Things Luke rosy for Donald

SPORTS BETTING: RORY McIlroy destroyed his rivals in last year’s US Open, but can be backed at 20-1 to stage a repeat at the Olympic Club in San Francisco, starting tomorrow.

The Northern Irishman has been in and out of form this season, but played well in last weekend’s St Jude Classic and plenty of punters will be willing to place their faith in the game’s most mercurial talent.

But this is a golf course notorious for taking its toll on flair players, such as McIlroy and the 10-1 favourite, Tiger Woods. Fairways and greens are the main requirements, while a silky putting touch is also essential.

Put simply, you need a plodder rather than a bomber at Olympic and if ever Luke Donald (16-1) is going to win a major, this is it.

Lee Westwood (14-1), who won in Sweden last week, could well play the best tee-to-green golf once again, but his putting is ordinary at best and that is likely to count against him.

A couple of players who catch the eye at long odds are Steve Stricker (50-1) and Martin Kaymer (66-1).

Both have been short of their best this season, but they are high in the world rankings for a reason and, as the saying goes, form is temporary, class is permanent.



THERE has been a mixed reaction to England’s 1-1 draw against France in their first match of Euro 2012, but I thought it was a decent performance and result.

England fans and critics need to get real. We have very few world-class players and Roy Hodgson can’t make a silk purse out of a sow’s ear. What he can do is make us difficult to beat and that is what he succeeded in doing on Monday.

We should be in for a treat with Holland desperately in need of a win against Germany to keep alive their hopes of reaching the quarter-finals.

The Dutch will need to take the game to Germany and that could leave them in danger.

I like the look of four goals or more at 5-2.

RECOMMENDATIONS: US Open golf, Luke Donald, e.w., 16-1 (William Hill), Steve Stricker, e.w., 50-1 (Coral), Martin Kaymer, 66-1, e.w. (Coral). Euro 2012, Holland v Germany, over 3.5 goals, 5-2 (Ladbrokes).





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