Golf – Free Wyndham Championship Preview

Tue, Aug 17, 2010

by James Cochrane

Martin Kaymer kept his cool in a play-off against Bubba Watson late Sunday night to secure the PGA Championship and the first major of his career. He also meant we have hit three winners on the bounce and our level stakes profit now stands at just above 321.

I’m afraid to say after all of the controversy and excitement of last week’s event we come back down to earth with a slight bump and travel to Sedgefield Country Club in North Carolina for the Wyndham Championship.

The course isn’t long, however, it is tight and accuracy is vital to a good week, mainly from the tee. The greens are smaller than average and it is tough to make your ball stick, so a strong GIR percentage is important and the winner is going to have to be a good putter.

The last time I advised Brandt Snedeker he had somewhat of a shocker but I’m positive he has a big week to come this year. Brandt has enjoyed some good results this year, most notably his 8th place finish at the US Open. Since then he has recorded 16th place finishes at the AT&T and the Greenbrier Classic, along with most recently a 39th place finish at the PGA Championship. Brandt’s putting was strong at Whistling Straits and he sits 1st on TOUR for putting average and putts per round, if he brings that game here; he is in with a massive shout. He is 38th for scoring average, 36th for par 4 birdie or better (positive considering this course is par 70) and 13th for total birdies. The only thing Brandt may need to improve is his accuracy from the tee, he did dramatically improve at the Greenbrier so we know it can be done. He won this event back in 2007 and finished 5th last year so he knows what it takes.

Bettrends Advice

Brandt Snedeker – Each-Way – 33/1 (general)

Woody Austin had been posting some respectable scores this season without really challenging but he seems to have taken a step towards a win the last couple of weeks. He recorded a 4th place finish at the Greenbrier and a 10th at Turning Stone and he must come here in a confident mood. He is currently on a run of nine rounds under par and will be looking to go low this week. Importantly, his recent stats also suggest a good week is well within his grasp, he was 5th and 15th in putting at Greenbrier and Turning Stone respectively. His GIR was 80% at Greenbrier and 75% and Turning Stone with his driving accuracy stood at 78% and 71%, stats that are vitally important this week. His putting hasn’t been that strong this season as a whole but he seems to have found his touch the last couple of events and he will have one eye on the play-offs, 60/1 looks a good price.

Bettrends Advice

Woody Austin – Each-Way – 60/1 (totesport)

Carl Pettersson arrives here in great form and although he recorded a win only three events ago, I just don’t want to leave him out. Carl has been enjoying a solid year and after his win he finished 24th at last week’s PGA Championship. His accuracy hasn’t been amazingly strong this season but it has improved of late and finishing three under at Whistling Straits was a great effort. Although we will rely on him increasing his accuracy, his putting won’t be a problem. He sits 3rd on TOUR for putting average and 1st in three putt avoidance and importantly for this course 4th in birdies or better on par 4’s. He won here in 2008 and finished 5th in 2007 so he knows what it takes and although favourite, he could well be a good price.

Bettrends Advice

Carl Pettersson – Each-Way – 20/1 (general)

To be honest, it has been tough to pick out my fourth player as there isn’t many ‘winners’ in the field and there is a number of players who could have featured, however, Jonathan Byrd makes the shortlist. Jonathan is enjoying a good spell of form of late and must come here with high confidence and with a feeling that a win is just around the corner. He finished 10th at Turning stone and 21st at Greenbrier and has actually recorded four top 25’s in his last five starts. He finished with a 63 at Turning Stone which will only boost his confidence and a quick start may be on the cards. He sits 32nd for GIR and even if he misses the fairway he is 3rd in GIR from other than the fairway. His driving has been solid of late and although it let him down at Turning Stone he still recorded a strong finish. Jonathan finished 24th here last year and recorded three eagles during the four days. He is in the type of form that suggests a win is around the corner and he won’t get a better chance than at an event of this nature.

Bettrends Advice

Jonathan Byrd – Each-Way – 45/1 (Stan James, Coral)

Following on from the 321pt level stakes profit offered on our FREE golf tips don’t forget to subscribe to our new football service – WEEKEND FOOTBALL FEVER. James Cochrane, Neil Hubbard and Gary Emmerson aim to bring you the best football bets each and every weekend. The trio ended last season with a level stakes profit of over 11pts and enjoyed a World Cup to remember during the summer, once more ending in profit to the tune of 8pts. The FREE ante-post football previews are available to all but don’t miss out on the weekly updates which have already successfully highlighted Peterborough to beat Bristol Rovers @ 5/6, Swansea to beat Preston @ 5/6 and Blackpool +0.25 @ 7/5…..

There have been plenty of column inches written over the summer about the impossible task facing Ian Holloway’s men this year. However, their opening fixture could provide a decent opportunity to get some early points on the board and the Tangerines happily played the underdog role last year which means that you couldn’t safely assume a home win. Wigan’s campaign was riddled with inconsistency last year and they’ve no certainties to take all 3pts here with star man Charles N’Zogbia reportedly handing in a transfer request this week.

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