PGA TOUR - WORKDAY CHARITY OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

It has been 10 years since JUSTIN ROSE won at Muirfield Village and much has changed since then. In fact, much has changed post COVID lockdown with Rose parting ways with equipment sponsor, Honma, and then splitting with long-time swing coach Sean Foley a few weeks later. Has been solid in two starts (T3 and T14) without being spectacular. This could be his week.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

In two starts since the PGA Tour return HIDEKI MATSUYAMA has been somewhat unsurprisingly hot and cold (MC, T21). The Japanese star has struggled for consistency for some time now, however, a return to Muirfield Village for two straight weeks should play into his favour.

An elite ball striker with enough power for Jack’s place, Matsuyama’s woes tend to come with the flatstick in hand, but the 2014 Memorial champion knows these putting surfaces. And with the suggestion that they will be rolling a little slower for the first week, it should suit the slightly less confident putters like the 28-year-old.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

RELATED: Workday Charity Open preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

With tricked-up pin positions expected at Muirfield Village this week, players will have their approach play put under the microscope.

For that reason – as well as some decent enough form – I’m happy to back World No.11 XANDER SCHAUFFELE, who is currently ranked fourth on Tour for greens in regulation at 73 percent. The American also sits eighth on Tour for his birdie average (4.43).

Sportsbet odds: $19.

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

Bryson has stolen all the headlines since golf came back but going quietly about his business in the background has been former US Amateur champion VIKTOR HOVLAND. Despite a less than stellar short game he has been a model of consistency these past four weeks and is more than capable of claiming PGA Tour win number two in Ohio.

Sportsbet odds: $19.

EUROPEAN TOUR - AUSTRIAN OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Belgian THOMAS DETRY was in some good form before the European Tour shut down in March, with his best finish being a T6 at the Saudi International. Detry is a good putter who happens to hit a lot of greens in regulation so if he can get on a run he will contend in Austria.

Sportsbet odds: $8.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

The European Tour return is a real lucky dip with very little form to go off for anyone in the field. But given it is my job to make a selection, I am taking NICOLAS COLSAERTS.

The Belgian bomber has found some more consistency since winning in France in 2019 and I believe he will be one of the better performers once the Tour is back on week-to-week but his flashes of brilliance suggest he could also be one to come out of the break with a bang.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

MIGUEL ANGEL JIMENEZ – the most interesting man in golf – helped redesign Diamond Country Club in 2010 and has five top-20s in his last six starts at the Austrian Open. I reckon the 56-year-old is worth looking at with 29/1 odds, despite the fact he hasn’t won on the European Tour since 2014.

Sportsbet odds: $29.

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

While all eyes have been on the PGA Tour of late Europe makes its return this week with a combined Challenge/Euro Tour event in the Austrian Open. NICOLAS COLSAERTS is the standout name in the field and while he can be erratic he will almost certainly be near the business end of the leaderboard come Sunday.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

2020 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip NINE winners in 2020, with 34 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).