There was a win last week, plus tipping over the 220 top-10s in 2022 mark. As their off season approaches, can the so-called experts find another winner across the Australasian, DP World, LPGA and PGA Tours?
PGA TOUR OF AUSTRALASIA – QLD PGA
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
It’s too early to jump off the DEVON BLING chariot.
The American faded with a final round 74 at Moonah Links last week but I suspect he may more suited to the warmer climes of Queensland than spring on the Mornington Peninsula.
This rookie pro hasn’t travelled all the way to Australia for the sun, beaches and beer (although who’d blame him), he’s trophy hunting.
Sportsbet odds: $61
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
The two big shows of the Aussie Tour are around the corner and like everyone the prospect of our biggest and best back on our shores is an exciting one. But first the QLD PGA and the potential for one of the great homecoming stories.
SCOTT HEND will barely recognise his beloved Nudgee this week, but unfamiliar has never been much of a hindrance to success for the Queenslander.
Hend can be controversial with his outspoken opinions, but you have to appreciate a professional athlete that is honest and open with anyone who asks a question, and for that he deserves a follow this week. Then there is the fact that he has let his DP World Tour card go after returning early from some health dramas.
Opened with a 62 last week in Egypt (see familiarity matters little) and looks determined to find his best before he hits 50.
Sportsbet odds: $17
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
He flies under the radar but don’t sleep on the talent that is JACK THOMPSON.
One shot out of the play-off last week at Moonah Links and a not unfamiliar name at the pointy end of leaderboards, the South Australian is due for a breakthrough win soon and this week at Nudgee is as good a chance as any.
Sportsbet odds: $26
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
Welcome home, SCOTT HEND. I’ve tipped you in just about every place from Bahrain to Budapest, but never before in Brisbane.
If the young fella still recognises the roads around Nudgee, I reckon he’ll be close this week.
Sportsbet odds: $17
DP WORLD TOUR – DP WORLD TOUR CHAMPIONSHIPBrendan James – Golf Australia Editor
It’s an impressive field this week for Tour’s closing event and I can’t help but tip RYAN FOX in what would be the perfect end to a career-best season.
Fox v McIlroy and Rahm down the stretch with the Kiwi getting the job done and giving Presidents Cup captain Trevor Immelman the bird for overlooking him for team selection just two months ago.
Sportsbet odds: $26
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
Sure Rory is probably going to win the whole box and dice this week after laying another verbal hook on the Great White Shark, but where is the fin … sorry fun in tipping that. (I apologise for that attempt at humour, it’s been a long week).
Kiwi RYAN FOX is the man for me here.
Has had an amazing season, probably should have won last week in South Africa and would be a great reminder for future Presidents Cup picks that good golfers exist beyond the PGA Tour.
Sportsbet odds: $26
RELATED: DP World Tour Championship preview
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
No matter how hard you look it is difficult to find reasons why RORY MCILROY won’t win this week.
Already with the FedExCup in the trophy cabinet plus a score to settle after a poor final round here cost him the title last year, everything points to the Northern Irishman taking out the tournament and Race to Dubai titles.
Sportsbet odds: $3.75
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
One word. RORY.
It’s extremely hard to imagine a finish without him being a contender at worst.
Sportsbet odds: $3.75
LPGA TOUR – CME GROUP TOUR CHAMPIONSHPBrendan James – Golf Australia Editor
The only two-time winner of the Tour Championship, Jin Young Ko, is going to try and win a third consecutive title but I have my doubts she can do it given her battles with a wrist injury.
Not even a 100 percent fit Jin Young could beat LYDIA KO in her current form. Lydia last won this title back in 2014 and she’s on track to end that drought.
Sportsbet odds: $8.50
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
Again this one feels as likely as a Rod Morri apology for forgetting to file his tips each week.
Yes, Lydia Ko is in unbelievable form, but once again I tipped her last week and she couldn’t get the chocolates.
So I am going for HANNAH GREEN who again played well last week and has one last chance to claim an LPGA win this year after her promising start to the year at home. And if you reckon Greeny hasn’t been getting her game so sharp it could cut one of Mark Hayes’ favourite Snickers bars in half after a day in the freezer before the Aussie Open you’re as silly as the same man for thinking I would undo his redacted comments from last week.
Sportsbet odds: $19
RELATED: CME Group Tour Championship
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
All year LYDIA KO has been the form player of the LPGA.
Granted, she has only two wins to show for it but 21 starts for 21 cuts made and 13 top-10s is remarkable play which she will parlay into victory number three at Tiburon in Florida this week.
Sportsbet odds: $8.50
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
MINJEE LEE. It’s been a few weeks since I’ve tipped an Aussie on the LPGA and there’s no better spot to right that than the grand finale.
Lee was so good early in the season and hasn’t been at her sharpest since major season wound down. But I’m prepared to say she’s got the technology to turn it all around in such an important week for a heap of reasons.
Sportsbet odds: $41
PGA TOUR – RSM CLASSIC
Brendan James – Golf Australia Editor
Having run into a bit of form at the Houston Open, Sea Island resident KEITH MITCHELL will like his chances this week.
He knows the venue well and possesses the style of game that traditionally goes well here. If he’s not hoisting the trophy on Sunday afternoon he’ll be filthy at a missed opportunity.
Sportsbet odds: $26
JIMMY EMANUEL – Golf Australia Deputy & Digital Editor
Has to be MACKENZIE HUGHES for me here.
Won his PGA Tour title at this event, was second last year and recently won another Tour title.
But we are all the winners here as it signals the end of the wraparound season Fall Series forever.
Sportsbet odds: $29
RELATED: The RSM Classic preview
Rod Morri – Golf Australia magazine contributor and The Thing About Golf podcast host
Sea Island Golf Club hasn’t been his favourite place over the years but JASON DAY has recently — though quietly— been building back some of the form that took him to the top of the world rankings in 2016.
He is on a run of four consecutive cuts made and arrives in Georgia with four rounds in the 60s under his belt last week in Houston. They might not be the sort of numbers that attract a lot of attention but for a player of Day’s calibre it’s the sort of form that can suddenly explode into a win and he’s every chance of doing just that this week.
Sportsbet odds: $21
Mark Hayes – Man About Golf
I’m actually now enjoying my Fall Series protest. Pass.
Sportsbet odds: N/A
So far, our so-called experts have combined to tip 36 winners in 2022, with 220 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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