HP Byron Nelson Championship

The Byron Nelson Championship is one of the golfers favourite and most competitive events on the tour every year, and this year it should be no different with many of the big names making an appearance in Texas this week. With first place guarenteed over one million dollars, the action will hopefully be very exciting.

Ian Poulter is this weeks favourite accoring to Bet365, coming in at a healthy 14/1. The Englishman is one of the form men of 2009 with six top 25 finishes and three top ten finishes already this year. He is a very clean hitter of the ball, and with accuracy always a major on this course he is very likely to go close.

However, for me the man to watch out for is Justin Leonard. Last year he finished in the top twenty, and were it not for a horrible third round he would probably have got in the top ten. This year, with a slightly weaker field and more experience on the course on his side, I reckon he could go rather close this week. Leonard (Outright) - 22/1.

Another who played in last years competition and is competing again this week is young hotshot Anthony Kim. Alongside Leonard he tied for 19th last year, and as with Leonard he is going to be competiting with considerably more experience and confidence on his side. He may not be able to win this week, with Adam Scott, Poulter, Leonard and Vijay Singh, all in the mix, however, a top five finish is definetely within his grasp. Kim (Top 5 Finish) - 7/1.

Specials:

Rory Sabbatini - Top Rest Of The World (7/2)
Adam Scott - Top Aussie (11/2)

BMW Championship

This weeks tournaments in the golfing calendar feature two of the biggest events on the tours outside of the Majors. Both fields look very competitive and it looks to me that each event will provide very interesting outlooks on the betting, however, I shall only look in detail at the European Tour as it offers the best range of betting.

Firstly, starting with the BMW Championship from Wentworth in England, the favourite appears to be Henrik Stenson who is priced at a handy 12/1. The Swede however, does not have a good track record at Wentworth, placing tied 50th last year, with a score of one over, and not breaking 70 in any of his four rounds. Compile his record with his low price and it is worth steering clear of Stenson.

For me the value of the competition is looking towards one of two people. Fellow Swede of Stenson, Robert Karlsson or Englishman Oliver Wilson. Karlsson is easily one of the most consistent players on the European Tour just now, with his strong iron shots being the major player in his game. Karlsson was one of the few shining lights of last years Ryder Cup and he proved that he can win tournaments, triumphing in the Mercedes-Benz Championship and the Dunhill Links, alongside the Golfing World Cup win in 2008. He also placed third last year in this competition, so has a strong knowledge of the course, and I would not be surprised to see him near the top come this Sunday. Karlsson (Outright) - 25/1

I was extremely surprised to hear that Oliver Wilson has not won an event since turning pro in 2003. Last year I watched him finish second four times, and another runner up place this year in the HSBC Champions tournament. However, a big plus for me in placing money on Wilson is his second place last year in this tournament where he lost out in a play-off to Miguel Angel Jimenez after they both finished on eleven under. If Oliver can get a decent start then he may just be in the reckoning come Sunday. Wilson (Outright) - 33/1

Specials:

Miguel Angel Jimenez - Top Five Finish (8/1)

Charl Schwartzel - First round leader (66/1)