Four wins and 11 top-10s … you might say the so-called experts hit their straps last week. Here they try and keep it going at the Presidents Cup, French Open, NW Arkansas Championship and Yeangder TPC.
THE PRESIDENTS CUP
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
On paper, the Internationals have as much chance of winning the Presidents Cup as I have of getting a phone call from the Shark to go and play LIV. However, the one thing in Captain Immelman's favour is that the Americans expect to win handsomely and, history suggests, when the U.S is in that frame of mind they are susceptible.
Based on that I suspect the US will win but it won't be the flogging everyone expects. Might be two or three points in it, with the Korean quartet of Sungjae Im, Tom Kim, Si Woo Kim and K.H Lee taking it right up to the Yanks.
Sportsbet odds: $1.14
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
When Rod Morri says "Don't jump" I say "How high?" or something like that.
In this instance that means ignoring his suggestion that tipping the INTERNATIONALS this week is bordering on irresponsible and getting right behind my man Trevor and the lads.
Yes, the Americans are unbelievably strong on paper. Yes, the Internationals have eight rookies. Yes, we have only won the thing once.
But underdog victories happen. And this event needs something special to happen fast to maintain relevance after the former captain Shark chummed the waters and dragged the likes of Cam Smith, Joaquin Niemann and Marc Leishman into the LIV nett.
That something special will come in the form of an inspired Adam Scott led charge.
I spoke to Adam on the Saturday of Royal Melbourne in 2019 away from the hubbub and he was oozing passion for what lay ahead and this year he is in great form with a some very capable youngsters around him.
And Immelman will make a good leader, so too will the assistance of Ogilvy and Weir in the team room.
Sportsbet odds: $8.50
RELATED: Presidents Cup preview
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
It would be borderline irresponsible to tip the Internationals in this contest despite it being only a two-horse race. Everything points to a US victory and while that’s the most likely outcome it is also the worst possible outcome for the sake of the event.
Constant comfortable wins by the Americans have done nothing to raise the profile or prestige of what could and should be a more important event. About the best we can realistically hope for is a close contest to at least make it interesting.
Sportsbet odds: $1.14
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
I have breathed this event for 24 years – every edition more engaged than the past.
Having had the great fortune to have “insider” access to Ernie Els in the lead-up to the 2019 event at Royal Melbourne, I own a shirt that he gave me with the International team logo on it that stirs me each time I drag it from the closet.
And don’t get me wrong, I’ll be barracking for my Korean brothers as if Seoul was Sydney and Incheon was Naracoorte.
But this event is stuffed.
And for those of you who read my anti-PGA Tour (US version) tirade a couple of weeks back, this week represents the most bitter of pills for those in Florida. Because aside from the Players’ Championship, the Presidents Cup is the only truly big event the PGA owns and the fact it has gone past the crossroads is just another of its epic failings.
I pushed for shorter teams, more captain’s picks, better scheduling and the introduction of women – all to make it more competitive.
And now we’re reduced to the foreboding American domination.
Which is about as appealing as handwashing Rod Morri’s socks after a day on the links.
International team to win by 1 point – I couldn’t bring myself to write down the more likely result.
Sportsbet odds: $8.50
DP WORLD TOUR – OPEN DE FRANCEBrendan James – Golf Australia Editor
It has been 11 years since a Frenchman won his national Open. Then, it was Thomas Levet, who was so overwhelmed by his victory that he jumped in the lake beside the 18th green at Le Golf National and broke his leg.
Now playing on the European Legends Tour, Levet is back as an invite this year but he won't be repeating history. Countryman ANTOINE ROZNER is playing well enough (37-under for past four tournament starts) to put himself in the mix this week.
Sportsbet odds: $25
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
There is nothing in this world that makes me happier than emoting the opposite from Mark Hayes.
So with that in mind, it is PATRICK REED for me this week in France.
The American showed what he is capable of on the last day at Wentworth, played some decent stuff last week in Chicago and has unfinished business at Le Golf National.
Add in the fact that he can't perform his Captain America routine at the Presidents Cup this week and it is a perfect storm for a Reed victory, finger to the lips and all.
Sportsbet odds: $17
RELATED: Open De France preview
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
As much fun as it is to needle Mark Hayes I will resist the temptation to pick Patrick Reed this week (even though I think he has a decent chance to win).
