The RSM Classic, PGA Tour & DP World Tour Championship, European Tour

The RSM Classic, PGA Tour – 10 pts Outlay

At Sea Island Golf Course , 7,005 yards, par 70 – Thursday November 17th to Sunday November 20th

Dating back to 1929, Seaside began as nine holes by English architects Harry Colt and Charles Alison along the southern tip of St. Simon's Island. Bobby Jones once described Seaside as among the best nine holes he’d ever encountered. Joe Lee designed the “Marshside Nine” in 1973, and Tom Fazio was commissioned to bring the two together in 1999. Once again, entrants also will play one of the first two rounds at the revamped Plantation course, where Rees Jones also fused two previous nine-hole layouts into an 18-hole parkland test. 

Olympic bronze medallist Matt Kuchar and Zach Johnson, neighbours on next-door St. Simon’s Island, join fellow U.S. Ryder Cup member Brandt Snedeker and captain Davis Love III for the final event of the fall season. Jim Furyk also is amid a line-up that includes five of the top 35 players in the world rankings. More than a half-dozen entrants don't have to venture far from their St. Simon's Island homes, a list that also includes former U.S. Open champion Lucas Glover, PGA TOUR winners Harris English, Jonathan Byrd and Brian Harman. Bob Estes, a four-time PGA TOUR winner, tees it up for just the third time since the end of 2013 but second in three weeks. He missed the cut in Las Vegas.
  
Advised Bets (10pts): - 

Outright Market (5pts) – NAP – CHRIS KIRK 18/1 (PaddyPower) 1.25 pts EW 

NB – RUSSELL HENLEY 30/1 (PaddyPower) 0.75pt EW 

IWAC – KEVIN KISNER 40/1 (PaddyPower) 0.5pt EW 

Top 10 Market (2pts) – KEVIN KISNER 5/1 (BetFred or StanJames) 1 pt BILL HAAS 3/1 (Bet365 or PaddyPower) 1 pt 

Top 20 Market (3pts) – ROBERT STREB 7/2 (BetVictor or StanJames) 1 pt

LUCAS GOLVER 2/1 (PaddyPower or BetVictor) 1 pt WEBB SIMPSON 2/1 (PaddyPower or BetVictor) 1 pt 

Note: We are sticking with PaddyPower here for the outright market, as they are offering each way terms at 1/5 odds for the top 7 places.

DP World Tour Championship, European Tour – 10 pts Outlay 

At Jumeirah Golf Estates, 7,675 yards, par 72 – Thursday November 17th to Sunday November 20th 

Earth is one of two courses set across the 1,119 hectares of lush green landscape at Jumeirah Golf Estates, and has been the home of the DP World Tour Championship since 2009. Designed by Greg Norman, the 7675 yard course is inspired by the great parkland courses of Europe and North America.

Earth plays to a par 72 and features rolling fairways, brilliant white bunkers and a deep red ochre backdrop framed by trees and shrubs. 

There is no shortage of hazards, with a total of 99 bunkers as well as a variety of lakes. Each of the last four holes plays alongside or over water, culminating in a meandering creek running the full length of the 18th hole. 

60 players will compete in the final event of the season, with four still in the running to win the Race to Dubai. 

Open Champion Henrik Stenson currently leads the Rankings, followed by 2016 Masters Tournament winner Danny Willett. Alex Noren is now up to third position after claiming his fourth victory of the season at the Nedbank Golf Challenge hosted by Gary Player, while defending Race to 10 Dubai champion Rory McIlroy is also in contention, but must win this week to have a chance of being crowned European Tour Number One for the fourth time.

The additional incentive of a share of the $5million Bonus Pool for anyone finishing the season in the top ten means the likes of Tyrrell Hatton, Branden Grace, Rafa Cabrera Bello, Louis Oosthuizen, Chris Wood and Thorbjørn Olesen will all be looking to maintain their positions. 

Slightly further down the Rankings, Jeunghun Wang has pulled ahead in the race to be named Sir Henry Cotton Rookie of the Year. Along with his rivals in the field - Li Haotong, Soomin Lee, Brandon Stone and Ricardo Gouveia - Wang is aiming to be the highest placed rookie in the final Race to Dubai Rankings and collect the award previously won by the likes of Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and Ian Poulter.

Advised Bets (10pts): - 

Outright Market (5pts) – NAP – HENRIK STENSON 6/1 (BetFair) 2.5 pts WIN 

NB – ANDY SULLIVAN 25/1 (StanJames) 0.75pt EW 

IWAC – FRANCESCO MOLINARI 28/1 (StanJames) 0.5pt EW 

Top 10 Market (1pts) – BRANDAN GRACE 2/1 (SkyBet) 1 pt 

Top 20 Market (4pts) – RAFA CABRERA BELLO 1/1 (SkyBet or Bet365) 2 pt 

VICTOR DUBISSON 2/1 (BetVictor) 1 pt 

JOOST LUITEN 15/8 (Fred) 1 pt 11 

Note: We are sticking with StanJames here for the outright market in the European Tour event, as they are offering each way terms at 1/5 odds for the top 6 places. 

*MULTIPLE* (1pt) – Chris Kirk (The RSM Classic) & Henrik Stenson (DP World Tour Championship) 133/1 (BetFair) 0.5pts EW DOUBLE

I would like to thanks Stuart for all his hard work and wish him well with his paid service which means, sadly, we will not see his tips here in future. When you consider over the last 2 years he has achieved £9,600 profit to a £10 stake he has more than proven his worth. 

We wish his well for the future.  If you want to learn more, you can contact his here: info@sjpgolftips.co.uk

Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, PGA Tour & Turkish Airlines Open, European Tour

Hi All, 

A pretty solid start for the new improved service, seeing us ending the week in profit; with 4/1 and 9/2 bets landing in the World Golf Championship event in China, and also 3/1 and 11/1 bets landing in America. 

Had a lot of positive feedback regarding the higher variety of markets we use, and also having an in play shot midway through the tournaments, these certainly have added to the excitement and diversity of the service; and we were definably pleased with the first week, and the fact it fits perfectly into our long-term points system only adds to the potential going forwards. 

