PGA TOUR – MEXICO OPEN AT VIDANTA

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

TONY FINAU has hardly registered a blip on the radar in recent times (it has been nearly eight months since his last top-25 result). But I get a feeling the amiable big-hitter will find a turning point this week in Mexico.

The Greg Norman-designed course is new to all in the field and will suit ball-strikers rather than the best putters, which plays into Big Tony’s hands.

Sportsbet odds: $21

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

The odds almost make him unpickable, but searching for value this week elsewhere is a waste of time for mine, because JON RAHM will either win or go very close this week.

The Spaniard hasn’t won since last year’s U.S. Open … and that will not sit well with the former World No.1.

Beyond Rahm’s internal drive, this field isn’t stacked with top talent, and elite ball strikers typically perform best at new venues where putting skills can be negated.

Sportsbet odds: $5

RELATED: Mexico Open preview

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

Partly because I know it will upset Hayesy and partly because a player of his calibre can’t stay down for too long, I like PATRICK REED’s chances this week. (Note Hayesy, I said I like his chances, not him).

The field is thin on genuine quality and in this company the 2018 Masters champ stands out. Assuming Jon Rahm doesn't win, of course, which is the statistically most likely – and hence least interesting – outcome.

Sportsbet odds: $26

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

Wash your keyboard out, Mr Morri! The last time I saw something so reprehensible committed to print was a speed camera ticket I got on a country road for going 64 in a “roadworks” zone with no roadworks.

I wasn’t going to go for the best player in this field, but now just to prove a point, I’m all about JON RAHM.

Sportsbet odds: $5

WPGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA/LET – WOMEN'S NSW OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

It’s too early to jump off the MAJA STARK bus. Tipped her last week at Bonville and she finished a stroke behind winner Meg MacLaren, improving each day.

Both women will again figure prominently in the chase for the title at Coolangatta-Tweed Heads, but it will be Stark’s tee-to-green quality that will see her finish on top.

TAB odds: $3.50

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

I might not have tipped her last week, but it was great to watch MEGHAN MACLAREN win again last week at Bonville.

MacLaren is a tremendous golfer who thinks deeper about the game than most, and is easy to support her cause.

The win last week showed plenty of grit, she is a two-time Women’s NSW Open champion and any player who can overcome the millstone of Mark Hayes in her group to not only win a pre-tournament pro-am but the event proper is clearly in great form. (A question for the aforementioned millstone, what is going on in the background of the above photo??)

TAB odds: $10

RELATED: Women's NSW Open preview

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

It’s important to try to offer something different to your fellow tipsters in this gig but, having also tipped her last week, I am going to have to concur with Brendan James here that MAJA STARK at Coolangatta Tweed Heads is as close to a certainty as you can get in a golf tournament.

Runner-up both last week and the week before, the Swede reminds me of Jon Rahm when he first came on Tour – a rippling ball of energy in a serious hurry to get on with winning (which she will do this week).

TAB odds: $3.50

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I have now had the privilege of watching SARAH HAMMETT play golf competitively twice.

First time up, barely 15, she was about 12 under through 35 holes when she beat a mate of hers in the final of the NSW Amateur when said mate, Shyla Singh, had gone ace and nearly albatross on her when the whips were cracking late in the second round.

Second time around, barely into her Year 10 studies, she led a crack field of LET pros at testing Bonville deep into the final round last week. I am partly on her because I want to see Jimmy find her odds; but I honestly think nobody will have to look far to find them in the future.

For the record, I think Meghan MacLaren could add a fourth NSW-based title to her resume, but I want to be the first to tip Hammett; I sure won’t be the last.

PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA – WA OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

It has been a long time coming, due to WA being closed off to the rest of the world, but HAYDEN HOPEWELL will defend his 2020 WA Open title this week on his home course at Royal Fremantle GC.

The fact it’s his home course is a two to three strokes a round advantage in my opinion and he will be hard to beat.

Forget the missed cut in Kalgoorlie last weekend, his form through the TPS series was first class and indicative of what this outstanding amateur is capable of.

TAB odds: $17

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

The most populous PGA Tour of Australasia schedule in terms of events in years has been highlighted by varied winners and consistent performances. One of the players who has regularly thrown their hat in the ring but is yet to win will get it done this week. That player is LOUIS DOBBELAAR.

