There aren't many better sights in sport than the view from the 18th tee at St Andrews and we were treated to four days of that glorious view last week. I was too busy staring at Hazel to enjoy the other view but enough of that as I've got a tale about one happy punter who made a bundle on our Hole Specials markets. Updated daily, we did 10 of the babies - who else offers that sort of service I ask you? - and it's no surprise that we saw the most business on the two most famous holes in golf. After play had finished on Saturday a masterstroke took place (not this). The client bought our 17th hole special which awarded 6pts per 6, 7pts per 7, 8pts per 8 and so on...at 385 for £30 and also bought the 18th hole special (thrillingly awarding 10pts for an eagle, 1pt birdie) at 190 for another £30 stake. I guess the man thought that with people going for it on the final day there was an increased chance of the Road Hole recording big numbers as well as people knocking it on the last. How right he was, because as always, the 17th was the toughest hole of the week while the 18th was the easiest. In benign conditions, considering the weather during the week, the punter hacked up. There were four eagles at the last (and only six during the entire week!) and 13 double bogeys or worse at the 17th. All of this meant that while Louis 'Who'sthuizen lifted the claret jug, our man was lifting £2,850 from our pockets as a result of the respective 424 and 246 hole special make-ups.

I really don't understand sport. How can a 250/1 shot win golf's greatest prize by looking like the odds-on favourite? How can a bright lad like James Milner want to leave Villa for Man City (money grabbing clown)? How did a bowler who allegedly chucks it, manage to take 800 Test wickets (controversial). But most of all, what happened to Australia in the second Test against Pakistan? After comprehensively beating the 'hosts' at Lord's last week by 150 runs, Australia looked sure things to do the same to Pakistan in their next Anglo based battle. Opening up at 385-402, our Australia First Innings quote was smashed into by plenty of punters, including a £50 buy at the opening level. What followed were events that even an Asian match fixing syndicate couldn't conjure as new Pakistan captain, Salman Butt, and his team really kicked some Aussie ass. Australia won the toss and chose to bat but were 41-5 by the 17th over as Pakistan's talented seam attack went to town. Teenage left-armer Mohammad Aamer took 3-20 and Mohammad Asif 3-30, while the dangerous Umar Gul finished on 2-16. Incredibly Pakistan needed just 33 overs to clear up an Australian team which would've been on such a high after that first Test win. And if the client is looking for someone to blame, he might do worse than stopping at Ricky Ponting's door. The Aussie skipper has not asked his team to bat first since the Edgbaston Test during the 2005 Ashes series and with overcast skies you have to wonder what 'Punter' was thinking after making a decision which cost our man £15,700.

Rugby Union The Tri Nations moves to Australia this weekend when the Springboks take on Australia in Brisbane. The Aussies were very much the underdogs for this year's tournament at 12-15 on our Outright Index with the Springboks and All Blacks joint favourites at 31-34. But South Africa have come out second best in their opening two encounters with the All Blacks and have subsequently dropped way back to 16-19. It remains to be seen if the Australians can take advantage. They will certainly be aware of the fact that South Africa have not scored a try in Brisbane for 13 years.

South Africa's two defeats have also sent shockwaves through our Tournament markets. Our Opposition/Australia market has moved from 45-52 down to 40-47 and Aussie haven't even played yet! I can't wait to see what Saturday's encounter will bring.


YouTube Based Banter

I had a gem sent to me by The Armadillo this week. A mild tackle, a headlock, a team mates rugby tackle which saved the refs life, got to love South American football.