Two winners backed

I can scarcely wait for Steve Palmer’s column this Sunday as he picked both the winner of the South African Open – Andy Sullivan- and that of the Hyundai Classic- Patrick Reed. This is some punting though there was reduced field in the latter classic.

John Pargitennerr did not even have his customary stake, but a measly fiver each on a top five and four finish respectively on both winners. Whilst Palmer will doubtlessly be crowing of a win of several bags (thousands), particularly if he had them on a double, all I needed was to stake a couple of quid to win for a three figure win. My mantra of small stakes means you enjoy the golf free of worry goes out out of bounds. Andy Sullivan is not a familiar name and to be honest I could not see the logic of the pick. At one stage he was 5 strokes behind flat track bully on the Sunshine tour Charl Schwatrzel and I could not see a the Nuneaton lad overhauling him, but bless me he goes and win the play-off. Reed, the Texan not short on self confidence and one of the few American heroes in the Ryder Cup paired with Jordan Spieth, was always in the mix but made the tourney his with an eagle. Another Palmer pick Chris Kirk carded a 62 in the final round but as his third round was a 73 he was not in contention. The field may have been reduced but, with the likes of Bubba Watson, Jason Day, Hunter Mahan Jimmy Walker and the brilliant young Jap Matsiyama, was scarcely a weak one .

The Hyundai was played in Hawaii . With a storm brewing up outside and a day of gusty wind, to see the hot weather, the rich blue of the Pacific, the dolphins and  whales cavorting in it, was a welcome relief. Maui seeemd a beautiful  place … and no doubt  Steve Palmer is going there with his new bride for a second honeymoon.