It is another week with just two of the world's major Tours in action. But that doesn't mean our so-called experts don't fancy their chances of picking a winner in Cyprus and Houston, with just one week until The Masters.
PGA TOUR - HOUSTON OPEN
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Having been sidelined by COVID-19, DUSTIN JOHNSON is having his first PGA Tour start since the US Open where he was T6.
The Tom Doak-redesigned layout will suit Johnson, not just for his length but also his deft short game. There are five par-5s in the layout, which is a guarantee of some birdies for DJ. His under-rated short game will come to fore as there are only 20 bunkers across the course and he is better than most from long or short grass surrounds.
Sportsbet odds: $8.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
Despite the return of a lot of bigger names to the PGA Tour this week, I am going with MATT JONES here.
Jones is a past winner of this event, albeit at a different venue, and with little known about the host venue since its redesign I am favouring a strong ball striker with form, and Jones is certainly the former and was 4th last week in Bermuda.
In a normal year, Jones would have been considering plans to perhaps return to Australia to defend his national open later this month or next, and perhaps the golf gods will look down on him with some good fortune in light of this.
Sportsbet odds: $101.
Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer
One of the form players in the field is Englishman TYRRELL HATTON and I reckon he will salute for his second PGA Tour title of the year.
The World No.10 has hardly missed a beat since the world’s Tours resumed from their respective COVID-19-enforced lockdowns – and he has bagged three top-10s in the US alone. He has also claimed three worldwide victories in the past 12 months.
Sportsbet odds: $17.
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
Everyone's been wondering when JORDAN SPIETH might finally flick the switch and start playing like a three time major winner again and the answer is this week.
Four of his last eight rounds have been in the 60’s and he returns to an event where he has twice finished in the top five, including in his last appearance when T3 in 2018. Those good memories combined with some confidence gained in recent weeks and just a week out from The Masters all add up to a potential light bulb moment for the Texan in Houston.
Sportsbet odds: $46.
EURO TOUR - CYPRUS SHOWDOWN
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Scot ROBERT MACINTYRE had his best result of 2020 last week when he finished T3 in Cyprus. He improved with each round, wrapping up his week with a terrific weekend of 66-65.
Having familiarised himself now with the Aphrodite layout, I expect the hit scoring to continue and his first European Tour win to follow.
Sportsbet odds: $23.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
I was very close to going with MARCUS ARMITAGE last week at the same venue, and feel even more confident this week after his T12.
‘The Bullet’ recorded two top-10s prior to the European Tour heading to Cyprus and he will be better for the experience of four days of tournament golf at the same venue, as well as some more experience being in the mix for a trophy over the weekend.
Sportsbet odds: $41.
Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer
Will this be the week JASON SCRIVENER breaks through on the European Tour? I certainly think so.
The South African-born Western Australian was terrific here last week and the shootout format should suit him, given his experience (and collection of solid results) in events like the World Super 6 Perth.
Sportsbet odds: $41.
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
With back to back events at the same course it’s hard to look past last week’s final leaderboard for clues to this week’s winner. Finland’s SAMI VALIMAKI was never far out of the mix last week and ultimately finished in a share of sixth position on the back of four good rounds.
He will fancy his chances on a second go around the Aphrodite Hills Resort in Cyprus and in a field depleted of stars ahead of next week’s US Masters he is a good bet.
Sportsbet odds: $26.
2020 RESULTS
So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 15 winners in 2020, with 88 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).
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