Golf – Free USPGA Preview

Wed, Aug 11, 2010

by James Cochrane

Thanks to Hunter Mahan, we arrive at this year’s PGA Championship with heavy pockets and a lot of optimism. This year’s event looks seriously open and a number of top players arrive at Whistling Straits in great form, it could well be time for another first time winner.

Tiger Woods’ game was a complete mess last week and it’s hard to imagine he will challenge this week, it would take a mammoth change in his game to do so. I think Rory McIlroy will go well this week and he has everything to tackle this course, however, despite his ability and the fact he will win Majors, I can’t have him at 18/1. All the talk is of Steve Stricker winning a Major in his home state and he comes in fairly good form but I’m just not convinced the course is going to suit him and I think he’ll miss out again.

Whistling Straits is a links course and although the weather forecast is good, the wind off of the lake is sure to play havoc by the weekend. It’s a long course so it is sure to be a massively difficult week for the world’s best player and accuracy is going to be a must.

I did toy with advising Phil Mickelson, although he has having an average season Phil is always a great ‘saver’ for the Majors. However, his play on Sunday is a worry and it’s not great preparation for a Major and as we know he sometimes struggles on links type course, I’m prepared to leave the 14/1 alone.

Due to this Major looking seriously open, I’m going to look at some players set at juicy prices and the first is Sean O’Hair. As some of you will have seen, I am a big fan of Sean O’Hair and subscribers to the ESP should also be after his performance at the Open (suggested at 25/1 to be top American). However, his current form would suggest he has a great chance of challenging this week. Sean looks to be really thriving in the bigger events and his 5th place finish at the Bridgestone Invitational accompanies a 7th place finish at the Open and a 12th at the US Open. It’s not only the majors he has performed in, in fact his recent form reads; 12/MC/12/12/11/7/MC/5. Like I said for the Open, his stats don’t actually stand out but they all add up to a very solid game, he will enjoy playing links golf again and has the distance to cope with the course. He comes here with momentum behind him and will be full of confidence looking for his first Major.
Bettrends Advice
Sean O’Hair – Each-Way – 40/1 (General)

The second player is a European who I believe will relish the conditions up against him this week. Martin Kaymer has Major winner written all over him and although he struggles at some courses in the US because of his low ball flight, this links layout should suit him. Martin arrives here after a 22nd place finish last week and some good performances in the majors. Augusta is totally against his style of play so his 54th place can be forgiven but an 8th place at the US Open and 7th at the Open stand him in good stead and confidence is sure to be high. He hits the ball long and will be able to deal with any wind he may come up against. His GIR and putting are both strong and I expect him to go close.
Bettrends Advice
Martin Kaymer – Each-Way – 50/1 (General)

Retief Goosen led at the half way stage last week but a disastrous start to his round on Saturday led to a 73 and took him out of contentions. However, he bounced back with 65 on Sunday and managed to finish a respectable 3rd. It’s a worry that some of his golf was all over the place on Saturday but I feel he can go close this week. Retief has the game to compete on this course and he should have no problems with the links set up. He has both the distance and accuracy to deal with Whistling Straits and his putting is looking strong, he sits 3rd in total putting, a big reason I am sweet on Retief is his improvement on Sundays. Last year he struggled in the last round and it led to a number of events slipping away from him. However, he is 5th for final round scoring average this year and will be able to come back from anywhere. He finished 6th at the Open and just went about his business without much fuss, if he can settle into the week early on then the South African could make the 35/1 quoted about him look huge.
Bettrends Advice
Retief Goosen – Each-Way – 35/1 (VC, PP, WH)

The three above are my main fancies for this week. However, I am adding another player as he comes here in good form, is a Major winner in the making and looks to be set at a big price. Nick Watney comes here with his last three finishes reading 7/7/16 which includes a 7th place finish at the Open. Nick played some lovely golf last week and if it wasn’t for a disappointing Sunday his finish could have been a lot better. Nick knows he has the game to compete in the Majors and after his finish at the Open and his 7th place in the Masters, his confidence should be high. He won’t have a problem with the distance and his GIR is very strong sitting 10th and if he can slightly improve on his accuracy and putting then a big week could be in store.
Bettrends Advice
Nick Watney – Each-Way – 55/1 (VC, Coral)

Match Bets

After a great start to his season, Ian Poulter looks to be really struggling with his game of late and his driver lent him no favours for all four days last week. Although making the cut he didn’t challenge at either the US Open or the Open and the usual self sure Poulter must have some doubts about his game. He is put up against Adam Scott with totesport and I feel the Australian is a good price at 10/11. Scott has found some good form of late and should be confident arriving here. He performed well when the PGA was last held here and he can bring that with him to secure a solid finish this week.
Bettrends Advice
Adam Scott to beat Ian Poulter – 10/11 (Totesport)

Miguel Angel Jimenez is set against Carl Petterson with Stan James and I think the Spaniard is a great price at Evens. Miguel is enjoying a fairly good season and recorded a win at the Open de France. He finished 27th at the Open and 22nd last week at the Bridgestone Invitational. He has the pedigree to go well this week, and in my opinion is a better player than the Swede. Petterson has also recorded a win this year but he’s not a ‘Major’ player and may struggle this week.
Bettrends Advice
Miguel Angel Jimenez to beat Carl Petterson – Evs (Stan James)

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