Moving on to this week, where we have concentrated on the 2 main tours, a write up for each event inclusive of some recommended bets can be found below: -

Shriners Hospitals for Children Open, PGA Tour – 10 pts Outlay 

At TPC Summerlin , 7,255 yards, par 71 – Thursday November 3rd to Sunday November 6th Now in its 25th year as a PGA TOUR venue, the 1991 collaboration of Bobby Weed and two-time major champion Fuzzy Zoeller was carved from rugged Nevada desert to join what was then a three course rotation for the Las Vegas stop. It became the sole venue in 2008 as part of a tournament restructuring. TPC Summerlin meanders through arroyos and canyons leading to a four-hole closing stretch packed with risk/reward – the drivable par-4 15th, the par-5 16th, the water-lined par-3 17th and a strong par-4 18th hole to finish with. 

PGA Championship winner Jimmy Walker and U.S. Ryder Cup teammates Brooks Koepka, J.B. Holmes and Ryan Moore top a line-up that features six of the top 36 in the current world rankings. Winning Ryder Cup captain Davis Love III makes his first start since being elected to the World Golf Fall of Fame. Current Hall of Famers Ernie Els and Vijay Singh also are entered. Wesley Bryan, a three-time winner on the Web.com Tour last year, makes his second start of his PGA Tour rookie season. 

Recent trends have shown Las Vegas to be a prime locale to add another first-time winner to the list. Patton Kizzire already has a runner-up finish this season at the Safeway Open, and Derek Fathauer was third when the Tour stopped in Malaysia earlier this month. Former champions Ryan Moore and Kevin Na head a strong Las Vegas delegation that seeks to keep the trophy in town again. Also among more than a half-dozen Vegas residents are Charley Hoffman, Scott Piercy, Nick Watney and Alex Cejka. Moore and Bryson DeChambeau give the event two of just five men to win the U.S. Amateur and NCAA individual titles in the same year. The others are Jack Nicklaus, Phil Mickelson, and Tiger Woods. Smylie Kaufman will try to become just the second man to claim back-to-back titles in Las Vegas, accomplished by Jim Furyk in 1998 and 1999.

Advised Bets (10pts): - 

Outright Market (5pts) – NAP - RYAN MOORE 18/1 (StanJames) 1.25 pts EW 

NB - SCOTT PIERCY 28/1 (StanJames) 0.75pt EW 

IWAC - KEVIN STREELMAN 50/1 (StanJames) 0.5pt EW 

Top 10 Market (2pts) – KEVIN STREELMAN 7/1 (BetVictor) 1 pt 

PATTON KIZZIRE 6/1 (StanJames) 1 pt 

Top 20 Market (3pts) – ALEX CEJKA 4/1 (BetVictor) 1 pt WEBB SIMPSON 4/1 (StanJames) 1 pt 
 NICK WATNEY 4/1 (BetVictor or WilliamHill) 1 pt

Turkish Airlines Open, European Tour – 10 pts Outlay

At Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort, 7,127 yards, par 71 – Thursday, November 3rd to Sunday, November 6th 

Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort is home to Turkey’s first heathland inspired golf course, designed by Thomson Perrett & Lobb, the international golf course design practice founded by five times British Open Champion Peter Thomson. 

Located close to the Mediterranean Sea in Antalya’s Belek region, the par 71 layout measures 7,127 yards from the championship tees. The golf course, which is hosting a European Tour event for the first time, is set on undulating sand hills with free flowing holes running through a pine forest. More than one million heather plants have been added to the existing areas of indigenous heather to create Carya’s distinctive look.

 As on traditional heathland courses, a tactical approach is required, and finding the correct side of the fairway to attack the green is often more important than distance off the tee. The greens are large, undulating and fast. Many feature multiple plateaus, creating ‘greens within greens’.

Two-time winner Dubuisson will defend his crown in a new location as a field of 78 players gathers at the Regnum Carya Golf & Spa Resort from November 3rd -6 th . Portugal Masters champion Padraig Harrington, who won his first European Tour title since the 2008 US PGA Championship with that victory in the Algarve is making his first appearance at the tournament since 2013. Other notable entrants include 2016 Masters Tournament champion Danny Willett and Tyrrell Hatton, the winner of this season’s Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. European Ryder Cup players Andy Sullivan and Lee Westwood will also compete, alongside vice-captain, Paul Lawrie.

Advised Bets (10pts): - 

Outright Market (5pts) – NAP - BERND WIESBERGER 12/1 (PaddyPower) 1.25 pts EW

 NB – ALEXANDER LEVY 28/1 (PaddyPower) 0.75pt EW

 IWAC – LUCAS BJERREGAARD 80/1 (PaddyPower) 0.5pt EW 

Top 10 Market (1pts) – LUCAS BJERREGAARD 15/2 (BetFred) 1 pt 

Top 20 Market (4pts) – JULIEN QUESNE 3/1 (BetVictor) 1 pt 

 LEE SLATTERY 4/1 (Bet365 or BetVictor) 1 pt 

 RAPHAEL JACQUELIN 3/1 (SkyBet, BetFred or Coral) 1 pt 

 JUSTIN WALTERS 4/1 (General) 1 pt 

*MULTIPLE* (1pt) - Ryan Moore (Shriners Hospitals for Children Open) & Bernd Wiesberger (Turkish Airlines Open) 299/1 (Coral) 0.5pts EW DOUBLE

NOTE: As per usual, please do be careful and aware of who you are betting with for the golf, amazingly a lot of the higher profile companies change week by week on what place terms they offer. This week on the PGA Tour StanJames are offering places on the top 6 at 1/4 odds, so we will be staying with them for the EW shots! For the European Tour event, PaddyPower are offering top 6 places at 1/5 odds, so that’s why I have advised staying with them for the outright market bets. 

This Week’s TOTAL Outlay: 25 pts 

Hope you have a good week, and good luck to all those following, 

Stu 

@PriestleyStuart 

sjpriestley_pga@btinternet.com

WGC HSBC Champions & Sanderson Farms Championship, PGA Tour 2016

Hi All, 

Well, the run continues, as Matsuyama finished in solo runners-up spot, and secures our sixth placed finish of the month (18/1 place, 40/1 place, 12/1 place, 25/1 place, 40/1 place, 14/1 place), the door firmly being knocked on now, and the winners will surely come soon. Very frustrating to find just one player too good out of an entire field, but that’s the way it goes sometimes. 