The Queenslander is strong in every area of the game and has shown a level of professionalism early in his career that suggests a long career all over the world and a win at home would be the perfect kick start.

Dobbelaar was in the top-10 again last week and Royal Fremantle shouldn’t pose any major issues for him.

TAB odds: $21

RELATED: WA Open preview

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

He’s been there and thereabouts on more than one occasion this season but it’s time LOUIS DOBBELAAR stepped up and this is the week he will do it.

Among the handful of players pushing for a top three Order of Merit finish and the accompanying DP World Tour card, he’s not short on incentive nor confidence after an encouraging performance at Kalgoorlie last week.

TAB odds: $21

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

When I first saw Lawry Flynn play, his power blew me away. Sorry to the Flynn clan, but his ability to hit “wides” was a little too prominent.

Fast-forward a few years and the big lefty almost has the combination sorted. Flynn has always had the capacity to make birdies and I think the length of Royal Freo combined with the Kikuyu fairways will play into his hands.

LPGA TOUR – PALOS VERDES CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

The design brains behind classic courses like Riviera CC, Bel Air CC and LA North – George C. Thomas and William Bell – also created this week’s venue Palos Verdes, which makes its debut as a LPGA Tour stop.

That alone, for me, suggests the best ball-strikers are likely to dominate the leaderboard, rather than those players that rely heavily on short game and putting. This brings a host of players into the frame but there are few hitting better than MINJEE LEE at the moment.

With major season looming, she’ll be keen to get a win under her belt sooner rather than later.

Sportsbet odds: $17

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

I keep saying it, and I am not ready to stop just yet, HANNAH GREEN will win on the LPGA Tour and soon.

The West Aussie was very impressive again last week on her way to a second place finish and will want to cash in while she is in arguably career best form.

Green plays well on strategic golf course, and this golden age gem will challenge her brain and shotmaking, both areas where the major winner excels.

Sportsbet odds: $17

RELATED: Palos Verdes Championship preview

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

Seven of the world’s top-10 teeing up guarantees it will be a competitive week but the winner won’t come from that part of the world rankings.

One has to look at the ’next' top-10 to find HANNAH GREEN who not only looks to be swinging the club as well as she ever has but exudes determination this year. She’s ranked 19 in the world but after finishing runner-up last week on a course which will share some similarities with this one it’s hard not to see her winning.

Sportsbet odds: $17

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

HANNAH GREEN. Give me one good reason not to. I dare you.

Sportsbet odds: $17

DP WORLD TOUR – CATALUNYA CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

The Tour remains in Spain and, if not for a final round 62 on Sunday by winner Pablo Larrazabal, ADRIAN OTAUGUI would be the owner of his first Tour win on home soil.

Otaegui signed for a trio of 66s in Tarragona and is obviously in hot form and something I cannot ignore in Catalunya this week. 

Sportsbet odds: $23

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

The Zurich Classic top-10 with Jason Day feels like it should help massively in Jason Scrivener’s quest for a first DP World Tour win, but I think the travel might hurt his chances of an instant up tick.

Given that, I am sticking with RYAN FOX who repaid the faith last week with a T15 in Spain, and having settled back in after a little spell following his latest win, the Kiwi will go even better this week at Catalunya.

Sportsbet odds: $34

RELATED: Catalunya Championship preview

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

It was a big week in New Orleans for JASON SCRIVENER and after teaming with Jason Day on the world’s biggest stage and playing well he will have returned to Europe this week with his tail up and some new found confidence.

Scrivener has always felt a better play than his resume reflects but that could all change at PGA Catalunya this week.

Sportsbet odds: $46

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

ADRIAN OTAEGUI won Q-School at this PGA Catalunya set-up a few years back and returns here in good form after going so very close last week.

It’s hard to pick against the Spanish crew on home soil, so I’ll stay on the straight and narrow here and pick the bloke with one of the lowest scoring scrabble names that isn’t called Na.

Well, I couldn’t be completely straight, could I?

Sportsbet odds: $23

2022 RESULTS

So far, our so-called experts have combined to tip EIGHT winners in 2022, with 65 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).