Instead, I’ll be opting for a local in the form of VICTOR PEREZ. He finished one shot out of the play-off in Italy last week and has been playing good golf for much of the year.
His track record at Le Golf National isn’t great but it has been three years since the last time the tournament was played here and Perez is a much improved golfer since then.
Sportsbet odds: $20
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
I decided months ago that when research failed me, I would resort to poor humour in this column. So with a French Open field that is a bookmaker’s dream with about 50 live chances … did you know that when Marcel Siem came to the border of France this week en route to Le Golf National, the border guard asked “Name?”, he replied “Marcel”. Asked “Nationality?”, he replied “German”. Then asked “Occupation?” he said, “No, no, no, I’m just here for a tournament.”
That will probably offend a few people, for which I’m sorry.
But not as sorry as RYAN FOX will be that I’ve put the kiss of death on him this week. He deserves a big reward for a great season – and this famous course should suit the big Kiwi nicely
Sportsbet odds: $26
LPGA TOUR – WALMART NW ARKANSAS CHAMPIONSHIPBrendan James – Golf Australia Editor
The 54-hole Arkansas event is traditionally a low-scoring affair at Pinnacle CC with 61s, 62s and 63a not uncommon.
This plays right into the hands of Japan's NASA HATAOKA, who has won this tournament twice in the past four years. Six top-10s since securing her only win for 2022 (thus far) suggest she's close to a second win.
Sportsbet odds: $15
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
If LYDIA KO doesn't win again soon I might go mad. So imagine how she feels!
The Kiwi has been in sparkling form all year, and deserves to have at least one more trophy on the mantle for her play and it will come this week in Arkansas.
A 54-hole sprint might just be the tonic for Ko to get over the line.
Sportsbet odds: $11
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
It’s about time Thailand’s ATTHAYA THITIKUL won again.
The 19-year-old has climbed all the way to World No.5 with barely anybody noticing and while she has already notched a first win in America this course should suit her down to the ground for her second.
Birdies are the order of the day here and only defending champion Nasa Hataoka has made more this season, the two of them the only players to have topped 300 birdies in 2022.
Sportsbet odds: $23
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
Nine first-time winners on the LPGA Tour this year. NINE!!
Yeah, so we’re tipping well here – NOT!!! But it does show entirely how competitive the LPGA Tour has become, particularly outside the majors.
This event is a sprint and it’s also traditionally a birdie bonanza, so we need to look for a birdie machine.
That person this week is EUN HEE JI, capable of going very low and fared well here last year with a runner-up finish.
Plus I’m only allowed to tip Aussies a certain amount and I’m approaching my threshold.
Sportsbet odds: $101
ASIAN TOUR – YEANGDER TPCBrendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Thailand's NITITHORN THIPPONG already has two wins in 2022 and he'll make it three in Taiwan this week.
Nicknamed 'Fever', Thippong has been 'chilled' since winning in Singapore last month so I expect in this weaker field he will rise into contention again.
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
TRAVIS SMYTH has gone very close to winning in Asia a number of times over his short but profitable career, and I think he will do the same this week.
It might not be the time for him to finally grab a trophy just yet, but the Sydneysider is full of confidence, not to mention a wallet full of cash, after his short LIV stint and be in it come Sunday here.
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
The event might be lacking many of the Tour’s bigger stars but there is one name that all eyes will be on this week: the remarkable teenager RATCHANON CHANTANANUWAT.
The 15-year-old has already proved himself a winner with victory in the Asia Mixed Cup in April and he’ll be thereabouts again this week.
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
I’ve got a good feeling about TRAVIS SMYTH this week.
He’s been very close on the Asian Tour this year and has become an outstanding traveller. There are – very sadly – always undertones of big-picture issues going on when international events go to Taiwan, so I think that Smyth’s combination of form and focus will be the tonic required for a breakthrough win away from Australia.’
2022 RESULTS
So far, our so-called experts have combined to tip 25 winners in 2022, with 174 of their picks recording top-10 finishes that week and a best return of $29 for Joohyung Kim to win the Wyndham Championship (tipped by Rod Morri).
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So-called expert golf tips for this week
So-called expert golf tips for this week
