PGA TOUR - ARNOLD PALMER INVITATIONAL

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Really, really hard to tip against the World No.1 RORY McILROY this week. He’s a former winner at Bay Hill and his form in 2020 is beyond compare. In six events this year, he’s had a win and five top-5s. Would love to see him going head to head down the stretch with another past API champion, Marc Leishman.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

Still a little tentative to tip him given his history of injury enforced withdrawals, including here last year, but if JASON DAY plays all four rounds he will be close. The Queenslander has never missed the cut here, won in 2016, was fourth at Pebble Beach, is a typically strong player early in the year and won’t want to be left out of the Aussie winners conversation.

Sportsbet odds: $29.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Gee whiz it's tough looking past World No.1 Rory McIlroy here. But I suppose you could say that every week and I really like the look of MARC LEISHMAN. The 2017 champ always plays well first-up and will arrive at Bay Hill feeling fresh after skipping The Honda Classic.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

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

Everyone will be thinking Tommy Fleetwood and they’re probably right (he was second here last year) which means there will be little value. That’s why I’m turning left to look in that field and have found RYAN MOORE. His record here is decent (two top 10 finishes against two missed cuts in 10 starts) and he played OK without being at his best at his most recent start at The Genesis.

Sportsbet odds: $101.

EUROPEAN TOUR - QATAR MASTERS

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Scot ROB MACINTYRE returns after a month’s hiatus, hopefully ready to capture some of the form he showed before missing the cut in his last start at the Saudi International. He finished T31 here last year, but I expect he will better that mark significantly this week.

Sportsbet odds: $19.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

BRANDON STONE was in my considerations last week, when he lost in a play-off, so I am going to make amends and tip him this week. Prior to Oman, the South African had a top-10 at home on the Sunshine Tour and the new venue this week is enough to forgive his patchy record in this event. Doesn’t hurt that he is offering some value as well.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

English veteran ROSS FISHER has been in terrific form in the Middle East this past month, finishing 6th and 10th at the Saudi International and Oman Open in his last two starts. Don't be surprised if he's thereabouts on Sunday ...

Sportsbet odds: $31.

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

England's JORDAN SMITH will be disappointed with his final round last week in Oman where a 72 left him four shots out of the play-off. However, it was three good days before that and having played well in Qatar before with a T6 finish in 2017 he will arrive confident.

Sportsbet odds: $31.

ASIAN TOUR - MALAYSIAN OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

PAVIT TANGKAMOLPRASERT was impressive at the New Zealand Open last week, which was just another good recent performance including a win and runner-up finish late in 2019. The long-hitting Thai ranks No.4 on birdies on the Asian Tour, which will hold him in good stead this week.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

JOOHYUNG ‘TOMMY’ KIM is the one for me here. The South Korean teenager was fourth last week in New Zealand after a somewhat disappointing Sunday 70 that took him out of contention and how’s this for a form line. Since August 2019, Kim has played 11 events with a worst finish of T28 and recorded seven top-10s, including two wins. Plus, anyone nicknamed for their childhood love of Thomas the Tank Engine is alright by me.

Sportsbet odds: $9.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

MARCUS FRASER shared 12th place when this event was last held at Kota Permai in 2008. I reckon the former Olympian still has what it takes to mix it with this field.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

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

WADE ORMSBY will like the form he showed in New Zealand last week after missed cuts in each of his three previous starts. A two week layoff tends to have done the trick, though, and a T7 result in Queenstown suggests all parts of his game are in good shape.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

OUR BEST BETS OF THE WEEK

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

WOW!!!! MARC LEISHMAN is already a winner in 2020 and a past champ at Bay Hill but you can get $4.50 for him to finish top-10. That’s too good to pass up and if you’re adventurous, you can take a two-leg multi with ROB MACINTYRE to finish top-10 in the Qatar Masters to juice up the odds even further to a tempting $15.30.

Sportsbet odds: $15.30.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

IAN POULTER has played Bay Hill nine times for nine made cuts and six top-25s. He was T27 last week at the Honda, had two top-20s previously in the desert and is a local resident. Considering all this $5 for him to finish in the top-20 is outstanding. To add some serious value, add a BRANDON STONE top-10 in Qatar, $6, as a two leg multi paying $30.

Sportsbet odds: $30.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

MARC LEISHMAN is paying $41 to squeeze into his second red cardigan at Bay Hill or $8.50 to finish in the top-five. Take your pick.

Sportsbet odds: $41 to win – $8.50 top-5.

 

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

RORY MCILROY to be top five at Bay Hill paying $2.25. In fact, Rory McIlroy to be top five in pretty much every tournament he plays this year.

Sportsbet odds: $2.25.

2020 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip EIGHT winners in 2020, with 27 of their picks recording top-10 finishes that week and a best return of $29 for Adam Scott to win the Genesis Invitational (tipped by Brendan James and Jimmy Emanuel.