The Punter 
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Steven Rawlings / 13 April 2012 /
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Jbe Kruger, sharing the lead in Malaysia after a strong comeback
“Kruger looked to be sauntering along on day one but he lost his way badly and finished the round on -2. The last thing I expected him to do was dust himself down and come out and shoot seven-under par today!”
It's been a good start for Steve in South Carolina and things aren't going too bad in Malaysia. Read the latest on the week's two golf tournaments here...
19:55 - April 13, 2012
For the record, I input a modest and ambitious back on Alvaro Quiros in the Malaysian Open market this morning, at [55.0]. I didn't quite get as much matched as I'd hoped for but he's onside too now.
15:00 - April 13, 2012
Things panned out pretty much as I'd hoped for this morning in Malaysia. Martin Kaymer didn't quite catch first round leader Charl Schwartzel but when the South African bogeyed the 1st hole they were level anyway, and Charl's day didn't get any better after that. He'd played 12 holes when the siren blew and play was suspended due to lightening. By then he was three-over for the day!
Playing with Charl, Louis Oosthuizen is two-under for the second round and he's now on -8, one in front of my man Kaymer, who shot five-under today, and one behind fellow South Africans Hennie Otto and Jbe Kruger, who, so far, is the comeback king of the week. Kruger looked to be sauntering along on day one, on -6 after just 11 holes, but he lost his way badly after that and he finished the round on -2. The last thing I expected him to do after that was dust himself down and come out and shoot seven-under par today!
Those that still need to complete round two will be back in the morning at 7.45 (0.45am UK time) and they could have their patience tested to the max if we get any further suspensions. I'm obviously happy with my position on Kaymer but I'm a little worried that we might not get all four rounds done. I quite fancy Kaymer if we get the full 72 holes in but that's no certainty at all. If we get a suspension tomorrow, a 54-hole tournament would have to be quite likely.
I've had a decent start at the RBC Heritage. Chad Campbell, backed at a very big price before the off, led alongside Vaughan Taylor and Colt Knost on -4 after round one and my big fancy, Jim Furyk, finished the day a shot back. They're off and running today and Chad's going the wrong but another big-priced wager, Robert Garrigus, is climbing the leaderboard.
The in-form Carl Pettersson (2nd at the Shell two weeks ago) is looming large and that's a bit frustrating. I've backed him in this a few times but left him out this time around. There's a very long way to go yet though.
I'd written in the preview about how the winners can come from off the pace here but I wouldn't be surprised if that doesn't happen this year now. The greens are playing very fast and they've tweaked the course a bit. I can't see it getting any easier on the weekend and low scores don't look likely. Having a grinder like Furyk in the mix might just be ideal.
13:50 - April 12, 2012
Although it's early days, given I've got involved in Malaysia, I thought I'd kick off the blog.
The RBC Heritage has only just kicked off so there's nothing to report there but they've already finished round one at the Maybank Malaysian Open and I've had an in-running play already.
My two pre-event picks have flopped and grabbing the headlines are South African friends Charl Schwartzel and Louis Oosthuizen, who played together this morning. Schwartzel leads after an opening eight-under-par 64, and Louis, who shot two shots worse, is in a tie for 3rd. Jeev Milkha Singh is currently 2nd on -7 but I've backed someone much further down the list...
Although raindrops fell and storm clouds threatened, we didn't experience any delays today but that might not be the case tomorrow. Today's afternoon starters may look miles behind now but that may not be the case this time tomorrow and although it really doesn't look like it now, if the weather does close in tomorrow, today's late starters may have the advantage. Given the cream has risen to the top at this venue so far, I've spent the morning nibbling away at the classiest of those that that will be up and at 'um early tomorrow - Martin Kaymer, at odds of over [20.0].
Starting out six behind on -2, it will be his turn to play in the best of the conditions tomorrow and there's a strong chance that Schwartzel and co get delayed in the afternoon and that they'll need to come back early on Saturday to finish off.
There are a few ifs and buts there obviously but I fancy it's worth the risk. Hopefully I'll wake up in the morning to see Kaymer has at least caught Schwartzel and that he's nicely tucked away in his hotel watching the storms gather. We'll see.
Maybank Malaysian Open Pre-event Picks:
Bernd Wiesberger @ [140.0]
James Morrison @ [160.0]
In-Running Play
Martin Kaymer @ an average of [23.0]
Alvaro Quiros @ [55.0]
RBC Heritage Pre-Event Picks:
Jim Furyk @ [20.0]
Zach Johnson @ an average of just over [50.0]
Brian Gay @ [100.0]
Mark Wilson @ [110.0]
George McNeil @ [180.0]
Robert Garrigus @ [180.0]
Chad Campbell @ [250.0]
Stephen Ames @ [280.0]
Time Herron @ an average of [340.0]
Our man takes a look at this week's US PGA Tour event, where he can see Jim Furyk contending again and where value picks are plentiful. Read Steve's preview here......
Steve takes a good look at this week's Race to Dubai event in Kuala Lumpur. Will another promising youngster take the title?...
Steve looks back on yet another fantastic Masters tournament. What lessons have we learnt for next year?...
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