So-called expert golf tips for this week

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

JON RAHM has had better years on Tour, which is hard to imagine when you consider he’s had a win and eight top-10s to this point. I suspect he’ll want to hoist a few more trophies before the year is done and this week at Wentworth might provide that opportunity.

He’s making only his second appearance in the event, having finished second to Danny Willett in 2019 despite reaching 17-under. Two back nine bogeys on Sunday afternoon and a closing par on the birdie-friendly 18th proved costly back then.

Just three years on, Rahm is a better player, more consistent and should be one of the favourites to win this flagship event.

Sportsbet odds: $9

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

This week has the potential to be one of the spicier ones in recent memory with the PGA Tour loyalists already naming, and attempting to shame, some of the LIV players who have headed to Wentworth in search of valuable world ranking points.

The very realistic possibility of an on course confrontation will be some of drama that will likely not help the causes of many of the favourites such as Rory McIlroy and Jon Rahm in their quest, while some others will have the benefit of flying under the radar.

One such player is ADAM SCOTT who arrives in great form after his PGA Tour Playoffs run, with the Queenslander pushing his game hard in the lead up to his 10^th Presidents Cup at the end of the month.

Scott was T14 here last year and showed that he has what it takes on the West Course, and will happily leave all the arguing to others as he chases a drought breaking win.

Sportsbet odds: $31

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

Not to upset Hayesy (that’s just a nice bonus), but I like PATRICK REED’s chances this week.

With Rory in the field and the LIV Golf/PGA Tour battle ensuring feelings are running even even higher than their Ryder Cup match a few years ago, the American will be extremely motivated to get yet another one up on the Northern Irishman (counting the 2018 Masters).

If McIlroy also plays well it could be an epic clash because the animosity between these two is real.

Sportsbet odds: $41

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I was checking out the website formerly known as Euro to ensure only the latest possible info was represented in my thoughts here. I noticed immediately the highly commendable CALM (Campaign Against Living Miserably) was the official charity at Wentworth this week. It got me thinking about other possible causes that could do with the publicity on offer at the Tour’s flagship event.

Some of the CRAP (Can’t Really Ascertain Predictions) that I’ve been dishing up here lately deserves precious little PRAISE (Please Rally Against Inane Silliness Expeditiously). I’ve been running out of quality TIPS (Totally Inept Prophecy System), so I’m relying on SH*T (Sustained Humour Imbalance Trouble) comedy instead.

Yep, I’ve clearly reached that point in the season where tipping has become tough. But I will lift for this event (and upcoming LPGA key events), I promise.

It’s tough to look past RORY here. I think he feels like he’s the third Blues Brother, on something of a “mission from god” to keep his part of the band together.

He’ll be revered as a rock star, is playing with house money and has a game to match this great old course.

Plus I need help, Rory. Please.

Sportsbet odds: $6.50

LPGA TOUR – KROGER QUEEN CITY CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Thailand teenager ATTHAYA THITIKUL finished the Dana Open with a strong weekend (69-66), which was more reflective of her good form throughout the northern summer that yielded four top-10s on both sides of the Atlantic.

Thitikul is a birdie-making machine (291 this year alone) and if she can minimise the bogeys this week in Cincinnati, she will win and cement her position as the LPGA Rookie of the Year.

Sportsbet odds: $19

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

One of the most exciting parts of this week will be watching 14-year-old Gianna Clemente make her third straight start after Monday qualifying once again for the biggest stage in world golf.

Clemente won’t win, or likely go close, but she is worth keeping an eye on as a prospect for the future.

Someone who is familiar with intense focus as an exceptionally young talent, LUCY LI is my pick her.

The American was right in the hunt for a maiden win last week before a Sunday struggle and has two wins already on the secondary Epson Tour this year. Big ask to win here, but Li has a history of doing exceptionally impressive things before most would even consider them.

Sportsbet odds: $31

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

There’s a few top players taking the week off but still enough in the field to ensure another interesting week.

For mine, HANNAH GREEN left Australia in March in a frame of mind to win more than once on the LPGA but it has been multiple frustrations for The West Australian.

Last week, Green showed something after a poor start and there’s no reason it can’t all come together this week.

Sportsbet odds: $26

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

Seriously, I’ve got nothing here. I contemplated Gaby Lopez last week but lacked courage; I wouldn’t have put bad money on Paula Reto two weeks earlier, nor Ash Buhai the week before or Ayaka Furue before her. So it’s fair to say I’m in bad form.

Which will haunt MINJEE LEE fans because when I’m in trouble, I always turn to the Fremantle ATM.

I think Minjee hasn’t had her absolute best lately and will want to find it again soon for the run to the Globe.

Sportsbet odds: $13

ASIAN TOUR – SHINHAN DONGHAE OPEN

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

TAEHOON OK is a last start winner on the Asian Tour (he has played twice in Korea) having won the International Series Korea a few weeks ago. That victory came on the back of two top-six starts so Ok is on a run of terrific form.

But can he take it abroad, even if it’s just into Japan? I reckon he can, especially in the field being assembled for this tournament co-sanctioned by the Korean and Japan Tours.

Sportsbet odds: $56

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Like Rod, I think Todd Sinnott is due to win one of these soon after the year he has had, but I keep tipping him and that is clearly what is holding him back. So with that in mind I am going to clear the decks for the big Victorian to take the trophy and give a tip that should be right there with him come Sunday.

SHUGO IMAHIRA has won twice on the Japan Tour this year and is a top-class player that like so many before him have limited exposure outside his home country.

Has been ranked as high as No.30 on the world rankings before, so the slightly built Imahira will know he is among the best players here in the mould of Mark Hayes teeing it up at Curlewis on a Saturday … ok maybe not quite in those realms of over confidence.

Sportsbet odds: $17

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

He hasn’t missed a cut since the first event of the year and has played some excellent golf in his last two events for a top five and top-15 finish.

TODD SINNOTT is ready to complete his comeback from injury with a second international victory and this will be the week it happens.

Sportsbet odds: $71

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I’m all about BRAD KENNEDY here. Showed he’s still got it at St Andrews and I think has more glory coming his way before it’s all over.

The course at Koma is begging for a joke, but the only thing I can think of is reading some of Jimmy’s attempts at comedy in this column lately. I’m not sure why.

Sportsbet odds: $29