So-called expert Aussie Open tips

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

WINNER: Why would I tip anything else than the CAM SMITH double?

I have walked along the range this morning and seen about 20 outstanding swings that have tempted me.

But then I come to the realisation that none of them has the mighty mullet’s short game.

The very first time I saw Smith play was at Kingston Heath maybe a dozen years back, and I thought then that there were very few wedge games better suited than his to the Sandbelt.

He’s come close in Sydney a few times, but this is right in Smith’s wheelhouse.

Sportsbet odds: $3.50

OUTSIDER: I don’t think HARRISON ENDYCOTT deserves to be an “outsider”, for the record. But given he was literally on the outside of this tournament only a few weeks ago, our newest PGA Tour member deserves some hype.

Endycott goes well in Victoria, must surely have a chip on his shoulder and, just quietly, is bloody determined in the least competitive of situations, let alone his national championship.

Would love to see Harro salute here. Would be an epic story.

Sportsbet odds: $61

WPGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA – AUSTRALIAN OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

WINNER: One of the first international players to seek an invite into the field this week was Korea’s SO YEON RYU, the two-time major champion who has 21 professional wins to her credit and was World No.1 just five years ago.

She has limited experience on the Sandbelt but what she has seen she’s loved. She’s hard to discount here.

Sportsbet odds: $17

OUTSIDER: Hard to imagine ever tipping KARRIE WEBB as an outsider but here we are.

Could she fulfil a fairytale sixth Women’s Australian Open win? I think she can, if the putter and short game is sharp enough.

She’s the only player, man or woman, competing this week that has won at both courses and the firm, fast running conditions will certainly play into her hands. If Karrie can get to seven or eight under through 54 holes, she will be in the hunt for the final round.

Sportsbet odds: $81

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

WINNER: The focus will be on some of the bigger names but the Patricia Bridges Bowl is going to GRACE KIM.

Now a card carrying member of the LPGA Tour, Grace showed her Sandbelt wares at the Sandbelt Invitational last year when she was low woman. I’ve also never seen her miss a fairway in all the tournaments I have covered with Kim in the field.

That skill will work to her advantage around the Sandbelt and with the shorter course this week based on the field depth, Kim won’t give up as much to some of the power players from the US.

Sportsbet odds: $41

OUTSIDER: There are a lot of players in this field for whom the Sandbelt will be a whole new animal and you can likely discount them, especially over the weekend when the wind gets up.

So I am going local, very local in fact. STEPH BUNQUE is a member of Victoria, or at least that is what my researchers at The Emanuel Tipping Company Pty Ltd tell me.

That, plus some real power off the tee will see plenty of birdie looks.

Like my men’s outsider, she gets the good people nod here.

Sportsbet odds: $101

RELATED: Aussie Open Round One marquee groups

Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host

WINNER: If you’re wondering about the talent level teeing up this week in the Women’s Australian Open consider three of the five 2022 major champions are in the field. While it would be no surprise if the winner came from the group of Minjee Lee, Ashleigh Buhai or Jennifer Kupcho, there is another player who wants this title at least as much (and likely more) than almost any other.

That player is HANNAH GREEN and the West Australian will have my money on her this week. (Or at least she would, if I was one to bet, which I’m not).

Sportsbet odds: $4.50

OUTSIDER: There’s a load of young and emerging talent at Victoria and Kingston Heath this week but it is to the other end of the experience scale I am looking for an outsider. There is a generation of golf fans who would find the name ‘KARRIE WEBB’ and Outsider’ being used in the same sentence bewildering yet that is the reality this week.

However, that is very different to saying she can’t win. The nature of the golf courses is perfect for a player of Webb’s calibre and not an awful lot would have to go right for her to get in the mix. And if she can get in the mix, anything can happen. Let’s hope it does.

Sportsbet odds: $81