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Canadian Open Round Four: Furyk coasts home, but it's a shame about Sean

Monday September 11, 2006 | 06:51:00 320 words, 1375 views

Tom Lehman can take all the heart he likes from Jim Furyk’s victory and the late surge by Stewart Cink Sunday that put him in a tie for 11th, if not ever in contention. But if I was him, I would be ruing the fact that I had a seemingly out-of-sorts Vaughn Taylor on my Ryder Cup squad instead of a hot-to-trot Sean O’Hair.

Mind you, neither O’Hair nor Bart Bryant were hot enough to force Furyk into a playoff as they might (should?) have done at the death.

So Sunday was profitable, but not the trading bonanza we had hoped. When Furyk hit the front there was no great enthusiasm for the challengers and their prices never went significantly below 4.

Things went so flat that one of the hottest conversation points in the forums was the decision of Tiger Woods to support Roger Federer (and sit next to his gal) at the US Open. So much for that great American team spirit then.

Vijay Singh, meanwhile, appears to have retreated into his shell again, which makes reading the upcoming 84 Lumber Classic ticklish. And our intrepid Englishman? Alas poor Justin, I knew him too well.

What I also know all too well is that I am going to be a screaming wreck come next Saturday after battling through two days of mindless Wie-mania to keep tabs on the sharp end of the 84 Lumber. Michelle Wie’s participation in these events is fast getting beyond a joke - and the laugh’s on us.

PS: Thought a two stroke penalty was a bit hard - and very costly - on Jonathan Byrd for infringing one of the more arcane rules of the sport. Apparently some smarty-pants TV analyst spotted that he tested his stance in a bunker on the 9th away from where the actual shot was to be played. Jeez, what a truly awful, AWFUL thing to have done. Hang your head in shame Jonathan.

8 comments

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Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]

PGA Punter, your flag is showing. I see you're all over Vaughan Taylor's MC because of an unusually bad 79 in the first round. However, you failed to mention that he came back with a fine 67 on day two, proving it was likely an aberration.

But you also did not report on the horrible play of Paul McGinley who missed the cut in the weak field Singapore Open - by 5 shots. I'd say Woosie is a wee bit worried about McGinley's form. As he has missed the cut in all 3 Majors he played in this year and played poorly for quite some time now (currently 63rd on the Order of Merit), he may be held out of everything but the singles.

Permalink 2006-09-11 @ 08:11

Comment from: PGA Punter [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/pga.punter

Now lookie you here Mr Shanks, it aint no good you tryin to foment no transatlantic slangin' match cos ah aint flyin no flag: yewropeen, yewesofay or yewgostickitwherethesundontshine. McGinley? Quite agree. But I wasn't reporting on Singapore. And I am mighty happy for Mr Taylor that he had such a sweet second round. Still wasn't near enough to get him over the cut line of course. So is that going to be the excuse if he loses a match in Ireland with double and triple bogeys: oh, it was an aberration, he'll be fine in two years time. The only point I wanted to make was that I think Sean O'Hair is much the better player, certainly at the moment. Still, now you mention it, yes, I would rather have Justin Rose in the European team right now than Mr McGinley. For one thing, it rains quite a bit in Ireland and as we know Justin just loves that!

Permalink 2006-09-11 @ 10:19

Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]

Did you think the US was going to pull a Seve, and change the selection rules so they could put only the hottest golfers on the team? He earned the right to be there so we'll take him. Truthfully, I like O'Hair too (and the US side could use the luck of the Irish) but the man playing a wee bit more consistently than O'Hair right now is Steve Stricker.

Permalink 2006-09-11 @ 15:53

Comment from: Oliver Sudden [Visitor]

How about Steve Stricker this week ? I don't like 28-1 though. Jason Day at 125-1 ? Wie or the field for last ? The winner will likely be Jonathan Byrd though, some magical force seems to rectify things.

Permalink 2006-09-11 @ 19:54

Comment from: PGA Punter [Member] · http://www.worldgolf.com/blogs/pga.punter

Shanks, you make a good point about Stricker and he's certainly got more money in the bank along with the greater experience. I prefer O'Hair because I think he's got exciuting potential. Interestingly our main fixed exchange in the UK rates their chances equally for the upcoming 84 Lumber at 21 (would like to know where Oliver found his 29!).

Oliver, I haven't properly got my head round this week's event but rest assured I'll be leaving Wie well alone. On the exchange I use though they are only offering just under 4 (ie 3-1) for her to make the cut, which strikes me as ungererous in the extreme.

Do you look at exchange prices Oliver? I'm not an agent (honest!), I just much prefer using them because not only are prices often much beter but you can see if anyone's willing to go even higher, which often works. If you fancy Stricker, for instance, you can get him for 33-1 on Betfair and Jason 150-1 (maybe some trading possibilities there).

Permalink 2006-09-12 @ 06:49

Comment from: Oliver Sudden [Visitor]

I got my odds from sportingbet.com .

Permalink 2006-09-12 @ 12:38

Comment from: Oliver Sudden [Visitor]

I would like to comment on gambling in general, or should we call it "gaming". The two things I've heard at race tracks and sports books the most is "I'm broke" and "Can you loan me some money ?". I enjoy recreational gambling on golf and dogs but I've never had the slightest inclination to bet big. The way my friends and I play is to bet a little to win a lot. So at the dog track we play superfectas where you have to pick the top 4 finishers in order. In golf betting I like to play folks that are at least 100-1 or more so if I bet $10 I get something if I am right. Fade the public is what we live by. The best part of this style is even if you have a long dry spell ( and you will ) you still haven't lost a significant amount of money. And when you hit ( and you will ) you cash for thousands. The best measure of a gambler's skill is to ask two questions (1) what is the most you ever lost in one day, and (2) what is the most you ever won in one day. If you got honest answers ( doubtful ) and (1) was like $200 and (2) was like $10,000 you would be talking to a really good punter.

Permalink 2006-09-12 @ 14:01

Comment from: Shanks [Visitor]

I am in near total agreement with O Sudden but am a little more conservative than O Sudden. Nice 30-1 odds on a peaking player for a $10 or $20 wager (like Stricker this week)is just about the perfect speed for me. That keeps it entertaining with funds I won't miss if the outcome is not in my favor.

Permalink 2006-09-12 @ 14:21

PGA Punter

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The PGA Punter, aka Anthony Urquhart, writes about pro golf from a gamblers point of view. Without claiming to have a crystal ball, the Punter offers WorldGolf.com readers views on the players and wagering possibilities that present themselves each week on tour.