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Palmer , HSBC and Sony

I could hardly wait to read Steve Palmer’s column in the Racing Post yesterday. He has trousered £17,000 after backing Andy Sullivan for the South African Open and Patrick Reed in Hawaii. He even had a double on them both. With a child on the way, just married, loss of nerve and out of funds, he came back with a vengeance.

For all of this I  still regard gambling as a mug’s game. I played a round of golf with Bob Tickler in the week at Swinley Forest. He was saying that you can’t beat the market and the same applies to sporting systems.

The main feature of the HSBC tournament in Abu Dhabi was the collapse of Martin Kaymer who at one stage led the field by 10 strokes. There is an exaggerated respect for the German sporting mind-set which I think is based on their footballing penalty shoot out performances and prowess. Marcus Siem wobbled last year and Kaymer over the weekend. Gary Stal one of the crop of emerging French golfers – Bourdy, Dubuisson ,Levy and Wattel- making an impact took the tourney. You can see 2/3 of these featuring in the next Ryder Cup.

Over in the States Jimmy Walker, who often starts the season powerfully, maintained his form winning the Sony by 9 shots. Palmer’s pick Harris English was his only winner finishing 3rd. This kept my account topped up. I  was going follow the Racing Post by backing Cazorla at 6-1 any time scorer. However a rich Rioja Gran Riserva with my Sunday roast sent me into such  a slumber by the time I awoke Cazorla had scored a penalty. Hey ho.

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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