Go English at Sawgrass

Sports Betting:

RORY McIlroy is expected to attract mountains of punters’ cash as he prepares for the Players Championship, which gets under way at Sawgrass tomorrow.

The Northern Ireland sensation, who celebrated his 21st birthday yesterday, blew away his rivals in the Quail Hollow Championship at the weekend.

His final-round 62 was one of the best displays I have ever seen and earned him his first win on the US Tour.

There are sure to be many more as this kid is the real deal, but can he deliver in golf’s “fifth major”?

If he plays like he did on Sunday, then the rest will not see which way he went, but there is bound to be some sort of reaction and 25-1 is just about a fair reflection of his chances on a course which needs knowing despite his excellent tie for third last year.

The fairways are tight and greens tricky. And then there is the 17th hole with its island green.

Tiger Woods played pretty well at the Masters, but was off form in the Quail Hollow.

This tight course is not his ideal venue even when he is at the top of his game, so 8-1 about his chance, while tempting at first glance, is readily swerved.

In fact, the in-form Phil Mickelson, who is a point bigger in the betting, really ought to be the favourite following his Masters win and second to McIlroy.

Others to consider are Ernie Els, who was playing superbly before the Masters, and is attractively-priced at 25-1, and the aggressive Anthony Kim (33-1), a winner on the US Tour this year and a man in great form despite a persistent thumb injury.

However, I suspect we may have an English winner this week and in Lee Westwood and Ian Poulter we have two major contenders.

Both drive the ball superbly, are playing with confidence and have the right temperament. At 28-1 apiece, they are excellent each-way value.


THERE’S a huge Premier League game at Eastlands tonight when Manchester City and Tottenham Hotspur battle it out for the right to play in next season’s Champions League.

This is a game City must win and they are even money to do so, with the draw at 5-2 and Spurs 14-5.

As for finishing fourth and claiming that place in Europe, Spurs just hold sway at 4-5, with City evens.

RECOMMENDATIONS: Lee Westwood, each-way, Players Championship, 28-1 (Betfred), Ian Poulter, e.w., 28-1 (general)