Pargie’s sporting weekend

When I first started following golf it was America that dominated with Arnie Palmer and Jack Nicklaus followed by another generation of major winners, Lee Trevino, Johnny Miller, Tom Weiskopf. The Southern Hemisphere provided Roberto de Vincenzo, Peter Thomson, Kel Nagle and Bob Charles but only South African Gary Player was a serial major winner. European golf became a force under Seve Ballesteros and Nick Faldo and inclusion of non-GB players made the Ryder Cup the competitive event it is today. Then you had the hegemony of 14 time major winner Tiger Woods. Now I perceive another shift and that is towards the East. Last week Jeungchen Wang aged 21 won his third European title. This week Hideki Matsuyama – the best golfer in the world – defended his Waste Management title at Phoenix a feat emulated by Arnold Palmer, Jonny Miller and Ben Hogan. Matsuyama, just 24, has an all round power game, has improved his putting and a competitive edge on which he drew in the 4 holes play of off to beat off Webb Simpson. I had backed him as outright winner and he features in my staking plan every week. Going into the final round Byeung, another fine Korean, had a 2 shot lead.

Over in Dubai the oldies dominated with 37 year old Sergio Garcia rejuvenated by love as he is now engaged and 41 year old Herink Stenson dominated the field. Much as I admire the Swede I wish he would hurry up. He takes ages to line up his putts or make a drop and slow golf kills it for spectators. Garcia is not the best finisher after 54 holes but this time his course managent was perfect and he was more or less faultless in protecting his 3 shot lead. I backed Tyrell Hutton for a top five finish whose game remained solid in the final round with some fine iron play to finish third.

I called Ivan Conway who said that after 3 consecutive defeats he was not confident for Brighton at Brentford who had thrashed Aston Villa. I duly laid Brighton who showed their terrific spirit with a late equaliser to earn a point and win my bet. I do not follow gridiron and, having stayed up for Matsuyama, I was ready for bed as the Super Bowl transmission began. I followed the advice of Racing Post by going -3 on the New England Patriots who came back from a 24 point deficiency.

There will be enough in the war chest to take the missus the Garden Centre this week and for the week’s waging.