From West Coast to East coast we go, and for many players a sigh of relief as the Poana greens are to become a distant memory for a few months. Last week saw the awesome John Rahm pip the equally awesome Max Homa to a 3rd win this season in a gripping back 9 on Sunday. Outplaying them both was Keith Mitchell who is definitely going into the Players pick in 2 weeks, but sadly Keith hit it like god and putted like dog, which will offend dogs and dog owners everywhere. Not a great week for watching our picks, but Theegala gave us the profit and sadly Morikawa decided to pick our pockets after finding his long lost putting boots on 17 and 18 to finish eagle birdie and knock Jason Day into 9th. Hey ho, that's golf. Just another mention on that 10th hole, it was brilliant to see it get so much coverage this year on Sky, it's an incredible golf hole, and it just shows that adding length to all these courses to make it harder is not the way........take the technology away from these guys, and make them lay it, position it and shape it.....please!
Talking of technology, we move onto the Honda this week, and The PGA National in Palm beach, which has no time for technology and bomb hitters, and if they can firm it up it won't be a low one.......an absolute beaut of a course, with the infamous bear trap encompassing a trio of holes that surround a great lake, instilling fear and drama into the heart of each round.
It's not an event that gets the greatest of fields sadly, given it's proximity in date to Sawgrass and Bayhill, but I also think the big boys avoid it because it isn't exactly a confidence booster, I'd love to see a Ryder cup or US Open here in the next few years it's such a great course. PGA National Par 70, 7125, designed by Tom Fazio but remodelled by Mr Nicklaus. Jack likes to hurt players with his design, with 15, 16 and 17 surrounded by water, 2 par 3s and a 4, any player shooting 2 over or better on these holes through the week, will have a great chance. The stricken Daniel Berger binned a 7 shot lead last year and although Sepp Straka won in the surging rain, my first pick was a man who was punished for being in the final group and endured playing in some of the worst conditions I've ever seen pro's play in for the last 2 holes.
The fav this week is Sungjae Im, a winner here 3 years ago just before lockdown, and the top ranked player in the field, it is hard to look past him, but last week's putting performance from SHANE LOWRY had my eyes popping out my head, not because he was good, but because he wasn't awful, and when Shane doesn't putt awful, he's top class. It's a weak field this week, and it's a not exactly a pick that screams knowledge, but he's played a few weeks on the trot now, he is in a rhythm (which is everything to his game and chances), he was robbed here last year, he leads the PGA in wedge play, he is 2nd in driving (all round) stats, and he doesn't see the wet stuff that will scare the bejeezus out of a lot of the pros this week. He's 14/1 top 8 with Skybet and I fancy him big time so 8points e/w.
Next up this price may not last, but if you can get on quick Sky have put up CHARLEY HOFFMAN at 125/1 top 8. Charley hit the first page of the leaderboard in Phoenix and looked like he was fit again 2 weeks ago. He isn't a good putter but he is an imperious ball striker at his best so to see him finish 14th in such a stellar field was really eye catching. Whether he can drive the ball well enough for 4 rounds is more of a concern than his putting these days, but he is double the price I would have him at so I'm 2 points each way on a guy who is getting no younger but has 4 tour wins to his name.
Initially next up was Harris English but I changed my mind after looking at the flyover again. I just don't see Harris being straight enough for 4 rounds. So Aaron wise came into my thinking but then I lost my mind, got greedy, lost my mind again and ended up picking out SATOSHI KODAIRA. He's the best in the field this week in approach play and the best player on tour SG Approch from 75 and in and 125-150yards, he hit's it straight (80% of fairways hit this season - again best on tour) and he is a whopping 250/1 in a bang average field. It could be another silly pick but I'm 2 points each way with Skybet, in the hope they do firm it up and his lack of length with the driver doesn't hurt him too much and leave him too long in for his approach shots.
Last but by no means least is someone who hasn't entered my head to back for years and years. He and Jordan Speith broke my heart at the 2016 Masters.......and after years in the wilderness, not helped by his glue-bag of a brother, it was nice to see DANNY WILLETT in contention in the Fortinet. Sadly 'that' 3 putt bogey on the 72nd hole saw him miss out on a victory, and then a play off as Max Homa's win pipped him into a 2nd place finish. Danny is a great player in my opinion, and he should have achieved more in the game. Solid tee to green, a brilliant short game and a superb long putter his game is made for difficult golf courses. He leads the tour in long putting 10-20ft, he played for Jacksonville so loves the grass in Florida, he is a major winner and he hit form last week, so if his back and shoulder injuries are behind him he not only looks a tasty price for a place, but I'd have him as one of the 4 or 5 players in the field who could actually win (behind Im, Lowry, McCarthy and Wise). Skybet have given me 66/1 so the last 3 points each way goes on him.
In summary Shane wins, and Charley places and we are laughing all the way to the bank.
P.s one more week until the Players......!!!!
In summary
Lowry 8 points e/w 14/1 Skybet
Hoffmann 2 points e/w 125/1 Skybet
Kodaira 2 points e/w 250/1 Skybet
Willett 3 points e/w 66/1 Skybet.
