Roll on 2022 !

 Another year comes to an end and who would have thought this time last year, we would be going into a third year dealing with COVID-19 and the restrictions, lockdowns and general worry about our ability to stay safe & healthy? On reflection, sport has served us well over the past two years, providing many if us with an escape from the ongoing uncertainties and upheaval in our daily routines. Golf was very lucky on the world stage to be able to function and despite the rescheduling that was forced upon them, the Europeantour did a magnificent job in producing tournaments throughout. If only the local authorities and governments can see sense and keep golf courses open for the members and public alike in 2022 and learn from the mistake that bsaw many courses shut throughout UK & Ireland when there was simply no need for them to be!

It seemed to be a good year for golf tipsters throughout 2021. From my own perspective I had my best year in a long time with a final yield of +364.95 pts

So, on to 2022 where I hope to start getting involved with the Tournament of Champions on the PGA Tour from Hawaii on the 6th January. Let's hope we can go one better than last year where Joaquin Niemann lost out in a playoff, before the DP Tour kicks off in Abu Dhabi on the 20th January.

Until then, Happy Christmas and all the best wishes for a much healthier 2022!

Jo'burg Open 2021 - Firethorn,Randpark GC, Johannesburg

It was a 1-2 in Dubai last week for the blog to add some more profit to the years tally, and the new season commences this week in South Africa with the renewed Joburg Open to be played one again at Randpark GC. but only on the Firethorn Course. 144 players tee it up which makes a welcome change from the 200+ that works have at this event in the past. 

It's a fairly open field and as it's the case with all these co-sanctioned events in South Africa we have to take the chances of the home players seriously as they inevitably always perform strongly on their home soil. Just the two selections for me

1.5 pts e/w George Coetzee @ 25/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Daniel Van Tonder @ 50/1 - 8 places 

DP World Tour Championship 2021 - Jumeirah Golf Estates, Earth Course, Dubai, UAE

 Just the selections this week. Very tempted to play Martin Kaymer here but wanted a bit more juice than the best price 75/1

Selections

3 pts WIN Collin Morikawa @ 9/1

1 pt e/w Alexander Bjork @ 100/1 - 7 places

RSM Classic 2021 - Sea Island Golf Resort,Georgia

 Selections

1 pt e/w Andrew Landry @ 110/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Cameron Young @ 150/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Max McGreevy @ 300/1 - 8 places

Houston Open 2021 - Memorial Park, Houston

 Max McGreevy gets into the field following Emiliano Grillo's withdrawal so he's a personal bet for me here @ 400/1 - 8 places. I'm happy to back Max at 200/1 or greater at the early stage of his rookie season for the time being.

We should see another birdie fest this week and perhaps better scoring than twelve months ago as players who played last year will have distinct advantage. I make it 72 players tee it up this week that played last year and that includes last week bet, Dylan Fritelli who spent his college days in Texas and will be comfortable here even if the wind gets up as expected. 150/1 - 8 places is a bet for me despite him missing the cut here last year.

Lanto Griffin won this tournament in 2020 at Houston GC before posting a 58th placing when defending here. Lanto was 7th & 6th on his last two starts so arrives in good nick and again the price is too high not to take @ 60/1 - 6 places

Aaron Wise @ 33/1 - 6 places, Erik Van Rooyen @ 60/1 - 6 places  & Mackenzie Hughes @ 75/1 - 5 places complete my staking plan based on decent prices following the 3 players posting T-20s here last year with the latter posting T-7th, the best of the trio. The Canadian was one of 3 players to post the ow score 63 twelve months ago, and was 4th LTO when seen in Japan, whilst Wise has posted 15-5-8 in his last three starts and the South African looks to kickstart his new season by producing the kind of results at the end of last season when winning the Barracuda Championship ahead of posting 16-5-7-37 in his last 4 events up to and including the FedEx Cup Finals. It's been a slow start so far from his 3 starts (48-25-mc) but he's quite capable of going better here.

Selections:

0.50 pts e/w Dylan Fritelli @ 150/1 - 8 places
1 pt e/w Lanto Griffin @ 60/1 - 6 places
1.5 pts e/w Aaron Wise @ 33/1 - 6 places
0.75 pts e/w Erik Van Rooyen @ 60/1 - 6 places
0.75 pts e/w Mackenzie Hughes @ 75/1 - 5 places
0.25 pts e/w Max McGreevy @ 400/1 - 8 places

Dubai Championship 2021 - Fire Course, Jumeirah Estate, UAE

 As the year approaches its end, the blog goes in search of a few more points of profit with "Europeantour" action moving to the hub of the tour, Dubai for this and next week's concluding events. I'm already curious to see if pundits and commentators refer to the BMW PGA Championship as the tour's flagship event at Wentworth from next year on......

Anyway - tough one again this week but I'm siding with players that I have backed recently to see if they can bring in some returns and adding Sami Valimaki who appears to be returning to form of late.

Selections:

1 pt e/w Marcus Armitage @ 100/1 - 7 places
1 pt e/w Jason Scrivener @ 110/1 - 6 places
0.5 pts e/w Sami Valimaki @ 175/1 - 7 places

1 pt e/w Alexander Bjork @ 55/1 - 8 places * added to staking plan after first release

Portugal Masters 2021 - Dom Pedro Victoria Golf Course, Vilamoura, Portugal

 A decent field this week tees it up in Portugal where I'm backing just three players based on both course form, albeit this event sees a new slot on the calendar compared to previous years, and recent form. All three I've backed recently and am confident they can go well here this week.

