Fedex St Jude Classic - 2013

Action on the US PGA Tour centres on Southwind TPC south of Memphis this week and acts as the last event on tour before the US Open next week. We have yet another par 70 course this week where the big hitters have fared well in recent years. Ranked as one of the most difficult scoring wise on tour (as a par 70) Southwind is not a short course and is well protected by bunkers and water hazards throughout. Past experience will help here if lacking the power off the tee.


Phil Mickelson is using this week to get his game right for Merion and that might mean experimenting with clubs again. I'm not so sure that Phil will contend in Majors again but if he gets a good start he will most certainly be up there. However, this week I do like the chances of co-favourite Brandt Snedeker @ 14/1. Its not often I will back the fav. but I think there is value at 14s given the quality of the field. Following some recent good form at Augusta and Sawgrass, the local boy will be hoping too, that his game is in fine shape ahead of the 2nd Major of the year and I fully expect a title bid this week. He missed the cut last week at Muirfield, which makes 6 in a row, so that can easily be ignored as its a track he just doesn't like. Lying 3rd in the Fedex Cup, some valuable points can be gained here and he's backable for the win.

My second pick is South African, George Coetzee @ 80/1. In his debut season, Coetzee has made 6/7 cuts with just the 1 TOP 25 but he is bedding in nicely on tour and this is course that should suit him. Winless, though he has threatened many times on the European Tour, it could very well work out that he tastes victory for the first time on this tour and again just like Phil Mickelson's chances, if he can get into contention early he just might give us a run for his money.


My third pick this week is Jason Kokrak @ 150/1. The big hitting 26 yr old ranks in the top 10 for driving distance on tour this season and from 15 starts has made 9 cuts yielding 2 TOP10s and a further 4 TOP25s. With just 2 par 5's on the course,  the winning score looks to be in around that of 270 (-10) so if he can limit his mistakes on the tricky par 3s this week he may just find a score to challenge for a top 6 or better.

A fourth pick this week has to be John Merrick @ 55/1. Runner up here last year and T11th the year before, Southwind TPC is a course the winner of this year's Northern Trust Open obviously likes. Merrick will be anxious to return to some form and build on his World Ranking and FedEx Cup points tally, so Southwind gives him a good opportunity to do that and represents decent enough  value this week.


TIP 1: 3 pts WIN Brandt Snedeker @ 14/1 Paddypower

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w George Coetzee @ 80/1 Betpack

TIP 3: 0.50 pts e/w Jason Kokrak @ 150/1 Betpack

TIP 4: 1 pt e/w John Merrick @ 55/1 Boylesports