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Football Swansea City v Manchester City
SATURDAY 4TH MAY Fulham v Reading
Reading are probably relegated by now, so they won’t have anything to play for and Fulham have been in pretty decent form of late. So with this game being at Fulham I think it’ll be a comfortable win for the home side. 2-0 to Fulham.
Queens Park Rangers v Arsenal
QPR will have been relegated by now and Arsenal want to cement their place in the top 4 to get a Champions League place. With only pride to play for now, QPR greet Arsenal who have suddenly started playing well again, so despite a bit of huff and puff, I can only see one winner here. Arsenal to win 0-3. 60
FIXTURES & PREDICTIONS
Both teams can play good football and both teams need the points to avoid relegation. Villa’s form has picked up considerably when it counts and Norwich have been good at home. I have a feeling they’ll both score, so this could be a pretty good game to watch for the neutral. I’ll go for a 2-2 draw.
Premiership
Norwich City v Aston Villa
Michu
Since winning the Carling cup, Swansea have gone slightly off the boil. Michael Laudrup has signed an extension to his contract in a bid to end interest from bigger clubs but whether this will work or not, remains to be seen. Michu has played out of his skin for much of the season as has defender Ashley Williams, both will probably be sold in the summer. If Laudrup buys well, he could further his kudos be doing well in Europe next season. City will still want to push Manchester United all the way and so if there still is a chance at this stage of the season, Manchester City will want to win badly. They will do so as well, 1-2 to Manchester City.
Tottenham Hotspur v Southampton
The race for the top 4 continues here. The race to avoid relegation also continues here. With both teams wanting to win desperately, they’ll both go for it, which will mean lots of goals and incident. As the game is at White Hart Lane, then I think Spurs will edge it basically because they’re a better team and the home crowd will be spurring them on. 2-1 to Spurs.
West Bromwich Albion v Wigan Athletic
What a roller-coaster season for Wigan; in the FA cup final and still battling relegation. West Brom have slowed their astonishing start to the season, though they still chase Liverpool for 7th spot. A tough game for both sides and so I think a draw is on the cards. 1-1.
West Ham United v Newcastle United
Both teams should survive in the relegation battle but it’s so tight down there, either side could be relegated. Injuries have hampered any progress to Newcastle after last seasons promise. West Ham will just be happy to stay in the Premier League. This will be a tight game and a six pointer for any potential winner, leaving the loser deep in the mire. I’ll go for a draw here 1-1 which probably won’t help either side.
Manchester United v Chelsea
This should be a cracking game, with Alex Ferguson United wanting revenge on Chelsea for their FA cup exit, and with Chelsea wanting to beat United full stop. If United have been sloppy and gained a few draws lately, the Manchester City could be hot on their heels. Doubtful though, but if so, then this game could be crucial to their title. Chelsea need to win to gain a Champions League place and so will do their damnedest to win. Chelsea to edge this one, as United have probably won the title by now, so Chelsea have more to play for. 0-1 to Chelsea.
MONDAY 6TH MAY Sunderland v Stoke City Paolo Di Canio
SUNDAY 5TH MAY Liverpool v Everton
This game is to sort out 6th and 7th place AND for bragging rights in Liverpool. For the past 30 years Liverpool have been the dominant force in Merseyside. But Everton this season have been a better unit and they are currently above Liverpool in the table with a game in hand. They’ll probably be there at the end of the season as well even if Liverpool win this game. Both sets of players will be up for this and both will definitely want to win. I see stalemate here with eventual bragging rights going to Everton. 2-2 draw.
Both teams are in serious danger of relegation. Martin O’Neill has been sacked for the first time in his 25 year career and Paolo Di Canio has been brought in to save Sunderland. Judging by their game against Newcastle, then Di Canio has certainly brought more resolve and belief to the team. After the recent internationals Sunderland lost their two best players and they looked doomed. Di Canio has given them hope at least, which can make all the difference in the survival race. Stoke on the other hand look listless and there’s a good chance that despite them being strong in previous seasons, it will count for nothing in this. The players are older and their manager looks like he’s out of ideas. Stoke could go down like Bolton did last season. Sunderland to win here 1-0.
TUESDAY 7TH MAY Wigan v Swansea
Wigan’s game in hand, over the other relegation teams. Swansea arrive in suspect form and so Wigan’s drive, desperation and them being the home side, will make all the difference. 2-0 to Wigan.
