So-called expert golf tips for this week

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Let’s open with a fun fact. Did you know 33 players on the PGA Tour average four birdies per round?

Heading that list is our own recently crowned major champion CAMERON SMITH, at 4.76 per round.

The World No.2 is back after taking a break post-St. Andrews and he’ll be licking his lips for a feast of birdies at TPC Southwind where it won’t surprise if someone breaks the 60-barrier this week.

Sportsbet odds: $17

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

It has been some week for the PGA Tour with a court case, Cam Smith rumours and the Playoffs now beginning.

As a side note, I will be chasing a TRO from the courts for the remainder of the tipping season against one Hayes, Mark over his repeated attacks on my character. And now suggestion today that the putting grip I employ is anything but above board.

But I digress to offer up this. TONY FINAU is on an absolute heater right now, he won the first Playoffs event last year and he will be there when the whips are cracking in Memphis.

Sportsbet odds: $23

RELATED: FedEx St Jude Championship preview

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

JOOHYUNG KIM repaid my faith in him last week, so why not stick solid?

The Korean who goes by Tom somehow won the last event of the regular season after starting with a quad, so winning a Playoffs event won't worry him.

Sportsbet odds: $34

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I couldn't tell you how much I hope this is wrong, but I've just got a feeling about PATRICK CANTLAY.

The defending "playoffs" champ hasn't won this season, but he's gone six tournaments without finishing worse than 14th, including three in the top five in that span. He showed last year he was up to the playoffs heat (way lower than major heat, for the record), so I'll barrack for Cam but think Patrick.

Sportsbet odds: $17

DP WORLD/LPGA/LET TOURS – ISPS HANDA WORLD INVITATIONAL

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

The big-hitting South African WILCO NIENABER has been a little up-and-down in terms of form recently but we witnesses some glimpses of brilliance at the Hero Open a few weeks back when he made a stunning 61 in the second round that included seven birdies and two eagles. That’s the kind of stuff this 22-year-old is capable of and I’m backing he will bring that game this week.

In the women’s event, I expect the local hero LEONA MAGUIRE to continue her good form from the Women’s Open, where she finished T4, to continue. She will be inspired to greater heights as she tries to win the first LPGA event to be hosted on the island of Ireland.

Sportsbet odds: $8 (Maguire); $34 (Nienaber)

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Scotland's CONNOR SYME is finally starting to show signs of bouncing back from playing with myself in an Australian PGA pro-am many moons ago.

He was very good last week in Wales and this sort of format, the multiple courses is the sort of week I think my man enjoys. 

On the women's side I will take the opportunity to remind Rod Morri that he suggested anyone tipping outside Minjee Lee for top Aussie last week knew nothing about golf. Minjee was the best Aussie, but STEPH KYRIACOU gave her an absolute run for the title.

I am sticking solid with Steph this week as her confidence will be sky high after a major top-10.

Sportsbet odds: $22 (Syme); $29 (Kyriacou)

RELATED: ISPS HANDA World Invitational preview

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

On the LPGA side I fancy LEONA MAGUIRE’s chances. She’s not just playing at home (a big deal for her) but she’s playing well as her Sunday 65 at the AIG Women’s Open showed.

That was a superb round of golf on a course more difficult than she made it look. Given that, it’s hard to see anybody getting ahead of her this week.

On the men’s side I’m opting for another local though this one might be considered more of an outsider. In fact, you can drop the might.

PAUL DUNNE has endured what can only be described as a horror run the past two seasons but last week in Wales, on a difficult golf course, he finished in the top-20. That’s a huge turnaround for a player who last year teed up in 18 tournaments and qualified for the weekend just three times.

Yes, winning is a stretch but on home soil and with a bit of confidence back funny things can happen.

Sportsbet odds: $8 (Maguire); $326 (Dunne)

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

On the men's side, ZACH MURRAY fancies himself as semi-regal, so it's fitting that he should get a chance to shine at Galgorm Castle. I've got no form basis to tip him, but I do think he's up to this at some point and I hope more than expect it to be this week.

But while we're here and based on the last time I went down this Irish well ... It's not widely known, but Rod Morri has a little Irish in him and when he was visiting his ancestors one time, he went to a pub where a ventriloquist was telling Irish jokes on stage. Morri stands up mid-performance and bellows out angrily: "You're making out we're all stupid. I ought to come up there and bop you on the nose." The ventriloquist, taken aback, replies: "I'm sorry, sir, I ...."

Morri interjected: "Not you, mate, I was talking to the little fella on your knee!"

On the (far more important) women's side, our little mate STEPH KYRIACOU continued her good form in this general region of the world at Muirfield last week.

I really want to see her in the final group because she's an absolute dag when it comes to TV cameras pointed in her direction and we could all do with a chuckle.  Last week helps her feel like she belongs, this week she just gets it done. That's her MO in her career to date. Why stop a good thing now?

Sportsbet odds: $401 (Murray); $29 (Kyriacou)

ASIAN TOUR – INTERNATIONAL SERIES SINGAPORE

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Patrick Reed makes his first Asian Tour International Series appearance this week in Singapore but, unfortunately for him, he’s playing for second at best.

Thailand’s SADOM KAEWKANJANA is an absolute gun and will be in his element … hot and humid conditions, grainy greens … he will win this week.

TAB odds: $26

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Few will have walked away from The Open with more confidence in the saddle bag than ANTHONY QUAYLE.

A top-15 on major debut is a serious achievement, and the Queenslander has been showing signs something similar was close all year.

This will not just be another good finish but an overseas win for the man with the second best moustache in Australian golf (image of your faithful tipster not current).

TAB odds: $26

RELATED: International Series Singapore preview

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

No doubt conditions favour the locals in Singapore this week but I’m leaning towards ANTHONY QUAYLE.

His excellent T15 finish at The Open understandably flew under the radar back home given Cam Smith’s win but Quayle has been playing some really good golf in Japan this year and a first win outside Australia would be well deserved and not at all unexpected.

TAB odds: $26

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I'm very glad to see the moral ban on tipping Patrick Reed has been upheld, although I was nervous how close BJ came, to be honest. And then again, I haven't seen Jimmy's tip yet and he has the morals of an alley cat with a bounty on its head (tipping wise, ladies, please don't jump to conclusions!).

I wrote Anthony Quayle first, but as I struggle to find something witty to say, I've changed my mind to JUSTIN HARDING. If he were a thoroughbred, the form guide would say "back in his own class" and "expect to be in finish". Thankfully for Justin, form guides rarely mention dubious putting grips.

TAB odds: $13