Double Trouble

Well well well, we were certainly trending, and after two 2nd places in previous weeks, Davis Thompson eviscerated the field at the John Deere and a comfortable Sunday viewing experience saw a 22/1 winner and our 3rd win of the season to go with plenty of places.

This week sees a new challenge, and we look at 2 events with a 40pt outlay. The Scottish Open will see a stellar field prepare for the West Coast challenge of Troon, by visiting the East Coast of Berwick and the Renaissance Club. Over in the US the Isco championship at Keene Trace Golf club, will see vastly different weather conditions as a field of 156 travel to compete in what used to be the Barbasol in Kentucky.

So first onto the Scottish open (and get these on early as they will be gone in a few hours), and some horrific weather is forecast which could totally ruin the spectacle yet offer some excellent ew value, as half of the field won't cope with the cold, excessive wet and wind. Also a note of caution regarding Links courses at the minute, as by now the fescue at these places would be burnt and wiry, but given the excessive rain, and having played in Scotland last week, rough, heather and fescue is so thick, accuracy, or lack of, is punished to the extreme, it will be a single figure winning score.

I've looked at form, current and course, and I just can't find a deciding factor other than the ability to play in the wet and wind. It's not usually a difficult course tee to green, as far as links tracks go, but in this weather I'm all about last years final round and this is a simplistic method for once, that 3 of the 4 standouts (one of which was always going in our picks), from the final round wind and rain last year, go in.

Let's keep these 3 short, the first two are form picks anyway, and the last pick is class and very nicely priced on a track he could cope with well if he can grip his clubs.

First up is obvious. If any tipster doesn't pick BOB MCINTYRE this week, they need an MRI, and at the very least, they need their blogs removing. His approach shot 3 wood into 18 in 2023 was a sign that he has the world of golf at his feet. I'm absolutely beside myself with excitement at his outrageous price, in his home country, in an event he only fell short in due to brilliance of Mcilroy on 17 and 18 (matching Bob's brilliance last year), and he is bang in form. How he is 50/1 8 place with Paddy Power is mind boggling to me, but we go 4pts e/w on him.

Next up COREY CONNORS is trending. He had a quiet start to his season but he is on most shortlists for me at the minute, and his 4 under par final round in the piss pouring rain and wind last year was the 2nd best in the field. He has the minerals and the tools and although he is short, we invest 4pts e/w on him again with Paddy Power at 40/1 8 places.

Last up we have a quiet one, but NIC HOJGAARD is a real sleeper. His driving length on a dry week could take this place apart, but I like his newly found accuracy, and given that the fescue will be thick and long and not burnt down, that will be a massive plus. He was 3rd in final round scoring last year, and he also started out with a 7 under par round, so he can handle the course and the inclement weather. He is inexplicably priced at 80/1 with Bet365 8 places, that can't last get on early, 3pts e/w!

So onto Keene Trace Golf Club, Kentucky, and a much friendlier and warmer test meets a mixed field, of DP world tour players ineligible for the Genesis, and Korn Ferry, plus PGA tour card holders not travelling the Atlantic. Some rain on Tuesday will soften the course slightly and come Thursday, warm weather and no wind will mean someone, or many people will take this place apart. It's not long, it has some water and a few run offs, but for these Pro's it will be a birdie fest and someone rolling their rock this week will get close to 30 under I think. 2 selections in this field, but I probably won't be tuning in until Sunday as it is very underwhelming.

So, Nicholasville, Kentucky, Keene Trace Golf club, Par 72, 7328 Yards 4 x Par 5s.

First selection is a repeat selection from last week, and after a disappointing missed cut we go again with TROY MERRITT. Same applies as last week, and maybe this test will suit him, he is a winner here albeit 6 years ago and at 45/1 8 places he's better than most of these. We invest 3pts e/w.

Last up, and the main reason for a 40pt investment this week, is that there are 2 stars in the field. Luke Clanton is looking for a 3rd consecutive top 10 finish, which would be a record for an amateur. His T2 last week, meant he was the first amateur in 60 years to achieve back to back top 10 finishes on the PGA tour. However, as good as he is, this week, the last selection is not him. The most recent graduate from the college system, MICHAEL THORBJORNSEN is a name most golf aficionados know well, but as yet he hasn't broken through into the minds eye of the casual follower. That is, until last week, where he had a putt for 7 birdies in a row on Sunday, and although he 3 putted, he did finish T2 with Pan and Clanton, and he will be eyeing up an Open spot this week. His Pedigree at College status is first rate, he's topped those rankings for 2 years, and he won the US Amateur and made the cut at the US Open at Pebble beach in the same year aged just 16! He has 185mph ball speed with the big stick, it's effortless, it's accurate, he can putt, and he could tear this course apart. It's a big investment on such a young man, but Bet365 are offering 20/1 5 places with 1/4 odds this week, and we use 6pts e/w on him.......in the hope back to back superstars win on the PGA tour. (Please note the algorithm doesn't work if you take extra places, unless you can find better odds).

Go well, bash the odds compilers and stats men that call themselves bookies (they think they are clever, but not as clever as us).

Can we hear another BOOOOOOM?

TEWT