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My sporting weekend

When my fancy and joint tourney leader Branden Grace co-led with Chris Paisley after 3 rounds began the final round of the BMW at Erkulaheni South Africa with birdie and eagle, I had every confidence he would blow away journeyman Paisley.

On the 6th he bogeyed after failing to clear a bunker giving Paisley a two shot lead. Paisley played calmly, steadily caddied by his wife Kerry, and increased his lead to four shots compelling Grace to go for it with tricky plays. Paisley went on to win his first European event.

With Paisley on the European tour where prize money is roughly 5-10% of the USPGA except for the Gulf tourneys, and with traveling and hotel expenses, he can presumably make a saving on caddy commission of 10% of earnings. You need to make at least £100,000 just to cover your costs.

Pargie, with no pick winning in either South Africa or the Sony Classic in Hawaii, did not cover his costs.

The Sony Open went to a play-off between James Hahn who carded 62 and Patton Kizzire.

A play-off should be sporting drama at its highest as two players go mano v mano but both contenders took so long over the putts it was lost. Kizzire won on the 7th play-off hole.

Hahn missed a puttable putt to bogey and lost. He deliberated too long and he and the viewer would have been happier if he just stepped up to the plate with no rigamarole.

Happily I had some good lays in the football, backing against Middlesbrough against Fulham, Arsenal at Bournemouth and Manchester City at Liverpool.

I watched Arsenal play Bournemouth and I could not believe how much the side had deteriorated. Once under Arsene Wenger the Gunners had the pace and power to blow sides like Bournemouth clean away. Arsenal took the lead but could not hold it. Without Sanchez and Ozil they look ordinary.

It’s sad that the one of greatest managers in their history should be hanging on stubbornly to his job incurring the rancour of his fans.

Liverpool and Manchester city produced a full-bloodied classic which shows why the Premier has such global appeal.

Having said this, both teams have defensive frailties notably at goalkeeper with Loris Karius or Signoret and right back Robertson for Liverpool  and central defence for Manchester City.

Last season I watched Brighton play Newcastle at the Amex. Matt Ritchie of Newcastle hit a high lofted pass crossfield pass. Bruno of Brighton was unsure whether to attack the ball in the air or keep tight on the winger. He held back and Arta crossed for the winner.

The same thing happened when the Liverpool fullback Robertson held back on Salah’s high cross.

Sane of City nipped inside him and scored. Gary Neville rightly criticised the keeper for being beaten on his near post but an earlier misjudgment had already occurred. This said Gary Neville’s an acute analyst picking out Karol’s clenched fist when he should have used his fingers to turn the  ball out of play.

City don’t have the defensive quality of Bayern, Barcelona, Real Madrid or PSG. Like the great Leeds side of Don Revie City will dominate domestically but not in European competition

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About John Pargiter

John Pargiter’s biggest claim to fame is his first-ever work experience job, as ‘legs’ (or runner) for Henry Longhurst. For many years he worked in insurance at Lloyds. After retiring he has returned to his favourite sport of golf and is a keen recreational sailor and grandparent. More Posts