USPGA Championship

Bank Balance after WGC Bridgestone + 129.12

The final major of the year gets under way on Thursday at Whistling Straits GC, where Vijay Singh won his title in 2004. The Straits course has almost 1000 bunkers on it, so avoidance could be the buzz word in Winsconsin this week. That should mean players who can scramble and keep it straight off the tee with some distance should go well, but the essence once again this year could be on how to play the wind, with wind always a factor along the holes by the lake and also the fear of forecasted wind/rain come Friday & Saturday. The past few weeks, especially in Europe, have seen plenty of wind and Ireland's 3 time Major winner, Padriag Harrington has been playing well in it. Second in Killarney and tied 9th on Sunday suggests Padraig is close to his A game and he will be very comfortable on this "linksy" course this week and is great value @ 20/1 with Paddypower (paying 1/4 odds for 6 places too). He can outgun Rory McIlroy who should also contend but odds are not representing good value in my eyes.
Europe's best player (other than Lee Westwood, who incidently has pulled out due to injury) is Martin Kaymer. The affable German played well last week but could not finding his putting touch, hopefully its saved up for this week, and with odds of 55/1 Paddypower I simply have to take him.
My third selection is Retief Goosen who recorded his 8th top 10 on the PGA Tour this year on Sunday. His reaction to overshooting the 72nd hole on Sunday was very un-Goose like but it tells me the South African wants to win again, has won 2 US Opens on tough courses, had top 5 finish at St Andrews again this year and will be ready for this one this week. He is 35/1 with Paddypower
As I always take an extra selection for a major, the fourth selection for the week is Jeff Overton @ 60/1, again with Paddypower. He ranks 2nd overall on Tour for overall play and was last week at Firestone ranked T2 in birdies, T6 in putting, T7 in greens, and 12th in fairways ! That form can not be ignored especially with his performances the past few weeks with 6 top 10 finishes in 11 tournaments. He tees it up with Darren Clarke who will be comfortable on the course also and Kenny Perry.

USPGA Championship Selections:

1 pt e/w P.Harrington @ 20/1
1 pt M.Kaymer @ 55/1
1 pt R.Goosen @ 35/1
.5 pts e/w J.Overton @ 60/1