There was a big upset in the Bandit Trophy warm up match at Celtic Manor last week when lefty Paul Cartwright defeated "The Chef" Dave Talbot (pictured below) on the final hole of the Roman Road course.
The Irishman, who is still expected to be selected for the Rest of the World team at this years Dacoity Cup being held at St Pierre, Chepstow in July, blamed a bad experience at last years Dacoity Cup when he failed to complete the Roman Road course on Day 1 of the tournament.
"I had not even seen the final 4 holes since about 2001..." he complained, revealing the frustration he felt at returning to the sort of form that earned him the "Chef" tag (referring to his inability to stop slicing rather than his profession).
Some commentators have refused to write The Chef off, recalling his 4 Bandit Trophy wins, a record equalled only by his great rival Derek Ives. This, his supporters claim, warrants automatic selection for the team.
No announcement has yet been made by the Bandit Trophy handicap committee but they are rumoured to be considering whether Talbot was guilty of "protecting his handicap" by throwing the match away over the closing holes. New PGA Handicap protection rules mean that he could in fact be penalised by a cut of 3 shots to his handicap for this years event.
