Tournament Predictions Page Enhanced - Weather

In addition to the changes made to the 'Prediction Data' page for each golfer, the main "Predictions - Tournaments Results" page has also been enhanced with new weather information. This page is is the first option on the "Stats Analysis" menu in the member section of Golf Predictor. As shown on the image* above, there is a new "Wthr" column, which shows each player's performance in similar weather conditions over the previous five years to that predicted for the current tournament. This column is sortable, so you can easily find out who performs best/worst in similar weather by clicking on the column header. There is also a new "Best in Similar Weather" chart along the top of the data table, which shows the top performers in similar weather graphically.

As before, note that actual weather can differ from weather forecasts earlier in the week. We update the weather data accordingly if such a situation arises and we are aware of it from media reports. Note also that Golf Predictor weather data goes back to the start of the 2008 season, so it will be a couple of seasons before the full five year weather history is reached.

Note also that this comparison information and chart is not available prior to this week (week 7, 2011 - the week of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters pres. by Dolphin Energy/Waste Management Phoenix Open). You may have to refresh the page to see the changes. Just another way to make Golf Predictor even better!


*Only Phil Mickelson's data is shown. You must be a subscribed member to see all the field!

Prediction Data Page Enhanced - Weather

The 'Prediction Data' page for each golfer participating in a tournament has been enhanced with new weather information. This page is available from any of the prediction options on the "Stats Analysis" menu in the member section of Golf Predictor. As shown on the image* above for Phil Mickelson for the event this week, there is a new "Similar Weather" panel, which shows the player's performance in similar weather conditions over the previous five years to that predicted for the current tournament. This is different from the old weather average (more on that here), which was an amalgam of several weighted weather metrics from the current season only. In addition to the longer time span, the new weather average is the actual average in tournaments where all the metrics are similar to the current tournament.

New statistics include the standard deviation of the weather results, the number of rounds played and the number of tournaments played in similar conditions. There is also a new data table at the bottom of the page showing the matching tournaments and the player results (also shown above). Both the new panel and the new data table feature a new chart, which shows the results in similar weather graphically.

Note that actual weather can differ from weather forecasts earlier in the week. We update the weather data accordingly if such a situation arises and we are aware of it from media reports. Because of this possibility, the similar weather information is not available prior to this week (week 7, 2011 - the week of the Commercialbank Qatar Masters pres. by Dolphin Energy/Waste Management Phoenix Open). Should the weather change retrospectively, a relevant message will appear in the similar weather panel. Note also that Golf Predictor weather data goes back to the start of the 2008 season, so it will be a couple of seasons before the full five year weather history is reached. You may have to refresh the page to see the changes. Just another way to make Golf Predictor even better!


*This image only shows a small subset of all the statistics available on the page. Most have been omitted for the sake of clarity (and quicker image download).

2011 - Week 7 Predictions Online

The predictions for this week, the Commercialbank Qatar Masters pres. by Dolphin Energy (European PGA Tour) and the Waste Management Phoenix Open (US PGA Tour), are now available on Golf Predictor. Despite its title, the field in Arizona is certainly not rubbish, with eighteen majors between the competitors! There are some big names from the world rankings list teeing it up in Qatar, although the field 'only' has six majors between them!

2011 - Week 6 Winners

Paul Casey (ranked 1st by Golf Predictor) won the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions on the European PGA Tour. The Englishman was made to work for it on a day where the lead 23 times. He finally sealed victory with a par putt on the last when his playing partner Peter Hanson bogeyed. In addition to the top ranked player, we had eleven of the top thirteen plus ties (11/19) in total.

Bubba Watson (ranked 14th by Golf Predictor) won the Farmers Insurance Open on the US PGA Tour. The genial American sealed his second win on tour with a great up and down from bunker for birdie at the last. Our top ranked player, Tiger Woods, finished in tied 44th on his first outing of the season, but we had eight of the top fourteen plus ties (8/16) in total.

2011 - Week 6 Predictions Online

The predictions and statistics for this week, the Volvo Golf Champions (European PGA Tour) and the Farmers Insurance Open (US PGA Tour) are now available on Golf Predictor. This week sees the return to action of former world number one (and former world number two!) Tiger Woods. It will be interesting to see how he responds to the rise of the Europeans on one of his favourite tracks. Another former world number two, Phil Mickelson, also tees it up in Torrey Pines, just a few days after failing to impress on the other side of the world in Abu Dhabi. Meanwhile, it looks like the golfers on the European PGA Tour this week will have to put up with some very un-Middle East-like wet, windy and cool weather in the inaugural Volvo Golf Champions event in Bahrain.

