Couch potato
With my recent betting successes swelling the household budget I was able to negotiate with my missus a generous time in front of the telly on Sunday. I watched 2 golf tourneys, 2 Premier matches, some of Ireland v Wales and the Superbowl till sleep claimed me.
If I was to ask you which sporting event attracts the biggest crowds I doubt if many would answer The Waste Management Phoenix Classic but on Saturday there were 200,000 spectators there exceeding any other event. Hiduki Matsuyama beat form boy Ricky Fowler in a tense play off which went to five holes. Jeremy Chapman had recommended Matsuyama and I had him for a top five finish allowing me to cheer on Ricky Fowler for his sixth victory in 9 months. He is now ranked fourth in the world.
Over at Abu Dhabi there was similar tight finish contested between Danny Willett, Rafa Cabrera Bello and Andy Sullivan. The Shefiield slugger Willett shaded it. I have moved him from my rookie section in the Ryder Cup Slection to a definite. A feature of this year’s team is the number of rookies. I reckon Shane Lowry, Andy Sullivan, Cabrera Bello, Thomas Pieters, Thorbjen Olesen and Bernrard Wiesberger all have good chances. Conversely how many stalwarts – Poulter, Garcia, Kaymer, Westwood – will make it? Cabrera Bello is in rich vein of form and I backed him each way to make it a satisfactory day after the mega win of backing the 3-0 Brighton score.
Like very sport fan I have my likes and dislikes and these can be changed by my wagers. I backed the draw between Chelsea and Manchester United, two teams I don’t much like. When Chelsea went a goal down I was rooting for them but once the equaliser came wanted the status quo to preserve.
I’m no expert on American gridiron. In the week I had lunch with someone who is who said that Denver Broncos had no chance as Peyton Manning their quarterback did not have a throwing arm post-operation. In fact he was MVP, most valued player as the Broncos won 24-10. I am a great believer in following the experts but they do not always get it right.
