Golf Central

It was back to winning ways last week at the Buick Open, with Kenny Perry coming good and pocketing us a nice little earner at 12/1. Got to admit that Kenny was almost a dead cert, but with a somewhat depleted field this week, I've decided to mix it up a bit...

Steve Stricker
The Wisconsin native has been a bit off the radar this year, but you've got to remember that he finished second at this event last year, just a few strokes behind KJ Choi. Known for his comebacks, Stricker has finished inside the top 10 in five of the eight cuts he's made on Tour this season, and something's telling me that he'll get back to winning ways this week.
Rocco Mediate
He shot 11 under at last week's Buick Open, which was only good enough for a tied 28th finish. Rocco's been in sensational form since Torrey Pines, and if he keeps it up, expect him to be there or thereabouts on Sunday afternoon. Put a fiver on him for an each-way finish...
Kevin Streelman
Only chosen Streelman on the basis that the odds on him are so good, and that he's played really solidly in his last two starts, finsihing tied 12th last week at 14 under, and tied 10th on 12 under the week before at the Travelers Championship.I'm thinking a fiver on a  top ten place..

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Last Week's Picks
Kenny Perry - 1st
Rocco Mediate - T28
Jim Furyk - T34

After an explosively patriotic opening ceremony, the AT & T National gets underway at the Congressional Country Club today, with KJ Choi looking to defend his title. Tiger's hosting the event, but we're not sure what kind of job he'll do, what with him being in a knee brace and on crutches...

1. It's a rubbish field
Last year's tournament featured six of the top eight players. This year, only six of the top 24 are playing. Tiger (who hosts the tournament) is out, as are Mickelson, Singh and Scott.  Looks like the Tiger effect's kicking in...
2. A word from our sponsor
If it's long distance and short distance telephone calls, wireless and DSL Internet access you're after, then look no further than AT & T. With 71.4 million customers and a net income of $11.951 billion in 2007, these cats mean business. AT & T sponsor a total of four golf events, and have their fingers in many other sporting pies, including their own Formula 1 team, their own Nascar race and a few basketaball and baseball arenas.
3. They sure know how to put on a show
Opening ceremonies at golf tournaments are usually quiet affairs, but not at the AT & T National. Five paratroopers from the Screaming Eagles demonstration team flew onto the first fairway to kick things off at the Congressional CC, each carrying golf balls that were teed up at army bases in Japan, Germany, the UK, Iraq and Afghanistan. Hall of Fame shortstop, Cal Ripken Jr., was on hand to add to the annoyingly patriotic ceremony.
4. Jumping for Choi
The AT & T National replaced The International last year, with the innaugural event being won by KJ Choi. It was a dramatic final day, the South Korean holing a 30-foot greenside bunker shot on the 17th hole to etch his name on the trophy. Stuart Appleby started the day with a two-stroke lead, but the Aussie pressed the self-destruct button, finishing with a 76. He refused to speak to reporters afterwards...
5. Maryland: Home of The Wire
If we're not on the golf course, you'll find us having fun at the Jolly Roger Amusement Park, watching the Baltimore Orioles play ball at Camden Yards,trying to get a part as an extra on police drama series, The Wire, feeding the animals at Salisbury Zoo, swilling The Raven Special lager or scoffing loads of fresh crab.

So much for going with the local boys, eh? What an absolute load of rubbish those French lot turned out to be on 'home soil' at the Open De France. At least Soren Hansen's each way finish has given me a bit of extra pocket money to play about with this week, which I intend to spend as follows...

Colin Montgomerie
He may be grumpy and boring, but you can't take away the fact that Monty's a good golfer when he wants to be... which is why I'm choosing him this week. Had a great time at last week's Open De France, finishing second behind the uber-impressive Pablo Larrazabal. He won last year's European Open at the K Club and seems to be getting back into some sort of form as of late.
John Bickerton
There's still great value to be had on Redditch's finest, which is a little bit of a suprise considering the good form he's shown in the past few weeks. Not only has he already won on tour this year at the Alfred Dunhill Championships, Bickerton's been playing well recently, tying for third at the BMW International Open and finishing tied seventh at the Open De France. Worth an each way...

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Last Week's Picks
Soren Hansen- 3rd
Thomas Levet- T30
Francois Delamontagne- Missed Cut