy and boy did Selby have to fight tooth and nail to collect the trophy and the winner's cheque for £300,000. O'Sullivan who was looking for a third consecutive title at the crucible came out like a train during Sunday afternoon's first session and raced into a three nil lead which included breaks of 102 and 69.
Selby on the other hand wasn't at the races and looked tired from his efforts in getting through 17-15 against Neil Robertson in the semi-final the previous night. However, Selby hadn't won three Masters titles and a UK Championship since that final appearance in 2007 without showing some true grit.
Slowly but surely he got to grips with the occasion and the match but was still playing nowhere near his best. All credit then that thanks to some grinding safety play and taking some half chances, that he got out of the first session only 5-3 down, and indeed he missed a glorious opportunity to make it 4-4.
However, O'Sullivan still looked very focused in the evening session as two half century breaks in three frames allowed him to build a commanding 8-3 lead before Selby won the next two.
The killer moment seemed to have come when O'Sullivan at his ruthless best rattled off two frames in no time to move into double figures with a 10-5 lead and as six time champion Steve Davis said in the BBC studio, O'Sullivan was winning two frames to Selby's one at that point. There looked no way back for him against a man looking to match Davis's six titles.
It turns out Mark Selby hadn't read the script for the World Snooker final of 2014. Playing what some shamefully described as "anti-snooker"- I thought of it as extremely clever- Selby kept himself in the hunt by winning the last two frames of the evening session to close the gap to 10-7 overnight.
And whilst most people were off work on Monday, Selby was like a man possessed at the crucible table doing his job. O'Sullivan was clearly rattled when Selby went ahead for the first time at 11-10. This was a situation O'Sullivan had never faced before; being behind in a world final. Would Selby be ruthless or would O'Sullivan fight back?
It looked odds on as though O'Sullivan would go 12-11 up heading into the final session but he inexplicably missed a pink in the final frame of the afternoon that frankly some pub players would have made.
And from then on, it didn't look as though the man from Leicester was going to let go of his best chance yet to win a World Championship despite O'Sullivan winning the first frame of the evening. His clearance of 25 to seal the trophy once and for all might not sound much but under massive pressure, it was one of the best clearances I've ever seen at the Crucible. And that was that, 18-14 and Selby had beaten one of the greatest snooker players of all time, despite being five frames behind on two occasions.
And let's not forget who else Mark Selby had to beat to win his first world title. His 17-15 semi final win over Neil Robertson was full of high quality snooker and will live long in the memory. In a classic nip and tuck match, both players had nerves of steel throughout with some magnificent long potting and it was Selby who happened to have the edge on the night.
Before that, he dispatched experienced Scotsman Alan McManus 13-5 in the quarter finals- no mean feat considering McManus's safety play and in round two he had to get past two time world finalist Ali Carter. In Round One, he was in serious danger of going out to Michael White after almost blowing 5-1 and 8-4 leads to eventually win 10-9. Perhaps then more of us should have known Selby's name was written on the trophy for 2014.
Still only 30, Selby has all the attributes to become a true legend in the game. Indeed, he already is only one of nine players to win the World Championship, Masters and UK Championship. If he can defend his World Title next year or indeed become a two time champion at any time in the future, he can be considered a legend of the game.
Then the jester really would have the last laugh.
As the years rolled by it looked as though Selby wasn't going to achieve his dream of becoming a world champion, but that all changed on bank holiday Monday at just after quarter past ten when he sealed a fantastic 18-14 win over the five time world champion Ronnie O'Sullivan.
World titles don't come easy and boy did Selby have to fight tooth and nail to collect the trophy and the winner's cheque for £300,000. O'Sullivan who was looking for a third consecutive title at the crucible came out like a train during Sunday afternoon's first session and raced into a three nil lead which included breaks of 102 and 69.
Selby on the other hand wasn't at the races and looked tired from his efforts in getting through 17-15 against Neil Robertson in the semi-final the previous night. However, Selby hadn't won three Masters titles and a UK Championship since that final appearance in 2007 without showing some true grit.
Slowly but surely he got to grips with the occasion and the match but was still playing nowhere near his best. All credit then that thanks to some grinding safety play and taking some half chances, that he got out of the first session only 5-3 down, and indeed he missed a glorious opportunity to make it 4-4.
However, O'Sullivan still looked very focused in the evening session as two half century breaks in three frames allowed him to build a commanding 8-3 lead before Selby won the next two.
