WGC-FEDEX ST. JUDE INVITATIONAL

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

RORY MCILROY is yet to get out of second gear since returning after COVID shutdown. But a 4th playing here in 2019 suggests the course will suit his eye. He might also be inspired to try and snatch back his No.1 ranking from Jon Rahm, who I predict will not finish top-20 this week.

Sportsbet odds: $12.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

MATTHEW FITZPATRICK found some form in the PGA Tour’s fortnight at Muirfield Village with a T27 followed by third, all without regular caddie Billy Foster on the tools. Foster returns this week at a site the pair combined for a share of fourth last year and the Englishman will want to bank a PGA Tour win having forgone the European Tour’s UK Swing. Doesn’t hurt that the 25-year-old is one of the best putters on the planet.

Sportsbet odds: $36.

RELATED: WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

World No.18 MARC LEISHMAN hasn’t been able to rediscover his impressive form prior to the PGA Tour’s three-month hiatus and hasn’t finished better than T40th from his four starts. But the Victorian was third at TPC Southwind last year and will arrive fresh after a week off following the Memorial. I like his chances at a juicy $67.

Sportsbet odds: $67.

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

Do you know who’s due for a big performance on the world stage? TOMMY FLEETWOOD, that's who. He of the long flowing locks has proved he has the game to contend and win anywhere in the world and this week might just be the time. Sure he missed the cut last week but at this level that doesn’t really mean anything, especially after a long layoff, and I’m predicting he’ll be in the mix come Sunday afternoon.

Sportsbet odds: $36.

EUROPEAN TOUR - HERO OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Here’s a name for you. THORBJORN OLESEN is apparently in the field this week having not played competitively for a year and one week. Of course, it was on his way back to Europe from the WGC FedEx last year when he disgraced himself on the flight. I figure he’s had plenty of time to work out any problems with his swing and rid himself of any mental scarring. Could surprise.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

After recording a T4 last week I am sticking with ROBERT ROCK for the second straight week in the north of England. Rock managed four rounds in the 60s at Close House and that is enough for me to believe he will once again find himself somewhere in the hunt over the weekend as Europe’s best continue to adapt to the new normal of tournament golf.

Sportsbet odds: $51.

RELATED: Hero Open preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

It has been 22 years since an Englishman won the English Masters – albeit the event hasn’t been played since 2002 – but EDDIE PEPPERELL has the ability to change that. The Oxford-born 29-year-old showed plenty at Close House last week prior to his less-than-stellar closing round and will be eager to add to his two career Tour titles.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

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

The Tour heads to Newcastle for the second event of its COVID inspired UK swing and after a solid showing in his first tournament since February I’m going with the big hitting Kiwi RYAN FOX. Three sub 70 rounds after five months without any tournament golf suggests a game that is in a good place and Fox – winner of the Perth Super 6 event last year – is about due to take the next career step and claim a four round European Tour title on European soil.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

LPGA TOUR - DRIVE ON CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Obviously hard to draw on form after no events in five months so we’ll have to go on talent alone. This immediately has me thinking about NELLY KORDA, who is currently ranked second in the world, behind South Korean Jin Young Ko. While Ko has a solid lead, and has held the top position for a year and counting, Korda has a chance to become only the third American to reach No. 1 in the world since 2006. A win this week will go a long way to achieving that goal.

Sportsbet odds: $10.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

With no significant form as a guide I am going with LYDIA KO here as the LPGA Tour returns. Ko’s talent is undeniable, and having been in the public eye, winning golf tournaments and making swing/coach/caddie changes since her teens, I think the break from tournament golf will have been as good for Ko as any player.

Sportsbet odds: $71.

RELATED: Drive On Championship preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Hard to back anyone based on form, however CHRISTINA KIM was on fire prior to the Tour’s 19-week absence, banking shares of ninth and 10th at the VIC Open and Women’s Australian Open respectively. The American has been working as hard as anyone these past few months and it wouldn’t shock me if she won here, despite her $71 odds.

Sportsbet odds: $71.

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

There are no guarantees of success in this game but having all the tools to be something special is a good start. MARIA FASSI is that player. Yet to fulfil her extraordinary potential, an extended break from the game might have served to increase her motivation and if that is the case – having seen her first hand at Bonville earlier this year – anything is possible.

Sportsbet odds: $326.

PGA TOUR - BARRACUDA CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

This week marks an ideal opportunity for CAMERON DAVIS to really announce his arrival on the PGA Tour with a win. Has two top-10s already this season and can count himself among the top-5 in form players at this event. If he greets the judge first, he’ll be off to the US Open in September.

Sportsbet odds: $41.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

Despite regular first time winners in this event, I am tipping MARTIN KAYMER to really signal his return here. The golf world is better when the German is putting on clinical ball striking displays in the biggest events and Kaymer showed signs that might be in the future earlier in 2020. Chipping of course remains the barrier to success for the two-time major champion, but large greens should see the putter in his hands more often than not and a chance to contend again in America.

Sportsbet odds: $34.

RELATED: Barracuda Championship preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

I’m backing the big-hitting PATRICK RODGERS to make the most of the three drivable par-4s on offer – the 8th, 11th and 16th – and record his maiden Tour victory at Old Greenwood. The 28-year-old American has been solid the past fortnight, recording shares of 18th and 32nd at the Memorial and 3M Open respectively.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

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

In the opposite field event in Nevada I’m going with another slightly left field pick with Argentina’s EMILIANO GRILLO. It’s been a quiet couple of years for Grillo but a third place finish last week will have him confident and the modified stableford scoring format rewards his naturally aggressive style of play.

Sportsbet odds: $34.

2020 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 10 winners in 2020, with 43 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).