WGC - Cadillac Championship 2011

The second instalment of 2011 WGC's events takes place in Miami, Florida this week on the infamous TPC Blue Monster Course. Formerly known as the CA Championship, the history of winners is illustrious, with Tiger Woods winning 6 times, Ernie Els twice, Phil Mickelson, Geoff Ogilvy & Mike Weir, all past major Champions. Indeed I have been fortunate enough to witness Tiger & Ernie winning at Mt Juliet in Ireland on those 2 occasions. This week I have given great consideration to both the course and the pedigree of potential winner as described above (Major Champions) and the one that sticks out is Graeme McDowell. A course record last week at National PGA propelled him into 6th and his 3rd sucessive top 10 finish on the PGA tour this year. Best price 14/1 Paddypower is good value when considering the size of the field. He is top on tour for GIR, a real criteria factor this week and as mentioned before on this blog, GMac excels when he is in confident mood. The other 2 selections dont quite fit the "Major Winner" billing but could have in the shape of Bubba Watson who narrowly lost out to Martin Kaymer at the most recent Major. Bubba is a birdie making machine, hits it a mile, was semi finalist at the matchplay and simply has to be the value bet this week @ 40/1 Boylesports. Again this week its proving difficult to find the 3rd and final selection to go well at this golf course and contend with the big guns where birdies galore are paramount. I have teased about backing Y E Yang again this week (we missed out by just 1 shot last week and but for Sabbatinis birdie on 16 he might have done it). The Korean is in great form and loves the bigger challenges, but I have got my shortlist down to 3 in Jason Day, Jeff Overton & Ross Fisher.  Overton went well last week and was very consistent in 2010 but I prefer the Australian, Day on the basis that his power and birdie haul stats suggest he could be a better investment. The Englishman is a player that I am tipping to do great things but I would rather see him play more often before backing him in stateside events but at 100/1 Paddypower he is worth a look and therefore will split the stakes between him & Day.

Check out my tip, Bubba Watson's pre tournament interview here:

TIP 1: 2 pts WIN G.McDowell @ 14/1 (Paddypower); GMac in very confident mood following course record 64 at PGA National last Sunday. May be setting his sights on World Number One too!

TIP 2: 1 pt e/w B.Watson @ 40/1 (Boylesports); The Left hander has the power and the ability to make birdies here. In great form and seems overpriced this week.

TIP 3: .5 pts e/w J.Day @ 66/1 (Paddypower); Very consistent player in 2010 and likes to make birdies. A win is not far away and can do so here at a big price.

TIP 4: .5 pts e/w R.Fisher @ 100/1 (Paddypower); Quite capable on any given day, just needs to put 4 good rounds together, Powerful driver of the ball and when the flatstick is working can hole from just about anywhere.