Tuesday, April 28, 2015

GOLFPICKS WGC CADILLAC 2015

FINAL
 
 _____________________________________________________________

MATCH PLAY CAN BE A BAD BET
I'M NOT SPENDING MUCH THIS WEEK
LOOKING FOR VALUE AND FOUND SOME

THIS COURSE REWARDS A GREAT SHORT GAME AND GIR
SPIETH HAS BOTH AND IS MY FAVORITE


MY PICKS ARE LISTED BELOW IN BLUE


Wednesday, April 22, 2015

GOLF PICKS ZURICH AND VOLVO CHINA

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FOR PLAY BY PLAY! 
   https://twitter.com/rickonthestrip
 TOP PICKS POSTED WEDNESDAY



FINAL NOTES: 
STATS MATTER - SOMETIMES
I'd rather be lucky than good? Honestly, I'd rather be both.
I did not have time to do the stats for either tourney this week.
All my bets were gut picks. The end result - we had a pick in each tourney - come with one shot of winning. 

On the other hand, I did pick Jason Day as my only low odds Favorite at Zurich. He led most of the tourney and looked liked money. Then he fell back and didn't close. Was I wrong about his maturity? NO!  I just didn't check his stats at Zurich. He had not played there in 5 years. Rose on the other hand - has a top 15 or better there in his last 3 visits.


_____ZURICH_____

__FINAL ROUND__

WOW!  We had our picks all over the first page of leaderboard all week. In the end, one of our 60-1 picks came within inches of winning.  Justin Rose was leading by 1 over Tringale on the final hole. Rose butchered his Tee shot an approach. Looked like Tringale would catch him. Then Rose drained a 15 footer for birdie (-22). Tringale (-20) needed an eagle on 18 to tie. He went for the green in two, carried the bunker - and ended up on a ridge in front of the green. His chip shot rolled 3 inches short of eagle. 



__ROUND 2__

6 PICKS ON TOP!
 
Only One favorite Pick - Leading
I only picked 1 Favorite this week. Jason Day. I laid off Justin Rose and D.J - who has been wild off the Tee and erratic with the putter at Zurich. Day is making me look smart. He seems mature, humble, relaxed and in control. 

There are still 2 days left.  The good news - we have 6 players on the first page and 4 more in the mix. Hot last week - Troy Merritt will miss the cut. But we still have a $20 ticket that pays $1600  Kevan Kisner (-7) 5 off the lead - with 2 rounds left. Would love to see him get hot.


__ROUND 1__

DE JONGE BACK HOT AFTER DELAY  TIED FOR LEAD
 RAIN DELAY. O'HAIR LOW ON FRONT 9 SLOWED ON THE BACK T3
BERGER AT IT AGAIN 2 OFF THE LEAD
DAY JUST 3 OFF

  _____VOLVO CHINA_____

__FINAL ROUND__

I only picked 3 guys. 2 were leading the tourney on going into the weekend.
They fell hard. Then, out of nowhere - on Sunday - our 3rd pick - Emilio Grillo catches fire.  He got to (-19) the final winning score. Then with just a few wholes left - he put one in the water on a par 3 - Double Bogey  (-17).  Local WU Ashun (-19) won in a playoff against Howell (-19).

 __ROUND 3__

You think of a Volvo as safe. The 3rd round was anything but - for leaders Quesne (+4) and Peter Uihlein (+4) - who literally hit a tree. My hands were pressed against the dashboard watching them bogey par 5s. Both players slid out of control and drove right off the leaderboard. It could not have been more disastrous if Susan Sarandon was at the wheel.

Previous winner Alexander Levy drove the course safely 1 under and shares the lead going into Sunday with Howell and 2 Chinese locals. 


I only glanced at the bet sheet this week for players that were hot last week. An obvious miss was Li Hao-tong who was not only hot last week - he lives there. Doh! Also playing on his home course and tied for the lead is local WU Ashun.


Our 3rd pick Grillo (-4) - is now on the same page as yesterdays leaders. Unfortunately they are all on the 2nd page going into tomorrow. The good news is - they are all still within 4 or 5 shots of the lead on a course that is playing like Enter the Dragon meets Thelma and Luis.

 


 __ROUND 2__
OUR TOP PICKS QUESNE AND UIHLEIN
1ST AND 2ND

 _________PREGAME__________

_____ZURICH_____

THE ODDS
are low because this is anyone's game this week. 
Wide fairways and accessible greens.

THE RISK
Is that a favorite like DJ or Rose could run away with it @ 10-1.