The killer moment seemed to have come when O'Sullivan at his ruthless best rattled off two frames in no time to move into double figures with a 10-5 lead and as six time champion Steve Davis said in the BBC studio, O'Sullivan was winning two frames to Selby's one at that point. There looked no way back for him against a man looking to match Davis's six titles.
It turns out Mark Selby hadn't read the script for the World Snooker final of 2014. Playing what some shamefully described as "anti-snooker"- I thought of it as extremely clever- Selby kept himself in the hunt by winning the last two frames of the evening session to close the gap to 10-7 overnight.
And whilst most people were off work on Monday, Selby was like a man possessed at the crucible table doing his job. O'Sullivan was clearly rattled when Selby went ahead for the first time at 11-10. This was a situation O'Sullivan had never faced before; being behind in a world final. Would Selby be ruthless or would O'Sullivan fight back?
It looked odds on as though O'Sullivan would go 12-11 up heading into the final session but he inexplicably missed a pink in the final frame of the afternoon that frankly some pub players would have made.
And from then on, it didn't look as though the man from Leicester was going to let go of his best chance yet to win a World Championship despite O'Sullivan winning the first frame of the evening. His clearance of 25 to seal the trophy once and for all might not sound much but under massive pressure, it was one of the best clearances I've ever seen at the Crucible. And that was that, 18-14 and Selby had beaten one of the greatest snooker players of all time, despite being five frames behind on two occasions.
And let's not forget who else Mark Selby had to beat to win his first world title. His 17-15 semi final win over Neil Robertson was full of high quality snooker and will live long in the memory. In a classic nip and tuck match, both players had nerves of steel throughout with some magnificent long potting and it was Selby who happened to have the edge on the night.
Before that, he dispatched experienced Scotsman Alan McManus 13-5 in the quarter finals- no mean feat considering McManus's safety play and in round two he had to get past two time world finalist Ali Carter. In Round One, he was in serious danger of going out to Michael White after almost blowing 5-1 and 8-4 leads to eventually win 10-9. Perhaps then more of us should have known Selby's name was written on the trophy for 2014.
Still only 30, Selby has all the attributes to become a true legend in the game. Indeed, he already is only one of nine players to win the World Championship, Masters and UK Championship. If he can defend his World Title next year or indeed become a two time champion at any time in the future, he can be considered a legend of the game.
Then the jester really would have the last laugh.
Tuesday, 8 April 2014
The Masters 2014: Who Will be Wearing that Green Jacket?
The Masters is a truly special tournament. It is the only one of the golf majors to be played at the same venue each year- Augusta National- and has some of the most wonderful golfing holes in history.
The 2014 edition promises to be to one of the most open in recent years. With Tiger Woods out injured and Phil Mickelson struggling with injury too, then it is an extremely tough one to call. Rory McIlroy has been installed as favourite, though last years winner Adam Scott is also the man backed to win by some bookmakers.
Here are four men who I think could win you some money this week.
Main Bet: Matt Kuchar (Best Odds 25/1)
I tipped the American last year as one of my bets and he looked good for a while before never getting going on the final day to slip down to a tie for eighth.
However, I believe Kuchar is now primed to win a long overdue first major championship. Tied for eighth is not to be sniffed at and in 2012 at the Masters, he enjoyed a tremendous result in tied third.
He should have won the Shell Houston Open on Sunday to collect his seventh PGA Tour victory, but he was edged out by Matt Jones in a play-off. Kuchar would have obviously been disappointed, but I breathed a sigh of relief. Players who win the week before Augusta notoriously struggle to continue that form (Mickelson was a rare exception in 2006) so now I'm tipping Kuchar to slip into the green jacket this week.
He's a man in form with five top 10's in his last nine starts including consecutive top five's in the last two weeks in Texas. Blessed with great iron play, he's now got the mental toughness to get over the line.
Worth Some of Your Hard Earned Cash
Dustin Johnson (Best Odds 28/1)
The big hitting American might have pulled out of the Shell Houston Open last week after shooting a first round 80 citing back pain, but he should have had enough time to prepare for the Masters and there is an old cliche in golf- beware the injured golfer.
Like Kuchar, Johnson is long overdue a first Major win. He led the US Open in 2010 by three shots going into the final round at Pebble Beach before blowing up with an 82 to finish tied 8th. He was then desperately unlucky not to make it into the play-off at the PGA Championship that same year when he was given a two shot penalty for appearing to ground his club in a bunker.
