The third part of the Gulf Swing, the Dubai Desert Classic, starts on Thursday and Tiger Woods, fresh from his resounding eight shot win in the Buick Invitational, has already jetted in. Golf betting nuts are taking note of the maestro’s ominous words that he sees no reason why the four majors should not be within his grasp this year.

Certainly the Augusta Masters, where he has achieved a staggering four wins, is easily within his reach. He is comfortable with British golf courses and loves to play here. Royal Birkdale is one of his favourites. The Buick this year was held at Torrey Pines, the venue of the US Open and the USPGA, at Oakland Hills will be a welcome finale for a man with three majors in the bag. It will not have escaped the attention of online betting fans that Oakland Hills was the venue for the disastrous collapse of the US team in 2004 and revenge might be in the air. A rolling bet on Woods to take all four would not be an unreasonable proposition.

Woods has only won the Dubai tournament once, in 2006, after seven appearances and he will want to remedy this in a year where, according to Faldo, he is playing as strongly as he ever has. If he falters this week, European hopes come in the shape of Lee Westwood, Nick Dougherty, Sergio Garcia, Niclas Fasth, Henrik Stenson and Colin Montgomery. My favourite, South African, Ernie Els has emerged from a dodgy patch and should be right up there with Tiger on the final day. Stacks of free bets are available right now with online betting companies and I’m off to be check out the best. See you there!