Now then, on to this week, where I will be giving you a flavour of how SJP Golf Tips will be structured going forwards. As time draws closer to when there will be a small cost associated with receiving the detailed information we offer along with the advised selections, it was important to us to showcase exactly the kind of diversity and variety on offer, while ensuring that the return on any investment remains paramount to our long term vision. So we dip in to a few other markets available to us this week, as well as retaining a handful of points for a secondary in-play post to come once we reach the half way stage of the events.

For those following us via Twitter, you will have seen my post the other day, but for those that stick to this blog I will mention again. We have recently been added to the General Sports section of the Tipster Review website, and for anyone who has been following us over the years; it would be greatly appreciated if you could spare a few minutes to leave us a review. 

WGC HSBC Champions, co-sanctioned – 10 pts Outlay 

At Sheshan International Golf Club , 7,261 yards, par 72 – Thursday October 27th to Sunday October 30th 

Sheshan International Golf Club has hosted every edition of the 2016 WGC–HSBC Champions since the inaugural tournament in 2005, apart from 2012 when the event went to the Olazábal Course at Mission Hills in China. 

The 7,261 yards, par 72 course was designed by internationally renowned golf course architects Nelson & Haworth. With well-placed bunkers, water features and undulating greens, Sheshan is a picturesque and challenging course. 

Beautiful tree-lined fairways are surrounded by gentle rolling hills, 1,000 year old Gingko trees, calm waterways, and a spectacular natural quarry. The course is set in the shadow of the Basilica of our Lady of Sheshan Cathedral, and surrounded by Tuscan inspired villas.

The 2016 WGC–HSBC Champions will present its strongest field to date, with 40 of the top 50 players in the world confirmed for this week’s tournament. 

Knox will defend his title against a field that boasts eight of the world’s top ten, all of the year’s Major winners and 19 stars from the 2016 edition of The Ryder Cup. 

The current top three in the Race to Dubai are all scheduled to compete. Willett, the 2016 Masters Tournament winner, is the current front-runner followed by Open Champion Henrik Stenson and last year’s Race to Dubai winner, McIlroy. In-form Swede Alex Noren will be looking to continue his climb up the Rankings after victory at the British Masters supported by Sky Sports saw him jump from ninth to fourth position.

3 Other standouts include Japan’s Hideki Matsuyama and South African Major Champions Louis Oosthuizen and Charl Schwartzel. 

Advised Bets: 

Outright Market – Dustin Johnson 6/1 (Coral & PaddyPower) 2pts WIN ONLY

Adam Scott 22/1 (StanJames) 1pt EW 

Danny Willett 80/1 (StanJames) 0.5pt EW 

Top 10 Market – 

Danny Willett 9/1 (StanJames) 1 pt 

Russell Knox 4/1 (BetVictor) 1pt 

Martin Kaymer 4/1 (BetVictor) 1pt Branden Grace 15/2 (PaddyPower) 1pt 

Ross Fisher 9/2 (PaddyPower) 1pt 

Sanderson Farms Championship, PGA Tour – 10 pts Outlay

At Country Club of Jackson, 7,421 yards, par 72 – Thursday October 27th to Sunday October 30th 

The Dick Wilson layout, now in its third year as host, dates to 1962 when the club acquired new property and brought in the architect to design 27 holes. The Dogwood and Azalea nines will be used for competition, revamped in a 2008 upgrade by former PGA TOUR player John Fought. Six Mississippi State Amateurs have been played at CCJ, most recently last year, and the Southern Junior Amateur was held there in 2014. The club itself dates back to 1914, playing a key role in Mississippi history as a 1962 raid on the Carnival Ball turned up gallons of illegal liquor and prompted legislators to end the state’s prohibition. 

Ian Poulter, on the comeback trail after sitting out five months with a foot injury, joins defending champion Peter Malnati and runner-up David Toms to headline the field. With the top 50 in the world rankings qualified for the WGC-HSBC Champions, Chris Kirk (No. 74) is the highest ranked player in the field. Toms is one of six former major champions in the field, joined by Angel Cabrera, David Duval, Lucas Glover, Geoff Ogilvy and Retief Goosen. Forty-five of the 50 graduates from the Web.com Tour regular season or Finals are entered. Dicky Pride is set for his 18th start in Mississippi, tying Glen Day for most among active players.

Advised Bets: - 

Outright Market – Patton Kizzire 20/1 (BetFred) 1pt EW 

David Toms 40/1 (SkyBet, BetVictor or BetFair) 1pt EW 

Top 10 Market – 

David Toms 9/2 (BetVictor) 1pt 

Bryce Molder 9/2 (Bet365 or BetVictor) 1pt 

Top 20 Market – 

Tyler Aldridge 4/1 (StanJames) 1pt 

Seung-Yul Noh 3/1 (StanJames) 1pt 

D.J. Trahan 9/1 (StanJames) 1pt 

Andres Romero 11/1 (StanJames) 1pt 

*MULTIPLE* - Dustin Johnson (HSBC Champions) & Patton Kizzire (Sanderson Farms) 133/1 (BetVictor) 0.5pts EW

NOTE: As per usual, please do be careful and aware of who you are betting with for the golf, amazingly a lot of the higer profile companies change week by week on what place terms they offer. This week at the HSBC Champions StanJames are offering places on the top 6 at 1/5 odds, so we will be staying with them for the EW shots! For The Sanderson Farms event, we are going for the best available odds.

Points Outlay:

This Week’s Outlay To Date: 21 pts

In-Play Bets (To Come After Completion Of Round Two): 4 pts

This Week’s TOTAL Outlay: 25 pts 

Hope you have a good week, and good luck to all those following, 

Stu @PriestleyStuart 

sjpriestley_pga@btinternet.com

Safeway Open - PGA Tour & British Masters European Tour 2016

Hi All, 

Those of you who were following the updates via twitter would of know that last week was nearly a tremendous week, at the half-way and three-quarter stage we had the top 15 flooded with players, but a fantastic weekend of golf from England’s Tyrell Hatton really took the tournament away from anyone; with only Fisher in 2nd and Wiesberger in 7th seeing us secure some place money. A tough week on tour to select for, with 168 pros teeing it up, so to have all 7 selections make the cut, and 5 of them to finish inside the top 20 was a pretty good effort. 