And he remained in contention at the 2011 Open Championship until a drive went out of bounds at the 14th but he clung on to finish in a tie for second. His record at Augusta doesn't exactly jump out (his 13th placed finish last year is his best to date) but there are a lot of things in Johnson's favour.
He is currently 2nd in the driving distance stats on the PGA Tour for 2014 averaging 310 yards, is 3rd in greens in regulation stats hitting 72% of them and is first in scoring averages at par fives. Hitting it long round Augusta is a huge advantage and when Johnson goes on a hot streak with the putter, he can be very difficult to stop.
Zach Johnson (Best Odds: 35/1)
The 2007 champion is well worth an each way bet at this years edition. He had a superb start to the season winning the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January and he has enjoyed three top ten finishes since, including at last weeks Texas Open.
Since winning seven years ago, he has only finished in the top twenty once but with a good amount of rainfall having landed on the fairways of Augusta, he should fancy his chances this week.
He is in the top dozen of the PGA Tour stats when it comes to driving accuracy, greens in regulation and scrambling and is also averaging 69 this season every time he tees it up.
If he can summon the spirit of 2007, he will contend come Sunday.
Outside Bet
Angel Cabrera (Best Odds 66/1)
Forget the fact that the Argentinian is missing cut after cut this season. This is Cabrera and Augusta. There's something about the course in Georgia that the 44 year old just loves.
He won it in 2009 and was only denied last year in a play-off by Adam Scott. Add in a seventh place in 2011 and further top tens in 2001, 2002 and 2006 then he represents incredible value this week.
Experience is also vital round Augusta and Cabrera first played in the tournament way back in 2000. Add in his 2007 US Open win and you begin to realise that he has what it takes to get over the line in a Major.
And whilst he might be completely out of form, he's still averaging a whopping 305 yards off the tee.
As always, I'll be glued to the television from Thursday onwards as the world's best golfers battle it out for the first Major of the year. I hope my luck is in!
*All odds supplied at Oddschecker.com and are correct at the time of writing*
The 2014 edition promises to be to one of the most open in recent years. With Tiger Woods out injured and Phil Mickelson struggling with injury too, then it is an extremely tough one to call. Rory McIlroy has been installed as favourite, though last years winner Adam Scott is also the man backed to win by some bookmakers.
Here are four men who I think could win you some money this week.
Main Bet: Matt Kuchar (Best Odds 25/1)
I tipped the American last year as one of my bets and he looked good for a while before never getting going on the final day to slip down to a tie for eighth.
However, I believe Kuchar is now primed to win a long overdue first major championship. Tied for eighth is not to be sniffed at and in 2012 at the Masters, he enjoyed a tremendous result in tied third.
He should have won the Shell Houston Open on Sunday to collect his seventh PGA Tour victory, but he was edged out by Matt Jones in a play-off. Kuchar would have obviously been disappointed, but I breathed a sigh of relief. Players who win the week before Augusta notoriously struggle to continue that form (Mickelson was a rare exception in 2006) so now I'm tipping Kuchar to slip into the green jacket this week.
He's a man in form with five top 10's in his last nine starts including consecutive top five's in the last two weeks in Texas. Blessed with great iron play, he's now got the mental toughness to get over the line.
Worth Some of Your Hard Earned Cash
Dustin Johnson (Best Odds 28/1)
The big hitting American might have pulled out of the Shell Houston Open last week after shooting a first round 80 citing back pain, but he should have had enough time to prepare for the Masters and there is an old cliche in golf- beware the injured golfer.
Like Kuchar, Johnson is long overdue a first Major win. He led the US Open in 2010 by three shots going into the final round at Pebble Beach before blowing up with an 82 to finish tied 8th. He was then desperately unlucky not to make it into the play-off at the PGA Championship that same year when he was given a two shot penalty for appearing to ground his club in a bunker.
And he remained in contention at the 2011 Open Championship until a drive went out of bounds at the 14th but he clung on to finish in a tie for second. His record at Augusta doesn't exactly jump out (his 13th placed finish last year is his best to date) but there are a lot of things in Johnson's favour.
He is currently 2nd in the driving distance stats on the PGA Tour for 2014 averaging 310 yards, is 3rd in greens in regulation stats hitting 72% of them and is first in scoring averages at par fives. Hitting it long round Augusta is a huge advantage and when Johnson goes on a hot streak with the putter, he can be very difficult to stop.
Zach Johnson (Best Odds: 35/1)
The 2007 champion is well worth an each way bet at this years edition. He had a superb start to the season winning the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in January and he has enjoyed three top ten finishes since, including at last weeks Texas Open.
