So after a dead week with no contenders from start to finish I was hoping for a dull event with no star names and a week off. Not to be! An absolutely stellar field travels to Congaree Golf Club, Gillsonville, South Carolina. An absolute beast of a course that asks for the big dog on at least 12 holes, will test the best in the world so I'm looking at sharpness and driving ability this week, with some whopping prices in the middle of the market. Apart from Rahm who is a fair prices 2nd fav this week I can oppose most of the top 6 in the betting.
A par 71 7655 yard beast awaits and Fazio designs his courses to slope and slide around the natural layout of the land so expect sloping lies and run offs and a mid range score rather than anything stupid.
On the axis of Driving and of sharpness my first pick is a cracking each way price this week. Cam Davis has that rare accuracy and distance double going for him, he's started three time this season (MC, 37th, 26th) already and he is a player on the up. I could say more to big up his chances but in a field of 80 I can't fathom odds of 80/1 6 places with Skybet so 3pts each way.
It may not be March and it may not be Florida (but it's close) but for a previous winner, and a guy who leads driving distance and is 3rd in driving accuracy thus far in 22/23 stats, I'm again at a loss how Keith Mitchell is the same odds. Mitchell is a moody f***er but when he steps out of his own shadow a couple of times a year he contends, and he does so when it gets tough. He plays well on long tight tracks and in these dry conditions I'm 2pts each way Skybet 6 places 80/1.
It may not be a big win but after a strong showing last week I really like Viktor Hovland this week. Tee to green he's an elite talent, a streaky and brilliant putter he has probably not shone as bright as we all expected but this week amongst some rusty big names, I like his chances so I'm 6pts each way Hills top 7 places at 22/1.
Last but by no means least is a man who I was going to put up as a man to watch this season but he only went and won first time out and mugged me off. For no other reason than he wont be 28/1 very often, a good driver, good ball striker, good putter and a bloke with a real talent between the ears Max Homa will be a major contender this year. Last season, the Presidents cup and the Fortinet have all shown off his brilliance so I'm 4pts each way top 7 hills at 28/1.
Bit of a rush blog this week I begrudgingly left out Aaron Wise which I may regret (or may have a cheeky extra punt) but after all of that Rahm will probably win by 6 lol.
In summary
Cam Davis 3pts ew 80/1 6 places Skybet
Keith Mitchell 2pts ew 80/1 6 places Skybet
Viktor Hovland 6pts ew 22/1 7 places Hills
Max Homa 4pts ew 28/1 7 places Hills
On responsible betting week