Golf Betting Blog: (Water) Hazard Ahead

DownThe18th were left ruing their luck, as the chance to win some serious winning money were dashed at the last moment - meanwhile Golf Monthly picked a winner, read more in this golf betting blog

Golf Betting Blog: (Water) Hazard Ahead

Picture this. Monday finish at the Honda Classic and Ian Poulter (125/1) marches into a three-shot lead.

He'd found the water on Sunday, twice, but resilience and character is something the Englishman has more than anyone.

Patrick Reed was struggling, Casey faltering, Harrington 6 shots back – His first stroke-play win in America was odds on, literally.

Hole 11 – splash. Okay, he's still in this, regroup Poults. Hole 14 – splash. He's in the drink again but he can still salvage at least a bogey. Splash... really?

Ian had only found the water 6 times in his whole career around PGA National – he found it 5 times in his final round.

The door was ajar for Irish legend Padraig Harrington, a pre-tournament 250/1, to claim his first win since the 2008 PGA Championship.

The story continues. We had also backed Daniel Berger (125/1), a local to the course and at 21, a very talented guy.

As the final round commenced, Berger was still available at 150/1 in places.

The American posted 6 under par and after Harrington got caught by the bear on 17, we had a play-off. Both parring 18, things continued to 17 where the Irishman stiffed one and our man found the water. Agony. Heartache. Golf.

Behind the bitterness and lost money it was an absolute delight to see Harrington on the top step once again.

Fun fact - James Hahn last week was ranked 297th in the world and was replaced after he won by none other than Padraig Harrington.

Steve Webster is now the holder of that position - get your money on him over in Africa!

The real success was European golf – Paul Casey (50/1), Russell Knox (80/1) and Jamie Donaldson (66/1) rounded out the top 6.

Then we move to the Joburg Open where Andy Sullivan (16/1) claimed his and Golf Monthly's 2nd win of this calender year.

Despite being over in South Africa, the leaderboard was packed with Europeans – David Howell (100/1), Kevin Phelan (200/1) and Anthony Wall (80/1) all finished in a tie for 2nd behind the now 58th ranked player in the world.

Wallie Coetsee (500/1), not to be confused with fellow countryman George, would have made a few people happy with his each way returns despite holding the 54-hole lead. Local stalwart Jaco Van Zyl (40/1) rounded out the top 6.

So in a week that promised so much on our behalf with Poulter and Berger, it is Golf Monthly who come out on top. For now...

Head over to http://downthe18th.wordpress.com for this week’s preview and picks.

Current Standings after 7 weeks

Golf Monthly European Tour £-16 PGA Tour £27 Total £11

DownThe18th European Tour £4.30 PGA Tour £-7.28 Total £-2.98

Golf Monthly leads by £13.98