LPGA TOUR – THE CHEVRON CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Having finished two shots from a play-off in Carlsbad, JIN YOUNG KO heads to the desert with a third major title on her mind.

She won her first major at Mission Hills in 2019 and was in the top-10 last year. Good form + good history = good result.

Ko will be the favourite here for very good reasons.

Sportsbet odds: $6

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Of course, Jin Young Ko will enter this week as the favourite and rightfully so, the Korean’s form over the last 12 months has been beyond good. But majors are a different beast and although she has won here before, I feel a first-time winner coming as the Tour farewells Mission Hills.

That first-time winner will be HANNAH GREEN.

Green was the best of the Aussies here last year in a tie for 14th, but she is an improved golfer since and when in with a sniff is proving herself a great closer. Forgive the low finish among those who made the weekend at the JTBC, Green had made a return home after the Asian swing and was a late arrival last week, and clearly has her mind set to bigger events.

The West Australian is bombing it off the tee with a capital ‘B’ in 2022, finding plenty of greens and as always her short game has been rock solid.

This isn’t just a parochial tip either, Green has impressed me so much this year and without Nelly Korda in the field and with all eyes on Ko will have a quiet lead in before rising to the challenge. And how good would a showdown with former interstate teammate Minjee Lee over the closing stretch be!

Sportsbet odds: $41

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

As always, it’s hard to see how Jin Young Ko doesn’t win but should that not happen there’s some interesting prospects in the field at Mission Hills this week.

Last week’s winner Attaya Thitikul is a legitimate talent and it is not beyond her to go back to back, but 2016 winner LYDIA KO is my pick.

Last year’s Sunday 62 was a nothing short of breathtaking and with the mantle of last ever winner at Mission Hills up for grabs the New Zealander will lift.

Sportsbet odds: $12

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

This event has had more names than Prince and P. Diddy combined, but it always seems to produce exciting finishes, regardless of the sponsor.

I don't see any reason to shy away from my call about tipping Minjee or Hannah until further notice, particularly when it comes to major championships. So I'm calling on MINJEE LEE to become a dual major champ at a course she enjoys, having five top-25 finishes in her seven starts at Rancho Relaxo, including a third in 2017 and a seventh in 2020.

If she drives well, she'll be in the finish. And while I'm going all green and gold, keep an eye on Gabi Ruffels – two starts here for two top-20s and has a penchant for history.

Sportsbet odds: $26

AUGUSTA NATIONAL WOMEN'S AMATEUR

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

It would be deadset un-Australian not to tip KIRSTEN RUDGELEY in her inaugural tilt at the Augusta National Women’s title. Starved of international competition for most of the past two years, she’s been winning events at home and taking on the pros in state Opens and TPS events.

But it was at the Sandbelt Invitational where she caught my eye and her ability to play well on great, challenging courses like Royal Melbourne and Kingston Heath.

Go Kirsten!

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Of the Americans, Rose Zhang is brilliant, Megha Ganne fearless and Rachel Heck has proven form in this event. Scot Hannah Darling can flat out play. But for mine, it is our own Kirsten Rudgeley who gets the nod.

Rudgeley is a proven winner around the world and has been mixing it comfortably with the pros while back in Australia.

I have watched a bit of Rudgeley in action over the summer and she has every element needed to play well in this event, her strong short game perfectly suited for the test. And she plays good golf courses very well, with a seemingly inbuilt strategic mind. A male Tour pro recently asking her why she hasn’t turned pro yet.

This tournament and the chance to play Augusta National like Aussie golfing royalty, including Norman, Ferrier, Scott, Smith, Ogilvy, James and Hayes chief among the reason for staying in the amateur ranks.

If her and Green were to complete an Aussie double, the clubhouse at Mount Lawley might run dry!

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

In a field of golfers I know almost nothing about, I have to agree with my fellow tipsters here and go with the one player I do know something about and that is KIRSTEN RUDGELEY.

Rudgely is really good and arrives in Georgia with some confidence after a win at the recent Athena tournament and some good play in the TPS events.

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

You're on fire, Mr Editor. And I definitely don't want to be considered un-Australian (three Canucks and two Blue Jays tops aside).

American oddsmakers wouldn't even consider KIRSTEN RUDGELEY, but they'll be choking on their college form guides when the West Aussie does exactly what she's been doing for the past two years or so – getting the ball in the hole quicker than her opponents.

If KR settles, she's a big-time player who thrives on late-round pressure. Get fully around her.

PGA TOUR – VALERO TEXAS OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

When in Texas … always tip JORDAN SPIETH.

I successfully tipped him to win this event last year (his first win in four years) and I’ll be doubling down here.

His form has been a more miss than hit since finishing second at Pebble Beach in February, but I expect with family in the gallery, familiar surrounds and an ounce of good luck, he’ll head to Augusta a winner again.

It has been 60 years since any player has gone back-to-back in the Texas Open. That player was Arnold Palmer – less than a month after winning the Masters. Omen?

Sportsbet odds: $12

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

The final event before The Masters is always an interesting one to see who is taking the ‘play your way in’ approach (including defending champ Hideki Matsuyama) and those going with the ‘rest and reconnaissance’ style of a Cam Smith.

There is also the element of those trying to scratch out the last possible invitation with a win, with two of those earning my support, but not tip, in Jason Day and Richard Bland.

All of which doesn’t lead much into my tip of ABRAHAM ANCER.

I tipped the former Aussie Open winner last week down the road in Austin and he was solid, but the Mexican should be right up for this one in the state he was born and now resides.

The past champions list here is diverse one of playing styles, and Ancer’s strong ball striking should suit and he is a good wind player. He has also shown a liking to Augusta in the past, so I assume he has his game dialled for a chance for higher honours next week.

Sportsbet odds: $21

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

Others have made the case for Spieth and while I don't disagree with their logic the truth is his moment will come not this week but next, in Georgia.

This week I like RORY MCILROY’s chances because that is just the sort of tease the Northern Irishman specialises in a week out from the one tournament he wants more than any other.

Sportsbet odds: $8

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

As those who've followed my gibberish here in recent times would attest, it's not often I find myself on the same page as my far more learned mates. But as we roll on today, you'll either think that the fine editor of this publication (Mr James, esq) has lost his mind, or that I'm sucking up in the hope of additional gigs.

So in the interests of me actually maintaining any space here, I'll say it's the latter before telling you that JORDAN SPIETH is the good thing ‘BJ’ is advocating him to be.

Grows an extra leg at home and really needs a confidence boost before trying to add another green jacket to his wardrobe. Same goes for Spieth.

Sportsbet odds: $12

2022 RESULTS

So far, our so-called experts have combined to tip EIGHT winners in 2022, with 54 of their picks recording top-10 finishes that week and a best return of $21 for Danielle Kang to win the Tournament of Champions (tipped by Rod Morri).