FiveStarPick.com was humbled yesterday as two of its “can’t miss” plays were upended due to bad performances by good players.  We plan to right the ship today as we give our members the winner of the Ian Poutler/Paul Casey match in the 3rd round of the 2008 PGA Championship.  Now let’s learn a little something about the two young Englishmen.

In 2005, Paul Casey’s career began to take off.  He captured his 4th and 5th European Tour victories in China, won the TCL Classic in March, beating Paul McGinleyin a playoff, then claimed the Volvo China Open in November, once again after a playoff in which he defeated fellow Englishman, Oliver Wilson. Highlights of 2004 also came in team events firstly as a member of Europe’s winning Ryder Cup team at Oakland Hills andsecondly, together withLuke Donald, as England captured the WGC -World Cup at Real Club de Golf Sevilla with Casey holing the winning putt. Secured his card as an Affiliate Member of the Tour in 2001, shortly before winning his maiden title in the Gleneagles Scottish PGA Championship in August. Finishing 22nd on the Order of Merit helped him win the 2001 Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. Coached by Peter Kostis, his amateur highlight came when he was one of the stalwarts of Great Britain andIreland Walker Cup victory at Nairn in 1999, becoming one of only three players in 77 years to record four victories without a defeat. Won the English Amateur Championship in 1999 and 2000 and in his American college phase, won the Pac-10 Championship in 1998, 1999 and 2000, the first player to win in three successive years. Victory in the 2000 Pac-10 Championship broke the scoring record held by Tiger Woods (18 under par) witha 23 under par 265. Other records he has broken include scoring average – for the Arizona State University, previously held by Phil Mickelson. Competed on the 2004 and ‘06 Ryder Cup Teams.  But what has he done recently on the PGA Tour?

2007 – Tournaments entered – 10; rounds played – 34; in money – 9; Top-10 Finishes – 4; money – $1,012,770; (ranked N/A); best finish – T5th at the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship

Ian Poulter, on the other hand, has had similar success.  In 2004 he made a splash as a member of Bernhard Langer’s victorious European Team. Won the season-ending Volvo Masters at Valderrama, defeating home favorite Sergio Garcia in a play-off, to secure his sixth European Tour title. Added a seventh in Madrid in 2006. Won the Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year title in 2000 which provided the springboard for the Englishman to become one of the most exciting talents on The European Tour. Took up the game at the age of four when dad, Terry, a single figure handicapper, gave him a cut-down three wood. Turned professional at 18. Won on the Challenge Tour in 1999 but finished 30th and had to visit the Qualifying School to win his card in 23rd position. An avid Arsenal supporter, he is one of the most easily recognized players on Tour thanks to his extravagant hairstyles and dress sense.  But what has he done in 2007 on the PGA Tour?

2007 – scoring average – 70.07 / (23rd); driving distance – 282.5 / (151st); driving accuracy – 63.2% / (107th); GIR – 61.6% / (173rd); putting – 1.788 / (99th); birdie average – 3.27 per rd / (131st) / total birdies – 196; sand saves – 53.0% / (57th); all-around rank – 884 / (135th)

The question is…who wins today?  If there is one thing FiveStarPick.com knows, it’s how to make money betting on golf.  We know the game inside and out andmaintain personal relationships with many of the game’s top players.  If you would like to know who we have in today’s matchup, visit our homepage andbecome a member of the most accurate sports handicapping service on the net.  We are nearly 70% against the spread.  That means if you are a $100 bettor paying 10% juice andstarted with us at the beginning of 2008, you would be around $10,000 ahead.  Not bad for doing what you love to do.  Join our family today and start your win streak tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com

FiveStarPick.com is hot on the matchup between Ian Poulter and Trevor Immelman in the final round of the World Golf Championship at Firestone C.C..  The final round pairing of Vijay Singh and Lee Westwood will be interesting.  Singh hasn’t won on the PGA TOUR since March of 2007, which — by his standards — is like an eternity. Look for the big Fijian to put up a valiant fight on Sunday. Westwood is playing well lately in the U.S. He finished third at the U.S. Open in June and finds himself in the final pairing of the Bridgestone Invitational on Sunday. Westwood has one PGA TOUR win to his credit, but that was way back in 1998. A win on Sunday in a World Golf Championships event would be the highlight of his career.

Another pairing to watch will be Phil Mickelson and Stuart Appleby.  Phil Mickelson, a three-time major champ, has never won a World Golf Championships tournament. It’s one of the few things missing on his brilliant resume and on Sunday he’ll have a great chance to check it off the list. Appleby, on the other hand, won’t be letting up that easily either. The Aussie has five top-10 finishes to his credit in 2008, but will be out there on Sunday looking for that first win of the season. It will serve as an outstanding confidence boost for either player to walk off with a win leading into the season’s final major championship.

FiveStarPick.com is putting our members on the matchup between Poulter vs. Immelman.  If you would like to know who we have in this matchup, click on www.fivestarpick.com and join today.  We are nearly 70% against the spread in 2008 and PGA Tour picks are our specialty.  Join today and start winning tonight.

Jimmy the Geek – FiveStarPick.com