Selections

2 pts e/w Laurie Canter @ 20/1 - 6 places

1 pt e/w Mikko Korhonen @ 45/1 - 7 places

1 pt e/w Calum Hill @ 40/1 - 7 places

World Wide Technology Championship (Mayakoba Classic) 2021 - El CAMALEON GC, Mexico

 From Japan to Bermuda and onto Mexico, the PGA Tour returns to El Camaleon GC this week where Justin Thomas heads the betting market. At best price 14/1 JT is tempting with the 7 places on offer but I'm keen on the 17/1 (18.00) available on the exchange instead as an outright win only bet.I struggled to find real value down the field but did arrive at a few more who I think can go well this week and grab a place if not win. Tony Finau was quite tempting at the price it must be said.

Adam Long ranked in the TOP25 for driving accuracy last season on tour but he'll need to vastly improve on GIR stats here this week to go well, but he will be in confident mood having finished 3rd & 2nd here the last two years. An opening round 63 in 2019 was matched on the Saturday twelve months ago so we know he can score here and having posted a T-25 at the Zozo LTO, he should be ready to go @100/1 - 8 places

I thought this week would be a good opportunity for Patrick Rodgers but he can't be backed @ 66s so I opted to chance Anirban Lahiri having backed him last week where he ended up on the wrong side of the draw. Lahiri has form here having posted 10-14-28 on his three starts to date and I thought he was chancing again @ 250/1 - 8 places.

In similar way of thinking, I've kept the faith with Adam Hadwin here @ 80/1 - 8 places. He grabbed place money last time out so I'm not abandoning him just yet and the course is his kind of course. Two T-10s in his last three visits to El Camaleon supports the belief the course should suit.

Lastly, Dylan Fritelli is chanced @ 125/1 - 8 places. I made the South African a 66-90/1 chance this week so plenty of encouragement in the price for me and we know he can pop up any given week.

Selections

3.50 pts WIN Justin Thomas @ 18.00

1 pt e/w Adam Hadwin @ 80/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Adam Long @ 100/1 - 8 places

0.75 pts e/w Dylan Fritelli @ 125/1 - 8 places

0.50 pts e/w Anirban Lahiri @ 250/1 - 8 places

Bermuda Championship 2021 - Port Royal GC, Bermuda

Just the PGA Tour for me this week, with no Europeantour event scheduled. It's not a great field in all honesty where Patrick Reed tees it up behind Matty Fitzpatrick and Christian Bezuidenhout in the betting market. Notwithstanding that Reed is making a recovery from recent illness and loss in form, it is baffling that the Englishman and South African are not only as short as they are but they head the market also. That for me means there is value to be had down the field and I'm keen to play a few here this week. 

First on to the staking plan is namesake Max McGreevy @ 150/1 - 7 places. The Oklahoma native is a rookie to the tour this year and it's a tournament such as this where he could spring a decent result. A winner on the Korn Ferry Tour just a little over 12 months ago, Max is showing steady progress in his career following a successful campaign on the PGA China Tour prior to his extended season on the KFT. He can use the experience garnered last year with the trips to this part of the world and feel confident enough to compete. I feel with Max that if he posts a solid enough opening round he can stick around, and so the price in such a lower standard field, has to be taken. He only narrowly missed the cut in his first two PGA Tour events last month but now the shackles are off and he's had a couple of weeks off to rest and prepare to go again, I'm onboard!

Ben Kohles is another graduate from last season's KFT I'm interested in this week following a consistent spell of form.  However, he too has missed his first two cuts on tour this season but should relish the wind and if we want a strong GIR player then Kohles can call on last seasons efforts to claim his chances. Having had a PGA Tour card back in 2012 his motivation this time round is to do better and call on that experience to seize opportunities when they arise such as this week. Think there is decent value in 200/1 - 8 places for the Texan. 

I've backed Mark Hubbard a couple of times this year and I'm curious to see how he goes here. It hasn't been a great 2021 for him so far with just 3 T-20s to show for the previous season but he did finish T-16th at The Fortinet last month before finishing 44th LTO at The Shriners. 66s for 8 places just about gets an interest but it's a speculative play. 

I was tempted by Anirban Lahiri here but at the prices picked Austin Cook ahead of him to complete my staking plan. The Little Rock native has been simmering for form of late having posted T-11 at The Fortinet and he should find this tournament to his liking. A neat n tidy player,Cook can utilise his accuracy here and have a run @ 90/1 - 7 places.

Selections

1 pt e/w Max McGreevy @ 150/1 - 7 places

.50 pts e/w Ben Kohles @ 200/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Mark Hubbard @ 66/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Austin Cook @ 90/1 - 7 places 

ZOZO Championship 2021 - Narashino Country Club,Chiba,Japan

Another limited field this week but its off to Japan for the PGA Tour and the ZOZO Championship to be played again at Narashino Country Club,Chiba,Japan.

Selections 

3 pts WIN H.Matsuyama @ 14/1
1 pt e/w Takumi Kanaya @ 66/1 - 7 places

Mallorca Masters 2021 - Santa Ponsa GC, Mallorca

 This week's course has not been used by the Europeantour in over 10 years so it will be newish to all players this week. Plenty of water and wind about should see those with strong SG:T2G stats do week this week and I'm looking at a couple that have played strongly over the last week or two.

Selections

1.5 pts e/w R.Fox @ 33/1 - 7 places
1.5 pts e/w A. Bjork @ 28/1- 7 places
0.75 pts e/w N. Bertasio @ 100/1 - 7 places

CJ Cup 2021 - The Summit, Las Vegas

 New course this week but we stay in Las Vegas. Think JT & DJ put it up to The Summit GC member, Collin Morikawa this week and I'm flippin the coin and backing DJ in this 78 man restricted field

Selections

4 pts WIN Dustin Johnson @ 17.00
1 pt e/w H.Matsuyama @ 35/1 - 7 places

Andalucia Masters 2021 - Valderrama GC, Espana

 A tight, tree lined course this week for the Andalucia Masters and a course that holds many a European Tour memory. Valderrama GC can be a tricky course to score on so its players that can keep it neat n tidy that I want this week and I'm happy to keep onside a player from last week when finishing 20th without challenging in Madrid.

