Golf Central

Had to resist backing Anthony Kim (does this count if he does well this weekend?) in favour of this sturdy trio. Big ask for Trev to perform, but I've got a hunch that Poulter might get among them at some point this week:-

Trevor Immelman @ 16/1: welcome back Trev and thanks again for bringing home that 130/1 punt at The Masters. On that basis alone, he's worth an each-way from me this week.

Ian Poulter @ 33/1: after showing both sides of his game at Augusta, he'll be hungrier than ever to perform well. I can't ever picture him as a Major winner, but he is almost bound to throw a few pleasant surprises along the way. If he putts well and stops moaning, I'll be happy.

Fredrik Jacobson @ 50/1: another perennial BD fave - it's amazing what an invitation to a barbecue round a golfer's house can do to his personal judgement. Played well last week, however, and has the happy knack of gaining momentum with every decent week that passes.

Miguel Angel Jimenez @ 20/1: things don't really get rewarding until you get these odds, minimum, before a tournament. That's why I've stuck with one of the few men with a ponytail I'd willingly shake by the hand.

Martin Kaymer @ 28/1: love this guy, in a platonic admiring way, of course. Will continue to back him over the long-term, purely on the basis of his potential and the fact that every respected golf pundit and his budgie rates him very highly indeed.

David Howell @ 33/1: more in hope than expectation, I'd dearly love Howler to get back into Ryder Cup contention with a big win. It's a gamble, though - just as well it's my job then, really.

Nick Faldo: 'Wow, even the skies are bigger over here...'

Nick Faldo made the big-time on this day in 1984, capturing the first of his nine PGA Tour titles, the Sea Pines Heritage Classic (now the Verizon thingy) at Harbour Town, South Carolina, with a one-stroke triumph over Tom Kite. It's worth noting that five of nine victories were Majors and three of those were The Open Championship, which is co-sanctioned between The European and PGA tours.

Let's face it, you had us at the mere mention of Carden Park, jewel in the Cheshire golfing crown. Two great championship courses - the Nicklaus and the Cheshire and a luxury De Vere hotel in 900 acres of beautiful countryside . Laurel-resting isn't part and parcel of life in golf tourism, however, and along with the hotel's multi-million pound facelift, the clubhouse has received a £500,000 facelift. With 50 inch TVs in the dressing rooms, we may never need retire to the bar...

The launch of the new clubhouse took place last weekend with a celeb-am tournament featuring former Everton captain Kevin Ratcliffe, Grand National legend Bob Champion and former Liverpool gaffer Roy Evans. And are we a little bit suspicious at the fact that Carden Park owner, Steve Morgan, featured alongside Roy Evans in the trio who won the tournament? Not in the slightest...