18-11-2015, 13:02
RSM Classic
This is an interesting tournament where picking a winner from a field of 156 players looks very difficult. The betting is headed by Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Kevin Kisner & Matt Kucher, all at double figures prices. This is the sixth running of this event (formally the McGladrey Classic) at the Sea Island Resort in Georgia. There is a change to the format this year with all players playing one of their opening two rounds on the Plantation Course, while their other rounds will be played on the Seaside Course, which has been used fully in previous years.
We are guessing with the Plantation Course but its set up, layout & distance is similar to the Seaside Course so it is probably fair to say that basing judgement on the Seaside Course will be sound here.
A look at the five previous winners suggests that the big names don't appear to fair particularly well here. All five winners here kicked off at 50/1 or greater with two being available at triple figure prices.
The courses are relatively short and driving distance & accuracy doesn't seem to be any advantage here. It is all about play around the green and particularly putting. It is an exposed course and the weather is forcasted to be breezy so the ability to play in adverse conditions could be important. Course knowledge could also be useful as two of the previous winners (Kirk & Slocum) are both locals as it appears that it takes a while to work out how to play this course.
Three of the previous five winners came top on performance on Par 4 holes while another came fourth so the likelihood is that the winner will be a Par 4 specialist.
Zach Johnson is local and has played the course many times but he is involved in organising the event and has missed the cut twice & not made the top ten in five attempts. Other local players include Matt Kucher, Harris English & Russell Henley.
Graeme McDowell 28/1
Can't help but be impressed by GMac's performance in winning last week at the OHL Classic. He hit his first shot out of bounds but recovered to lead after two rounds. Hit his first shot of the third round out of bounds but recovered to make a playoff then hit the sweetest approach to birdie the first playoff hole & take the title. His post tournament interview was candidly revealing when he admitted to wondering if he would ever win again. That weight has been lifted off his shoulders and he is best player in this field on a course ideally suited to his game. Can never be certain which way it will go after a win but is great value here.
Patton Kizzire 40/1
Patton lives locally and has a good record on this course, leading his college team to victory here in 2007. In a recent interview, he said that Sea Island is his favourite course. He finished second at the Shiners & fifth at the Sanderson Farms so is in form on a couse he loves. Could go close.
Johnson Wagner 66/1
Another player with local connections who trains at Sea Island. Is starting to show form, finishing 15th & 8th in the last two weeks and playing on his home course could see it happen. His game is suited for the course and he tops the PGA Tour list stats for short putts and scrambling - important attributes here.
Brice Garnett 100/1
Another player with great putting & scrambling stats so ideally suited here. Two tournaments & two top ten finishes this season make him excellent value.
Will MacKenzie 175/1
Looking for a long priced winner then MacKenzie could be your man. His record isn't outstanding but he does come alive on this course, evidenced best a year ago when he was beaten in a playoff by Robert Streb.
Others worth considering are Streb, English, Kirk, Kokrak, Streelman, Stroud, Stegmaier, Love III & Blixt, several at big prices. Tough to pick a winner here but think we have a team at good prices to take on the favourites and with Paddy Power offering seven places this week, great each way value.
This is an interesting tournament where picking a winner from a field of 156 players looks very difficult. The betting is headed by Zach Johnson, Justin Thomas, Kevin Kisner & Matt Kucher, all at double figures prices. This is the sixth running of this event (formally the McGladrey Classic) at the Sea Island Resort in Georgia. There is a change to the format this year with all players playing one of their opening two rounds on the Plantation Course, while their other rounds will be played on the Seaside Course, which has been used fully in previous years.
We are guessing with the Plantation Course but its set up, layout & distance is similar to the Seaside Course so it is probably fair to say that basing judgement on the Seaside Course will be sound here.
A look at the five previous winners suggests that the big names don't appear to fair particularly well here. All five winners here kicked off at 50/1 or greater with two being available at triple figure prices.
The courses are relatively short and driving distance & accuracy doesn't seem to be any advantage here. It is all about play around the green and particularly putting. It is an exposed course and the weather is forcasted to be breezy so the ability to play in adverse conditions could be important. Course knowledge could also be useful as two of the previous winners (Kirk & Slocum) are both locals as it appears that it takes a while to work out how to play this course.
Three of the previous five winners came top on performance on Par 4 holes while another came fourth so the likelihood is that the winner will be a Par 4 specialist.
Zach Johnson is local and has played the course many times but he is involved in organising the event and has missed the cut twice & not made the top ten in five attempts. Other local players include Matt Kucher, Harris English & Russell Henley.
Graeme McDowell 28/1
Can't help but be impressed by GMac's performance in winning last week at the OHL Classic. He hit his first shot out of bounds but recovered to lead after two rounds. Hit his first shot of the third round out of bounds but recovered to make a playoff then hit the sweetest approach to birdie the first playoff hole & take the title. His post tournament interview was candidly revealing when he admitted to wondering if he would ever win again. That weight has been lifted off his shoulders and he is best player in this field on a course ideally suited to his game. Can never be certain which way it will go after a win but is great value here.
Patton Kizzire 40/1
Patton lives locally and has a good record on this course, leading his college team to victory here in 2007. In a recent interview, he said that Sea Island is his favourite course. He finished second at the Shiners & fifth at the Sanderson Farms so is in form on a couse he loves. Could go close.
Johnson Wagner 66/1
Another player with local connections who trains at Sea Island. Is starting to show form, finishing 15th & 8th in the last two weeks and playing on his home course could see it happen. His game is suited for the course and he tops the PGA Tour list stats for short putts and scrambling - important attributes here.
Brice Garnett 100/1
Another player with great putting & scrambling stats so ideally suited here. Two tournaments & two top ten finishes this season make him excellent value.
Will MacKenzie 175/1
Looking for a long priced winner then MacKenzie could be your man. His record isn't outstanding but he does come alive on this course, evidenced best a year ago when he was beaten in a playoff by Robert Streb.
Others worth considering are Streb, English, Kirk, Kokrak, Streelman, Stroud, Stegmaier, Love III & Blixt, several at big prices. Tough to pick a winner here but think we have a team at good prices to take on the favourites and with Paddy Power offering seven places this week, great each way value.
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.