LPGA TOUR - ANA INSPIRATION

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Having moved from its traditional March spot because of COVID-19, the heat of September in the desert will play a role this week with temperatures expected in the 40s for all four days.

Just who will cope with the furnace-like conditions is a major factor and, of the leading players, I think this might favour World No.5 and Perth native MINJEE LEE the best. She played terrific golf at the Women’s Open in Scotland and of the women’s majors this is the one where she will like her chances.

Sportsbet odds: $12.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

It is seven years since INBEE PARK took home this title, but I can see the Korean legend taking a second dip in Poppie’s Pond this week.

Park obviously knows the venue well, and her accurate driving and iron play suits the penal test perfectly. Combine that with a fourth at the Women’s Open and a T7 in her only other start since the LPGA’s resumption (having won the Aussie Open before the break) Park looks the one to beat for me.

Sportsbet odds: $11.

RELATED: ANA Inspiration preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

I’m really interested to see how Sung Hyun Park plays in her first appearance for 2020, however my money’s going to be on 2016 champ LYDIO KO.

The former World No.1 has had her struggles, to be sure. But her new partnership with coach Sean Foley seems to be working wonders – and she’s been trending towards her 16th title since the Tour resumed at the end of July.

Sportsbet odds: $26.

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

It's a toss-up this week between the ever present 2020 Minjee Lee and the rejuvenated 2020 LYDIA KO but Ko just gets the nod.

The 2016 winner will be keen to make amends for her disastrous double bogey finish to lose the Marathon Classic three weeks ago which will only make redemption at Mission Hills all the sweeter.

Sportsbet odds: $26.

PGA TOUR - SAFEWAY OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

JORDAN SPIETH makes his debut appearance in the Safeway Open, against a field lacking the usual world ranking firepower.

I’ve seen enough quality from him since the return from COVID shutdown to think he can contend and end his long win drought this week.

Who would have thought the Open Championship in 2017 would be his last win for such a long time? It ends this week and it will put him back in the conversation for the Masters in November.

Sportsbet odds: $29.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

CAMERON DAVIS appeared to be really finding his feet on the game’s biggest stage at the tail end of the 2019/20 season and I see that continuing this week in California.

Davis has a game well suited to this layout, has previously recorded a top-20 at this event and as a Sydney product won’t mind the extremely high temperatures predicted for California this week.

Sportsbet odds: $36.

RELATED: Safeway Open preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Silverado tends to favour the longer hitters and I can see CAMERON DAVIS breaking into the winner’s circle this week.

The 25-year-old Sydneysider, who is currently ranked 20th for driving distance, narrowly missed out on making the Tour Championship after an impressive playoffs series and was T17th here last year.

Sportsbet odds: $36.

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

It would be difficult to imagine a more open field than this week’s Safeway Open. With most of the Tour’s top players taking the week off ahead of the US Open there are few standout names in the field and in those circumstances JORDAN SPIETH is one that stands out.

He’s had flashes of form in 2020 (though admittedly amongst mostly poor play) but a new beginning combined with a little less pressure and a less than full strength field might be just the tonic to get the three time major winner back on track.

Sportsbet odds: $29.

EUROTOUR - PORTUGAL MASTERS

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

I’m sticking fast with Spaniard JORGE CAMPILLO this week.

He shared the lead after round one at Valderrama and putted his way to a disastrous seven over 78 in round two. He ultimately finished seven shots behind the winner. I don’t think history will repeat this week and he’ll be thereabouts when the leaders are hitting the home stretch on Sunday afternoon.

Sportsbet odds: $23.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

There is no questioning TOMMY FLEETWOOD hasn’t had his best stuff of late in the US, but a return to the European Tour should help him find it once again.

The Englishman has plenty of experience at this event, albeit a not hugely inspiring record, and will use that to his advantage as well as his world class ball striking to find a place near the top of the leaderboard come Sunday when the competitive juices will do the rest.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50.

RELATED: Portugal Masters preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Hard to go past TOMMY FLEETWOOD when looking over this field.

The World No.16 is clearly the class player in Portugal this week and should prove hard to hold out. My only concern is that his iron play, which is usually one of his main weapons, has been slightly sloppy these past few months.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50.

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

He hasn’t been at his best in recent weeks in the US but tournament invite TOMMY FLEETWOOD will start the week clear favourite with most in a field that lacks much in the way of world ranking firepower.

This will be the Englishman’s sixth appearance at the tournament and while his previous best was a T12 in 2014 he is a much more accomplished player in 2020.

There is no shortage of good players in the field this week but Fleetwood is a rung above all and should be well in the mix come Sunday.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50.

2020 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 12 winners in 2020, with 55 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).