Another week, another win for the so-called experts. Can they keep it going at the US Women’s Open, Jack Nicklaus’ Memorial and Porsche European Open? And who will be the top Aussie at Olympic?
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
The hot conditions at the match play in Las Vegas last week will take their toll on a few players at the US Women’s Open, so I don’t consider any of the players who made it as far as the quarter finals as genuine threats for the title.
It’s ten years since Korea’s SO YEON RYU hoisted the Harton S. Semple Trophy and, on the back of some good recent form, I think it would be a great story if she added a second US Open title to her resume.
She will be assisted by playing alongside the Korda sisters in the opening two rounds.
Sportsbet odds: $17
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
At just 22, NELLY KORDA has already played six US Opens, which is kind of crazy to think about. And despite a fairly average record in the event I see her either going very close or taking the trophy this week.
Part of Korda’s disappointing record at her national open is that she has been playing in them for the better part of 10 years, so can be forgiven and her form of late has been very strong.
A worst finish of T28 this year and six top-10s is very promising lead-up form, and skipping last week’s marathon match play event in sweltering temperatures in Las Vegas was a very prudent move by the World No.4.
Sportsbet odds: $19.
RELATED: US Women's Open preview
Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer
Whether she wins (again) or not, one thing’s for certain: INBEE PARK will be in contention in San Francisco this week.
The South Korean has won this championship twice (2008 & 2013) and has claimed nine top-10s from 14 appearances. She’s also in tremendous form and has recorded five consecutive top-15s.
Sportsbet odds: $12
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
For a player of her talent and resume LYDIA KO's US Women’s Open record is surprisingly poor.
But Ko 2.0 has been a revelation this year and her final round heroics at the ANA Inspiration in April suggest she is all the way back. At the very least expect an improvement on one top-10 finish in nine starts and it will be no surprise if that top-10 turns out to be her third major victory.
Sportsbet odds: $15
The Golf Stig – Anonymous Tour Pro
I went with Jessica a few weeks ago and now I’m going with NELLY KORDA.
Cold conditions up in San Francisco and I think that extra power is a big advantage.
Not to mention she is in great form this year and I think she has had her eye on this one for a few months now.
Sportsbet odds: $19
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Although her form has been middle-of-the-road since T5 at the Kia Classic in March, MINJEE LEE does find another gear on difficult golf courses.
Olympic will be playing tight this week and that might just play into the West Australian’s hands.
TAB odds: $2.05
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
Very tempting to go with Sarah Kemp here after her recent play, but I simply cannot go past HANNAH GREEN as our best performer at Olympic.
The major champion has been rock solid this year prior to being bundled out in the round robin of last week’s match play. Green had recorded finishes of T14, T12, T3 and T7 prior to last week and her game looks perfectly suited to the US Open challenge.
The West Australian is longer off the tee this year, hits a crazy amount of greens and is currently putting the dots off it. Huge chance to not only be the best Aussie but claim a second major.
TAB odds: $2.10
RELATED: US Women's Open Tee Times (AEST)
Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer
I’m tempted to pick Minjee Lee given her desire to capture this championship, however former Women’s PGA Championship winner (2019) HANNAH GREEN has proven her game can stand up under the pressure associated with majors.
The 24-year-old arrives in San Francisco off the back of four straight top-15s, too, including back-to-back top-10s.
TAB odds: $2.10
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
I won’t be surprised if HANNAH GREEN contends for the title this week and on form should be top Australian.
She’s picked up yardage since late last year but more importantly remains one of the most steadfastly competitive players in the game. The bigger and more difficult the tournament the better it suits the West Australian and events don’t come bigger or more difficult than the US Women’s Open.
TAB odds: $2.10
The Golf Stig – Anonymous Tour Pro
Top Aussie at the US Open will be HANNAH GREEN for no reason other than she loves West Coast golf.
Winner in Portland previously so I hope the same style of course and grasses can help
TAB odds: $2.10
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
It’s not time to jump off the JORDAN SPIETH express just yet.