SATURDAY 11TH MAY Aston Villa v Chelsea
Chelsea travel to a Villa side who have at least showed some fight to escape relegation. I can’t see Villa getting any points here, despite their recent revival. Chelsea will be concentrating on the top 4 and potentially a Europa League Final and with a midfield of Mata, Hazard, Oscar and Lampard then I can’t see Chelsea losing here. 0-2 to Chelsea.
SUNDAY 12TH MAY Everton v West Ham United
Everton want a Europa League place and more importantly end up above Liverpool. So they greet a relegation troubled West Ham who desperately need points. Everton have been pretty efficient in dispatching smaller teams and so I think they’ll continue to do so here, as West Ham’s away form hasn’t been all that good. 2-0 to Everton.
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Fulham v Liverpool
The Rodgers experiment has failed at Liverpool. The naïve young manager spouting off more and more nonsense, makes him sound like David Brent, from the TV Show the Office. Brentan Rodgers brings his side to Fulham who are in good form at home. Predicting what type of Liverpool side will turn up here is anyone’s guess but I would think that there will be plenty of chances for the Liverpool side which won’t be taken and then Berbatov for Fulham will do bugger all for most of the match and then come up with the winner. A draw is the most likely result. 1-1.
Manchester United v Swansea City
With Swansea City’s recent form, I can’t see them getting anything at Old Trafford. United will be wanting to put on a show here, as they’re either celebrating their 20th Title victory at home or can seal it for sure with a win here. Like lambs to the slaughter I can’t see Swansea being able to stop this victory parade. 2-0 to United.
Norwich aren’t quite safe yet, but they’ve had good home form recently and so I don’t see them losing to West Brom here. A draw is likely. 1-1.
Queens Park Rangers v Newcastle United
Relegated QPR against potential relegation candidates, Newcastle. Newcastle should avoid the drop because they have quality in their side, but they need to produce the goods right now. I think they will do here and beat a pretty woeful QPR. Harry Redknapp did his best, but he can only work with the players others brought in. This might also be Redknapps last game as manager and you might see a farewell wave to the crowd at the end of the game. 1-2 to Newcastle. 62
In previous seasons, I would have said that Stoke would out muscle more talented teams like Spurs, but that can’t be said any more. Spurs have proved that they can dig in and how grit as well as skill, and though they still have to put up with Adebayor in the team (surely off in the summer) they have enough quality to beat Stoke here and continue their quest for the top 4 places or to cement a return to the Europa league and beat off Everton’s claim. Spurs to win 0-1.
Sunderland v Southampton
Both teams have been playing better of late and both still have the shadow of relegation hovering above them. I’d fancy the Di Canio led resurgent Sunderland to win through here but it will be a close run thing. 1-0 to Sunderland.
TUESDAY 14TH MAY Arsenal v Wigan Athletic
Arsenal greet a much improved Wigan at the Emirates, both teams fighting at opposite ends of the League table. Wigan could pull a surprise here and get a point, they’ve certainly been scoring goals recently and they could carry on against a bit of a shaky Arsenal defence. Arsenals main strengths is attack and so this game could feature goals galore. I’ll go for a 2-2 draw.
Reading v Manchester City
Reading meet an in form City side, who want to close the points difference with United, which flatters to deceive. If City had played their first half of the season, like their second, they would have the title wrapped up by now. I can’t see Reading avoiding defeat here and they could be on the end of a bit of a thumping. 0-3 to Manchester City.
~ FINAL DAY ~ SUNDAY 19TH MAY Chelsea v Everton
Felliani
Tough game for both sides at the end of a long season. Everton midfielder Felliani might be swapping sides and playing in the blue of Chelsea next season, there was even some speculation the Everton’s manager, David Moyes, could swap his allegiance to Chelsea. Chelsea will welcome the departure of Rafa Benitez after his spell as ‘interim’ manager though getting to the FA cup semifinals and possibly winning the Europa league final shows he’s still a fine manager. He might even return to Liverpool if an opportunity arises. Chelsea to sneak this game 1-0.
