Golf Central

Faldo leaves Seve in no doubt as to which way he thinks the trophy is going...

"Have you heard the one about the caddy and the laxative sandwich?" 

On September 3rd this year, the inaugural Trilby Tour was played at Stoke Park. The brainchild of Savile Row tailor and golf outfitter William Hunt, the Trilby Tour is set to become one of the premier amateur events in the country.

William devised the competition after playing a round with Dave Novell, a club pro at Stoke Park. “After 8 or 9 holes, Dave was 6-under, so I turned to him and asked why he wasn't on the Tour instead of playing here with me. 'Got no money' came the reply. I get asked all the time for sponsorship but I think – 'what's the point, you aren't winning anything' – so then I thought, if someone like Dave wins the sponsorship for themself, I'm starting off with a winner.”

The concept was in place; William decided to give up-and-coming pros who weren't quite at Europro Tour level, a tournament that looks and feels like a real tournament with sponsorship money plus a car for a year for the winner. Throw into the mix William's inimitable sense of style, (he chose to provide each competitor with tailored Hunt gear) and the result was the Trilby Tour.

With the stately Stoke Park providing a stunning venue and the William Hunt clothing ensuring that the players all looked sharper than a lemon flavoured tack, the event was visually stunning. Make sure you tune into Sky Sports Xtra on 1st October, 8pm to have a look for yourself.

Photography courtesy of stuartbrittonphotography.co.uk

"Listen Bjorny, I've got a tenner on myself at 9/2, so don't try TOO hard ok?"

All eyes on Ireland this week but will it be Irish (and the rest of Great Britain) eyes smiling come the end of the Seve Trophy? We think so, in fact we're prepared to put money on it and suggest you do too...

Great Britain and Ireland to win @ 4/7 with Coral

Historically Great Britain and Ireland have the upper hand. They hold a three to one lead and are attempting to secure a fourth straight success. The home nations will prefer the conditions this time around and the players represent a healthy mixture of youth and experience. ALso, all the players will be desperate to impress their captain Nick Faldo and force their way into his thinking when he selects his team for the 2008 Ryder Cup.

Colin Montgomerie to be top GB & I points scorer @ 9/2 with Paddy Power

Montgomerie’s matchplay and tournament experience will be crucial. He has appeared in all four previous encounters and completed the most matches, 19 out of a possible 20. Get on him to extend his record as the leading points scorer in this event.

Thomas Bjorn to be top Continental Europe points scorer @ 6/1 with Paddy Power

Once again, tournament and matchplay savvy is the deciding factor behind our selection. Captain Seve Ballesteros selected the veteran Dane because he is a proven competitor in this format and the starting price represents obvious value.

Justin Rose to be top overall points scorer @ 7/1 with Paddy Power

Again, if you don’t fancy our selections, there's a sensible alternative in Justin Rose. He was the only player in the field who managed to compete in the tour championship and finished a very respectable 11th, that good form could well continue.

Easy wedge

Our bet of the week is a double on our tournament selections. If you back the U.S.A. @ 8/11 and Great Britain and Ireland @ 4/7 then a £10 stake will pay £27.04. More than fair return for a obvious double.

Mickelson :"I told you to call me before you left this morning Jack..."

With a break from individual events on both the European and PGA tours this week, the focus now switches to team competition. This week's Presidents Cup takes place in Montreal, Canada and sees the USA take on a team of internationals (not including Europeans of course). Our tips include both team recommendations and player picks to ensure that you have the best chance of walking (or clicking) away from the bookies a few quid richer...  

USA to win @ 8/11 with Coral

Based on the history of the event and the current form of the individual players, we have to side with the Americans here. Although the last two events have been very close, the Yanks hold a four to one advantage, with one tie. Furthermore, individually they have been peaking in the build up to this event. In the last two starts for each player, the U.S. have recorded three wins and eight top ten finishes, while the internationals have no wins and only four top ten finishes to their credit.

Steve Stricker to be top USA points scorer @ 10/1 with Paddy Power

10/1 is great value for a player who is currently in very impressive form after following up his victory in The Barclays last month with a third place finish at the BMW Championship.

Rory Sabbatini to be top international points scorer @ 10/1 with Paddy Power

Making his debut in this competition but has had excellent form of late, finshing in the top ten in five of his last six outings on Tour. Back Rory over bigger name, worse form team-mates.

Tiger Woods to be top overall points scorer @ 11/2 with Paddy Power

If our selections are a little bit too risky for you then have a punt on a safer suggestion.  Back the World’s greatest to outscore everyone else at a very generous price.  

Tom Lehman baptising his sand-wedge

On hearing a victory speech in which an American golfer declared that God had helped him on every shot; legendary commentator Henry Longhurst was heard to remark that it's a shame that God didn't have anything better to do with his time. The following golfers obviously never heard that quote as we offer up to you The Duffer's Guide to golfing god botherers...

Zach Johnson

This year's surprise US Masters winner was ranked 56th before the tournament began and was quoted at 200/1 to win it. Following his unexpected triumph, Johnson said “Jesus was with me every step. It was awesome.” All right! Hi-five J.C!

Tom Lehman

The 2006 Ryder Cup captain is famously evangelical and raised a fair few eyebrows when he said that “God has definitely used golf in a great way over the last several years." Eyebrow height reached critical levels however after his less than Christian remarks about George Bush, who he described as “a draft-dodging baby-killer."

Larry Moody

The official chaplain of the PGA Tour is also the president of Search Ministries, a group which he describes as  "a parachurch organisation that assists adults in the process of lifestyle evangelism". Sounds like a barrel of laughs.

Aaron Baddeley

A member of the same bible study group as Johnson, Baddeley said to himself “this is for you, Jesus” as he knocked in his putt for his first US PGA Tour victory in the Heritage Classic. Didn't see him offering the cheque skywards after the event though.

Johnathan Byrd

Also a committed Christian, Byrd's victory speech after winning the 2007 John Deere Classic included the line “I missed the last four cuts coming into this week and He (God) comes through on days like today so I just give him the glory." God doesn't usually work on a Sunday, so Byrd was pretty fortunate.

Champions Tour Bible Study Group

The Champions Tour Bible Study group was founded in 1965 by Kermit Zarley and now has over 100 members. When asked about the popularity of the group, caddy Gary Cline who works for Terry Gill said "You see a lot of people when you get to our age; they need to get their life straight."  Makes you wonder what players were getting up to on Tour in the past that they all need forgiveness for now...