Frustratingly finished second last week, again after holding the 54-hole lead, but he will bounce back with another contending performance this week.
I expect tee-to-green he will be better, helped by the wider fairways, while his short game is arguably the best in the field at Memorial.
Sportsbet odds: $15
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
This is a bit of a funny one where previous form could be a little misleading given the changes to the golf course that began DURING the final round in 2020. Regardless, I am going to go with defending champion JON RAHM.
I have no doubts the course will play quite differently this week, but the bones of the layout remain and Rahm obviously enjoys those.
In his last start the former World No.1 was T8 at a course that he didn’t seem to ever understand, and I had a win with a defending champ last week so may as well stick with it!
Sportsbet odds: $10
Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer
Former champ (2018) BRYSON DECHAMBEAU hasn’t been in the best form since winning the Arnold Palmer Invitational in early March.
Having said that, however, I wouldn’t be surprised if he claimed his ninth PGA Tour title at Jack’s Place this week. The World No.4 is leading the Tour off the tee and is always hard to contain.
Sportsbet odds: $15
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
The golf world has been waiting since 2016 and this week it will finally be TONY FINAU's time to claim win number two.
He’s been the poster child for struggling to break through but with so many other players creating headlines in the game recently he’s slipped back under the radar and that will work in his favour heading to The Memorial.
He has a decent record at Muirfield Village (two top-10's and one missed cut in six appearances) and despite a less than stellar final round at Colonial he looked in good form over the first three rounds. Each week that passes without victory only brings that elusive second title closer and in simple terms Finau is due.
Sportsbet odds: $26
The Golf Stig – Anonymous Tour Pro
With the recent changes to course I have put an even bigger emphasis on controlling the ball around Muirfield Village and the best in the game at that is COLLIN MORIKAWA.
The new greens are a little firm still and more demanding than the previous. I think his superior iron play will be perfect this week.
Sportsbet odds: $17
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Sneaking across the Atlantic for his second European Tour start of 2021 is ABRAHAM ANCER.
Stormed into T8 finish at the PGA Championship courtesy of a closing 65 and if he can carry that form from his last significant start into this event it won’t be a case if he wins but by how many.
TAB odds: $9
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
PAUL CASEY is making a big call (a financially assisted one no doubt) to skip The Memorial and tee it up here to defend his 2019 title. And I think he will make the most of it, adding a second European Tour win for the year.
Casey recorded a top-5 at the recent PGA Championship and obviously likes this golf course. He won’t romp it in by any means, but it is hard to imagine that the Englishman won’t be in the mix on Sunday, and if that’s the case, you would be brave to bet against him emerging victorious.
TAB odds: $7.50
RELATED: Porsche European Open preview
Michael Jones – Golf Australia writer
Fifteen-time European Tour winner PAUL CASEY won this event when it was last played in 2019 and has only missed the top-20 on one occasion from eight appearances.
Enough said, really.
TAB odds: $7.50
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
May hasn’t been kind to MARTIN KAYMER with two missed cuts in two starts but backed by a home crowd and with just 54 holes to play I’m tipping him to regain his form of April which was highlighted by a T3 result at the Austrian Open.
2021 is the year of the comeback and the two-time major winner would sit comfortably alongside Jordan Spieth and Lydia Ko with a return the winner’s circle. One of the most popular players among fans and peers alike, a win this week would be a fairy tale but after Phil Mickelson's performance at Kiawah Island who doesn’t believe in those?
TAB odds: $34
The Golf Stig – Anonymous Tour Pro
Going with KURT KITAYAMA here this week, when this guy gets hot he is a s good as anyone and I saw enough in Denmark to make me thing he about to go on one of those runs again.
Might not be ready to win but I think he will can definitely give it a shake, especially at his price.
TAB odds: $41
2021 RESULTS
So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 13 winners in 2021, with 77 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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