RECAP
Last week we saw Dustin Johnson win at the WGC-HSBC Champions by besting Ian Poulter and Graeme McDowell in the final round. I tipped Sergio Garcia who finished in solo 4th after a fantastic final round 63. I also tipped DeLaet who finished in a tie for 6th with Rory McIlroy missing out on a place by one shot. Sergio’s place was enough for a second consecutive week of minor profit but I’m desperately craving a win and hope to get it this week.
McGladrey Classic Preview
The McGladrey Classic takes place in Sea Island, Georgia at Seaside GC, a 7,005 yard Par 70. This event was first hosted in 2010 and was won by Heath Slocum. Since then Ben Crane (2011) and Tommy Gainey (2012) have been crowned champion. The biggest names in the field this week are Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar and Webb Simpson but I’ll be looking outside of these three for the winner this week.
McGladrey Classic Tips
Harris ENGLISH 1.75 Points E/W at 30/1 (Bet365)
He was born and raised in Georgia, he went to college at the University of Georgia and he currently resides in Georgia. He won the Georgia State Amateur back in 2007 and the Southern Amateur in 2011. The Southern Amateur did take place in Florida but that’s just across the border so basically still his home state. He lived in Sea Island, GA with Chris Kirk for some time so I’m going to assume he’s pretty familiar with the course this week. His sole appearance in the McGladrey Classic in 2012 led to a tie for 15th. He finished in a tie for 7th last time out, his only Top 10 since his first win on Tour. He is a great all-round player. He drives the ball long and straight, makes a lot of birdies and is solid with the flat stick. This is the sort of course I can see him going very low on which is key in a tournament where the winning score will probably be well into the teens or perhaps into the 20s.
Charles HOWELL III 1.5 Points E/W at 30/1 (Bet365)
Another man who calls Georgia home is Chucky Three Sticks. He was born and raised in Augusta, home of the Masters, so it’s no surprise that he has challenged here before. He’s played in all 3 editions of the McGladrey Classic and has finished T6-T32-T7. His record here is pretty strong and back-to-back Top 10s suggest that he’s ready to win on tour again.
Tim CLARK 0.5 Points E/W at 100/1 Widely Available)
Tim Clark’s recent form isn’t exactly to die for but this is the type of course that suits him down to the ground. Long hitters have no discernible advantage but players with solid short games have gone well here time and time again. This is his first time playing this event but I’m not worried, if he can find some form here he may well compete.
Australian PGA Championship Preview
One of the oldest tournaments in professional golf, it dates back to 1905. The tournament has been played at the Palmer Coolum Resort in Queensland since 2002. It is a short Par 72 measuring just 6,850 yards. Every winner in the 21st century has been Australian and there have been a plethora of multiple winners since then. Robert Allenby (4), Peter Senior (3), Peter Lonard (2) and Andrew Coltart (2) have all won the tournament multiple times in recent years. Adam Scott, Brandt Snedeker and Rickie Fowler are the biggest players in this week’s tournament.
Australian PGA Championship Tips
Scott STRANGE 1.0 Point E/W at 45/1 (Stan James)
Scott Strange fits the criteria to win this week: He’s Australian. That seems to be all you need to win here, a variety of styles have won here with the only commonality being that they’re all Australian. I considered backing Scott but with best odds 7/2 available I thought I’d look elsewhere. Scott Strange has found some form recently and with back to back Top 10s I’m hoping he can go one better and win this week.
Brody NINYETTE 0.5 Points E/W at 125/1 (Paddy Power)
This is a bit of a shot in the dark pick. I’d never heard of him until his impressive performance at the Perth International where he finished in a tie for 3rd but now I have. He had missed 7 consecutive cuts up until that point but let’s hope that he has now hit a rich vein of form. He looked good that week and I think he can go well again on home soil.
Turkish Airlines Open Preview
There isn’t too much I can say as this is a new event but it has brought about one of the best fields you’ll see all year on the European Tour. Tiger is in town and is unsurprisingly 9/2 favourite. This course is a Colin Montgomerie design and will require accurate iron play if a good score is wanted.
Turkish Open Tips
Martin KAYMER 2.0 Points E/W at 16/1 (Paddy Power)
He finally looks close to winning again. He was fantastic last weekend but unfortunately he was 12 shots behind by Friday evening so wasn’t ever in with a chance. He broke his own course record on Saturday with a magnificent 62 and a 68 on Sunday was good enough for a tie for 8th, his 4th consecutive Top 15 finish. His putter is what has been letting him down of late but last week he was T3 in Putts per GIR and with some good iron play this week I think he can win.
Colin Montgomerie 0.25 Points E/W First Round Leader at 250/1 (Stan James)
You know what, I’m happy to throw half a point at Colin Montgomerie. He knows the course better than anyone, of that I am sure. If he gets it going why can’t he lead after Round 1.
Points Staked: 15
Profit/Loss: +153.39 Points
FMcK's Golf Betting Preview 