Liverpool v Queens Park Rangers
So will Brendan Rodgers survive the summer, after a woeful first season? With Luis Suarez surely off and Carraghers retirement, Liverpool will have to buy well in the summer. Apart from Coutinho, all of Rodgers buys have been overpriced underwhelming ones with the likes of Allen, Borini and Sturridge. They welcome relegated QPR here and they will probably win 4-0. But at the end of the day, it matters little. A failed project and the American owners need experience in all departments at Liverpool, or they will see a further drop down the table. Malaga’s manager, Pelligrini, is rumoured to be leaving in the summer, he might be perfect for Liverpool.
Jamie Carragher
Norwich City v West Bromwich Albion
Stoke City v Tottenham Hotspur
Manchester City v Norwich City
City will want as many points on the table, and as they’ve come out winners against their Manchester rivals, they can at least claim to be the best club locally anyway. Bit of a failure for Manchester City, after last seasons heroics, but they should win the FA cup now so that’s not too bad. Norwich are probably safe by now, they will play some decent football and then lose to an Aguero goal. 2-0 to Manchester City.
Newcastle United v Arsenal
Newcastle have had a terrible season in the league, and done quite well in Europe. But though they shouldn’t be in the position of being relegated, if they had to get points from Arsenal, then they would be hard to come by. Newcastle might have the crowd behind them, but their team on the pitch is nowhere near the races. Arsenal won’t want to miss out on the Champions League places and as both Chelsea and Spurs are fighting it out, those final positions could be reliant on what happens today. Arsenal to edge the game 0-1.
done little against Tony Pulis, but they might be sacking him in the summer, especially if they get relegated. If either side win this game, they could make themselves safe from relegation, so there’s everything to play for. Southampton have been good at home and Stoke awful away, so I wouldn’t be surprised to see Southampton get all 3 points and that might just save them from the drop. Stoke on the other hand might fall. Time will tell. Southampton to win 1-0.
Swansea City v Fulham
Swansea have had a good season with winning a cup and qualifying for Europe. They’ll also end in the top ten and so Michael Laudrup has done a quality job with limited resources. Martin Jol has also done a good job with Fulham, never under threat from getting embroiled in the relegation dogfight, he’s made Fulham a mid table team with little money. Both teams could cancel each other out and so I’ll go for a goalless draw here. 0-0.
Tottenham Hotspur v Sunderland
Southampton v Stoke City Tony Pulis
Southampton’s gamble of sacking Nigel Adkins in January actually worked and might just have done enough to save them from relegation. Stoke’s hierarchy has
This could be a tricky game for Spurs in their bid to get top 4. Sunderland need every point they can get and will fight for new manager, Di Canio. Andre Villas Boas has done well with Spurs and over the season probably deserve top 4. Sadly there’s no such thing in football and all his plans could come unstuck here. If Spurs play well at home they can win which might mean they qualify on the last game. I’ll go for 1-0 to Spurs.
West Bromwich Albion v Manchester United
Steve Clarke, the manager for West Brom has done an excellent job making them top 8 in the process. Considering Steve Clarke this is Clarke’s first season as manager then he could grow and grow. United should be champions by now and if so, they could let their foot off the pedal and go through the motions. United to win 0 -1.
West Ham United v Reading
If West Ham do need points to stave off relegation then easy points can be gained against Reading. West Ham will be content enough to survive in the Premier League after coming up from the Championship and hopefully build on any progress they’ve made this season. Reading with Nigel Adkins at least has a chance to return to the Premiership next summer. This game should end up 2-0 to West Ham.
Wigan Athletic v Aston Villa
Another 6 pointer which could prove crucial for the final table. Both teams will hope to have done enough to avoid the ‘loser is relegated’ conundrum. Wigan should win this but they’ll have been in the FA Cup final a week before and so if they lose that one against Manchester City, they could be deflated which might affect their performance here. I’ll go for a 1-1 draw.
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FA CUP Europa League Semi-finals Final L A N FI Saturday 11th May, 2013
Manchester City v Wigan
Since when does the FA Cup Final take place before the end of the league? All this can do is create congestion problems for both teams involved. Manchester City should win this. They have the best players, more experience and more fans. Wigan however are capable of creating a few surprises and so anything could happen. City to win though 2 -1.
To be played on 25th April & 2nd May
To be played on 15th May
Fenerbahce v Benfica
Chelsea (?) v Benfica (?)
Basel v Chelsea
As long as my predictions were correct, Chelsea with the guidance of Rafa Benitez have a real chance of winning another European trophy here. Benfica are a dangerous outfit though and so Chelsea will have to perform to the maximum. If they do that, then they have every chance of winning this final and gaining another trophy.