Moving on, and amazing to the start of the new season on The PGA Tour, with also The British Masters being played just on the outskirts of London; this week’s article inclusive of some advised bets can be found below: -

Safeway Open, PGA Tour – 11 pts Outlay 

At Silverado Resort & Spa, 7,203 yards, par 72 – Thursday October 13th to Sunday October 16th 

Once the estate of a Civil War general and later U.S. senator from California, the Napa Valley property was transformed into a resort in the 1960s and Robert Trent Jones Jr. signed to build two 18-hole courses. The PGA TOUR arrived shortly thereafter, launching the Kaiser International in 1968 to begin a 13-year run at the resort. Silverado later was part of the Champions Tour schedule as host of The Transamerica from 1989-2002. Hall of Famer Johnny Miller and two partners bought Silverado in 2010, with Miller quickly overseeing an overhaul of both courses. 

Tiger Woods, ending a 14-month injury layoff from competition, and Phil Mickelson serve as headliners for the opening event of the 2016-17 season, joined by three other players from among the top 25 in the world rankings. World No.12 Paul Casey is the highest ranked in the line-up. Mickelson and U.S. teammate Matt Kuchar are the only Ryder Cup competitors to sign up for the new season's opener. Jon Rahm, who earned his PGA TOUR card via sponsor exemptions after turning pro last season, makes his first start as a full TOUR member. The Spaniard tied for second at the RBC Canadian Open and third at the Quicken Loans National. Stanford senior Maverick McNealy, No. 1 in the world amateur rankings, and Cal's Collin Morikawa have accepted sponsor exemptions into the field. Aaron Wise, who won this year's NCAA title at Oregon, also was given an exemption. He turned pro in June and finished fourth on the Mackenzie Tour-PGA TOUR Canada's Order of Merit. The field boasts 38 graduates from either the Web.com Tour or its four-event Finals, including combined money leader Wesley Bryan. 

NAP – PAUL CASEY 12/1 (PaddyPower) 

3 pts EW NB – JOHN RAHM 22/1 (PaddyPower) 

1.5 pts EW IWAC – SMYLIE KAUFMAN 66/1 (PaddyPower) 1 pt EW 

British Masters, European Tour – 11 pts Outlay 

At The Grove, 7,121 yards, par 71 – Thursday October 13th to Sunday October 16th 

The course bears the markings of the renowned golf course architect Kyle Phillips, whose previous creations include the epic Kingsbarns Golf Links, and was designed in 2003. Intricacies are a feature of this course, The Grove in Hertfordshire showcasing large undulating greens with wispy grass surrounding most of the bunkers on the course. The Grand Union canal runs alongside holes 12 and 13, with the course’s two nines reversed for the British Masters. 

It is the first time the tournament has been staged at The Grove, with the only previous.

European Tour event staged at the Hertfordshire course in 2006, the WGC – American Express Championship, which was won by Tiger Woods. 

Headlining this week’s field are six Major champions including Danny Willett, Y.E Yang, Graeme McDowell, Trevor Immelman, Paul Lawrie and José María Olazábal. It will be a first appearance for Olazábal since the 2015 Masters Tournament and the 23-time European Tour champion is sure to draw a large crowd. 

Defending champion Fitzpatrick will have a battle on his hands with the likes of Sweden’s Alex Noren, a two-time winner on the European Tour in 2016, US Open Championship runner-up Shane Lowry, and the most recent winner of the European Tour, countryman Tyrrell Hatton, who carded a 62 course record-equalling at St Andrews on his way to securing his maiden European Tour title. 

Tournament host Donald will be joined by compatriots and members of The 2016 Ryder Cup team Lee Westwood, Chris Wood and Andy Sullivan, as they continue their march towards the season Race to Dubai finale.

NAP – ROSS FISHER 20/1 (BetFred) 3 pts EW 

NB – TOMMY FLEETWOOD 25/1 (SkyBet) 1.5 pts 

EW IWAC – RICHARD BLAND 40/1 (BetFred) 1 pt EW 

*MULTIPLE* - Paul Casey (Safeway Open) & Ross Fisher (British Masters) 247/1 (PaddyPower) 1.5pts EW

NOTE: As per usual, please do be careful and aware of who you are betting with for the golf, amazingly a lot of the higer profile companies change week by week on what place terms they offer. This week at The Safeway Open PaddyPower are offering places on the top 7 at 1/5 odds, so we will be staying with them! For The British Masters event, both SkyBet and BetFred are 1/4 odds for the top 6 places.

The Tour Championship & Porsche European Open 2016

Hi All, 

A good week for all three of our selections in Italy, with all of them coming in the top 20, the best of which was a runners-up finish for NB Danny Willett at 20/1, missing out by just 1 single shot, very close to the win. So the place was enough to tide us over for this week’s event; article and selections below: 

The Tour Championship, PGA Tour – 10 pts Outlay

At East Lake Golf Club, 7,385 yards, par 70 – Thursday September 22nd to Sunday September 25th

Best known as the course where Bobby Jones learned the game, the onetime home of the Atlanta Athletic Club dates back to 1908. Tom Bendelow did the original design, revamped in 1913 by Donald Ross. Jones was already showing glimpses of his talent by then, eventually going on to etch his name in history by completing the 1930 Grand Slam. East Lake hosted the 1950 U.S. Women’s Amateur and 1963 Ryder Cup before the surrounding neighbourhood began to decay. The AAC relocated to the northern suburbs in 1967, leaving East Lake in the hands of 25 members opposed to the move. The club’s second life began in 1993 when a partnership was formed to restore the club as a tribute to Jones. The TOUR Last Week’s Outlay 12 pts Last Week’s Return 12 pts (level) Year To Date + 378.05 2 Championship came to East Lake for the first time in 1998, becoming the annual host in 2004. 

Dustin Johnson, Patrick Reed, Adam Scott, Jason Day and Paul Casey have the inside track to the FedEx Cup by virtue of their positions in the top five, able to secure the points title simply by winning the finale. No.6 McIlroy and No.7 Spieth hold just slightly less control, needing to win while Johnson and perhaps Reed do not finish alone in second. Points have been reset after the BMW Championship, allowing everyone a mathematical chance of claiming the crown. For No.30 Charl Schwartzel to win, though, Johnson would have to finish in the bottom two at East Lake. Day’s status is in question after a sore back forced him to withdraw midway through the final round of the BMW Championship. The Aussie has pushed through back woes to win in other instances, including the WGC Dell Match Play in March.

