Tour Championship
Jason Day 7/2 (General)
It really is hard to look much beyond Jason Day here. The price is skinny at 7/2 but in a 30 player field, a man that has won four of his last six tournaments is going to be pretty short. He won last week in a canter so should have plenty in the tank to go again. With the stakes being so high, it is hard to see anyone outside the top eight in the market winning here. Even with McIlroy, Speith & Stenson out there, it has to be Day for me.
Ricky Fowler 12/1 (Coral)
Fowler is the only other player that represents any value to me at 12/1. He has shot eight consecutive rounds in the 60s and is at the top of his game. He has a bit to go to beat Day but if he puts it all together, he is the best value of the rest.
Porsche European Open
This is tough because there isn't much course form to go on and this is an event that hasn't been held recently. I have looked at the course layout and my gut feeling is that it will favour GIR players and particularly players that can one putt because there should be plenty of birdie opportunities. This is largely guesswork on my part and could prove to be totally wrong but is the basis for my selectons.
Another factor is that there are so many players who are taking or have just taken their mid season break, which makes it harder to judge how they will play. Some come back fresh & revitalised whereas others take several weeks to get back in the groove. My gut feeling is to follow the players in form.
Max Kieffer 33/1 (General)
He is the mast of consistency, making 22 consecutive cuts and I have little doubt that he will be there or thereabouts this week. Maybe not our winner but the best bet for a Top Five place
David Howell 40/1 (General)
Howell caught my eye with a 12th placed finish at the KLM two weeks ago and got a final round 66 at the Italian Open last week. I feel this course could have been designed for Howell - get on the green in regulation then have a putt for a birdie so expect a good showing.
Fabrizio Zanotti 40/1 (General)
He won his only tour event a year ago this month and hasn't threatened since until this month when he has come out from under the radar again with a 4th at the KLM two weeks ago and a Tied 3rd at the Italian last week, one behind the winner. He has rough edges but appears to be a streaky player & he is currently on a streak. A September player?
Rikard Karlberg 50/1 (Paddy Power)
He has been up there threatening for the last couple of weeks and he got there last week by beating Martin Kaymer in a Playoff to win the Italian Open. Several players recently have followed up a first tour win with another top performance (Pieters, Slattery etc) so at this price is worth having on side.
Alejandro Canizares 55/1 (General)
This is a bit of a punt in that I feel he could be the next one to get that first tour win. He has hit eight consecutive rounds in the 60s, which gets him right in contention. Now if he can turn 68s in 65s then this could be his week.
I was tempted by Horsey & Slattery who have had recent wins and think Paul Lawrie should do well on this course.
Good Luck!
Jason Day 7/2 (General)
It really is hard to look much beyond Jason Day here. The price is skinny at 7/2 but in a 30 player field, a man that has won four of his last six tournaments is going to be pretty short. He won last week in a canter so should have plenty in the tank to go again. With the stakes being so high, it is hard to see anyone outside the top eight in the market winning here. Even with McIlroy, Speith & Stenson out there, it has to be Day for me.
Ricky Fowler 12/1 (Coral)
Fowler is the only other player that represents any value to me at 12/1. He has shot eight consecutive rounds in the 60s and is at the top of his game. He has a bit to go to beat Day but if he puts it all together, he is the best value of the rest.
Porsche European Open
This is tough because there isn't much course form to go on and this is an event that hasn't been held recently. I have looked at the course layout and my gut feeling is that it will favour GIR players and particularly players that can one putt because there should be plenty of birdie opportunities. This is largely guesswork on my part and could prove to be totally wrong but is the basis for my selectons.
Another factor is that there are so many players who are taking or have just taken their mid season break, which makes it harder to judge how they will play. Some come back fresh & revitalised whereas others take several weeks to get back in the groove. My gut feeling is to follow the players in form.
Max Kieffer 33/1 (General)
He is the mast of consistency, making 22 consecutive cuts and I have little doubt that he will be there or thereabouts this week. Maybe not our winner but the best bet for a Top Five place
David Howell 40/1 (General)
Howell caught my eye with a 12th placed finish at the KLM two weeks ago and got a final round 66 at the Italian Open last week. I feel this course could have been designed for Howell - get on the green in regulation then have a putt for a birdie so expect a good showing.
Fabrizio Zanotti 40/1 (General)
He won his only tour event a year ago this month and hasn't threatened since until this month when he has come out from under the radar again with a 4th at the KLM two weeks ago and a Tied 3rd at the Italian last week, one behind the winner. He has rough edges but appears to be a streaky player & he is currently on a streak. A September player?
Rikard Karlberg 50/1 (Paddy Power)
He has been up there threatening for the last couple of weeks and he got there last week by beating Martin Kaymer in a Playoff to win the Italian Open. Several players recently have followed up a first tour win with another top performance (Pieters, Slattery etc) so at this price is worth having on side.
Alejandro Canizares 55/1 (General)
This is a bit of a punt in that I feel he could be the next one to get that first tour win. He has hit eight consecutive rounds in the 60s, which gets him right in contention. Now if he can turn 68s in 65s then this could be his week.
I was tempted by Horsey & Slattery who have had recent wins and think Paul Lawrie should do well on this course.
Good Luck!
The ultimate measure of a man is not where he stands in moments of comfort and convenience, but where he stands at times of challenge and controversy.