my sporting weekend

Until Justin Thomas gave me and him the first tour victory in the USPGA in the Honda classic at Palm Beach, it was case of close but not cigar.

I backed Wales at + 8 in the Six Nations international against Ireland only literally for the Welsh to  throw away a chance in the last moment of the game for Ireland to intercept and increase their 7 point lead.

In the Qatar Masters my pick George Coetzee finished one place below 7th for an each way return. Eddie Pepperill won here.

The recovery of Tiger Woods who made the cut and finished twelvth will no doubt attract much coverage. The odd thing about a player now in his 40s is you might think it would be his driving that would suffer but as often as not – and it is the case with Tiger – it’s the putting stroke that fails.

The same thing happened with Ernie Els. Mind you, you don’t have to be 40 plus – Jordan Spieth has lost his deadliness and his fellow Texan Justin Thomas is probably now the more effective golfer. He is based in Florida, knows the Palm Beach course well with its testing bear trap in the final holes.  At 10-1 he was no bargain and it took him a play-off with Luke List to win.

Tommy Fleetwood showed what a fine golfer he is. He has been playing the USPGA to fill his boots and establish his reputation. He finished third.