NAP – JORDAN SPIETH 10/1 (BetFair) 5 pts WIN 

Jordan’s playoff record so far this year reads 10th, 21st and 9th and I think he is brewing ready to win again. He won here last year by 4 shots, and was also tied 2nd in 2013 – so he clearly gets on well with the East Lake layout. The fact that despite an average season by his standards he is still ranked 2nd in strokes gained putting on tour will always see Jordan Spieth there or there abouts should he turn up with a half decent long game. 

NB – BRANDT SNEDEKER 35/1 (SkyBet) 1.5 pts EW

Having won here by three shots as recently as 2012, Brandt is enjoying his best season since then, and sits in 11th place going into the FedEx Cup finale. Coupled with his win this year Brandt Snedeker has enjoyed seven top 10 finishes, with his recent form also looking strong, with eight cuts made in a row, including two top 5 finishes.

IWAC – J.B. HOLMES 40/1 (SkyBet) 1 pt EW 

Confidence will be sky high in the J.B Holmes camp with his tied 4th place finish in the last playoff event only a fortnight ago seeing him secure one of Davis Love III’s Ryder Cup wildcards. He also showed that he has the game to get round this East Lake setup well, having shot three rounds in the 60s for his top 8 finish in last year’s playing.

Porsche European Open, European Tour – 10 pts Outlay 

At Golf Resort Bad Griesbach, 7,188 yards, par 71 – Thursday September 22nd to Sunday September 25th

Golf Resort Bad Griesbach, which played host to a European Tour event for the first time in 2015, is Europe’s largest golf resort with six courses. 

The European Challenge Tour had previously visited the resort from 2013-15, when the Aegean Airlines Challenge Tour by Hartl Resort was played there. The course being used for the Porsche European is the Beckenbauer Course. Named after Germany’s World Cup winning footballer, Franz, it measures 7,188 yards from the back tees. 

Home hero Martin Kaymer will make his final appearance before departing for Hazeltine National, where he will represent Europe in The Ryder Cup for a fourth successive time. Ryder Cup debutant Thomas Pieters is another player who will hope to fine tune his game in Germany ahead of golf’s greatest team event. 

The duo will be joined at Golf Resort Bad Griesbach by South African Ernie Els, who is making his first appearance in a regular European Tour event since the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in February. The former Open Champion’s last European Tour victory came on German soil, at the 2013 BMW International Open. Eight-time European Tour champion Thongchai Jaidee will aim to mount a successful defense of his title.

NAP – SCOTT HEND 28/1 (SkyBet & Bet365) 2.5 pts EW 

Playing really well at the moment with two top 4 finishes to his name already this month, Scott Hend is an impressive 29 under par for his last 10 tournament rounds. He can continue that form this week in Germany, on a course that he finished in 4th place last year, shooting all four rounds in the 60s.

NB – RICHARD BLAND 33/1 (Coral & Ladbrokes) 1.5 pts EW 

In a similar manor to Hend above, Richard is another player having a real purple patch; for his last four events Richard Bland is an impressive 40 under par, seeing him secure two top 5 finishes along the way. He also arrives here in Germany with positive memories from last year’s event, where an opening round of 65 helped him to finish inside the 10.

IWAC – RICKARD KARLBERG 40/1 (Ladbrokes) 1pt EW 

A score of 12 under par on this course last year was good enough to see Rickard finishing in the top 5; this finish included three impressive scores of 66, 67 and a 68. There were signs last week that Rikard Karlberg may be playing himself back into that sort of form once again, where three rounds in the 60s saw him finish on a 14 under par today and inside the top 12.

NOTE: With only 30 players in the field on the PGA Tour, SkyBet is the place to be, still offering top 5 places at 1/4 odds. For the European Tour event, PaddyPower are offering top 7 places at 1/5 odds. All odds included in the above article are simply the highest odds available at the time of writing sourced via Odds Checker.

This Week’s Outlay – 20 pts 

Hope you have a good week, and good luck to all those following, 

Stu @PriestleyStuart 

sjpriestley_pga@btinternet.com

Deutsche Bank Championship & Omega European Masters

Hi All,

Well… We nearly did it. Our NB selection Bradley Dredge held the lead heading into the final days play in Denmark, and despite a final round of 4 under par, this was only good enough for a solo 2^nd place finish. I was obviously a little disappointed with this, as it panned out exactly as I had imagined, but to me, unfortunately, it was clear to see the defensive nature Bradley approached the final 9 holes, in what was an effort to secure his playing rights, the polar opposite to eventual winner Thomas Pieters, who rightfully put everything on the line in an effort to get picked for the Ryder Cup.

We will keep knocking at the door, and the winners will come. On to this week, and the write up below inclusive of selections:

Deutsche Bank Championship, PGA Tour – 10 pts Outlay

at TPC Boston, 7,297 yards, par 71 – Friday September 2nd to Monday September 5th

In the New England countryside about midway between Boston and Rhode Island, the original 2002 Arnold Palmer Design creation stood just five years before Gil Hanse and consultant Brad Faxon were brought in for a thorough remodel. Fairways and greens were re-graded as Hanse/Faxon introduced “chocolate-drop” mounds and grass bunkers to give the course more of a regional feel. The Deutsche Bank Championship has been part of the Labour Day calendar since 2003, offering a traditional Monday finish to take advantage of the holiday.

While there figures to be a change at the top of the FedEx Cup table following The Barclays, Day has appeared close to regaining the form that made him dominant in the spring. 

Runner-up at the PGA Championship, the Aussie was lurking in the top 10 at the midpoint at Bethpage Black. Stenson, whose Claret Jug and Olympic silver medal made him perhaps the summer’s most consistent golfer, will warrant watching if he tees it up at TPC Boston. His WD at Bethpage Black came after an opening 74. Rory McIlroy, now down to No. 5 in the Official World Golf Ranking, hasn’t had a top-10 finish on U.S. soil since the Memorial Tournament in May. The FedEx Cup trimming down now moves to the top 70 in points for the BMW Championship.

NAP – HIDEKI MATSUYAMA 40/1 (Bet365, SkyBet & WilliamHill) 2.5 pts EW

Has some of the most impressive set of long game statistics I have ever seen assembled come this late stage of the golf season, and these must pay off sooner rather than later should he managed to get a few more putts to drop. Sitting in 4^th place on tour for strokes gained off the tee and also in 2^nd place for strokes gained with approaches to the green mean that Hideki Matsuyama, despite poor putting, is in 4^th place also for birdie average. A quite deadly combination of statistics there that should him going close again, with a top 5 finish in the year’s final major and also a 3^rd place at the recent Wyndham.