THE VALUE 
Lies in some great longshots
MERRITT & KISNER
Damn near won last week
LOVE THEM @ 80-1 

 JASON DAY (10-1)
Is a Fav I will cover
He's due and I Like the Maturity I saw 
when interviewed at The Masters.

 BILLY HORSHCEL (30-1)
Won here 3 years ago
He likes the course

YOUNG GUNS 
Like
MORGAN HOFFMAN, BERGER AND JUSTIN THOMAS
Are worth betting
ALEX PRUGH
may be the best of them 
NOT ON BET SHEETS VEGAS

SEAN O'HAIR,  De Jonge
&
CEJKA
Have been hanging around the leaderboard lately

 LONGSHOTS
like
HUH, HADLEY AND ISHIKAWA 
Could easily compete this week


_____VOLVO_____
The 3 Guys Listed Above
GRILLO / UIJEIN / QUESNE 
Damn near won last week
and
have been in China
playing for a week already



X

Wednesday, April 15, 2015

GOLF PICKS RBC 2015


______FINAL ROUND______

Sunday was Pretty much a total fail. With a storm front moving in, 
They started early, 4 hours ahead of the broadcast.
Our friends at Golf Channel pretended to be relevant and 
"Told" us what was happening at 7 am Sunday morning. 
Charley Rymer gave a demonstration on how to put looking at the hole.
Now you too can perform the one flaw in Spieths game. 
Next time I'll just wait for the tape delayed broadcast.
When we did see what was happening, it was less than impressive.

Troy Merritt 
cracked under pressure and fell off the lead.
Jordan Spieth 
was just too worn out to chase down the leaders in the final round.
Mat Kuchar 
After 4 hours of hearing what a neat guy he is on GC.
He choked away any chance he had as usual
Kevin Kisner
Showed real  promise contending. Keep an eye on him. Brendon Todd
 came close but a bogey on a par 3 left him a stroke short at the end 
Jim Furyk
 was impressive, shooting a final round 63 and not choking on the lead for the first time in 5 years
 
______ROUND 2______
 HOLY SPIETH BATMAN!
HE'S AT IT AGAIN!
JORDAN 9 UNDER ROUND 2
AND HE BURNED THE EDGE ON 3 MORE PUTS  
(-6) 2 off the lead of Matt Kuchar (-8)

SPORTSBOOKS SCREWED US IN VEGAS
TROY MERRITT
 ONE OF MY TOP PICKS
BUT NOT ON THE SHEETS IN VEGAS
SEE FULL FIELD PREGAME POST
 

______ROUND 1______
After a 25 hour press Marathon - Jordan was exhausted as expected 3 Over.
Hoffman started strong but fell hard to Even. 
Reed got to 2 under then double bogied 18

______PREGAME______

Inside Tip
As we all come off our Masters/Spieth hangover - there is still a lot of golf to be played. 
This week the tour is at Harbour Town for the RBC.  Here is some inside info on this one - Players who perform well at Valspar (5 weeks ago) do well at RBC. Check the stats charts for those players.

TOP PICKS

Jordan Spieth 
If you do the math, I think Spieth needs 2 unanswered wins over Rory to take over world #1. So, as worn out as he will be - he also is under no pressure to win a tourney that would actually help his cause greatly.

Charlie Hoffman
Is our top Rated Pick this week. He was stellar at The Masters. Good Recent Finishes and Good at RBC. Only knock is he did not play well at Valspar.

Patrick Reed
Is an AssClown. Can't stand the guy. But he was 2nd at Valspar and will want a win at RBC bad. Almost against my religion to bet him - but hey - I can buy a FatHead of him and deface it in my garage. 

Jason Kokrak_
Has 3 Top 10s in the last 5 weeks (including a 7th at Valspar). He was 12th at RBC Last Year.

Team 2015
These are Young Guns you should bet every week - if they are on the sheets in Vegas.
If not and you can bet them online -Do it!

Justin Thomas (60-1)
Daniel Berger ( 60-1)
Alex Prugh (Not Playing)
Michael Putnam (Field Bet Vegas)
Andrew Putnam (Not Playing)

Derek Ernst
Lit it up Last Year at RBC. Not on the sheets in Vegas - great longshot if you can find him online. 