2nd in the Turkish league plays 1st in the Portuguese. The Portuguese outfit have scored a lot of goals and are in better form so I expect them to get through to the final.
Conquerors (on penalties) of Spurs meet Chelsea. Chelsea should win this as they have the better team and an experienced manager. Basel have done well getting this far but I still see Chelsea winning here.
Champions League Semi-finals
Final
Bayern munich v Barcelona
25th May Wembley
23rd April and 1st May Both teams groaned when they were pulled out of the hat to meet each other. Both are the strongest of the four but it does create a possibility of an all German final or an all Spanish one. Barcelona have been brilliant in the Spanish league and though a little quieter they’re still here in the semis. Spain also did this in Euro 2012 and they can step up to their maximum when the time is needed. Bayern easily won the German league, so this will be an interesting contrast in styles. After the first leg, where Bayern Munich won 4 - 0 thrashing Barcelona, there’s no coming back for Barca. They’ve pushed their luck a couple of times already in this competition, coming back against AC Milan and Paris St Germain, but Bayern Munich won’t crumble. Bayern to win through to get to the final.
Borussia Dortmund v Real Madrid
24th and 30th April Borussia, led by Jurgen Klopp, has created a side on 30 million. Real Madrid have spent huge amounts of money. Mourinho will want to win this , so expect a lot of histrionics in the papers beforehand. After the first leg and the 4-1 to Dortmund, Real at least have an away goal. Will this do any good? Nope. They might get close but they won’t win through to the final. Dortmund to meet Bayern in the final.
Bayern Munich v Borussia Dortmund
An all German final, and after sweeping Barcelona aside with ease, Bayern Munich must be hot favourites now. Bayern lost the final last year on penalties to Chelsea and they have a point to prove in this final. The 20 points lead in the German league will count for nothing in this game but i think Bayern have the quality and hunger to win this one. 2-1 to Bayern Munich.
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Gareth Frank
Bale
Gareth Bale is hot property right now, and this is probably his last season at Tottenham Hotspur. Playing in Midfield he has become key to Spurs season and this has got him noticed on the European stage with the likes of Real Madrid and Barcelona being linked to him in the summer. His current value is somewhere near the region of 40 million pounds. How things have turned round for Bale. Spurs bought him for 10 million from Southampton 6 years ago, but after a promising start at left back, he quickly became known as a ‘Jonah’ (cursed) when he played for 24 straight games where Spurs never won. That could have broken quite a few player but thankfully management changed and he was born again tanks to the help of Harry Redknapp. Redknapp took over at Spurs after they had 1 point from 10 games and looked doomed with only a quarter of the season gone. Redknapp instantly turned Bale from left back to left wing and he was transformed.
“
There can’t be a better left-sided player anywhere. If he were English he’d be going to the World Cup now, that’s for sure. He can play left-back or wide left in midfield, he’s six foot and has great a physique. He can run all day, has an unbelievable left foot, has skill and his heading is top-class - he can do everything.
”
Harry Redknapp.
Player Profile Age: 23 Born: Cardiff, Wales. Salary: 4 million a year. Club: Tottenham Hotspur. Car: Audi R8. 66
The game where he really shot to fame was in the Champions League against CL Champions Inter Milan. Scoring a hat trick and helping Spurs through on aggregate. For this he was voted 2011 PFA Footballer of the Year and appeared in the 2012 Premiership Team of the Year. Bale is extremely quick and is an attacking left winger who scores goals and delivers excellent crosses. He is also specialises in free kicks. Forget about him defending, ironic really as he was bought as a defender.
Formed as Newton Heath LYR in 1878, the team played other railways company teams. But by 1880, they played their first pro game and got thrashed 6 – 0 by Bolton reserves, they changed their name to Manchester United in 1902. Matt Busby
In their trophy laden history they have won 20 league titles, 11 FA Cups (5 under Fergie), 4 league cups (all Fergie) and 19 Community Shields (10 for Fergie). 3 European Cups (2 Fergie) with Ferguson adding a 1 Cup winners Cup, 1 Super Cup, 1 Intercontinental Cup and 1 FIFA Club World Cup.
