[madsteve]

St Jude Classic

An average standard field for this event at the tough Southwind course in Memphis. Not the easiest event to find the winner with quite a few long priced winners & quite a few first time winners.

Firstly, it is the week before a major so cannot be certain which of the bigger name players will be giving it 100%. Certainly some bigger names appear to prefer a weekend off. Secondly, this is course that gives the shorter hitters a greater chance. GIR, Scrambling & Putting are all worth more than Driving Distance here so it means that more players have a chance. Thirdly, it has bermuda grass and a different range of players do well on bermuda. Fourthly, a lot of players do well on their debut here. Fifthly, a lot of previous winners got there debut PGA win here.

I like matching up courses and Southwind matches with the OHL Classic, the Sony Open, the Puerto Rico Open & the RSM Classic. I have looked at players who have done well at these venues as well as they should also do well her.

Dustin, Koepka & Mickelson lead the market but I feel we need to be looking at bigger priced options for an event where a three figure priced winner is becoming normal.

Harris English 25/1

Winner here in 2013 and back to his best, only beaten by Speith last time out. Looks the most likely winner but likely winners have a habit of failing here.

Graeme McDowell 60/1

Won the OHL Classic this season and players that win there often perform well here. It is McDowell's sort of course but lack of course form gives us a good price here.

Matt Jones 80/1

Finished third here last year so clearly likes the course. Hitting form again with a very good eighth place last week. Could give us a good run at a good price.

Fabian Gomez 125/1

Only nine players have won tournaments more than once on bermuda grass since 2008 and Gomez is one of them. One of those was his shock win here a year ago. Another win wouldn't be such a shock.

Ben Crane 125/1

A winner here two years ago & another with two wins on bermuda grass. Seems to hit form out of the blue so why not on a course that he loves.

Rob Oppenheim 500/1

Seeing as this event specialises in winners at this price, I decided to include one. Oppenheim has right kind of game for this course with his strengths around the green. He is showing some consistency so why not?

Good Luck!