Other Top Picks
See Chart Below
Full Field Stats in Alpha
See Chart Below 
(Right Click / View Image / Magnify)

EURO TOUR
I threw a few bucks on Campillo and Dodt at Shezhen




Monday, April 6, 2015

GOLF PICKS THE MASTERS 2015

Relive Last Years Masters
The Longest Yard - A Masters Story

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WE NEVER QUIT BELIEVING!
$1400 VALSPAR
 $2,000 MASTERS

 _____FINAL ROUND_____

Announcer David Feherty summed up my emotions at the beginning of the round:
After following Jordan for years - "I dont think I could be more nervous before a final round if I were playing in the Masters." It's hard to fathom the pressure that was on 21 year old Spieth. 

The first few holes were like a Leonard Hagler fight. Rose Birdies, Spieth answers. 
Rose Birdies, Jordan Pars. It was not a knock down, just a slip. RoSe would win a hole and we would sigh. Then we would realize - hey - that was still a Par - he has a 4 shot lead. Jordan would pull away with a 6 shot lead at one point in the round. But this is The Masters - it's never that easy. 

All the pregame player interviews had the same theme. "Jordan is playing great - but anything can happen - I need to shoot low and hope to have a chance".  Rose and Phil were in hot pursuit on Sunday. Roars from Phil's gallery ahead caused Spieth to back off puts and approach shots on several occasions. Phil fell away late. On the back 9 - Rose took a standing 8 count with a shot into the trees, followed by a shot into the gallery. I was ready for his corner to throw in the towel when he stuck an approach on the green that rolled back toward the hole and nearly went in. 

The Crenshaw Curse reared it's head once in the round as Jordan looked at the hole and missed a 3 footer. But that was not the story.  We have all played the game ourselves -  "____ has this to win the masters". Spieth had several of those moments. Bone chilling Par puts - any of which would have opened the ground beneath his feet and swallowed him up like so many that came before him. A birdie on 15 and par on 16 were the final combinations that dropped Justin Rose to his knees -  for the final count. 

The record low score at Augusta was (-18). Spieth had little more than a tap in to break that on 18.  He didn't look at the hole on that one. But pushed it right. He was probably thinking - let's not cook this 10 feet past. When someone wants to see you again, they leave something at your house. Perhaps Jordan just Wanted an excuse to return to Butler Cabin for that 19 under. 
 

_____ROUND 3_____

The world and the field was rooting for Jordan Spieth to fall.
His 5 shot lead over Hoffman and 9 shot lead on the rest of the field - had systematically destroyed millions of bet tickets and the hopes
of almost every player in the field.  

He stood his ground, making bone shattering par puts to maintain a 5 shot lead most of the round. A crowd roar from Phil's group rattled him for a minute. He backed off , then left a very long put 10 feet short. He missed a 3 foot par put and dropped  back to a 4 shot lead.

He caught fire again and looked like his could close out the Master that day as he moved to 18 under and a 7 shot lead. Then, Once again, he missed a 3 foot put for par and eventually went from (-18) to (-16) ending the day by making an impossible short sided chip over the bunker and perhaps the most frightening 10 foot put for par ever made.

I thought he had shaken the Crenshaw Curse "These are missable at Augusta" on Friday (See Longest yard article above). Seeing it rear its ugly head again yesterday was disturbing. However, he was on the range putting 3 footers over and over again - actually looking at the ball - not the hole. Based on that, I think we can be put to bed. 

He is paired with Justin Rose which most agree is better than Phil. I have mixed feeling whether hearing roars in front is less disturbing than being in the group with that gallery. Based on yesterday, I'd prefer the later. In any case, it will come down to Jordan going out and playing his game. If he can tune out the entire universe - he will shoot 4 to 6 under and just wrap this up. If not, the world will get its wish and he will bring Phil, and potentially even Rory and Tiger back into the Mix.

My money's on Jordan.





_____ROUND 2_____

As you know - I have followed Jordan Spieth for years.
What is happening at Augusta - just doesn't happen in sports. 
As a fan - it doesn't happen either.
If you watch golf - you get to see your favorite player on TV once in a while - maybe.
If he is not near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday - they don't show him.
The average golfer makes it there once or twice a year.
As far as winning - maybe once every 2 years - if they are good.
This is why this month is a guilty pleasure for me.
First he won 3 weeks ago - I pocketed $1600
Then 2nd place, then 2nd place.
I see more of him than my own family these days. 
And I'm loving it! 
The kid I predicted  (a year ago) would become World #1 by this year -
The kid everyone wrote off last year -
Is leading the Masters.
Did I say leading?
I meant he shot the lowest 36 hole score in Major history today. 
He is playing against the best in the world
With a 7 shot lead on the field -
and a 5 shot lead on 2nd place -
The greats of the game are all asking - 
"What the hell are we supposed to do now?
The tourney ifs far from over.
However, He destroyed 2 world class fields at the beginning of this year 
2 weeks in a row.
He is a student of the game with a 40year old golf brain-
in a 21 year old head.
He's humble, confident and focused. 
He shot 8 under Thursday
6 Under today.
He left shots out there each day.
There I said it
You have not seen his lowest round yet. 
The only weakness in his game was short puts
He's making those now too.


