PGA TOUR - WELLS FARGO CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

This week, I’m hoping, will see the RORY MCILROY bounce back.

He turned 32 on May 4, which might be the ideal line in the sand to put his recent ho-hum form behind him.

Two missed cuts from his previous three starts and a fall in the world ranking to No.15 (his lowest ranking in more than 11 years), doesn’t bode well for tipsters. But Rory is a two-time winner at Quail Hollow and this might be the time and place where McIlroy rediscovers his game … just in time for the PGA Championship at Kiawah Island.

Sportsbet odds: $17.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

It is sometime since defending champion MAX HOMA won his first PGA Tour title here in 2019, and the American has improved a whole lot since then, making him a perfect pick to go back-to-back.

Homa won a second Tour title at the Genesis earlier this year (somehow tipped by Rod Morri) and fresh of a T6 at the Valspar last week, so confidence and form are no issue.

I love Homa’s golf swing and attitude to both golf and his social media presence, and to see him win again at major championship venue would sit very well with this tipster.

Sportsbet odds: $31.

RELATED: Wells Fargo Championship preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

I can’t go past JUSTIN THOMAS here this week.

The World No.2 won the US PGA Championship at Quail Hollow in 2017 and is currently leading the Tour with his scoring average of 69.738 shots per round.

The 28-year-old is in good form – having won The Players in mid-March – and will claim his 15th PGA Tour title on Sunday.

Sportsbet odds: $11.

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

I always like a player who sneaks under the radar and former Australian Open winner ABRAHAM ANCER fits the bill nicely this week.

His fifth at the Valspar last week came on the back of a consistent if unspectacular run of mid-field finishes, the sort of run that suggests a player needs just one part of the game to fall into place to have a magical week.

It almost happened for him last week and while Quail Hollow tends to favour longer 

Sportsbet odds: $34.

LPGA TOUR - HONDA LPGA THAILAND

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

After such a close call in Singapore, HANNAH GREEN will be hoping for redemption in Thailand this week.

Two closing bogies cost her dearly last week and she came away with her second consecutive top-three finish. She has not played the Siam Country Club course before but her current vein of form will overcome that lack of knowledge early, and then she can post some low numbers to contend again.

Sportsbet odds: $15.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

Alright, let’s try this again. LYDIA KO is my pick to win here.

Ko was my choice last week in Singapore, and admirable seventh has given me no reason to abandon ship at this stage, despite a solid at best record in this event and at the host venue.

Ko’s green in regulation numbers and putting stats this year are outstanding, and if she can find a few more fairways, the Kiwi will be able to fire at more flags and perhaps claim a second win for 2021 before we reach halfway.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50.

RELATED: Honda LPGA Thailand preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

Local chance MORIYA JUTANUGARN represents terrific value for mine at 26/1.

The elder Jutanugarn sister has recorded three consecutive top-10s at Siam Country Club – including her runner-up effort in 2018 – and will be eager to add a national title to her CV.

She has, of course, only recorded the solitary LPGA Tour title, so I’m hoping she will be able to close out the tournament should she be in contention late on Sunday.

Sportsbet odds: $26.

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

She hasn’t been at her best yet this season but MINJEE LEE will have some good memories to draw on at the Siam Country Club in Thailand.

In four previous starts she has been outside the top 10 only once, including a runner-up result in 2019. Her game is far from poor with one missed cut, one top five and three mid-field results since returning in March and it won’t take much to take things up a notch, especially at a course where she has been close before.

Sportsbet odds: $17.

EURO TOUR - CANARY ISLANDS CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Different tournament, same venue and an almost identical field this week for the Canary Islands Championship. I’m going to continue riding the GARRICK HIGGO train.

After his win a fortnight ago he backed up for a T8 on this course last week and I can’t see his form dropping off this week.

He is an incredible 49 under for his past 12 tournament rounds, including three rounds of 63. Based on this I expect he will reach 20 to 24 under this week and win easily.

Sportsbet odds: $12.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor

SCOTT HEND seemed to enjoy the vibe of Tenerife and the Canary Islands last week on his way to a T8 finish, and that is enough for me to go with Aussie this week.

Hend is always a hot and cold player, and last week showed he is in a hot patch that hopefully runs over into another good result here. A third round 71 was damaging to chances of a win or higher finish last week, but I guarantee you this, Hend won’t be dwelling on it so neither am I.

Sportsbet odds: $51.

RELATED: Canary Islands Championship preview

Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer

South African JUSTIN HARDING has posted back-to-back top-15s in the Canaries and should be primed to take his second European Tour title of the year, having claimed the Kenya Open in March.

Outside of his missed cuts at the Qatar Masters and Austrian Open, Harding has been very consistent and should find himself in contention again this weekend.

Sportsbet odds: $19.

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

He’s one of the better players to follow on Twitter and when he’s in the right mood Scott Hend is still one of the most dangerous players on the course.

He tends to be all or nothing and after a good showing at Tenerife last week he’ll be worth a look this week in the Canary Islands. Aggression doesn’t do justice to Hend’s style of play and three sub 70 rounds last week will have his confidence high come Thursday.

Sportsbet odds: $51.

2021 RESULTS

So far our so-called experts have combined to tip TEN winners in 2021, with 66 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).