NB – JIM FURYK 45/1 (Bet365, BetFred & BoyleSports) 1.5 pts EW

With a delayed beginning to the season due to a long layoff with a wrist injury, Jim hasn’t wasted any time in getting back to the type of player he was before the injury. The type of golf being played at the moment by Jim Furyk has to be up there with some of the best being played currently, two top 10 finishes in his last three events, including the incredible round of 58 at the Travelers are a clear indication of just how well Jim is playing. Having missed the begging of the season, Jim is almost forced to have to perform well this week, should he wish to extend his season any further, as he is ranked outside the required top 70 for next week. With a 4^th place finish here at TPC Boston last year, Jim obviously has the required skill set to be competitive here again.

IWAC – BROOKS KEOPKA 45/1 (SkyBet, BetFred & StanJames) 1 pt EW

With 2 runners-up finishes, a third place and a further seven top 10 finishes to his name this season; all that is missing from the form book is that elusive win! There are good current signs for all to see recently too, with Brooks finishing inside the top 10 in two of his last three PGA Tour starts, including a 4^th place at the USPGA. Statistically, Brooks Keopka has the all round game, being right up there in off the tee, approaches to the green and putting statistics on tour.

Omega European Masters, European Tour – 10 pts Outlay

at Crans Sur Sierre Golf Club, 6,848 yards, par 70 – Thursday September 1st to Sunday September 4th

At almost 5,000ft above sea level, the stunning surroundings of the Crans-sur-Sierre Golf Club in Switzerland provide some of the most majestic views for golfers and fans alike on the European Tour. The Omega European Masters will be staged for the 70th time at the stunning Alpine venue, and will remain host until 2022 after the existing deal with title sponsors Omega was extended by five years. Famous in the winter months for its ski fields, Crans-sur Sierre closes under several feet of snow, however, summer provides perfect playing conditions for some of the world’s best golfers, and when you add the snow-capped Swiss Alps as your backdrop, it makes for one incredible tournament.

After the memorable pictures of Himmerland Hill in Denmark last week, look out for the picturesque par three 13th hole, which also provides an amphitheater, not to mention a spectacular backdrop, for fans to watch the action unfold.

Headlined by Masters Champion and the man defending this week, Willett; the 28-year-old currently leads the Race to Dubai and is ranked 11th in the Official World Golf Ranking. Having secured two European Tour titles already in 2016, he will bid to become the first player since the late, great Seve Ballesteros in 1978, to retain the trophy and will be bidding for an Omega double after winning the Omega Dubai Desert Classic title in February.

The Englishman will be joined in Crans Montana by his compatriots Lee Westwood, who won the Omega European Masters in 1999, Chris Wood, the 2016 BMW PGA Championship winner, and Matt Fitzpatrick, who has registered another European Tour victory at the Nordea Masters since that runner-up finish here in 2015. 

Meanwhile, American Bryson DeChambeau will compete in the event for the first time. The 2015 US Amateur Champion has made an impressive start to his career, finishing a highly creditable fourth place at the RBC Heritage just weeks after turning professional. The 22-year-old shone again in June at the US Open Championship at Oakmont, where he finished tied 15th on a very demanding layout.

NAP – MATTHEW FITZPATRICK 20/1 (Coral, Ladbrokes & BetFred) 2.5 pts EW

Last year’s runner up, Matt arrives back here to a course he openly loves. His 16 under par total last year included rounds of 69, 65, 64 and a 66, showing great low scoring consistency around the Crans Sur Sierre course. With two top 10 finishes to his name already this month, I’d be surprised not to see Matt in contention once again. Also, with Matthew Fitzpatrick set to be a rookie at the upcoming Ryder Cup, he will keen to show his game is in good shape ready for the off.

NB – BERND WIESBERGER 30/1 (BetFred) 1.5 pts EW

With a number of solid finishes to his name at this event behind him, Bernd arrives here off the back of a good showing at the recent event at the Olympics. Being an Austrian himself, and this event being from Switzerland, the impact of the before mentioned altitude differences will not be as big of an adjustment as it will be for most this week, in terms of club selection and the extra distances the ball will travel.

IWAC – TOMMY FLEETWOOD 66/1 (Coral, BetFred & BoyleSports) 1 pt EW

Somewhat of a horse’s for courses selection here, which sometimes do pay dividends! However, there are signs of recent form too, to aid the chances. When doing the homework behind this week, at the odds available Tommy Fleetwood was the one name that leaped out to me. Three times inside the top 20 including 5^th and a 9^th place finishes at this event around the same course all within the last 4 years, show a clear liking towards the conditions and set up of this Crans Sur Sierre course. A top 20 finish also, at this year’s recent Czech Masters could point towards another more than respectable performance this week.

NOTE: As per usual, please do be careful and aware of who you are betting with for the golf, amazingly a lot of the higer profile companies change week by week on what place terms they offer. This week at The Deuche Bank Campionship StanJames are still offering 1/4 odds for places in the top 6. For the European Tour event, PaddyPower are offering top 7 places at 1/5 odds. All odds include in the above artivle are simply the highest odds available at the time of writing sourced via OddsChecker.com.

This Week’s Outlay – 20 pts

Thanks again to everyone for passing on your positive comments over my articles. Hope you have a nice week, and good luck to all those following,

Stu

@PriestleyStuart

sjpriestley_pga@btinternet.com

Wyndham Championship 2016 - PGA Tour

Hi All, 

Last Week’s Outlay 25 pts Last Week’s Return 38.5 pts (+ 13.5pts) Year To Date + 449.75

Well an exiting week last week with our 150/1 shot Marcus Fraser leading the Olympics at the half way stage; he wasn’t able to keep up with the pace over weekend, and it took a good birdie putt on the very last hole to see him place in 5th for us which was very nice, securing profit for the week, with Grillo just finishing outside the places in 8th. The above forms an interesting point regarding a few bits I have mentions over the past months, ensure you are getting the best deal for your stake, if you had of placed your bet with WilliamHill for example, rather than the recommended SkyBet etc, you would not of received a penny back. Secondly ensure you are clear regarding deadheat rules, this is why I have always favoured SkyBet, as unless they are not offering bonus places over and above the standard 5, they always pay out in full at ¼ odds for the top 5. Moving on to this week I have concentrated my attentions on the PGA tour, and selections can be found below.  

