US PGA Championship, and the Women’s British Open

Hi All,

Another week that saw us very close to a nice hefty return, our NAP each way double saw us claim a 3rd and 2nd place for good return from the stake on that. It was slightly annoying though, as for large parts of the week, I felt sure one, if not both of Jimenez and Johnson were going to win, but hey ho, that’s the way it goes sometimes. A nice 28/1 place from Snedeker in Canada also helped matters, seeing us out of the week with nothing lost, this did not come without its own frustrations too, as Sneds did have the lead entering the final days play, we will hit the big one before the seasons out I’m sure. 

A double major week for us this week to get our teeth into this week, in the form of the final men’s major of the year, USPGA Championship, and the Women’s British Open. See below for a bit more information and selections.

USPGA Championship (Major) – 11 pts Outlay

 At Baltusrol Golf Club, 7,428 yards, par 70.

 The 98th PGA Championship takes place at Baltusrol, New Jersey from Thursday July 28 until Sunday July 31, with the likes of Jason Day, Jordan Spieth, Rory McIlroy and Dustin Johnson bidding for glory in golf's final major of the season. 

Just one of four golf properties to be designated a National Historic Landmark, Baltusrol was founded in 1895 on New Jersey farmland once owned by Baltus Roll, who died years earlier in an attempted robbery. The original layout staged five national championships, Last Week’s Outlay 25 pts Last Week’s Return 25 pts (level) Year To Date + 459.25 including the 1915 U.S. Open, but was plowed under as part of A.W. Tillinghast’s ambitious 1922 “Dual Courses” project. The Lower course has been the site of four U.S. Opens – two of which have been won by Jack Nicklaus – along with two U.S. Amateurs, a U.S. Women’s Open and now its second PGA Championship.

This year’s final major presents a unique situation in men’s golf, and one I feel confident we can capitalise on; this being that due to golf’s inclusion in The Olympics, the USPGA Championship has had to be moved forward, and rather than being a good 3/4 weeks after the previous major, it is only a matter of days since Troon’s conclusion. Meaning that I like the idea of current form continuing, with less time for other players not quite on their game to work on it an improve.

NAP – DUSTIN JOHNSON 8/1 (SkyBet, Bet365, Coral, WilliamHill & Ladbrokes) 4 pts WIN 

Playing really well this year and adding an incredible 12th top ten finish already in the 2016 season last week in the Canadian Open with a ties 2nd place finish, which keeps him top of the FedEx cup rankings. For those of you who do take the time to read my weekly articles you will know that I don’t beat around the bush in stating that Dustin is the best golfer on the planet right now. This course will also fall into the category the pundits like to call a ‘bombers paradise’, and who else of the long hitters would you want to side with on current form than Dustin. If in the hunt, the back-to-back par 5’s to finish could see Dustin having the advantage to get the job done. Having worked hard on all areas of the game, there are few weaknesses left in DJ’s game, and now having got over the line in winning the US Open earlier in the year, it will not take long for him to add a second major to his rapidly blossoming career.

NB – HENRIK STENSON 16/1 (Bet365, WilliamHill & BetVictor) 2 pts EW 

Henrick presents a very similar scenario to that of Dustin Johnson at the moment, with the only difference being that Henrik is slightly older and more experienced. The bridesmaid finally became the bride the other day at The Open, with Stenson winning his first major in phenomenal style. Any signs of self doubt will be long gone, and I liken the current Stenson situation to being very similar to that of Padraig Harrington’s around 10 years ago… Having come so close, so many times, Harrington finally won his first major at The Open in 2007 at Carnoustie, and before you could blink, he was a three time major champion, adding another open and a USPGA to his resume within a year and a half. Henrick is a better golfer than Padraig ever was, and I would be very surprised if he doesn’t continue to strike while the iron is hot. Also, a final bit of useful information is that Henrik does have the advantage of having competed at Baltusrol in 2005, and played all four rounds.

IWAC – SERGIO GARCIA 33/1 (WilliamHill & Ladbrokes) 1.5 pts EW 

The last four major champions have all been first time major winners (Day, Willett, Johnson & Stenson), the world of golf would love nothing less than for Sergio to make this five in a row! The signs have been good in 2016 with Garcia having won the Byron Nelson Championship earlier in the year, and with two 5th place finishes in the last 2 majors Sergio finds himself 13th in the FexEx cup rankings. Averaging under 70 strokes per round, and gaining over 1.3 strokes on the field from tee to green, on what is sure to be a tough test, Sergio will not be far away from finally clinching that elusive major championship. A top 25 at Baltusrol in 2005 also see Sergio having had a good first look and experience of tournament conditions here.

Women’s British Open (Ladies Major) – 11 pts Outlay 

At Woburn Golf Club , 

The 2016 Ricoh Women’s British Open is set to be one of the strongest and most international majors of the year as entries have now closed for this year’s Championship at Woburn Golf Club, England, 28th – 31st July. 

Defending Champion, Inbee Park, will not only have to contend with recent Major winners Lydia Ko (World No.1) and Brooke Henderson (World No. 2) but with 24 other Major Champions including past winners, Stacy Lewis, Mo Martin, Jiyai Shin and Yani Tseng as well as household names Michelle Wie, Paula Creamer, Lexi Thompson and home favourite Charley Hull.

NAP – SUZANN PETTERSEN 28/1 (Bet365) 2 pts EW 

The Women’s British Open appears to be bring the best out of Suzann, her last three resuts in this event read, 5th, tied 2nd and tied 4th! Hailing from Norway you certianly get the impression that Suzann relishes the typical British conditions often encountered during these events. With just one cut missed all year, and four top 10 finishes it has been a solid 2016 season so far for Suzann, and arriving back at an event she is comfortable at she is sure to go close once again.

NB – SO YEON RYU 22/1 (Bet365) 2 pts EW 

With a 3rd place finish at the Women’s British Open last year and a tied 5th back in 2012 the South Korean clearly isn’t fazed by the condtions encountered over on our soil and the types of courses we offer. Sitting in 12th in the Rolex Rankings for the 201 with six top 10 finishes So Yeon is having a good season so far, with top 15 finishes in all 3 majors so far in the ladies season also showing that she has a liking for the big events. Having won the 2011 US Women’s Open we also know that So Yeon can get the job done at the highest level should the opportunity present itself again.

IWAC – ANNA NORDQVIST 22/1 (Bet365) 1.5 pts EW 

Unlucky to lose out in a playoff in the last ladies major, when accidently grounding her club in a bunker, Anna will come here no doubt with a chip on her shoulder; and with four top 12 finishes in the last five Women’s British Open’s, including finishing in a tie for 7th last year, the Swede does have a solid record in this event. With a win already to her name this year, and a further five top 10 finishes, Anna is having a very good 2016 sitting in 11th in the Rolex Rankings. There is a very eye catching statistic this year which I think will prove valuable this week, and that is that Anna currently sits 2nd on tour for greens hit in regulation, hitting an impressive 78.28% of all greens.

*MULTIPLE* – Dustin Johnson (USPGA Championship) & Suzann Pettersen (Women’s British Open) - 261/1 (Bet365) 1.5pts Each Way Double 

This Week’s Outlay – 25 pts 

Have a nice week, and good luck if following, Stu 

@PriestleyStuart