Alex Ferguson ‘86
Club Profile: Manchester United
Manchester United Football Club is currently the biggest club in English Football and on the 22nd of April, 2013, United have just won their 20th league title. This is due to one man, Alex Ferguson. Love him or hate him, he has to be respected as the man who single handedly lifted United from the doldrums to new highs. Of the 20 titles United have won, 13 have been under Fergie.
Youth Team ‘92
Giggs, Scholes, Beckham The Treble ‘99
Malcolm Glazer
In 1958, 8 United players died in the Munich airplane crash and their manager Matt Busby (manager between 1945 and 1969) was injured. Ten years later, Matt Busby and his team won the European Cup, the first English Club to do so. After this with changing managers they won a few trophies but never challenged the might of Liverpool. That only started in the early nineties when United took full advantage of the Premiership and sold stocks to raise money, with that money they bought the best players and created a magnificent youth team including the likes of Beckham, Scholes and Giggs. Ferguson nearly came unstuck on two different occasions: back in 1990, in the 3rd round of the FA cup against Nottingham Forest, Fergie was close to getting the sack and only striker Mark Robbins popped up and scored the winner to save Fergie from dismissal. The 2nd time was in 2004 when Irishmen McManus and Magnier (who had become majority
shareholders in the club) fell out with Ferguson over a horse called ‘The Rock of Gibraltar.’ Wanting him removed, the board tried to get others to buy into the club and remove the threat to Fergie, this came in 2005 when Malcolm Glazer bought the club for 800 million. This money was mainly brought in through massive loans and until 2017, 45 million has to be paid per year as interest.
They are one of the most supported football teams in the world with at least 75 million fans (other estimations are in the 300 millions). United are also the most wealthy club in the world and in January 2013, became the first sports team to be valued at 3 billion dollars. It will be interesting to see what happens when Alex Ferguson retires in the next years and whether the club can continue it’s success. Jose Mourinho has been linked with taking over from Fergie, but as Fergie shows no hint of wanting to retire or losing his passion for football, Mourinho might be be waiting for a while yet. 67
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Golf
THE 2013 MASTERS
Augusta
The week started with all the talk about 14-year-old Tianlang Guan who qualified for the Masters by winning the Asian Amateur Championship. He played practice rounds with former champions Ben Crenshaw, Tom Watson and tournament favourite Tiger Woods.
On Tuesday night defending champion Bubba hosted the Annual Champions Dinner, and the menu that he chose is still a mystery, and unless you know someone who attended, will stay a mystery. On Wednesday we saw the Annual Par 3 competition where it was more fun than a serious competition. Many players had family members with them. Rory McIlroy had his tennis champion girlfriend Caroline Wozniacki caddying. Nick Watney and Ben Crenshaw both got a Hole in One 70
but it was Ted Potter Jnr who beat Phil Mickleson and Matt Kuchar to win.
And so Thursday finally came which brought Day 1 of the 2013 Masters, the first Major of the year. At first dawn Arnold Parlmer, Gary Player and Jack Nicklaus who were the honorary starters, hit the 1st shots of the Masters tournament before returning to the club house. The end of day 1 saw Sergio Garcia and Mark Leishman leading the pack on 6 under par. Tiger came home with a 70 and Rory with a 72, which was not what was expected from the favourites. Jamie Donaldson holed in One at the Par 3 6th and the 14-year-old Tianlang Guan shot a very respectable 73. Day 2 Friday saw Jason Day move to the top of the leaderboard on the 6 under score. Fred Couples
was on 5 under along with the 1st day leader Mark Leishman. 2008 champion Angel Cabrera was on 4 under, Tiger Woods got to 5 under before disaster struck at the 15th and his all but perfect pitch hit the hole on the fly, then ricocheted back into the water. What followed was a catalogue of errors by Tiger, his caddy and the rule official who accompanied them. This lead to Tiger receiving a further 2-shot penalty the following morning. He received this because he took an incorrect drop due to dropping his ball 2 feet further back than he was allowed.
This was not the only point people were talking about, as the youngster Tianlung Guan was given a 1-shot penalty on the 17th for slow play, yet it didn’t stop him amazingly making the cut on 4 over to go into the last two days.
