THIS week’s WGC Bridgestone Invitational at Firestone Country Club, Ohio has a lot of the top players taking part in a build-up to the USPGA. It’s going to be tough to pick a winner but here goes.
My main pick is Rickie Fowler. With T2nd in the US Open and The Open and a T8th at Royal Aberdeen he is certainly a man in form.
I have been impressed with his play recently, especially two weeks ago at Hoylake, and if he can keep it going he could do the business this week.
He’s been gearing his game to the Majors this year and with the PGA a week away his game should be on the button. Looks a great bet.
It’s time for Graham DeLaet to get a win under his belt. He had a good Canadian Open, T7th, with a great 63 in the second round.
He’s second in GIR with 71.33% and driving accuracy is over 63%. He missed the cut in both the US Open and The Open plus he had a bad Travellers Championship in between but hopefully with his finish last weekend he’s back to his best.
Henrik Stenson is a player I’ve liked for a long time and I’m glad to see him back to good form. He’s still looking for his first win of the season but with his game he can’t be very far away from getting it.
He finished T2 here last year so likes the course and his driving accuracy is around 70% and GIR is about the same so well worth a bet.
I can’t miss out Rory McIlroy and his stunning Open win two weeks ago. He’s had two wins in his last six starts and three top-10s in his last five attempts at Firestone.
He looks like he’s really enjoying his golf these days and it wouldn’t surprise me if he came out tops this week and next.
Jason Dufner has had an up and down season but plays well at Firestone with a seventh (2012) and T4 (2013). He certainly blows hot and cold and sometimes you get the feeling he just doesn’t want to be out on the course. Hopefully this week he’ll be blowing hot and get us a return.
After our success on the Seniors Tour last week with a one-two (Langer and Montgomerie) we’ll have another go this week. Jeff Sluman had a disastrous last round in the Senior Open last week but his third-round 67 which included nine threes was exceptional.
He is lying fourth in the Schwab Cup and is in the middle of a very good run. Well worth another chance in the 3M Championship.
20pt staking plan
Fowler 3pts ew (25-1, Coral)
DeLaet 1pt ew (70-1, Stan James)
Stenson 2pts ew (22-1, Betfred)
McIlroy 2pts (7-1, Paddy Power, bet365)
Dufner 1pt ew (50-1, Betway)
Sluman 2pts (33-1, Ladbrokes, William Hill)
Ace Venturer
Resident football tipster at Scotland's most read newspaper, the Daily Record, for over 20 years and proud host of one the best betting communities on the web with daily betting tips.
Good shouts Mr F. I also think Stricker and Donald may have a chance at decent prices (50/1 and 66/1). There’s also a “second string” event (the Barracuda). Putnam’s been in good form of late (28/1)and 25/1 is available for Brendan Steele.
I was feeling quite happy at half way stage last week when De Laet was tied leader and 30/1 looked huge but he fell away over the weekend, on to this week and Mr F has covered 2 of my picks but here we go, level stake £5 ew on 3 guys
Adam Scott – 8/1 won this in 2011 coming off back of a win in Colonial and 5th in Open the world number 1 in good form
Jason Dufner- 40/1 as mentioned above he does blow hot and cold but when he is hot he is very good, only entered this tournament twice finished in top 10 twice did well last year in this finishing 4th and is from Ohio so will have the crowd support
Rickie Fowler- 18/1 2nd here 3 years ago, coming off the back of a 2nd in the Open Rickie is in good touch.
lee, they’re not my tips – they’re Ace’s. I backed Fowler last week but may keep him for next week. Like Langer for the seniors after his stroll last week but he’s only 3-1.
Mr f, how can Tiger Woods be only 12/1 judging by his performance in the Open?? He should be at least 25/1
cooldude, Tiger will always be short. Gives you a chance to lay him though.
Mr F Langer is very short at 3/1 but as you say he was so dominant last week that there is even talk of him making the Ryder Cup team so I am on him. Cooldude I 100% agree with you on Tiger Woods his price is way too short but over the years he has performed better than anyone in this tournament though I dont see him winning anytime soon, 12/1 is short but I remember him being 6/4 to win majors a few years ago as bookies were that scared of him so there prob still some caution about being burned by him
lee, it’s Tiger’s favourite course but doesn’t fill me with confidence at the moment. Can’t see Langer in the Ryder Cup though.
I wont be touching Tiger till he starts putting together some consistent 4 rounds of gof which he hasnt yet but he has only played around 3 tournaments since his injury so ill be keeping an eye on him but no doubt so will the bookies. Id be amazed if Langer was in Ryder Cup but shows how well he is performing in the Seniors to even get a mention
lee, don’t know who is suggesting Langer but it won’t happen. It would demean the Euro Tour for starters and wouldn’t look good having to turn to a senior.
I heard about it in Rory Mcilroy’s press conference yesterday as the Telegraph had done a story about it as Tom Watson and Tony Jacklin both said they thought he should get in the team but I am with you it sends out a bad message to the current European players if Langer gets in
Don’t know about that Mr Fixit, I think most golf fans understand that the way in which Langer won the seniors it should in some way be considered that he is playing exceptional golf. Not a bad reflection on the Euro tour just a great reflection on the Senior tour
Trendy, either way it won’t happen no matter how well’s he’s playing.