Fresh of a PGA Tour win and some other high finishes, our so-called experts are up and about as they attempt to add to the tally of winners and top-10s. Here are their picks for Vegas, Spain and the LPGA’s Founders Cup.
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
After a break – where he no doubt road-tested some of his delicious Flecha Azul tequila, ABRAHAM ANCER will hopefully pick up where he left off in the FedExCup play-offs. Having won in Memphis, he had two top-10s in the finals.
That kind of form might translate into more good rounds at TPC Summerlin where he’s had two top-fives and has a scoring average of 66.9 there since 2018. Makes him tough to beat this week.
Sportsbet odds: $26
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
I have been on the Scottie Scheffler bandwagon for a while, and wouldn’t be surprised if he won here. And would love to see his Aussie caddie Scotty McGuiness get another win. But $23 feels a little short for someone without a win. So it is MARC LEISHMAN for me in Vegas.
The Victorian was very impressive in his last start at the Fortinet where he finished T4 on the back of a Sunday charge, and with more good karma on his side after another successful fundraiser for the Begin Again Foundation, the dominoes could fall for Leish this week.
Plus, he is very good value with the odds makers.
Sportsbet odds: $51
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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
He impressed as a Captain's pick on debut at the Ryder Cup despite not being a Tour winner but that dilemma is an unlikely one for future Cup skippers. SCOTTIE SCHEFFLER is too good to remain winless for much longer and it would not, in fact, be a surprise if he was to break his duck this week.
Two previous appearances here have yielded nothing to be excited about but his play at Whistling Straits will have put a spring in his step.
Sportsbet odds: $23
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
Having matched my record streak of one tipping triumph in a row, I think it’s only fair that I place the subsequent and potentially overwhelming chase for history on broad shoulders.
In a fairly strong field for this time of year, I need a calm head. And there’s none calmer than that on the ample frame of Canadian COREY CONNERS.
A bona fide mathematical genius, he’ll know the odds of carrying this burden are slashed by being around the mark on Saturday night. This delightful young man has missed just one cut since February and just seems to be thereabouts most weeks.
He can rewrite my tipping history – will the burden be too much?
Sportsbet odds: $31
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
While much of the focus this week in Madrid will be on World No.1 Jon Rahm, I like the chances of another Spaniard.
NACHO ELVIRA will have to lift his game on recent performances but being back on home soil will help. The 33-year-old broke through for his maiden Euro Tour title back in July but has missed three cuts in five starts since then.
He did show a liking for the host course in 2019, with his second round 66 being a highlight.
Sportsbet odds: $151
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
Like my fellow tipsters, I think Jon Rahm is the deserved favourite here as he seeks a third Spanish Open fresh off a break after an impressive Ryder Cup performance. But $3 is ridiculous, even in the days of Tiger’s dominance he was rarely that short a price.
Given this, I am opting for the next man on the betting sheet, BERND WIESBERGER.
The Austrian will have taken plenty out of his Ryder Cup debut despite the result, and ball strikers typically do well at this event. An area of the game Wiesberger is extremely proficient in.
Sportsbet odds: $15
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Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
It would be difficult to imagine anybody but JON RAHM winning this week so I haven’t.
He’s won the last two Spanish Opens, he’s the best player in the world and he’s playing well at the moment. Case closed.
Sportsbet odds: $3
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
I assume my fellow tipsters, some of whom are particularly fond of the Spanish concept of siesta (you know who you are!), will be lazy and plump for Jon Rahm. And while I like the idea of both a mid-afternoon cerveza and a dormir, I want the record to show I always bring great energy (and mostly sobriety) to these selections.
So I think Adri Arnaus (favourite player of Larry Canning) has been pressing enough lately to warrant a thought here, particularly on home soil.
But Rahm …
Sportsbet odds: $3
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Visiting Mountain Ridge CC for the first time, the cream will rise to the top on a Donald Ross layout that rewards quality shot-making.
There are few better than NELLY KORDA (with the exception of our Minjee Lee) in that regard at the moment. She could win by five or six shots this week.
Sportsbet odds: $10
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy Editor
This is a high quality field befitting of the high regard the players hold the founders of their Tour in. And while there is form from the top names and recent winners, including our own Minjee Lee, I think it will be BROOKE HENDERSON who salutes at the end of the week.
The Canadian was T2 last week after a closing 64 and as a supreme ball striker should match up well with the new host venue.
Sportsbet odds: $21
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
Every now and then with this tipping caper you need to wander over to left field and grab a name nobody is expecting so behold my pick this week: MARINA ALEX.
She’s a New Jersey native and as junior both played and received coaching at this week’s venue, Mountain Ridge Country Club. Granted, it seems unlikely given Lydia Ko is the only world top-10 player not in the field but who doesn’t love an underdog story?
Sportsbet odds: $101
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
In all seriousness, this event is very important to all on the LPGA Tour, so expect that a world-class list of contenders will be there when the whips are cracking on Sunday. I think that LIZETTE SALAS fits that bill nicely, a woman with a great appreciation of issues and history.
She’s fresh from a nice break after the Solheim Cup and was second in the AIG Women’s Open last time out for herself.
Sportsbet odds: $41
2021 RESULTS
So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 25 winners in 2021, with 122 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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