PGA TOUR - HONDA CLASSIC

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Having finished fourth in this event last year, TOMMY FLEETWOOD has no fear for this tough PGA National layout. His last five appearances have been very consistent with his last start, at the WGC Mexico, being his worst showing with a T18.

Sportsbet odds: $13.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

This is an event typically won by pure ball strikers and GARY WOODLAND certainly fits that bill. The reigning US Open champion has hit over 73 percent of greens in regulation this season, arrives after a solid T12 in Mexico, has never missed the cut here in seven starts and owns two top-10s at the Honda, including a T2 in 2017.

Sportsbet odds: $21.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

RICKIE FOWLER has been thereabouts this year – recording two top-10s – without doing anything too spectacular. But I reckon the 2017 champ will record his sixth Tour victory this week. He was runner-up to Keith Mitchell here last year.

Sportsbet odds: $13.

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

It’s high time TOMMY FLEETWOOD won on the other side of the pond and this is the week it could happen. He of the flowing locks and silky swing has made just one previous appearance here where he finished fourth and after a solid if unspectacular week in Mexico will be ready to go low.

Sportsbet odds: $13.

EUROPEAN TOUR - OMAN OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

MIN WOO LEE returns to European Tour action after winning the Vic Open last month. He is out early in the first round and if he can set the pace early, he'll be hard to catch.

Sportsbet odds: $26.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

This shapes as a tricky one to pick with a slightly weaker field, but I am confident South African JUSTIN HARDING will be somewhere near the top of the leaderboard on Sunday. Harding managed a top-30 last week in Mexico among a strong field and is a former winner in the desert, enough for me to look past his missed cut here last year.

Sportsbet odds: $61.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Min Woo Lee will play well again this week but it's hard to look past THOMAS PIETERS. The Belgian was T6 here last year and was T3 in his most recent start at the Saudi International earlier this month.

Sportsbet odds: $10.

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

This is not the strongest field the European Tour will assemble this year and despite missing the cut at his only previous appearance I’m going with MIN WOO LEE to go back-to-back. Buoyed by his maiden win, rested after a couple of weeks off and inspired by Steph Kyriacou’s victory for the youth movement at Bonville, Min Woo will be raring to go this week.

Sportsbet odds: $26.

PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA & ASIAN TOUR - NEW ZEALAND OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Dubai Desert Classic winner LUCAS HERBERT has by-passed another desert appearance in Oman to be in Queenstown for this event, so he must fancy his chances to lift the trophy. With his length and improved short game, Herbert can return some low numbers on the Millbrook and Hills courses.

Sportsbet odds: $17.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

Kiwis haven’t won this as much as they would like and I see RYAN FOX changing that this week. Fox hasn’t missed the top-30 in his last four starts including the WGC in Mexico last week, was runner-up at the Vic Open and shared 11th here last year. The only query is if Fox can get the job done with amateur partner Shane Warne along for the ride …

Sportsbet odds: $12.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Defending champ ZACH MURRAY played well in patches during his WGC debut in Mexico last week and should return to Arrowtown feeling good about his game. He will have the chance to become the first back-to-back winner since Corey Pavin in 1984/85.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

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

Surely it’s time BRAD KENNEDY put it together for all 72 holes? The veteran Queenslander has been in almost career best form in recent weeks but has somehow conspired to turn potential victories into close calls instead. A former winner of this tournament – though not at this venue – he has also lost a play-off here back in 2017.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

LET AND ALPG - WOMEN'S NSW OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

After such a dominating display at Bonville, it's difficult not to pick the in form STEPHANIE KYRIACOU. My only concern is how she will perform having turned professional between events.

Sportsbet odds: $17.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

I am really hoping for some fireworks from Rebecca Artis in her farewell to pro golf, but I think MEGHAN MACLAREN makes it three NSW Opens in a row this week. After disappointing showings at the Women’s Australian Open and Vic Open, MacLaren shared 24th last year and looks one of the players to beat in Dubbo. And is at great odds too!

Sportsbet odds: $31.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Norwegian MARIANNE SKARPNORD hasn't been in good form recently – missing cuts at 13th Beach and Royal Adelaide – but she is still one of the class players in Dubbo this week. She will be right in this.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

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

Here’s a left field tip….Scotland’s GEMMA DRYBURGH. Had her best LET finish at Bonville with a fourth but having had the chance to see her game up close was impressed with all facets. A low ball flight didn’t make things easy for her at Bonville where many of the greens are raised but that will be less of an issue this week in Dubbo. With confidence on her side and swinging well, she is a good chance to improve on that fourth place finish.

Sportsbet odds: $26.

OUR BEST BETS OF THE WEEK

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

I'm going with two recent Aussies winners in a two leg multi this week. Min Woo Lee to finish top-10 in the Oman Open ($4.33) into Lucas Herbert top-10 at the New Zealand Open ($2.37) paying $10.26

Sportsbet odds: $10.26.

 

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

If you’re looking for some value this week, I love the look of Ian Poulter as the top European at The Honda Classic paying $13. The Englishman has two top-20s in his last two starts, is a Florida local and has a decent record here that includes a T3 in 2015.

Sportsbet odds: $13.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Min Woo Lee makes his first Tour start since winning the Vic Open. I like his each-way chances in Oman.

Sportsbet odds: $26 to win – $7.50 top-5 – $4.33 top-10.

 

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

I got on Travis Smyth early in the season and I’m sticking with him. Lots of incentive for the Wollongong native to play well in Oman given it is a European Tour event and while he may struggle to take top spot I reckon he’s a shoo-in for a top 10.

Sportsbet odds: $8.

2020 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip SEVEN winners in 2020, with a best return of $29 for Adam Scott to win the Genesis Invitational (tipped by Brendan James and Jimmy Emanuel.