Selections

2 pts e/w Mikko Korhonen @ 50/1 - 7 places
1 pt e/w Calum Hill @ 50/1 - 7 places
0.5 pts win Joost Luiten @ 90.00 / 1.5 pts TOP-10 @ 6.60
0.5 pts win Jason Scrivener @ 200.00 / 1.5 pts TOP-10 @ 10.50

Open de Espana 2021 - Club de Campo Villa de Madrid, Madrid, Spain

 Selections

1 pt e/w Mikko Korhonen @ 45/1 - 7 places
0.50 pts James Morrison @ 150/1 - 6 places
0.50 Daniel Gavins @ 150/1 - 7 places
0.50 pts e/w N.Elviro @ 150/1 - 7 places
0.50 pts e/w Oliver Farr @ 200/1 - 7 places

Shriners Childrens Hospital Open 2021 - TPC Summerlin, Las Vegas

 Just the selections from me this week for Shriners Open in Las Vegas. 

1 pt e/w Sungjae Im @ 33/1 - 8 places
0.50 pts e/w Scott Piercy @ 100/1 - 10 places
0.75 pts e/w Adam Hadwin @ 110/1 - 8 places
0.50 pts Rickie Fowler @ 100/1 - 8 places
0.50 pts Luke List @ 100/1 - 8 places

Dunhill Links Championship 2021 - St Andrews, Kingbarns,Carnoustie, Scotland

 Shane Lowry, Tommy Fleetwood & Tyrrell Hatton head the betting for this week's Europeantour fare in Scotland and all three will try and put the disappointment of such a heavy Ryder Cup defeat behind them when they tee it up here alongside their captain Padraig Harrington and other members of the team. It won't be easy for them, but all three should be able to dust themselves down quickly and reset their focus, though the lack of energy experienced from such a defeat may go against them this week. That said, I would not be surprised to see them challenge as they look to make amends quickly.

I'm not overly keen of the PRO-AM format as what presents itself this week but three links courses need to be taken into consideration in to who might go well and I'm going to chance a punt on Ryder Cup vice-captain, Martin Kaymer this week @ 50/1 - 7 places. He too will be disappointed from last week but he may just be "angry" enough to go out there and try make the way back to making the team in 2 years time in Italy. Kaymer has always gone well here and his personality is ideal for the format. Winner here way back in 2010, Kaymer has also posted a number of T-10s since, has been hinting for some time,albeit for some time without getting over the line that a win is coming. There's enough in the price for me. I wanted to get onside with Thomas Pieters here but best price 35/1 with just 5 places is too short and the 28s with extra places turned me off.

Tom Lewis @ 100/1 - 7 places and Ross Fisher @ 90/1 - 7 places does entice me in here as both have strong links pedigree and the price is value in my book. It's been awhile for me to look at Ross as a bet but he could outplay those odds very easily here and can't be dismissed. The former has been playing well on the Korn Ferry Tour this year without really challenging and despite coming in here on the back of 3 missed cuts, I do expect him to find this week very suitable. He was 5th last time here in 2019 and 10th in 2018 as well as 3rd back in 2013 so has tournament form and will know the course well.

Lastly, in form, Francesco Laporta @ 125/1 - 7 places is added purely on solid form of late. His only appearance here was 4 years ago where he duly missed the cut but there's a bit of juice in the price in a player that arrives on the back of a 4th & 6th in his last two events!

Selections

1 pt e/w M.Kaymer @ 50/1 - 7 places
1 pt e/w R. Fisher @ 90/1 - 7 places
0.75 pts e/w T. Lewis @ 100/1 - 7 places
0.50 pts e/w F.Laporta @ 125/1 - 7 places

Dutch Open 2021 - Bernardus Golf, Cromvoirt, Netherlands

 Despite being one of the oldest Open Tournaments around, the Dutch Open sadly wasn't played last year during the pandemic but we're back this week at a new venue, Bernardus Golf, Cromvoirt, Netherlands.

From my research the course looks as if it will suit those that like a links-type course and on that reckoning I think Branden Grace is the man to be with this week as too his compatriot who I've backed a couple of time lately and am happy to stick with again here this week, Brandon Stone (not easy as an Irishman spelling their names correctly) 

Grace is available @ 16/1 - 5 places and 14/1 - 7 places but I'm taking him win only here @22.00 on the exchange. More risk averse punters may like to have the place on their side but I really do think if he's in the mood, he can prove to be too strong for this field.

Stone may not be pushing for a big result of late but there's no denying that his game is rounding into form and he just might find this course to his liking and his game clicks into a challenging one. At 50/1 - 6 places I think there's a bit of value to be had.

Lastly, it's been quite awhile since I put up Gavin Moynihan and whilst it's been a tough 12-18 months for Gavin, with missed cut after missed cut, there are definite signs that all his perseverance & practice is starting to pay off lately without grabbing too much attention as he begins to make some better scores...his recent effort at Portmarnock Links at the Irish Challenge seemed to start the revival before narrowly missing the cut at Mount Juliet following a solid Friday. He has since made the cut at the Hero Open & Czech Masters before finishing T20 at the British Challenge at The Belfry where his second round bogey-free caught my eye. So too did his albatross the week before at The Dutch GC on the Challenge Tour. Given the links-type setup here this week and recent improvement, I had a little dabble here this week and backed Gavin @ 25/1 for a TOP20. Makes the cut, that T-20 is not beyond him

Selections

3 pts WIN Branden Grace @ 22.00
1 pt e/w Brandon Stone @ 50/1 - 6 places
1 pt TOP-20 Gavin Moynihan @ 25/1

BMW PGA Championship 2021 - Wentworth,Surrey, England

Just no time for a full preview this week, however I'm going to war with 4 players this week at Wentworth. I'm taking on the head of the market and going with some players that offer some real good value as long as they start well tomorrow. 