Wyndham Championship, PGA Tour – 10 pts Outlay 

at Sedgefield Country Club, 7,127 yards, par 70 – Thursday August 18th to Sunday August 21st 

The Wyndham is the last counting event before the FedEx Cup Playoff series begins next week with The Barclays so the players are looking to finish inside the top 125 on the Last Week’s Outlay 25 pts Last Week’s Return 38.5 pts (+ 13.5pts) Year To Date + 449.75 rankings to secure their playing privileges for next season and to gain a place in the field at Bethpage Black next Thursday. 

Following on from last week's similar test at the John Deere Classic, the Wyndham is another event in which length is not the be all and end all. Finding the fairways at Sedgefield, in order to best attack the small greens, is of more importance than hitting it miles off the tee. In the eight renewals here, since the event returned to Sedgefield, 16th (Patrick Reed) is the worst any winner has ranked for Driving Accuracy. 

Davis Love III ranked fifth for Par 4 Scoring 12 months ago and the runner-up, Jason Gore, ranked 16th and that was first time since 2008 that the number one ranked player on the par fours didn't finish first or second so that looks a key stat. 

NOTE: Please do be careful and aware of who you are betting with for the golf, amazingly a lot of the higer profile companies change week by week on wha place terms they offer for the medal places, however, this week PaddyPower & StanJames are still offering places on the top 7 and 6 respectively!

NAP – WEBB SIMPSON 25/1 (PaddyPower) 2.5 pts EW 

The 2011 winner, Webb Simpson, absolutely loves Sedgefield Country Club and it would have been very difficult indeed not to back him. His form figures here read 8th, 1st, 22nd, 11th, 5th and 6th and he was beaten by just two strokes last year, despite missing eight putts from inside six feet!

With the anchoring ban coming into force, Webb was transitioning from long to short putter last year and how the short stick behaves will determine how he performs this week. There have been some very encouraging signs with the putter of late - enabling him to finish 3rd at the Dean & Deluca Invitational, 6th at the Quicken Loans National and 13th at the USPGA Championship and it’s hard not to see him do really well this week.

NB – BRANDT SNEDEKER 28/1 (StanJames & BetVictor) 1.5 pts EW 

Sitting in 6th place in the FedEx Cup rankings Brandt Snedeker arrives to a course in which he shot a course record equalling 61 as recently as last year; this coupled with a 5th place finish in 2014 where he shot all four rounds in the 60s shows he has no troubles in navigating his way around Sedgefield. With six top 10 finishes to his name this season, including a win, 2016 form is as good as ever, and with the short game skills Brandt possess he will be sure to be near the top of the leaderboard come close of play Sunday evening.

IWAC – BILL HAAS 28/1 (PaddyPower) 1 pt EW 

Another Sedgefield specialist Bill Haas is in good enough form to go close once again. For the last four years in a row, Bill has not been outside of the top 20 once, with form of 6th, 2nd, 20th and 7th to his name, including two rounds of 65 and a 64. Sitting in 31st position in the FedEx cup rankings, it has been a solid enough season so far without being spectacular; there have been six top 10 finish in addition to a runners up finish at the Valspar in June. I mentioned in the earlier event introduction that accuracy off the tee usually proves to be a worthy stat here, and with averaging over 62.8% for fairways hit, this also goes in Bill’s favour this week.

This Week’s Outlay – 10 pts 

Have a nice week, and good luck if following, 

Stu @PriestleyStuart

Rio Olympics 2016 Men’s Competition & John Deere Classic (PGA Tour)

Hi All, 

Last Week’s Outlay 25 pts Last Week’s Return 17 pts (- 8pts) Year To Date + 436.25

A quiet week last week as the golfing world settles down after all the major championships are complete, and before the lucrative FedEx Cup playoffs begin. We were still able to pick up a 3rd place finish on Champions Tour at odds of 30/1 to tide us over a little before the better events pick up again.

This week sees the playing of golf in the Olympics for the first time in 112 years, which will be fun to watch and also one of the more impressive PGA Tour venues of the year in the form of the TPC Deere Run. There are a few big price selections this week, so be sure to have a read through the below:

Rio Olympics 2016, Men’s Competition – 10 pts Outlay 

Olympics Golf Course, Barra da Tijuca, 7,128 yards, par 71 – Thursday August 11th to Sunday August 14th Built on a former sand quarry along saltwater marshes and lagoons, designer Gil Hanse and consultant Amy Alcott faced the challenge of creating an Olympic test that the public can play once the Games are concluded. With just a thin barrier of dunes protecting the course from the Atlantic Ocean, inspiration was drawn from the classic Sandbelt courses

 of Australia. Greens are slanted, with several hole locations demanding precise tee shots to set up an unobstructed approach. Officials have decided to forego rough for the tournament, leaving wide fairways with the hope that wind will be a primary defence. If not, many of the world’s best will be encouraged to go flag hunting. 

The Open Championship winner, Henrik Stenson, and Masters winner Danny Willett, give golf’s return to the Olympic program two of the four reigning major winners. In all, the event will feature six of the top 12 men in the Official World Golf Ranking. The field was limited to just 60 players, with qualification based on world rankings and caps on the number of entrants from any one nation. Countries were limited to two entrants, with up to two more if additional players were among the top 15 in the ranking.

The United States has the maximum of four entrants – Bubba Watson, Rickie Fowler, Patrick Reed and Matt Kuchar, and as I tweeted it would be difficult to see the gold medal anywhere other than around team USA neck, for from a punting perspective there is better value to be had, and we will hope to capitalise on USAs short odds . Justin Rose will join Willett to comprise Great Britain’s twosome; Spain is represented by Sergio Garcia and Rafa Cabrera Bello. Adilson da Silva, who plays mostly on the Asian and Sunshine tours, is host Brazil’s lone entrant, and it will be a huge honour for him to hit the opening shot. 

NOTE: Please do be careful and aware of who you are betting with for the golf in the Olympics, amazingly a lot of the higer profile companies are only offering place term for the medal places (top 3), however Bet365 & SkyBet are still offering ¼ odds on the top 5!

