Golf / Jake Norton / 01 May 2008 / Leave a comment Bet Now

Sometimes, waiting makes victory taste all the more sweet, as supporters of veteran Craig Parry found in Betfair's golf betting in 2008.

Since turning professional in 1985, the 41-year-old had always wanted to win the Australian Open to complete his set of three major home titles. He had previously won the Australian Masters three times and landed the odds in the Australian PGA in 1992.

His one shot victory over Won Joon Lee, Brandt Snedeker and Nick O'Hern gave him his 23rd career victory and $315,000 to put in the bank. Those with bets on the popular veteran in Betfair's golf betting markets were also rewarded.

Parry finished the domestic season on top of the PGA Tour of Australasia Order of Merit with $422,000 from his six events played.

The Order of Merit has been shared around since 2000, with no player having won more than once and the odds reflect its openness.

But the same cannot be said of the PGA Championship, the home tournament of the Australian PGA which is a traditional strong golf betting event and dates back to 1905.

Peter Lonard and Robert Allenby have dominated the event and the betting since the turn of the millennium, with Allenby winning back-to-back titles in 2000-01 and in 2005, while Lonard tied with Jarrod Moseley in 2002 and landed the bets again in 2004 and 2007.

Lonard won his latest title by three shots from David Smail - who was to finish second on the Order of Merit - after shooting a superb seven-under 65 on the final day.

The MasterCard Masters, played annually in December at Huntingdale Golf Club, has also seen multiple wins for Allenby - he donned the golden jacket in 2003 and 2005.

The trophy has gone abroad twice in the last seven years, to Colin Montgomerie in 2001 and Justin Rose in 2006.

The 2007 version went to a play off, with Aaron Baddeley beating Sweden's Daniel Chopra on the fourth extra hole to provide an exciting in-play betting climaz.

It pays to bet on home players in the Australian Open. They have kept the Stonehaven Cup in the country since Englishman Lee Westwood's victory at attractive odds in 1997.

Baddeley won at big odds as an amateur in 1999, and again after turning professional the following year.
Since then Lonard has won consecutive titles, in 2003 and 2004, while Allenby won his second title in 2005, 11 years after his first.

The other major event of the PGA Tour of Australasia, the New Zealand Open, went to England's Richard Finch.
Paul Sheehan tried his best to secure the trophy for Australia, shooting a three-under 69 to close the gap by three shots, but could only tie for second with fellow Australian Steven Bowditch as Finch won by three shots.

Golf betting is exciting and often rewarding and you can follow all the changing odds with Betfair.