All 4 have been in solid form of late and their games should suit this tree-lined course whilst "Frani" could be inspired at a track that he's done be very well at in the past and return a good result. 

Selections

1.5 pts e/w Guido Migliozzi @ 50/1 - 8 places

1.5 pts e/w Victor Perez @ 55/1 - 6 places 1/4 odds)

1 pt e/w Francesco Molinari @ 60/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Calum Hill @ 75/1 - 6 places (1/4 odds)

Solheim & Ryder Cup 2021 - Inverness Club, Ohio & Whistling Straits,Wisconsin

 I haven't much confidence in a European victory in either the Solheim or Ryder Cup this year. I'll certainly be glued to the TV watching both and in particular to see Leona Maguire make her debut in what will be the first of many Solheim Cups. Having seen Leona and her sister Lisa play at the Junior Solheim Cup at Knightsbrook GC in Ireland, we can expect a strong performance from the Cavan girl this week and she brings solid 2021 LPGA form into the week. I do however feel the USA are far too strong and expect them to win this comfortably.

As the fallout on Bryson continues, something tells me USA are shooting themselves in the foot before they even start at Whistling Straits and a team that will feature both he & Brooks Koepka will be an unsettled one. This is where Steve Stricker can show his leadership though and if he gets the pairings right next Friday week, it should see them go on to win. Like Leona Maguire, fellow compatriot, Shane Lowry will make his debut and he will bring a strong "dressing room" presence to the team not that Team Europe need any further improvement in that department. I write this ahead of Pádraig's picks being revealed but I'm sure he'll be picking Poults, Rose & Garcia. Jon Rahm made his debut in 2018 losing both fourballs he played but he did see of Tiger in the singles as Europe romped to victory and he'll be the talisman this year no doubt. Viktor Hovland will make his debut alongside Shano and will sure to feature but I do fear despite the experience of the team, that they may find this USA team to have the strongest team for awhile and it really is for me a matter of Stricker getting the pairings as well as the singles matched up right whilst coping with the "BDC factor"...for me, I'd put him out in fourball as the 4th pairing on day-1 with perhaps Patrick Reed or possibly JT or Collin Morikawa but his involvement or lack thereof could prove critical for TEAM USA. 

All in all, I do think Europe will be up against it and therefore I'm backing the USA double @ 2.52

Selection 

5 pts DOUBLE USA to win Solheim Cup/USA to win Ryder Cup @ 2.52

Tour Championship 2021 - East Lake, Atlanta,Georgia

 I'm only interested in the 72 hole tournament which the bookies have a separate market on as opposed to the "winner" of the event. Patrick Cantlay leads the FedEx Cup and so starts the tournament on -10 with the next player in the ranking,Tony Finau on -8, Bryson Dechambeau on -7 and so on down the 30 man field.

Having backed both Rory & DJ last week and with both placing, I am sure both will go very well here again this week too but it's the latter that caught my eye the most in Maryland and I'm quietly confident of DJ making a run at the Championship this week. Whilst DJ "won" the Tour Championship last year, I made him 3rd in strokeplay over the 72 holes. Former results read 3-29-3-17-6-5-dnp-5-10-23-22-27. He'll start 7 shots behind Cantlay this time round and he won't be ignoring his chances...gets a hot start and he & Rory could indeed make this years event the most exciting yet.....although it will be very tough to beat the excitement of last week's 6-hole playoff !

Selection

2.5 pts e/w Dustin Johnson @ 14/1 - 5 places

Italian Open 2021 - Marco Simone GC, Roma, Italy

 The venue for the the 2023 Ryder Cup hosts the Italian Open this week as European players make a last minute push for Pádraig Harrington's Ryder Cup 2021 team. That venue is the Marco Simone Golf Club.

Matty Fitzpatrick heads the betting and whilst he may be the best player in the field, his price needs to be reviewed before looking further down the entry list. He has shown in the past that he likes to win this time of the year and he's bound to go well here for sure but I'd prefer a bit more value in the price to pull the trigger.

Based on the methods applied during 2021 here on the blog, I am inclined to stick with players backed of late and especially here with Alexander Bjork. The Swede was disappointing last weekend when it did look after Thursday's round that he could be poised to challenge but his price is better here for a course that I think he may just prefer over last week's. I did suggest he could be worth following over the next few tournaments and so I'm keeping him on side for this week again. At 66/1 - 7 places he's my first bet of the week.

I mulled over putting Justin Harding up again this week but despite his price drifting out from last week's, I'm satisfied that I can omit here and instead side with  Calum Hill at 41/1 for the win and I'll take him in the TOP-10 market @ 5.70. His form has been stellar this year, culminating in a win at The Cazoo Classic last month before following up with a 7th place finish at Crans last week. From his 19 starts in 2021, Hill has made 15 pay cheques, posted the win along with a further 3 T-5s from his 7 T-10s and 9 T-20s. The 5.70 about another T-10 here entices me in and the 42.00 about for the win holds some value also.

I was delighted to see Matthew Jordan feature on the tv coverage in Switzerland and even moreso the opportunity to monitor his demeanour and attitude on Sunday when in contention..... and I was suitably impressed. The young Englishman is definitely one on the up and like Bjork, is a player I'm more than happy to keep on the staking plan for another week even moreso @ 70/1 - 7 places.

