Four top-10s last week, but the so-called experts are in it to win it. Here, they run their eyes over the PGA, European and LPGA Tour fields and make their picks for the week.
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Could SUNGJAE IM make it two wins in four starts? Absolutely, given his red-hot form.
He has played three events to start the 2022 season and his worst score for the 12 rounds is 70. He has been under par with every round played and is currently 57-under-par in three starts.
The Korean is white hot and will be thereabouts when the whips start cracking on Sunday afternoon.
Sportsbet odds: $19
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
After opening the new season with a couple hot Sunday rounds and top-5s, MARC LEISHMAN took a spell and resumes this week at a course that should suit Warrnambool’s favourite son down to the ground.
‘Leish’ has started the 2021/22 schedule driving the ball longer than in previous seasons, hitting plenty of greens and rolling the rock brilliantly, that’s a pretty good combination on any course and the ‘Muni’ vibes fits his vibe as well.
Due a win, and if not, expect him to be high on the leaderboard on Sunday afternoon.
Sportsbet odds: $36
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
Is being a consultant on the design of the host course a help when tournament week rolls around? It didn’t hurt BROOKS KOEPKA in finishing T5 at Memorial Park in Houston last year but a missed cut in Mexico last week puts a question mark over 2021.
Putting aside the former World No.1’s chances it’s the Englishman Tyrell Hatton who will offer good value this week. Mid-field at each of his last two U.S. starts is decent without being spectacular but more importantly a T4 here last year bodes well for his chances this week.
Sportsbet odds: $26
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
The Houston Astros bit it in the World Series when red-hot faves; the Rockets and Texans have less going for them than Scott Morrison at a Thunberg family reunion. So the good people of Houston have called on the almighty golfing gods for some elite sporting action, albeit a long way separated from its former spring timeslot.
Unfortunately, said gods have gone all commercial and demanded 15 sponsor names, all of which is a healthy way for me to pad this column and make it sound like I've done a lot of homework. That having now been disproved, I'll settle on TALOR GOOCH, who's not only a possibility to be the second of his name to do an Advanced Hair commercial, but also has been in stellar form, bar his finish in Mexico.
He was also prominent in Houston last year. So "yeah, yeah" I'm on the Gooch train.
Sportsbet odds: $26
EURO TOUR - AVIV DUBAI CHAMPIONSHIPBrendan James – Golf Australia Editor
TOMMY FLEETWOOD last hoisted a trophy on November 17, 2019. Three days short of two years, he’ll lift another one.
Has been in pretty good form with four of his last five starts resulting in T12 or better, including a runner-up finish at the Italian Open. Golf’s original mullet (sorry C. Smith) is ready to win again.
Sportsbet odds: $10
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
After a tough run RAFA CABRERA BELLO found his game and a win at home in Spain, and I expect him to keep the good play going over the closing fortnight of the European Tour season.
This is a long course that requires quality ball-striking, both qualities the four-time Tour winner has in the bag, and Cabrera Bello needs to finish the year strong as he seeks to re-enter the top-100 of the world rankings.
Sportsbet odds: $31
RELATED: Dubai Championship preview
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
I’ve been seeing it in the tea leaves for a couple of weeks and once again MIN WOO LEE stands out from the pack as a chance this week in Dubai.
The Fire Course at Jumeriah Estates is a big golf course, Min Woo has a big golf game and after another top-10 in Portugal last week expect big results this week. It’s been a breakout year for the West Australian and a win in one of the final two events of the year would be fitting.
Sportsbet odds: $21
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
I have precious few statistics to back this next assertion up, but I just feel like JASON SCRIVENER is starting to find his feet again after a decent mid-season break.
He's still 16th in the Race To Dubai rankings after his blistering start to 2021 and he definitely played good golf in the Middle-East to kickstart that run.
‘Scriv’ is too good a player to not eventually get the choccies in a European Tour event and this could just be the one.
Sportsbet odds: $101
LPGA TOUR - PELICAN WOMEN'S CHAMPIONSHIPBrendan James – Golf Australia Editor
I’m hoping the anticipated showdown between World No.2 JIN YOUNG KO and Nelly Korda, who has resumed the No.1 spot this week, comes to fruition at the Pelican Championship.
For my money, Ko – already a four-time winner this year – will be too good. Victory this week will give Ko a winning hat-trick and likely take her back to her rightful place at the top of the world ranking.
Sportsbet odds: $4.50
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
It would seem according to my fellow tipsters that we may as well give Jin Young Ko the trophy now. But I know better than to follow the crowd (especially this one) and while I am in awe of Ko’s recent play, I don’t think she gets the chocolates this week.
Nelly Korda will take most of the early attention, however, I think LEXI THOMPSON will take the title here.
Playing at home in Florida seems to help Lexi lift, and she has shown signs of her best this year without a win. That changes this week at Pelican.
Sportsbet odds: $29
RELATED: Pelican Women's Championship preview
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
The second half of the 2021 season has been all about JIN YOUNG KO and it’s hard to see that changing in the second last event of the year.
She was overtaken at the top of the world rankings by Nelly Korda last week despite there being no LPGA event and she will be keen to reclaim that mantle before the season finishes. The course asks precisely the sorts of questions Ko has answers to and she will be in her element this week.
Sportsbet odds: $4.50
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
This event will be spectacular in years to come. The private course's owners have grand hopes born of yesteryear's traditions and, as such, you'll find many of the top women in action this week very keen to get their name on an early edition of the trophy.
I can't go past JIN YOUNG KO, whose form is impeccable and even if she doesn't salute, it's hard to imagine her outside a photo finish in her current mindset.
Sportsbet odds: $4,50
2021 RESULTS
So far our so-called experts have combined to tip 26 winners in 2021, with 132 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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So-called expert golf tips for this week
So-called expert golf tips for this week
