Punting
Michael Duffy
WHEN it comes to pro-golf, they don’t make them like they used to and while the money has got bigger the laughs seem to have disappeared.
The rest of his colleagues trundle around the golf-course po-faced on the way to adding to their fortunes, but Boo Weekley manages to make it look like he’s enjoying himself.
So as American winners of the Open Championship go, there wouldn’t been many more popular than Weekley at Royal Birkdale this week. Weekley is a relative newcomer to Major golf but in the five Majors that he has played, he has yet to suffer a blow-out.
A ninth-placing in last year’s US PGA is his best finish, but he has been knocking on the door all season and a retention of his Verizon Heritage title in late April has kept him in the winning vein.
With Tiger Woods absent because of injury, this year’s Open has the look of a normal tournament and at 100-1 Weekley is worth an each-way punt.
The Open has always been a tournament where the youngest players have performed well.
Last year Anders Romero fitted that bill and also caused a huge shock, and at 33-1 he is worth an interest against this week. Likewise Anthony Kim (write that name down, he’s going to be a star) at 50s could be anything this week.
Recommendation:
Boo Weekley each-way 100-1, Anthony Kim each-way 50-1, Anders Romero 33-1, (Open Championship, starts Thursday).
Bumper GAA weekend
ALL the negative analysis of Dublin’s win over Westmeath in the semi-final means that plenty of judges are giving Wexford a great chance in Sunday’s Leinster decider. But not this one. Westmeath’s chief asset is their water-tight defence and that’s one thing Wexford don’t have. Dublin will again look like All-Ireland contenders come Sunday night and with the handicap likely to be set at around four points, Paul Caffrey’s men look well capable of beating it.
Round One of the football qualifiers throw in on Saturday evening and offer plenty of betting opportunities. It’s been a year of surprises but I see things going more to form this weekend.
Limerick are fancied by some to cause an upset but Meath must be chomping at the bit to get back into action after their embarrassment against Wexford and should not be opposed.
Of the teams on the road this weekend, Down are maximum bet candidates against an out of sorts Offaly and must be backed at 7-10, while only home advantage has Longford 5-4 shots against Laois. The O’Moore County are far from reliable but Longford are ravaged by injuries and should not pose too much of a threat.
Likewise a comprehensive victory for Kildare over Wexford in a challenge match at the weekend is a signal as to how serious they are taking the qualifiers, and at 10-11 they should be supported against Cavan on Saturday.
Recommendation:
Dublin -4 (v Wexford, Leinster final, Sunday), Meath, Laois, Down and Kildare, qualifiers, Saturday evening, 7-1 accum. Already recommended: Fermanagh 10-1 (Ulster championship).