Lastly, I'm gonna take a chance on Thorbjorn Olesen again despite dipping in form after the Canaries Swing. Top quality golfers have bounced back many times over the years and whilst the Dane has bigger personal obstacles go overcome in December, he might find some inspiration this week having won this title back in 2018 and having finished runner up in 2011 when closing with a -10, 62. He won his first European Tour  title at the Sicilian Open the following year (2012) so it appears a visit to Italy has been good for him and I couldn't let the 125/1 - 7 places go abegging in the hope the winning formula for Thorbjorn lies within the pasta or gelato that he'll enjoy in Rome. 

Maybe if we get the winner this week, a celebratory drink might be available at my cousin's bar, Scholars Lounge Roma  !! Just tell em,Seán sent ya 😉

Selections

1 pt e/w Alexander Bjork @ 66/1 - 7 places

1pt e/w Matthew Jordan @ 70/1 - 7 places

1.50 pts WIN Calum Hill @ 42.00

2.50 pts WIN Calum Hill @ 5.70

0.50 pts e/w Thorbjorn Olesen @ 125/1 - 7 places 

BMW Championship 2021 - Caves Valley Golf Club, Baltimore, Maryland

 Just the selections from my shortlist for this week's PGA-FedEx Cup series tournament to be played at Caves Valley GC, Baltimore where by all accounts we may need to have a bomber on our staking plan. The opening few holes suggest early opportunities for birdies, so it could make for a very interesting trading event this week on betfair. It should be to Bryson's "cup a tae" here but it may just be as appealing to DJ & Rory. I'm backing both based on price and their ability to benefit off the tee and I also want to chance Jason Kokrak again and play Max Homa too. Sam Burns continues to impress me but I'll reluctantly pass at best price 50/1 given the value with the market leaders and for me having backed JT last week, I'll pass on him this week...yes he putted much better but I'm not convinced his driving is fully sorted. If we was 2-3 points bigger than yes but he's definitely on the radar should the exchange present an opportunity to get him onside.

Selections

2.5 pts e/w Dustin Johnson @ 22/1 - 7 places

2 pts e/w Rory McIlroy @ 25/1 - 7 places

0.75 pts e/w Jason Kokrak @ 66/1 - 7 places

0.50 pts e/w Max Homa @ 125/1 - 7 places

European Masters 2021 , Crans-sur-Sierre, Crans Montana, Switzerland

 Always a well loved event by players and their better halves, the European Masters descends once again or should I say ascends to Crans Montana in Southern Switzerland. With no event last year, Sebastian Soderburg defends from 2019. It's a wide open event this week with plenty of value about and having pondered over my shortlist yesterday (23 players!) I have deduced that the best plan of attack is to get a few of these into the staking plan as possible, mixing some that seem to be coming into form and sticking with one or two that I've gone with recently. 

As with Kevin Kisner, I once again have decided to stick with Jacques Kruyswijk again this week despite a lacklustre Sunday effort last week in Prague. His price has drifted out and simply put has to be backed again given his recent form....yes, perhaps he's not an out & out winner, but the form can't be ignored and at the price he could very well give us a run for our money and outplay those odds here.Perhaps he's drifted due to his only appearance here to date resulted in a MC when shooting 74-75, but he's a much improved player these days and is having a solid 2021. Given his 8 starts on the Europeantour in 2021, the Saffer has posted 2 T-5s from his 7 T-20s of which a further 3 of those were T-10s.Those results 8 results yielded finishes of 7-11-10-17-25-7-5-5 At 66/1 - 7 places he has to be kept on side again this week.

Brandon Stone flew out of the blocks in Prague last Sunday and looked all set for place money on his 72nd hole before he duly ruined my day but hitting water with his approach and dropping 2 shots to miss out.Not to be but he should take the positives from a very good week,having nabbed his 3rd T-20 in 12 starts. Like his compatriot though, his only visit here to date resulted in a MC also (75-73) so I'm looking for both players to start better this week for sure. He is must bet @ 100/1 - 7 places here for me

Keeping the South African team together for the assault this week and probably the best player of the South Africans to tee it up here is Justin Harding @ 33/1 - 6 places. I made Justin 25s here despite this being his debut at Crans, but Soderburg proved that it shouldn't be a deterrent. From his 19 starts on this tour in 2021, Harding has a win with the 9 T-20s posted, that win coming way back in the year in Kenya. If we do look at recent form though, he did lose a playoff to Nacho Elvira at Celtic Manor the week after posting a T-20 at The Open. Hes well rested, maybe too much having not played since the visit to Galgorm Castle at the end of July but he's a player I like a lot and Crans should be his cup of tea.

Marcus Armitage and Matthew Jordan were of big interest to me this week, but whether there is enough +ev in their prices I'm not sure. Armitage is best price 55/1 - 5 places as I write and wouldn't be a bet but should he drift to 66s I would. However, Jordan @ 80/1 - 8 places gets the nod, just! After an indifferent start to 2021, the Englishman has settled down a bit and started to post some decent results since the BMW International where he finished 17th and he took that form onto Mount Juliet to post 12th, before heading to Scotland for his third successive T-20. Two MCs in his next events was followed up by a T-10 at Fairmont before a T47th last time out The London GC. The price just about gives me some value for a player that may well find Crans suitable with the extra places available.

It's been a very quiet 2021 for Alexander Bjork although he is 11/14 with 4 T-10s posted. Last seen at The Renaissance Club where he posted an eye catching 63 in rd-3, Bjork has been honing up back in Sweden of late posting 66-64 to win a tournament at The Sand GC. He's a quality player, having only won once on tour todate which is a little surprising, but @ 75/1 - 5 places I'm having an interest in a player that really should be kicking on now into his 30s and he may be worth following over the next while.