NAP – EMILIANO GRILLO 25/1 (SkyBet & Bet365) 2.5 pts EW 

Ranked number 37 in the world, and currently sitting in 27th spot it has been a good 2016 season for Grillo, which included a win earlier in the season at the frys.com open. On top of this win there has also been another three top 10 finishes, and eleven top 25s, this consistency is further evidence when you see that he has successfully made the cut in 24 of his 28 starts since the beginning of the season. I believe Grillo is set for big things, and at just 23 years old he is sure to have the best years ahead of him, an Olympic golf medal will only help in accelerating this potential. Coming from Argentina, the South American climate and playing conditions will prove no problem, and it is the fact he is ranked 2nd on tour in total driving that impresses me most, and at odds of 25/1 we should get a good run for our investment.

NB – SCOTT HEND 80/1 (SkyBet & Bet365) 1.5 pts EW 

At the age of 42, Scott could have been forgiven for resting on his laurels and enjoying the winter years of his career; however this could not of been further from reality, with the 2016 yielding his most successful set of results. And interestingly, having spend large portions of his professional career competing on the Asian Tour, it is his performances outside of Europe that are of interest, with a win in Thailand and two top 10 finishes in China to his name this year Scott sits 24th in the Race To Dubai. His length of the tee is always of use, but his silky touch around the greens is often overlooked. As you will see shortly with my final selection, there is a slight Australian theme with my selections, and with a proud sporting nation of athletes around him in the Olympic village Scott will receive any last motivation needed to success and represent his country admirably.

IWAC – MARCUS FRASER 150/1 (SkyBet & Bet365) 1 pt EW  HANG ON, PLEASE!!!!!!

The second Australian of my selections, Marcus arrives in 34th place in the Race To Dubai, and with a win to his name at Malaysia in February. When you spend a few moments to look over Marcus’s statistics of recent years, you can see that he is hitting the ball both further and straighter than he ever has since European Tour records began. As the odds clearly suggest, this is a bit of an outside punt, but I believe Marcus is more than capable of outplaying his odds and perform respectively for Australia.

John Deere Classic (PGA Tour) – 10 pts Outlay

TPC Deere Run, 7,257 yards, par 71 – Thursday August 11th to Sunday August 14th 

Constructed on the site of a long-ago tribal village that later housed an Arabian horsebreeding operation, D.A. Weibring’s 1999 design offers breathtaking views in the rolling woodlands alongside the Rock River. Dramatic elevation changes frame several holes, notably the downhill 14th that measures 358 yards but can be set up as a drivable par-4.

Typically a place that yields low scores, Deere Run carved its place in the record book six years ago when Paul Goydos carded just the fourth 59 recorded on the PGA Tour; eventual winner Steve Stricker shot 60 that day, with this type of history at the event it was important to look at the total amount of birdies made stats and lowest rounds, to ensure selections are going to be capable of keeping up in the scoring stakes this week. 

Iowa native and 2012 winner Zach Johnson headlines the roster, and is sure to go very close again this week, as well as winning back in 2012, Zach has also lost in a playoff since then too, but at best odds of around a stingy 7/1 there is no value here whatsoever, and with the greatest of respect there is no way Zach Johnson has ever or will ever be good value at just 7/1 at any event. Joined by three-time John Deere champion Steve Stricker, who I apply the same rational to that of Zach, having practically run the show here at TPC Deere Run for over a decade, Steve does arrive in good solid for again this year, but as a 12/1 shot, and potentially rightly so short here, there are still better bets to be had this week. I am pretty sure I am in with a good chance of looking daft, as I’m sure both of them will go close, but at odds of 7/1 and 12/1 respectively these are just bullets we will hopefully be lucky enough in dodging.

With 2015 champ Jordan Spieth not in the field, and more than a dozen other top names playing in golf’s first Olympic tournament since 1904, Kevin Na (No. 32) is next highest in the world rankings behind Johnson. NAP Jon Rahm, with special temporary status after a pair of top-3 finishes since turning pro, heads a new-pro brigade that includes NCAA champion Aaron Wise, Lee McCoy, Charlie Danielson, Jordan Niebrugge and Robby Shelton. 

NOTE: PaddyPower are offering top 7 places for this event, and StanJames are offering ¼ odds on the top 6 places. As mentioned above also, do your homework on where best to place, to ensure you get the best end of the deal. My post will only signpost towards the best (highest) available odds on the market available at the time of posting. 

NAP – JON RAHM 14/1 (Bet365) 2.5 pts EW 

As touched upon above, Jon is plying his trade under a special temporary status at the moment, but his using this to great effect at the moment and is well on his way to successfully securing his full exemption for next year. A 3rd place finish in June at the Quicken Loans, a 2nd place finsh last month in the Canadian Open and three rounds in the 60s at last weeks Travelers Championship, Jon has certainly hit the ground running, and it is surely only a matter of time before he adds his first PGA Tour win. 

NB – DANIEL SUMMERHAYS 22/1 (PaddyPower) 1.5 pts

EW A little bit of a hores for courses situation here, with Daniel’s last three results here reading tied 8th, tied 13th and tied 4th. But one positive difference coming in to this years event is the significant current form Daniel is showing, with the highlight being an outright 3rd place finish in the USPGA championship only a few weeks ago. Two other top 10 finshes and a further eleven top 25 finishes in the 2016 season see Daniel sitting in a lofty 53rd place in the offcial world golf rankings and 35th in the FedEx cup. 

IWAC – JAMIE LOVEMARK 100/1 (Bet365 & SkyBet) 1 pt EW 

A 6th place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and a 2nd place finish in the Classic of New Orleans are far and away the two highlight of what has been an rollercoaster of a 2016 season for Jamie. I think this type of event and the slightly easier than normal playing conditions could see a return to form for Jamie. Sitting inside the top 25 for birdie average per round is one of the reasons I am happy taking the punt on a relative outsider this week, add this to another impressive stat that Jamie has gained over 5.1 shots on the rest of the PGA Tour so far this season in putting, could mean that he outplays his high odds.

*MULTIPLE* – Emiliano Grillo (Rio Olympics) & Jon Rahm (John Deere Classic) - 390/1 (Bet365) 1 pt Each Way Double 

This Week’s Outlay – 22 pts Have a nice week, and good luck if following,

 Stu 

@PriestleyStuart