After all the fun over Tiger Woods and the drop which he was penalised for, on “Moving Day”, the name given to Day 3 of the Masters, he also had past champions calling for him to be withdrawn. Both Brandt Snedeker and Angel Cabrerabe had a great day ending up top of the leaderboard on 7 under. A shot behind on 6 under was Adam Scott and on 5 under was Jason Day and Mark Leishman. Tiger finished his day on 3 under. On Sunday, day 4, the forecast was Rain! However, the weather didn’t stop what turned out to be a memorable day. Jason Day made the first move with a Birdie-Eagle start, which moved him to the top of the leaderboard. Adam Scott was going about his business just a shot behind, as was Angle Cabrera, who played the front nine in 2 under par shots to top the leaderboard at -9 going into the back nine. They say that the Masters does not start until the final nine of the last day, and they are not wrong! Jason Day birdied 13, 14 and the 15th to take the lead but then bogeyed at the 16th and 17th to drop back behind Adam Scott by one shot. Cabrera who had dropped two shots then birdied the 16th to tie Scott at the top. Jason Day’s birdie putt on the 18th just slipped by, while Adam Scott then holed a 20 feet birdie putt for what he thought was the win. However, Cabrera who had been watching from back down the fairway, fired his approach to just 3 feet which gave him a birdie and a play-off. The play-off went two holes before Adam Scott rolled in a 15 foot putt on the 10th to become the 1st Australian to wear the famous Green Jacket and take the title, Masters Champion.
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Tournaments Volvo China Open
Tianjin Binhai Lake Golf Club 2nd – 5th May The Volvo China Open is returning to Binhai Lake and the wonderful Pete Dye Course for a second year. This will be the 19th staging of the Volvo China Open, which is the nation’s most celebrated event and one of the most prestigious national open championships in world golf.
Volvo World Match Play Championship Thracian Cliffs Golf & Beach Resort, Kavama, Bulgaria 16th – 19th May
The move to the much-lauded Gary Player designed signature course marks the first time a full European Tour event will be played in Bulgaria. Framed by rugged coastal cliffs and the vast blue of the Black Sea, which can be viewed from each and every hole, Thracian Cliffs is arguably one of the most dramatic golf courses on earth. Gary Player once commented, “You will not find a golf course like this anywhere else on the planet.” Underlining the unique features of this new venue, the Thracian Cliffs has also been called the ‘Pebble Beach of Europe’.
BMW PGA Championship Wentworth Club, Surrey 23rd - 26th May
A record prize fund of €4.75 million, an increase of €250,000 on last year, will be at stake for The European Tour’s flagship event, the BMW PGA Championship 2013, at Wentworth Club, Surrey, England. This year’s champion will receive €791,660, which is over €40,000 more than England’s Luke Donald collected for his second consecutive BMW PGA Championship success in 2012 when he finished four strokes clear of joint runners-up Paul Lawrie of Scotland and Donald’s compatriot, Justin Rose.
Nordea Masters Championship Bro Hof Slott Golf Club in Stockholm, Sweden
30th May – 2nd June
Scandinavian Masters was first played in 1991 and has quickly established itself as one of the most prestigious races on the PGA European Tour. Scandinavian Masters came about through a merger between the two former Swedish professional competitions Scandinavian Enterprise Open (SEO) and PLM Open. Today the competition is played under the name Nordea Masters and is now one of the largest audiences of a total of 50 events on the European golf tour. It’s just the British Open, with 139-year history, attracting more spectators. Defending champion Lee Westwood will be trying to retain his title.
The Players Championship
TPC Sawgrass 6th – 12th May
Once again the excitement of the unofficial fifth major of the 2013 PGA schedule is The Players Championship. Where there are some of the most memorable holes on tour, including the infamous number 17. The TPC at Sawgrass is sure to tests the top golfers in the world for 72 holes of thrilling competition. Last years winner Matt Kuchar will be hoping to retain his title.
HP Byron Nelson Championship 2013
13th – 19th May
The HP Byron Nelson Championship is a premier event on the PGA tour. The event was first played in 1968, the tournament will once again be hosted at the TPC Four Seasons Las Colinas located in Irving, TX. Jason Dufner returns to defend his title with competition from the top players on the PGA Tour. The tournament is one of Dallas‘ biggest sports attractions each year and is also the most financially successful charity event on the PGA Tour.
The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial 20th – 26th May
The Colonial has been played since 1946. It is well known, even to casual golf fans, because of the distinctive red plaid jacket that is awarded to the winner. The Colonial is an invitational golf tournament, which means that all of the players who participate are invited to play. It has been played on luxurious Colonial Country Club for many years, and is one of the few tournaments that did not change courses over its history. 73