Selections:

1.50 pts e/w J. Harding @ 33/1 - 6 places
1 pt e/w J. Kruyswijk @ 66/1 - 7 places
0.75 pts e/w B. Stone @ 100/1 - 7 places
0.75 pts e/w M. Jordan @ 80/1 - 8n places
0.75 pts e/w A. Bjork @ 75/1 - 5 places

Czech Masters 2021 - Albatross GC, Prague

 Europeantour heads to the mainland this week where the Czech Masters will resume having not been played in 2020. It's a poor field in fairness, well in comparative to fields assembled of late but I do think it gives us some value to delve into. Whilst the blog did collect his 5th outright winner on the PGA Tour last week, I'm hoping we can find Europeantour winner No.2 for the year here this week.

I can't argue with Sam Horsfield heading the market here but do think there are others in just as good as form and some others who just might outplay their odds if they find the form that can see them prevail.

I went with Kevin Kisner for the 5th time this year last week and it proved to be the right call so I'm happy to chance Jacques Kruyswijk @ 28/1 - 6 places and well as last week's selection Vincent Norrman @ 28s also. The latter for all the reasons listed last week but perhaps keeping faith in that Albatross GC will be better suited to last week and I often think these new youngsters show more grit the week after having missed the cut to get more aggressive and make birdies. The Swede has shown the potential and can easily bounce back this week. I'm not getting the odds this time for the South African as I did in Austrian when placing and in England when taking 55s & 66s respectively but in this firld the 28/1 is decent value to me. 23rd here in 2019 and 7th in 2018 in his only 2 visits, Kruyswijk can boast 6 TOP-2s from his 7 starts on the Europeantour  of which 4 are T-10s and 2 f those T-5s....decent form to bring here where has played well before and he can continue to represent the strong South African form to follow Erik Van Rooyen's win on the PGA tour the week before last.

Speaking of South Africans', 66/1 about Brandon Stone cannot be overlooked too lightly. He hasn't been inform for sure, but should he start nicely he can get into the zone and contend and the price will mean nothing for the player who is not afraid to win. He does have 3 TOP-20s from his 11 starts on tour this year although 4 missed cuts in his last 5 outings suggest that form is stale but Albatross GC and the strength of field is not one to be overly worried about. There's a bit of juice in 66s!

Selections

2.5 pts e/w Jacques Kruyswijk @ 28/1 - 6 places
1.75 pts e/w Vincent Norrman @ 28/1 - 6 places
1 pt e/w Brandon Stone @ 66/1 - 6 places

The Northern Trust 2021 - Liberty National GC, New Jersey

 The FedEx Cup Playoffs begin in New Jersey on Thursday with The Northern Trust to be played for the third time at Liberty National GC. 124 players tee it up as Louis Oosthuizen takes a week off. 

Before that though, just to make a brief mention of last week's event where we (the blog) saw our 45/1 selection, Kevin Kisner get the win in a 6-man playoff !! I don't normally mention the previous weeks event, good or bad, but it was incredible that he won given his 2nd shot on the first playoff hole, then the near miss with his chip, "knowing" that Scottie would make a 3...I still can't quite believe he missed to send the playoff back to the tee box before our man prevailed....it was Kiz' 6th playoff having lost the previous 5, of which we were also on when losing out to Robert Streb at the RSM Classic last November. Finally my & Kisner's luck in playoffs went the right way and brings the blogs playoff record to 5/19 since first doing the blog in 2009. Kevin Kisner's unlikely playoff win now puts the blog in a very healthy position for 2021 with the P&L now standing at +329.57 pts with the bit of luck going our way for a very welcome change.

Onto this week so, and it's going to be a fascinating tournament this week with market leader Jon Rahm returning to action after his latest covid enforced layoff. It's been a crazy few months for Rahmbo, in between becoming a father for the first time, doing more than his fair share of covid lockdowns and finding the time to win his first Major.... and nothing should shock us should he take the FedEx Cup to top it all off. We could really could get onside with any of the market leaders given they have all form of sorts to boost yet I'm gonna back JT here this week based on price and the hope that he can bring an improved putting game. The driving seemed to be better last time out at The St Jude but its the 25/1 - 8 places that entices me in. No other reason than price, JT can simply bring his A-game any time and the price is worth chancing. 

I also think Jason Kokrak is worth backing @ 66/1 - 8 places. Jason goes in here this week looking for this third win of the season despite missing the cut last week at Sedgefield. He did afterall, win the CJ Cup the week after missing the cut at the Shriners Open last October and Liberty National should see him in positive mood as his 12th & 9th place finished here in 2019 & 2013 suggest. It's been a stellar season for the Buckeye and he may just have another big result under his sleeve.

Just the two for me here as I have shortlisted quite a few for Prague this week on the Europeantour

Selections

2 pt e/w Justin Thomas @ 25/1 - 8 places
1 pt e/w Jason Kokrak @ 80/1 - 8 places

Wyndham Championship 2021 - Sedgefield GC, North Carolina

 Webb Simpson tees it up undoubtedly on his favourite course this week having posted some amazing results at Sedgefield over the years with a solitary win coming back as far as 2011, his first PGA Tour victory. No arguments to him heading the betting market this week but I wouldn't say there's any value in backing him to win again this week.

Tournament /Course Form
2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009
3	2	2	3	72	6	5	11	22	1	8	mc

Webb Simpson @ Wyndham Championship

Whilst I keep this post very short due to my usual time constraints, I am keen to get on board a couple of players this week and hopefully continue the good PGA Tour form this year as I go looking for winner no.4 

Sungjae Im is first into the staking plan @ 28/1 - 8 places. The South Korean finished 9th & 6th here the past 2 seasons and from his 30 starts on the PGA Tour this season, has posted 10 TOP-20s of which 4 have been T-10s, the last which came at the Rocket Mortgage Classic, just 4 starts ago at a course designed by this weeks designer, Donald Ross. 