2011 - Week 5 Winners

Martin Kaymer (ranked 2nd by Golf Predictor) won the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship on the European PGA Tour. The 26 year old German won the event for the third time in four years with an almost faultless display, his only blemish coming on the third hole in the first round. Kaymer gets to keep the trophy after his record -24 total and runaway eight shot victory over his nearest challenger, Rory McIlroy. Our top ranked player, Lee Westwood, finished in tied 64th on his return to action, but we had ten of the top eighteen plus ties (10/22) in total.

Jhonattan Vegas (ranked 67th by Golf Predictor) won the five round Bob Hope Classic, becoming the first Venezuelan to win on the US PGA Tour. I'm sure Hugo Chavez is building golf courses in his honour as I type!! Despite going in the water on the second play off hole, Vegas prevailed over his remaining challenger, Gary Woodland. The defending champion, Bill Haas, was knocked out on the first extra hole. In what was a pretty good event for the bookies, our top ranked player, Matt Kuchar, finished in tied 7th and we had six of the top thirteen plus ties (6/21) in total.

2011 - Week 5 Predictions Online

The predictions and statistics for this week, the Abu Dhabi HSBC Golf Championship (European PGA Tour) and the Bob Hope Classic (US PGA Tour) are now available on Golf Predictor. A lot of big guns, including Phil Mickelson and world number one Lee Westwood, are making their season debuts in the Middle Eastern desert this week, so it will be interesting to see how sharp they are! That doesn't leave many big names for the five round Bob Hope Classic in California, but the annual birdie fest is bound to produce a barrage of low scoring.

2011 - Week 4 Winners

Charl Schwartzel (ranked 1st by Golf Predictor) won the Joburg Open on the European PGA Tour. The 26 year old South African retained his title with a four shot victory, despite not having much of a long game on the homeward stretch. Luckily for him, his short game was on fire and he was able to stay clear of his chasing compatriots, Garth Mulroy and Thomas Aiken. Including picking the winner, we had eleven of the top twenty plus ties (11/26) in total.

In the first full field event of the 2011 US PGA Tour season, Mark Wilson won the rain delayed Sony Open in Hawaii. Despite only having six minutes between rounds, the 36 year old American went bogey free over the final 36 holes on Sunday to record a two shot win. Our top ranked player, Steve Stricker, finished in tied 9th and we had twelve of the top twenty plus ties (12/26) in total.

2011 - Week 4 Predictions Online

The predictions and statistics for this week, the Joburg Open (European PGA Tour) and the Sony Open in Hawaii (US PGA Tour) are now available on Golf Predictor. The South African event has its usual large local contingent (mostly not well known), but the Hawaiian event has managed to attract a pretty good field this year.

2011 - Week 3 Winners

Louis Oosthuizen (ranked 2nd by Golf Predictor) won the Africa Open on the European PGA Tour. The local favourite won on the first extra hole in play-off with Chris Wood & Manuel Quiros. I bet he's glad he didn't make the hike to exotic Hawaii now! Our top ranked player, Retief Goosen, missed the cut, but we had seven of the top fourteen plus ties (7/17) in total.

In the opening event of the 2011 US PGA Tour season, Jonathan Byrd won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions. The 32 year old American also needed a play-off to triumph over the big hitting Robert Garrigus. Despite using a three iron to Garrigus' 9 iron for his approach, Byrd prevailed for his second victory in a row on tour. Our top ranked player, Jim Furyk, finished in tied 9th and we had six of the top nine plus ties (6/11) in total.

2010 - Northern Trust Open Predictions Re-run

The predictions for the 2010 Northern Trust Open on the US PGA Tour have been re-run on Golf Predictor. This was due to the weather forecast for the tournament not being entered onto the system. As a result of this oversight, all golfers were giving a similar weather rating based on their world ranking instead. This has now been corrected and it doesn't seem to have affected the rankings significantly. I apologise for any inconvenience caused.

Slight Enhancements to 'Search' Page

The golfer name search has been slightly enhanced on the Golf Predictor Search page. You can now enter the full golfer name to return the golfer record. For example, you can now enter 'Tiger Woods' into the search box to return his record. Previously, this would not work as the search only worked on first name OR surname (i.e. 'Tiger' or 'Woods' would return all matches, including 'Tiger Woods').

The method of retrieving results has also been improved from the performance and security standpoints. Just more ways to make Golf Predictor slightly better!

2011 - Week 3 Predictions Online

The predictions and statistics for this week, the Africa Open (European PGA Tour) and the somewhat ironically titled Hyundai Tournament of Champions (US PGA Tour) are now available on Golf Predictor. Despite the great location, fabulous weather and wads of cash, the US PGA Tour event is still having trouble pulling in the big names so early in the year. This is especially true now that many of the top golfers are on the blossoming European PGA Tour. Still, it's nice to see another season kicking off in the US. Apologies again for the delay in producing the stats this week.