BTW
(SEE MY FINAL PICKS CHART BELOW)
I HAVE JORDAN $200 @ 10-1 $2000
HOFFMAN $5 @ 200-1 $1000

FAR FROM OVER - BUT -  LIKE OUR CHANCES

_____ROUND 1_____

It was Tigers day.
He would return to stage that commanded ovations so many times. 
The odds were 50/50 he would miss the cut.
He had worked hard for months and felt ready to compete. 
He didn't tear it up, but his work payed off.
Sean Foley had completely destroyed his short game.
It showed in his last outing. Chips landing a few yard in front of him.
20 yards short of target. 
What we saw today was a workman, competing against his legend. 
and a legendary course. He showed glimpses of greatness.
Making shots around trees that only he can make.
His short game is back. It got him pout of trouble several times.
The dip in his swing is still killing his ball striing.
But it was obvious - he will be back, 
Then Came Jordan
He showed the patience and maturity of a Steve Stricker - at 21.
He made par puts that could have sent him packing.
He drained 18 footers for birdie.
As he walked onto the 18th hole - 
The huge gallery gave him a standing ovation.
He brought them to their feet again - with a 15 foot birdie put on 18.


_____PREGAME_____

FULL FIELD
HISTORY AUGUSTA
RECENT FINISHES
TOTAL RANK
LEFT CLICK ON CHART BELOW
RIGHT CLICK - THEN RIGHT CLICK VIEW IMAGE
LEFT CLICK TO MAGNIFY
I'm Rooting for
Jordan Spieth
But a Ton of Talent this Week
Mat Kuchar 
is the Highest Rated Player in the Field
Bubba Watson
Hasn't played for 4 weeks But Always a Threat  
Henrik Stenson 
Didn't Play the last 2 weeks
Before that - 3 Top 5s in a Row!
Rory McIlroy
Top 10 Last two Outings - 8th Last Year
Jimenez
On Fire in 2014 - 8th Last Year
Jimmy Walker
Just off a win 2 Weeks ago
4th Last Year
J.B Holmes
Long and Trending
Dustin Johnson
Long and Trending
Tiger Woods 
Worth a Ticket at 40-1
 
MY FINAL BET SHEET
 
There are a few guys that are Field Bets that I like
James Hahn
Ben Martin
Robert Streb
And you get all the amateurs (a)
Good Value for $10 - Pays $500

Lotta Long-Shots Worth $5
FULL LIST - LIVE ODDS AT LVH
Live Odds Las Vegas

Late Additions
Had to cover 
Bubba $40 @ 11-1
Fowler $10 @ 35-1
and
Threw $5 on:
Ernie Els  @150-1
Ryan Moore @150-1
Keopka today @150-1
Stadler@ 500-1
Streelman @200-1
Singh @200-1
Leishman @ 200-1 
Jaidee @500-1
Immelman @ 400-1
Langer @ 400-1
at William Hill

Wednesday, April 1, 2015

GOLF PICKS SHELL HOUSTON AND LPGA ANA INSPIRATION

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FOR PLAY BY PLAY! 
_____SHELL HOUSTON_____
WINNING!
AGAIN!
4 WINNERS IN 5 WEEKS!



_____FINAL_____

Once again the American Media poisons another young athlete,
After his round yesteray - NBCs Todd Lewis  accused
Jordan of failing to win the last 3 times he led a tourney.

First of all - he won the last 2 time he led.

Second - Jordan was more than capable of shooting 6 under for an easy win.
Lewis got in his head - he is 21 for Christ's sake.
Todd Lewis can kiss my ass. 
View Article
 
Third - Congrats JB!  29 on the front 9!
Hell of a round!


 _____FINAL ROUND_____

Golf Channel 10 am pst
12 Noon NBC

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 FOR PLAY BY PLAY!
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 _____FRONT 9_____

WAGNER AND COOK (-15)  T2 
Holmes (-17)  3 Shot Lead after 14
SPIETH BOGIES (-14) 
HOLMES 7 UNDER ON 8
TAKES THE LEAD!