Kevin Kisner  goes in also @ 45/1 - 8 places - these type of tracks do suit "Kis" and he can go better than his 3rd place finish here last year and his two other T-10s in his previous 3 starts at Sedgefield. Like Im, he put in a T-10 at Detroit the week after finishing 5th at The Travelers. This will be the 5th time this year I'll back Kisner whilst I was also on him when losing a playoff to Robert Streb last November at the RSM Classic so hopefully he can do the biz this time.

Selections

1.5 pts e/w Sungjae Im @ 28/1 - 8 places

1 pt e/w Kevin Kisner @ 45/1 - 8 places

Cazoo Classic (English Open) 2021 - London GC

 London Golf Club in Kent, England hosts the Cazoo Classic this week on the Europeantour, where Bernd Wiesberger emerges as a clear favourite to win. London GC being a Jack Nicklaus design should see the strong ball strikers come to the fore and the Austrian is a strong contender in finding greens and proximity to the hole. I have pondered backing him here but his price is gone somewhat having learned that he's been a popular pick amongst the more well known golf tipsters this week.

Instead, I'm happy to stick with players who popped up on my shortlist. However, one of them, Vincent Norrman who I was quite keen on, has also been backed to a price that I thought was far too short of my fair price of 33s (now 28s) and so it seems I may have been slow off the rank this week. Undeterred, I did want to have 2 players on my staking plan this week; Laurie Canter & Garrick Porteous. Both are now best price 35/1 & 60/1 respectively. On reflection before making my staking plan and updating this post, Canter may not represent value and neither would the Englishman.

Back to the drawing board I went and revised my tissue, I upped my "error ratio" to 33% and found I needed to go back to the head of the market again and re-evaluate if there was indeed value in Wiesberger & Norrman, and its the latter @ 28/1 I'm most drawn to. In fine form, the 23 year old Swede has posted 4no. TOP-20s in his 5 Europeantour starts of which one was a T-5 @ The BMW International, a further T-10 @ The Cazoo (Wales) Open. His first appearance was an amateur at the Scandinavian Masters where he finished 12th, so all in all life as a pro so far has been good and we have another Scandinavian to keep an eye on for the future. A big hitter averaging ~320yds off the tee, he'll tee it up this week and perhaps play in the same carefree manor that saw Ross Fisher & Christian Cevaer prevail when London GC last saw Europeantour action in 2008 & 2009. Whilst players on both this and the PGA Tour this week try make one last push for qualification for Ryder Cup and FedEx Cup Finals, the Swede could make a last minute move for R2D points and given the form and strength of the field here in Kent, this might be a great opportunity for the youngster to just go out and continue playing as well as he has and make inroads to securing a Europeantour card for next year

Following the review, I couldn't leave out Masahiro Kawamura @ 25s. Another who has been in fine form with solid results the past few weeks, The Japanese player will have goals to improve on his OWGR ranking of 150. Not an overly confident selection especially at the price but given his form he may just take to the course here this week and put in a result.

Recent Tournament Results- EURO
Hero Open	The Olympics	World Invitational	Wales Open	The Open	Scottish Open	Irish Open	BMW Intl Open	US Open	Scand' Mixed
16	-	3	5	-	59	mc	29	-	7

Kawamura recent form

Selections

1.5 pts e/w V.Norrman @ 28/1 - 6 places
1 pt e/w M. Kawamura @ 25/1 - 6 places (28s available with Bet365 - 5 places)

Men's Olympics Golf 2020 - Kasumigaseki Country Club - East Course, Saitama,Japan

 The Americans rightly head the market for Olympics glory this week and with a reduced field ahead, they could find this to be a "grab n go" opportunity in Saitama. An Olympics like no other with COVID-19 restrictions in place and lack of an athlete's village, the pros should see this as a 72 hole tourney,tee it up and move on to their schedules. 

There's just one player I'm playing at the prices and that's Zimbabwean,Scott Vincent. Well used to playing in Japan though his JTO membership, he could find the challenge to win a medal right up his alley. He's been in decent form,will be well settled in Japan and could surprise so its a TOP-10 & TOP-20 play for me @ 18/1 & 5/1 respectively.

Selections

 2 pts TOP-10 S. Vincent @ 18/1 

4 pts TOP-20 S. Vincent @ 5/1 

3M Open 2021 - TPC Twin Cities,Blaine, Missouri

 Just 2 selections for me for the 3M Open this week in what will be just the third staging of this event in Missouri.

Selections

1 pt e/w Cameron Champ @ 80/1 - 8 places
0.5 pts e/w Steve Stricker @ 80/1 - 8 places

Cazoo Open 2021 - Celtic Manor, Newport, Wales

 Just the selections this week for the Cazoo Open or is it the Wales Open ?? Not sure of the status but regardless its Celtic Manor for the week ahead in what looks a poorish field headed by Matt Wallace.

1 pt e/w J. Kruyswijk @ 66/1 - 6 places

0.75 pts e/w J. Morrison @ 60/1 - 7 places

0.50 pts Sebastian Heisele @ 80/1 - 7 places

The Open 2021 - Royal St. George GC, Kent, England

 

Whilst I managed to avoid family holiday for the Irish Open this year, same can't be said for the Open Championship this week and therefore I am going to battle with a few selections but apologies for lack of a preview.

 Sandwich hosts the Open this year where Ireland's Shane Lowry defends having won on Irish soil two years ago at Royal Portrush. I fully expect "Shano" to challenge again this week.

Whilst tournament favourite, Jon Rahm, quite rightly heads the market and can boast links pedigree having won 2 Irish Opens at Portstewart & Lahinch, I do feel this is very open this time round and have such chanced a few outsiders.

Of the market leaders, I cannot dismiss easily the chances of Spieth, DJ & Rory and if we get benign conditions Thursday & Friday they just might get the starts required to challenge the weekend when their experience will make a huge difference. 

