The Indian Open and Northern Trust
I can hardly wait for Steve Palmer’s column next Sunday as he predicted the winner of the Indian Open (Arabant Lahiri) and his pick on the USPGA. Dustin Johnson lost in the play off to James Hahn. Johnson just needed to sink a 10 foot putt to win, no doubt costing Steve many bags (thousands). It did supplement the Pargiter coffers by some £120.
With my normal incompetence, I began by backing Lahiri, Kipur, Khan and Ormesby not to win, but to win their first round. Fortunately I realised my error and decided to give myself an interest to back Lahiri who was not by then in contention. It was not the most exciting of three days as Chawrasia built up a big lead and looked unassailable. However he dropped 5 shots on the final round as Lahiri birdied 6 to get back into the reckoning. Lahiri in the final 3 holes drove into the woods, played out and managed a par, he then chipped in from the edge of the green on the 17th and played the final hole intelligently. Chawrasia had good luck as he drove into the trees, struck one and the ball bounced back into the rough. It went to a play-off but you could see that Lahiri has the better temperament and tighter game and birdied whilst Chawrasia bogeyed. Lahiri has now won 2 European events in the last month. He is going to the Masters and is clearly one to watch.
On the PGA it was a similarly tight final round. Sergio Garcia looked as if the Northern Trust was his but he double bogeyed. My each way bet on Dustin Johnson looked secure as the big hitting South Carolina boy would surely birdie the 17th, a par 5. It was not to be as Johnson was wayward. It went to a play-off with Paul Casey and James Hahn. Hahn took it. There is no doubt that Johnson is back and I had a small tickle on Johnson at 33-1 for the four majors.
Over the weekend I spoke to a golf punter who keeps data on each course. The problem is that you cannot factor in the ball that hits a tree in the nasty stuff and the ball bounces back into the rough or missing or sinking a 10 foot putt. The Pargiter way may bring smaller yields but I bet I sleep better at night.