__________________________________
Holmes on Fire Early! 
(-13) 1 Off
Holmes and Spieth
2 of My Top 6 Favorites
Currently 1st and 2nd!
_______________________
 Key to Victory for Spieth
 Seen here with his family - preparing to Tee off

He wont be able to sit on the lead
Doesn't have to get careless either
He's tearing up the Par 4s.
Hes been laying up on the par 5s
He can still do that
Avoid the Bogey's!
His 3rd shot into the Par 5s has been Off
If he hits those close today - he wins
___________________________________













_____ROUND 3_____


Final Hole
Spieth drains another long one from off the fringe!
Lead by 1 (-14)
Over Monday Qualifier Austin Cook

6th Hole
 Spieth Drains 25 footer
Moves to (-11)

5th Hole
 As Predicted 
Mickelson Careless
In the Water Off the Tee
DOUBLE BOGEY!
BACK TO (-10)

4th Hole
Lays up
Could have gotten there in 2
Once again Spieth Off target on Par 5 Approach
Par
Struggling with Course management
But Still Early
Go Jordan!

__PRE-ROUND__
 Jordan has not his approaches into the par 5s
He's Tearing Up the Par 4s!
If he birdies the 5s too
Look Out!
 
_____ROUND 2_____

Jordan Spieth
 Lights up the Back 9!  
In trouble on 18 In the bunker 186 yds from the pin
Overshoots his approach into rough
Holes 41 foot chip from the bunker for birdie!
Pulls within 2 of Phil

Mickelson
I think Phil is a clown car waiting to crash.
Like a dog chasing a porcupine.
He enjoys getting in trouble
He Can Get Out of Trouble
He loves showing off doing it
Just Cant Stay Out of Trouble
Gets Careless Off the Tee
Eventually his ego bites him in the ass. 
We'll See? 

Warned You About Putnam
Not This Week Please
Wasnt on the Sheets in Vegas
Our Picks
Holmes and Stefani
In The Mix



____PREGAME____

UPDATE - WALKER OUT SICK!

_____PREGAME_____
 NOT A SINGLE PLAYER IS ON FIRST PAGE OF
LAST WEEKS AND LAST YEARS LEADERBOARD.


PHIL AND WESTWOOD RANK HIGH
AS DOES MATT JONES TO REPEAT AND 
MATT (CHOKER) KUCHAR WHO WILL WANT THIS ONE BAD.
HE BLEW A 2 SHOT LEAD ON 18 LAST YEAR.
JONES WON HOLING A LUCKY BUNKER SHOT
NOT SOLD ON ANY IF THEM

IT COULD BE A BACK TO BACK WALKER - SPIETH SHOOT OUT
OR IT COULD BE SOMEONE ELSES TURN.
PARODY ON TOUR SUGGESTS THE LATER. 

  PLAYERS THAT FACTORED LAST YEAR -
RUSSELL HENRY  AND TRINGALE ARE HIGHLY RANKED.
GARCIA, STEFANI AND HOLMES
COULD BE A FACTOR AGAIN THIS YEAR.

KOKRAK HAS 3 TOP 10S IN THE LAST 3 WEEKS.
REED, SAUNDERS AND DANNY LEE HAVE BEEN HOT RECENTLY.

CHESSON HADLEY  IS A GREAT VALUE AT 100-1
AS IS KAYMER AT 60-1
 BERGER AND JUSTIN THOMAS 
ARE WAITING IN THE WINGS
LOOKING FOR THEIR FIRST WIN. 

 I THINK SPIETH WILL WIN OR MISS THE CUT
AND HEAD TO AUGUSTA EARLY 
IN TIGER-ESK FASHION.
I DO LIKE HIM THIS WEEK THOUGH
AS MY TOP PICK

 TOP RANKED THIS WEEK
(CLICK TO ENLARGE)
FULL FIELD AND RANKS
(CLICK TO ENLARGE) 

________LPGA______
ANA INSPIRATION
MICHELLE WIE - 50-1
AT WHAT WAS THE KRAFT NABISCO.
COULDN'T RESIST
SHE IS NOT TRENDING
BUT SHE IS ONE OF THE BEST IN THE WORLD.  
WATCH THE FINAL SUNDAY
WINNING PLAYER, ENTOURAGE, AND CADDY
JUMP IN POPPY'S POND
THIS IS A MAJOR EVENT AND FUN TO WATCH 
http://www.desertsun.com/story/sports/golf/kraft-nabisco/2014/03/30/lgpa-dinah-shore-kraft-nabisco-sponsor/7077535/