It was a fairly quiet week for the so-called experts, but our new tipster did record the best result of the team. Here is who our crew think will get over the line on the PGA, European and LPGA Tours this week.
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
I’m going to continue with my game plan of tipping JORDAN SPIETH at any event played in his home state of Texas.
He’s playing his fourth tournament in the Lone Star State, having secured a win and an additional two top-10s. He’s coming off a T30 at the PGA Championship but will be much higher up the leaderboard this week.
odds: $11.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
I simply can’t go past COLLIN MORIKAWA here this week.
Runner-up after a play-off loss to Daniel Berger last year, the American was a solid T8 in his title defence at the PGA last week and is perfectly suited to Colonial Country Club.
One of the best ball strikers on Tour, Morikawa isn’t as long as many of his contemporaries but that won’t pose an issue here, and his average putting shouldn’t be as much of an issue here as at other venues.
Sportsbet odds: $12.
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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
Sometimes in golf a player is simply due and this week at Colonial that player feels like ABRAHAM ANCER.
Fifth at Valspar, Second at Wells Fargo then top-10 at Kiawah Island thanks to a Sunday 65 that was the best round of the week by two shots, Ancer’s trajectory could hardly be better.
The only question is whether there are any signs of fatigue after a run of tough golf but in current form, the former Australian Open champion looks a good bet.
Sportsbet odds: $21.
The Golf Stig – Anonymous Tour Pro
A few years back when KEVIN NA won this event he was told he has lead or co-lead at this course more than any other course on Tour. Do I need to say anymore?
A winner earlier this year in Hawaii and that really didn't surprise. Both tree lined dogleg courses where length isn't a huge priority.
He was never any hope at Kiawah Island on that course at its length so I'm happy to forgive that performance.
Huge odds for a guy who probably is the best performer at the venue.
Sportsbet odds: $56.
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Three top-15s in his past five starts, suggests THORBJORN OLESEN might be just about due for higher honours. And what better place to raise a trophy than on home soil.
He finished even par in his last start at The Belfry, but his previous three events he was a combined 51 under par so if there is one player in the field who can go low this week it is Olesen.
Sportsbet odds: $26.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
It is a lot to ask given he is travelling back from playing in a major, but I think BERND WIESBERGER could very well defend his title this week, or go close in trying.
The Austrian hasn’t been at his best so far in 2021, but having gained plenty of experience playing big events in America, I think it is only a matter of time before his game turns around.
Clearly likes this venue, and conditions will be more to his liking this week.
Sportsbet odds: $19.
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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
ROBERT MACINTYRE was beyond disappointed with his performance in the last round at Kiawah Island and a fired up Scotsman is a dangerous proposition, especially on a course where he finished runner-up in his only other appearance.
The likeable left hander has been the subject of perhaps an unfair amount of hype but he also looks to have more game than his resume to date suggests. His 5-over finish at the PGA – in particular a Sunday 73 after opening with three straight birdies – saw him declare he “should never be shooting over par” and that his play was ‘unacceptable”.
The opportunity to redeem himself presents this week and it would be no surprise to see him get the job done.
Sportsbet odds: $11.
The Golf Stig – Anonymous Tour Pro
Adrian Otaegui has been struggling for form of late but one thing that can turn that around is coming back to a place you have had good results at.
His last 3 starts in this event read 3rd, 16th and 10th.
Sportsbet odds: $6.
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
A new venue (Shadow Creek in Las Vegas) and an inaugural match play event for the LPGA Tour makes it tough to pick a winner this week. However, I think the aggressive play of BROOKE HENDERSON makes her a lock to make it through to the pointy end of the tournament.
Match play will allow her to play with more freedom and that will claim enough scalps en route to the final.
TAB odds: $15.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
Match play is never easy to pick, but using a few key indicators suggests to me that ANNA NORDQVIST could go very deep in this event.
The Swede hasn’t won on Tour since 2017, but she is one of the few in the field with some experience at Shadow Creek as an MGM Grand ambassador playing the course a number of times, something that will help a great deal.
Nordqvist is also a proven Solheim Cup performer, so the match play element should suit her. And her incredibly accurate approach play is a major plus in the format too.
TAB odds: $81.
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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
As always, match play is hard to predict and that is made even more difficult because this inaugural event at Shadow Creek marks one of the few times the LPGA has dabbled in the format.
However, in terms of credentials, few can match our own MINJEE LEE whose two Australian Amateur titles, combined with the 2012 US Junior Girls’ trophy, suggest the format is to her liking.
Lee has been at less than her best much of this season and the switch of focus from scorecard and pencil to course and opponent might just prove the catalyst that jumpstarts her 2021.
Sportsbet odds: $21.
The Golf Stig – Anonymous Tour Pro
Danielle Kang is arguably the hardest worker in golf not only on the LPGA Tour and she has that swagger you need to prevail in these match play events.
West Coast based and I've been told one of the few that has inside knowledge of Shadow Creek.
Oozes confidence, will be there late in the week for sure.
TAB odds: $19.
2021 RESULTS
So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 12 winners in 2021, with 72 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).
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