From the pack, I am aware of Henrik Stenson's form of late but an Open Championship is a different ballgame and I think he can show that experience at The Open counts for a lot and put a good week together. Winner at Troon back in 2016, the Swede can also boast  a further 6 TOP-20s in 11 starts of which included a runner up placing and 2 3rd place finishes. Greg Norman & Tom Watson are recent proof that the "older" guys can turn up here and contend and I'm more than happy to have small stakes @ 250/1 - 11 places

2018 Champion, Francesco Molinari has shown signs of late to suggest he too can put in a good challenge and he's included @ 140/1 - 10 places

Shane Lowry is value I feel @ 35/1 - 10 places as is Tommy Fleetwood @ 40/1 - 8 places but its Sergio Garcia & Adam Scott that I think could have a great week @ 55/1 & 66/1 respectively paing 11 places that I like most of all.

I wanted to get Rory, DJ & Spieth on board but in the end opted for DJ @ 20/1 - 11 places based on price. A US Open winner and unlucky not to have won more, the American can win this if he finds his A-game which wouldn't be a surprise should he find it this week and go slightly better than his previous 10 attempts as highlighted below

51

mc

54

9

49

12

32

9

2

14

Dustin Johnson Open Results 2019 --->> 2010

Selections

1.5 pts e/w D. Johnson @ 20/1 - 11 places

1 pt e/w S. Lowry @ 35/1 - 10 places
1 pt e/w T. Fleetwood @ 40/1 - 8 places

1.25 pts e/w S. Garcia @ 55/1 - 11 places

1.25 pts e/w A.Scott @ 66/1 - 11 places

0.50 pts e/w F. Molinari @ 140/1 - 10 places

0.50 pts e/w H. Stenson @ 250/1 - 11 places

Irish Open 2021 - Mt. Juliet, Thomastown, Ireland

Thanks to yet another calendar change for the Irish Open this year I find myself not on holidays this time round and I might even get to watch some of it this year albeit on TV as restrictions are in place still in Ireland for attending sporting events.  We have had very good weather in Ireland the past 3 weeks so you can expect the first ever Jack Nicklaus design in Ireland to be in immaculate condition this week as Mt.Juliet hosts for the first time since the WGC came here back in 2004.  The forecast is also good for the remainder of this week, so with generous fairways to be hit, we can expect a birdie-fest. This is a parkland course so it means a break from the links on offer that most would associate with Irish Opens and its a course that Rory McIlroy should gobble up in pretty much the same way he did at the K Club when winning this title 5 years ago.

It's a decent field too this week, just two weeks out from the long awaited Open, where it's defending champion, Shane Lowry will look for a solid week ahead of his defense and take the opportunity to catch up with family & friends. I fully expect Shano to contend well here this week and he & Rory are deserving market leaders.

The 11/2 about Rory McIlroy may not be everyone's cup of tea and it's certainly a price I would normally pass on, but Mt Juliet is just a course I think sets up perfectly for him and if should the Ulsterman start well, I can see him pressing the pedal in search of a 2nd Irish Open title. To be brutally honest, if he does start well, I cannot see much in the way of a challenge and therefore is a win only bet for me this week.

Of the challengers and those of value, I had shortlisted Shano along with Ryan Fox, Justin Harding, Adri Arnaus,Jason Scrivener, Masahiro Kawamura, Calum Hill and Wilco Nienaber, Christian Bezuidenhout,Thorbjorn Olesen and Mike Lorenzo-Vera. Despite Rory,Shane & Padraig winning the Irish Open in "recent" times, the home players haven't really fared well at their National Open so I'm happy to leave recent tour winner and in-from Jonathan Caldwell out. Olesen was of interest given he has decent form on Irish soil and I can't pass up on him @ 60/1 - 10 places. Form hasn't been great recently but the price probably allows for that.

Tournament Form * Mt Juliet not used since 2004
2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009
-	15	6	48	10	mc	-	-	18	15	-	-

Thorbjorn Olesen @ The Irish Open

I have backed Justin Harding a couple of times recently and despite posting 6 TOP-20s from his 14 starts in 2021 as per table below, he can be backed @ 50/1 - 10 places. Aussie, Scrivener I have tried to catch once or twice before and yet to capitalise, but he could take to Mt.Juliet and as highlighted by datagolf.com, Jason is trending perfectly ahead of the event and same can be said with a number on my shortlist as showing up on the trend list...e.g. Fox, Hill, & Kawamura. I'm backing the Aussie to challenge in the Marble County @ 45/1 - 8 places.

Irish Open Form														EURO Season Stats
My Shortlist	2020	2019	2018	2017	2016	2015	2014	2013	2012	2011	2010	2009		Season Starts	Season WINS	Season T-10s	Season T-20s
Christiaan BEZUIDENHOUT	-	mc	19	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		7	0	0	1
Thorbjorn OLESEN	-	15	6	48	10	mc	-	-	18	15	-	-		4	0	1	1
Ryan FOX	mc	mc	2	4	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		7	0	1	4
Justin HARDING	11	mc	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		14	1	2	6
Adri ARNAUS	23	15	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		11	0	3	4
Jason SCRIVENER	25	mc	mc	mc	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		9	0	3	3
Masahiro KAWAMURA	14	46	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		15	0	1	3
Calum HILL	28	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		12	0	4	6
Wilco NIENABER	48	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-	-		8	0	0	0
Mike LORENZO-VERA	-	9	mc	-	mc	mc	-	-	-	-	-	20		9	0	0	0

Selections

5 pts WIN R.McIlroy @ 11/2
1 pt e/w T. Olesen @ 60/1 - 10 places
1 pt e/w J. Scrivener @ 45/1 - 8 places