PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA – WA PGA

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

West Australian 21-year-old amateur HAYDEN HOPEWELL missed the cut in this event when it was last played in April. A week later he was second in the WA Open, his second runner-up finish in seven starts on the PGA Tour of Australasia.

I'm tipping Hopewell will be one of the young stars that will make their presence felt this summer, and it will all start in the outback town of Kalgoorlie.

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Hard to go past a WA local claiming the state's PGA Championship this week, even though I like where Rod's head is at in relation to Jeffrey Guan.

Connor McKinney could well add his name to the list of amateur winners on our local Tour, but for mine it has to be JARRYD FELTON this week.

The man loves Kalgoorlie and I see no reason that his feelings will change at the conclusion of this week.

RELATED: WA PGA preview

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

He’s achieved just about everything a golfer can at his age so perhaps it’s time for Jeffrey Guan to go the next step and claim a professional title.

There’ no question his game is good enough (he led after the opening round of the WA Open earlier this year) it’s just about whether he yet has the maturity to go that next step.

All indicators are that he does.

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

This should be fantastic. There are 40 or more blokes you could make a case for and don’t be surprised if Deyen Lawson or Jake McLeod strike a blow for the “eastern staters”.

But you’d be mad to tip against the homegrown chances any time they tee up in WA, especially with the wave of young talent beginning to surge through.

I could see Hayden Hopewell, Josh Greer or Connor McKinney saluting, or even Connor Fewkes in his back yard.

But I’m going to plump for JARRYD FELTON, who may or may not have run out of time to shine on the absolutely biggest stages, but has become one of the best and most consistent pros in Australia.

PGA TOUR – ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

As my very good friend Mark Hayes is likely to continue his PGA Tour Fall Series boycott, I'll step into the fold and tip 'our man' TOM KIM to have back-to-back wins.

I have to admit here, my other learned golfing friend Rod Morri was the first to let me in on the Kim-phenom and he's been going great guns ever since. No doubt, my tipping influence will surely drag him down.

Sportsbet odds: $15

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Simply has to be HIDEKI MATSUYAMA at home this week.

The Japanese star is a serious "horses for courses" case on this track and seems energized by the spirit of the recent Presidents Cup, a dangerous combination for the rest of the ZOZO field.

The challenge will come from Xander Schauffele, but it will be Matsuyama continuing to elevate his star in the land of the rising sun this week.

Sportsbet odds: $12

RELATED: ZOZO Championship preview

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

It’s hard to bet against HIDEKI MATSUYAMA IN Japan and that will be the case again this week.

In two starts here he’s been beaten only by Tiger in 2019 and his play last year at the close was other worldly. He’s not as sure a bet as Rahm was last week in Spain but he will be thereabouts at the end.

Sportsbet odds: $12

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

It’s accepted wisdom not to air your dirty laundry in public, but nobody ever accused me of being wise.

I expected someone to eventually take a crack at my tipping protest against the Fall Series, but I didn’t foresee it coming from within.

And while I can’t name names for legal reasons, suffice it to say that a cheap shot from someone who could double as a pullthrough for a small-calibre rifle probably won’t alter my position.

Pass.

Sportsbet odds: N/A

LIV GOLF INVITATIONAL SERIES – JEDDAH

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Interesting stat ... of the six LIV Golf Invitationals played thus far, an America has triumphed only once, which is surprising given the nationality most represented is the U.S and four of the half dozen events have been played stateside.

That only win came from DUSTIN JOHNSON in a play-off in Boston. Coincidentally, he's won in Jeddah before and will likely become the first two-time LIV winner with a victory this week.

Sportsbet odds: $8.50

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

DUSTIN JOHNSON won't just win, he will win comfortably here.

The American for some reason just flat out finds his best at Royal Greens and there is no reason to suggest that will change this week.

Had another iPhone notification of a sizeable deposit in his back account earlier this week, and 'DJ' can expect another one come the end of the weekend in Saudi Arabia.

Sportsbet odds: $8.50

RELATED: LIV Golf Jeddah preview

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

There seems to be three categories of player on this Tour. Virtually unknown, likely past their best and truly world class. It’s the first category that intrigues as proved by last week’s winner Eugenio Chacarra and the question now is whether that will give others in that category more confidence.

Let’s assume yes and go with Thailand’s PHACHARA KHONGWATMAI this week.

He’s more in the ‘lesser known’ than ‘virtually unknown’ category but is a proven winner at a lower level yet to play his best in this series. I’m tipping that is about to change.

Sportsbet odds: $67

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

I learnt a fair bit about the form of the supposed big guns (Smith and Johnson aside) when I looked at the poster for the Saudi leg of the Tour and found it still most prominently promotes Phil Mickelson.

I also learnt yelling things like “mashed potato” and “get in the hole” from the gallery is strictly prohibited.

So a little bad and a little good.

This is a lottery, but I’d be happier than Paulina Gretzky’s leggings salesman if MATT JONES can salute here.

I just like the Jones boy and I hope he can get himself a big pay day.

Sportsbet odds: $41

DP WORLD TOUR – ESTRELLA DAMM N.A. ANDALUCIA MASTERS

Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor

Valderrama is one of the most difficult courses on the formerly known Old World circuit (I put this in for our favourite Scot, Huggy), with a 72-hole total about six or seven strokes below par a real chance.

If the scoring goes that way, I expect U.S Open champion MATT FITZPATRICK will be one of a handful under par and claiming the trophy.

Sportsbet odds: $6

JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor

Now that you have made it to the final event for tipping I will admit that I am the tipster the Max Klinger of PGA Tour Fall Series picks, Mark Hayes, is alluding to as firing a shot across the bows. Feels good to unburden!

Speaking of removing burdens, MATT FITZPATRICK removed his own when winning the US Open earlier this year, and returning to a favourite hunting ground will bring more 2022 success the way of the Englishman.

Fitzpatrick has just the game to play Valderrama well, and I think for a second week in a row (and year!) it will be Aussie Min Woo Lee who pushes a major winner to the winning post.

Sportsbet odds: $6

RELATED: Andalucia Masters

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

After a close call last week and a great showing here last year look for MIN WOO LEE to take a third DP World Tour title this week.

His game looks in a good place and the unusual challenges presented by Valderrama seem right in his wheelhouse. Add in good memories from 2021 and there’s a compelling case for The West Australian.

Sportsbet odds: $19

Mark Hayes – Man About Golf

We all admired Rahmbo’s big win in Madrid, but many of us would have derived a lot of joy in watching MIN WOO LEE push the big fella so hard for the best part of 72 holes.

Lee has been rewarded with the marquee slot again in Andalucia and on one of the best continental courses to watch in Europe, I can definitely see him using his superior flight control to full advantage on the often windswept Valderrama layout.

Consistency near the top of the leaderboard is the key to genuine superstardom on the big tours, and our man from Fremantle is making rapid strides now.

Sportsbet odds: $19

2022 RESULTS

So far, our so-called experts have combined to tip 32 winners in 2022, with 192 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).