The Punter 
/ Steven Rawlings / 07 May 2011 / Leave a Comment 
Seve Ballesteros, who has sadly passed away
“There wouldn’t be a European Tour as strong as the one we have now if it wasn’t for Seve's swashbuckling style capturing the wider public in the 70’s and 80’s and how can any of us forget that smile. Mercifully, that’s impossible.”
The world of golf is in mourning as Seve passes away but the show goes on in Spain and North Carolina, despite the sad news...
08:25- May 7, 2011
It's going to be a desperately emotional day in Spain today given the very sad news that Severiano Ballesteros has finally lost his battle with cancer, passing away overnight. How apt that this week's event is in Spain and how poignant the mood will be in Barcelona today.
You can't help wondering whether this event would even have been played if it wasn't for Seve - I've heard many an observer say there wouldn't be a European Tour as strong as the one we have now if it wasn't for his swashbuckling style capturing the wider public in the 70's and 80's and how can any of us forget that smile. Mercifully, that's impossible.
It's going to be a surreal day and whether the news will inspire or hinder the home challenge I can't decide and even thinking about it feels disrespectful.
It feels a little crass, but back to the betting, and yesterday's afternoon starters spoilt the look of my Colsaerts bet somewhat and they now dominate the halfway leaderboard, with South African, Thomas Aiken, leading on -8. It's a leaderboard loaded with players that struggle to cross the line though and I've added one more wager, taking [44.0] about recent winner David Horsey. On -3, he trails Aiken by five shots but I can't see any of the leaders kicking away today and a good third round could see him bang there with a round to go.
Over in the States, despite having his round interrupted by a weather delay, Phil Mickelson played superbly yesterday. There was the usual odd errant drive and he even managed a visit to the water on the short par-4 14th but even then he got up-and-down to make par. His six-under par 66 looked to have put him in the driving seat and he's been matched at just [3.5] but the post-storm rain-softened conditions were a real boost to the latter starters and one player in particular has taken full advantage.
Hot-Head Pat Perez may have missed the cut last week but he's been in cracking form of late. I'd looked at backing him in Louisiana after he'd finished 5th in Texas and 6th at The heritage a week later and when he'd opened up with four birdies in five holes last week I was rueing not taking the [55.0]. Needless to say I was relieved to see him drop away after that but I was back to regretting again this morning. I'd spent last night toying with getting him and/or Jonathan Byrd onside but in the end just left it so I wasn't best pleased to see that he'd made five birdies in his last six holes last night. He looks plenty short enough now given his propensity to lose the plot and I'm happy enough with Lefty's position.
13:15- May 6, 2011
After a day and a half of action in Spain I look to be in trouble with my pre-event picks, though I haven't completely given up on Alvaro Quiros at the Open de España...
He was very disappointing yesterday after opening with two birdies in his first three holes, ending the day on +2 but that's not a mile back. The field is very bunched and if he could shoot three or, dare I say, four under par he'll be bang there.
Scott Jamieson and local lad Pablo Larrazabal lead on -5 at present with the Spaniard about to start. I'd have liked to have known before the off that this is Pablo's local track but if I'm honest, I don't think I'd have backed him, even armed with that info. He's the loosest of canons and not one to rely on.
I've added one more to the portfolio this morning, backing Nicolas Colsaerts at an average of [26.0] and that looks a good move right now. He was beyond impressive in China two weeks ago and I considered him quite closely before the off. On the evidence of his play this morning he's retained that form and just two off the pace he looks primed for a tilt at the title.
Bill Haas has just the right profile to win a Wells Fargo Championship and he leads after day one following a remarkable eight-under par 64. I'd written in my preview how the last three winners had all been up-and-coming quality youngsters and Haas certainly fits that bill. He's just started and has a chance to put clear water between himself and the field but I'm going to just hope he doesn't.
Five shots back, and also with his second round under way is my best pick to date - Phil Mickelson. It was typical Lefty yesterday...There were a couple of visits to the water, a couple to the trees and a bunch of birdies. He's bound to go pushing it this afternoon but I wish he wouldn't. If he can match yesterday's score he'll be bang there at halfway.
For the first time since his triple-figure priced days, Rickie Fowler was on my radar this week, and he still is. I see he's just birdied the 2nd and is closing in on Bill but I'm going to hang on for now and see how the day goes. It may sound odd, but he may just have got to somewhere near the front a bit earlier than is ideal and I can see him treading water and being a better price later on.
Open de España
Pre-event Selections:
Alvaro Quiros @ [14.5]
Pablo Martin @ [75.0]
James Morrison @ [80.0]
George Coetzee @ an average of [135.0]
David Drysdale @ an average of [270.0]
In-running picks
Nicolas Colsaerts @ an average of [26.0] during round two
David Horsey @ [44.0] at the end of round two
Wells Fargo Championship
Pre-event Selections:
Phil Mickelson @ [13.0]
Bubba Watson @ [29.0]
Anthony Kim @ [70.0]
Gary Woodland @ [90.0]
Zach Johnson @ [150.0]
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