Since winning seven years ago, he has only finished in the top twenty once but with a good amount of rainfall having landed on the fairways of Augusta, he should fancy his chances this week.
He is in the top dozen of the PGA Tour stats when it comes to driving accuracy, greens in regulation and scrambling and is also averaging 69 this season every time he tees it up.
If he can summon the spirit of 2007, he will contend come Sunday.
Outside Bet
Angel Cabrera (Best Odds 66/1)
Forget the fact that the Argentinian is missing cut after cut this season. This is Cabrera and Augusta. There's something about the course in Georgia that the 44 year old just loves.
He won it in 2009 and was only denied last year in a play-off by Adam Scott. Add in a seventh place in 2011 and further top tens in 2001, 2002 and 2006 then he represents incredible value this week.
Experience is also vital round Augusta and Cabrera first played in the tournament way back in 2000. Add in his 2007 US Open win and you begin to realise that he has what it takes to get over the line in a Major.
And whilst he might be completely out of form, he's still averaging a whopping 305 yards off the tee.
As always, I'll be glued to the television from Thursday onwards as the world's best golfers battle it out for the first Major of the year. I hope my luck is in!
*All odds supplied at Oddschecker.com and are correct at the time of writing*
Wednesday, 26 March 2014
A small step forward for the R+A
Today's announcement by the Royal and Ancient that they are going to have a vote in September to admit women members or not, is a step in the right direction for the game of golf's governing body.
It's only a small step mind you and the fact that we are still discussing whether or not women should be admitted to one of the world's oldest golf clubs in 2014 is quite frankly not only embarrassing but disgusting.
A mere 260 years after the R+A were founded only now are they even considering to allow women into their club. Over the last few years, the R+A's stance has become more and more of a PR disaster for them and indeed the clubs on the rota for The Open Championship that operate a single sex membership policy.
Golf is often tarnished with the brush that it is a sport for the rich and elitist. The last thing it needed is to be continually tarred with the sexist brush too but for a while it seemed that R+A members and it's Chief Executive Peter Dawson seemed happy to accept this.
It's only a small step mind you and the fact that we are still discussing whether or not women should be admitted to one of the world's oldest golf clubs in 2014 is quite frankly not only embarrassing but disgusting.
A mere 260 years after the R+A were founded only now are they even considering to allow women into their club. Over the last few years, the R+A's stance has become more and more of a PR disaster for them and indeed the clubs on the rota for The Open Championship that operate a single sex membership policy.
Golf is often tarnished with the brush that it is a sport for the rich and elitist. The last thing it needed is to be continually tarred with the sexist brush too but for a while it seemed that R+A members and it's Chief Executive Peter Dawson seemed happy to accept this.
I wrote about this issue here in November 2012 (http://www.ewansworldofsport.blogspot.co.uk/2012/11/why-royal-and-ancient-must-change-its.html). I reckon I was being kind back then when I said their watches were stuck in the 1950's.
Make no bones about it. I have always seen this as a ludicrous sexist policy for this modern age, or indeed any age. I'm a keen golfer and I have a few female friends who enjoy the sport also. Nobody can tell me it would be right for me to enjoy the privileges of being an R+A member or indeed a member of Royal Troon where I lived near to until last year and for a female companion to be unable to enjoy these benefits.
I've always been at a loss to fathom what some members of the R+A and single sex clubs think will happen by admitting women members. It's hardly going to create nuclear war or see the clubs burn down in flames.
For me, the writing has been on the wall for the R+A ever since Augusta National, home to the Masters each year admitted their first female members two years ago. Let's not forget that Augusta was a club that didn't admit their first black member until 1990, but they looked positively modern when compared to the R+A.
And politicians were hugely criticial as well with Alex Salmond refusing to attend The Open Championship last year at Muirfield, a male only club whilst Gordon Brown described the R+A's stance as an unacceptable blot on the landscape. You can disagree with Salmond and Brown's political views until the cows come home but both these men were bang on in their stance against the R+A's Victorian practices.
Some will say that men have every right to have their single sex clubs and it is right to say that they aren't breaking any laws in doing so. But this is 2014, not 1814 or 1754 when the R+A were founded. Women aren't second class citizens anymore. Heck, in two years time a woman might be the most powerful person in the world.
So on September 18 (yes the vote is incredibly being held on the day as the Scottish Independence referendum), let's hope the R+A members use some common sense and take a giant leap forward by letting women in as members.
To vote against it would stall progress for another generation no doubt.
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