WGC-WORKDAY CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

I really like the look of The Concession layout and I’m guessing DUSTIN JOHNSON does too.

It’s a first time venue and for mine the World No.1 is going to be far to difficult to topple this week.

Sportsbet odds: $7.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

I am sticking with ADAM SCOTT again this week after a mixed showing at Riviera, one of his favourite Tour stops last week.

The Queenslander was T38 in LA, with his 73 and 76 in the second and third rounds taking him out of contention before a tidy Sunday 66. Although clearly not firing on all cylinders last week, Scott had his moments, particularly with the putter on Thursday, and has already recorded a top-10 this year, suggesting his best isn’t far away.

The best players have a history of collecting a bunch of WGC titles, and Scott is a former winner of this event in Florida before it shifted to Mexico, as well as another World Golf Championship and I think he takes his tally to three this week.

Sportsbet odds: $51.

RELATED: WGC-Workday Championship preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

BRYSON DECHAMBEAU missed the cut at Riviera last week. But he will bounce back immediately with PGA Tour title number eight this week at a course he will have fond memories of.

The Californian won the NCAA Championship at The Concession back in 2015 and should enjoy his newfound power on the challenging par-5s.

Sportsbet odds: $21.

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

A first time venue (The Concession Club) always makes picking contenders more difficult so let’s revert to cheering for the best story instead and this week that would be TONY FINAU.

One of the most likeable players on the Tour and with talent to burn, surely he has endured enough of the ‘when will he get his second win?’ questions. The good omen for Finau this week is that the opposite field event – the Puerto Rico Open – was the site of his lone Tour victory so far.

Sportsbet odds: $21.

PGA TOUR - PUERTO RICO OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

AARON BADDELEY showed some promising signs last month and after a few weeks off I reckon he’ll be raring to go in Puerto Rico.

There have been definite signs of improvement in his game from tee-to-green but it is his usual terrific short game that has let him down recently. Expecting the dual Aussie Open champ will be at the right end of the leaderboard this week.

Sportsbet odds: $67.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

I recently caught up with AARON BADDELEY who says he believes his best golf is in front of him, and he has certainly convinced me.

The Victorian’s record so far in 2021 doesn’t make for great reading with three missed cuts and a share of 41st in Hawaii. But his driving has been noticeably better at times under the tutelage of Butch Harmon and having last week off will have given him the chance to work out the kinks before heading to Puerto Rico.

Badds remains one of the best putters on the planet and is a former winner of an opposite field event, all of which leads me to believe he will go close here.

Sportsbet odds: $67.

RELATED: Puerto Rico Open preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Fingers crossed Aaron Baddeley features heavily across the weekend here, however I really like the chances of World No.55 MATT WALLACE.

The four-time European Tour winner is making his first appearance on the US circuit this year and has never played this event – but he should feel he is one of the main contenders this week, given the absence of the Tour’s heavy hitters.

Sportsbet odds: $17.

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

Opposite field events present an enormous opportunity for the Tour’s lesser lights, everyone from fading stars to emerging talent in with a chance at glory while the biggest names of the day do battle at the WGC. Despite all evidence to the contrary (he’s coming off three straight missed cuts) I will be tipping AARON BADDELEY this week.

A runner up and a T5 result in two previous appearances here means there are no bad memories and missing three cuts only to bob up and win the next week would be a very Baddeley thing to do.

Sportsbet odds: $67.

LPGA TOUR - GAINBRIDGE LPGA

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Forgive the romantic in me but what a story it would be if out-of-retirement ANNIKA SORENSTAM lifted the trophy this week.

It would be an incredible achievement and despite its fairy tale status I’m willing to believe she could do it. Her one-off appearance will certainly raise the profile of the Gainsbridge event and if she contends ... don’t be surprised if we see more of the legendary Swede in 2021.

Sportsbet odds: $401.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

With only one limited field event having been played on the LPGA Tour so far this year, form lines for the majority of players teeing it up this week are hard to come by. So, I am going for something of a surprise, with GABI RUFFELS to win her first start as a pro.

Ruffels’ brother Ryan has been based in Florida and played out of nearby Isleworth, where Gabi has recently joined, so I am making the assumption she might be slightly familiar with Lake Nona, and at the very least comfortable in the Florida conditions.

A proven winner as an amateur, Ruffels recorded two top-15s in majors last year and is seemingly fearless when she plays against the best in the world, all of which suggests to me a high finish to kick start her play for pay career.

Sportsbet odds: $176.

RELATED: Gainbridge LPGA preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

It will be interesting to see how Gabi Ruffels plays during her professional debut, but my money will be on World No.5 DANIELLE KANG.

The American finished third here last year and was runner-up in her most recent start at the end of January.

Sportsbet odds: $12.

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

GABI RUFFELS has a habit of making headlines wherever she goes and winning her first event as a professional would be in keeping with that theme.

Ruffels has already shown she has the game to compete with the best on the LPGA, the only thing she lacks is experience at this level. However, she has proved a fast study at every point in her career to this point and there is no reason she can’t prevail this week.

here is no reason she won’t go on with the job in 2021, beginning this week.

Sportsbet odds: $176.

2021 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip FOUR winners in 2021, with 26 of their picks recording top-10 finishes that week and a best return of $61 for Max Homa to win the Genesis Invitational (tipped by Rod Morri).