English golfing triumphant

Justin Rose, who the Zurich Classic in Louisiana, and David Howell very nearly took the Volvo China Open at Shanghai where he finished second to Wu Ashan. Both Englishmen had been chosen by the Racing Post team and therefore backed by Pargiter. Steve Palmer I like to think was absent from duty as he was enjoying the fruits of his 40-1 win on Aphibarnrat, though my Sunday would have been enhanced by reading about this rather than James Milton on his sporting memorabilia.

David Howell at 39 is having a renaissance late in life as he finished fourth in the previous event the Szenchan. He might well have won it if he hadn’t bogeyed the last when a poor chip left him with more work to do than necessary and he needed to sink a 8 foot putt to make the play-off. This he failed to do and that bogey presented the trophy to Wu, the first time a Chinaman had won a European event on his own soil. With 19 year old Li also doing well Chinese golf is on the march.

Over in Louisiana another Englishman fared well. This time Justin Rose preserved his lead in the final round, holding off the challenge of Cameron Tringale and 41 year old Boo Weekley. This reflects the mental element in golf as Rose had the toughness to keep his game steady and he finished with two birdies. Putting can be the weakness of the Rose game but he was reliable on the dance floor with the flat stick. I immediately diverted some of the winnings for a tickle on him for the Open at 22-1.

I had a footie chat with an old pal in the morning during which I predicted Mourinho would suck the life out of the game against Arsenal 0-0. Thinking my pal might have a tickle, so did I on that score and laid the Arsenal. Both bets came home which at least enlivened a dull second half.

Mrs P was pleased with her “caddy” share of the winnings as she served me chill con carne with a large Peroni in front of the Samsung, a position from which I did not move for the best part of 16 hours. I also could not resist calling a fellow punter (as he is the first to do to me)  boasting of my triumphs. We big rollers are a nasty lot as there is no honour amongst thieves.