We have has someone in contention most of these previews except for last week. The guys around Fitzpatrick and a chance of winning had been so far out of form I could not have had any of them bar him.
BIG NEWS with SCHEFFLER pulling out of this tournament. Opens it right up.
I think the market has a lot of them right and obviously a lot shorter than they’d have been with Scottie playing, but I’d rather it this set up.
(Betfair prices at time of typing)
BETS:
TONY FINAU $80 – Hasn’t been in his best form but was 18th last week and in his last three years here he has finished 1st, 2nd, 32nd. Off the tee has been the issue but around the green and putting have been more than good enough. Looks a big price.
SAM BURNS $32 – Missed the Cut at The Genesis and the Arnold Palmer but was T6 at Pebble Beach and T13 at The Players. Always in the top Putters in the game (Ranked 14th again) and Ranked 56th off the tee is fine. Around the Greens and surprisingly Approach have hurt him. His best is more than good enough.
NICOLAI HOJGAARD $38– 6/6 cuts made this year but his last couple of tournaments have been good, not great. Genuine all round star as shown by being 13th Shots Gained overall on the tour this year. It’s simply a matter of when he wins his first and then the flood gates may open.
BROOKS KOEPKA $29 – Gee he would be frustrated. He is #1 on Strokes Gained Approach to the Green, but he is 127th with the Putter. He has changed to the Mallet which had it’s moments last week but failed at the big moments again. If he can somehow be mid field rating wise with the putter, he probably wins.
RYAN FOX $80 – Love this bloke but very rarely back him. Was in hospital a fortnight ago with gall stones but back here and he has a good all-round game. Was in great form before the operation, 4/4 cuts made including T7 at The Genesis and T24 at The Players. Better than avg in nearly every facet and was 15th here last year.
HAIL MARY’s: (worth a penny)
MATTHIEU PAVON $380 – has won on tour and made 6/8 cuts this year. The T11 last week was best result so far and he’s ranked 4th on tour for Putting. Just needs to fix Approach where he is 143rd!
A.J.EWART $460 – May be too soon but i’ll just keep backing this young fella at huge odds as he has the game. First year on tour and has made 6/8 cuts including T11 last week and T13 at the Cognizant. Has improvement to come off the tee and around the green but has the skills to pay the bills and don’t need much on at $460.
FAVOURITES: Thoughts on them.
I haven’t mentioned the THREE favs and they could be a save bet or not.
MIN WOO LEE has been in great form, great to watch and winner last year. The $16 makes it hard to back in my opinion.
CHRIS GOTTERUP $21 – Scares the pants of me, have had tiny saver and he’s on the way up.
JAKE KNAPP $22 Was the form player on tour nearly there for a month. Then missed a tournament and missed cut first one back…. Can win for sure but would have liked to see him more at The Players.
M.THORBJORNSON $36 He’s not a losing result for me but I couldn’t load up with his recent fades while being in contention. For a guy who has won so many tournaments, it just shows how hard it is to win on the PGA tour. The last three tournaments he’s played in his finishing rounds have been 79,75,77.
