KEVIN KISNER had a superb final round at the Greenbriers to get my selection into a four-way play-off but unfortunately he couldn’t pull off the win.
However, the 35-1 shot gave me a place as did Francesco Molinari who finished in the top six in the French Open.
Now it's off to sunny East Lothian this week for the Scottish Open where I'll be enoying the action in the company of Mr Fixit and hopefully soaking up the rays and landing a few winners.
You won’t be able to turn on the wonderful Gullane course without seeing some of Europe and America’s finest golfers, including 10 of the 2014 Ryder Cup teams including Justin Rose, Victor Dubuisson, Phil Mickelson and Rickie Fowler.
Unfortunately Rory McIlroy will be absent due to a ruptured ankle ligament playing football with friends. Some friends they are …
Anyway now for the hard part of picking a winner. Thongchai Jaidee had a commendable T10 finish in the Irish Open where the weather wasn’t that great.
With two T2s this year and a handful of top 10s the 45-year-old is having a great season and just needs a win to top it off. His short game is good with a 68.7% stat for GIR and is third in putts per GIR (21.1 putts) and 5th in putts per round (28.2).
Tommy Fleetwood’s only win to date is at Gleneagles in 2013 and he has has top-five finishes in three of the last four Alfred Dunhill Links Championship so must like Scotland and links golf.
The 24-year-old Englishman has had two top-10 finishes in six outings and is one to watch out for. He has a 73.6% stat for GIR and although his putting hasn’t been great there did seem to be an improvement the last time out.
James Morrison hasn’t done much wrong over the past couple of months, winning the Open de Espana and being runner-up in the Open de France. Maybe he can do the business again in the Open d’Escocia. His GIR is 66.3%, 45th in putts per GIR (21 putts) and 40th in putts per round (29.2).
I’m going to give Rafa Cabrera Bello another chance this week. He is one of the form men on the European Tour at the moment with three top fives and two top 13s in his last five outings. He’s fifth in GIR (74%) and although his putting isn’t the best (putts per GIR is 24.3).
He finished fourth in the Irish Open, where the weather played a big part, and it might do again this week.
Over on the PGA Tour the John Deere Classic is the last chance for some members to win a starting place at The Open. In his last eight starts Kisner has been in a play-off three times and 12th in the US Open. He has also been under par in all but four of his last 33 rounds and two of them were in the US Open, that’s some scoring.
Jordan Spieth is an obvious favourite but Kisner is going to be in the mix on Sunday.
Last week I was watching Justin Thomas who was playing well until the 10th on the final day. It all fell apart with a double bogey, bogey and quadruple bogey in the last nine holes.
There could be quite a few birdies and eagles this week and Thomas is 11th and 10th in the lists so a small wager might pay dividends.
Please note McBookie are paying seven places on the Scottish Open, one quarter the odds a place.
Recommended Bets
Thongchai Jaidee 1pt ew (40-1, Ladbrokes, McBookie)
Tommy Fleetwood 1pt ew (45-1, bet365)
James Morrison 1pt ew (50-1, McBookie, bet365)
Rafa Cabrera Bello 1pt ew (50-1, McBookie, Coral)
Kevin Kisner 2pts ew (20-1, Ladbrokes)
Justin Thomas 1pt ew (40-1, 888sport, Betfred)
Ace Venturer
What yoy think of Gallaghers chances Ace, got him top 20 finish, top scot and ew??
Alves, can’t answer for Ace but he’s been really off form this season. Knox could be top Scot – been pretty solid all season in the States.
I’ve just went for him because hes from Linlithgow but not really expecting much back, as long as he’s still in it on the final day I’ll be happy
Alves, I was in Linlithgow a couple of weeks ago and saw a pub with a big sign saying something like – congrats to one of our customers for winning the Ryder Cup.
Couldn’t help you there but it’s got tae be the hole in the wa at the cross or the star in garter hotel at train station, can’t think of any other pubs wi signs outside but I’m only down at the wknds to see weans plus no ‘allowed’ in pubs anyway :) most likely the star tgo
It would be Platform 3 – the owner is big mates with Stephen Gallacher
Off to Gullane 2mrw..
Tips this week after anothr successful week..and that was even although 2 players got beat in play offs.. (kisner and burgoon in web)..still well up
Worst week of the season for me last week so at least it can’t get any worse. This week is kind of strange as lot of the big boys in Scotland and some resting ahead of open so this week am looking at
Zach Johnson 10/1 at Ladbrokes
Can’t touch speith at 3/1 but will be going on him next week hopefully Jordan got an eye on British open. Zach Johnson loves it here with 5 of last 6 starts in top 3 including a win a few years back
Steve stricker 33/1 at Ladbrokes
Speaking of guys who love it here this was at one time his course to win at with wins every year between 2009-2011 now he struggled since but with a weak field he is a great price for someone who loves the course. First round leader contender too
Tony finau 40/1 At LLadbrokes
Backed him come week ago and he was there or there abouts, has been consistent all year and mentioned last week that there tends to be a new winner so possible back to back new winners
leecuncliffe, will be interesting to see how Spieth copes with the pressure. A couple I like are Rose and also Oosthuizen who won at St Andrews by seven shots in 2010 and is back in form after his US Open heroics.
Could well be right there, never even thought of the playform
Difficult to pick Alves but some guys are just comfortable at courses and stricker used always be favourite here cos of his past performance in backed him here last few years putting tends be easier so hopefully he can turn back the years got few quid on him first Rd leader
2 am on for Scottish open mainly for their like of links courses and decent prices
In poulter 40/1
Russel know 66/1
I think micks has done well here over the years but big prices for these 2
Scottish Open
J.MORRISON 50/1
M.A.JIMINEZ 80/1
A.OTAEGUI 300/1
J.Deere Classic
S.Y. NOH 50/1
J.KOKRAK 125/1
U.S Womens Open
AMUNOZ 66/1
P.CREAMER 66/1
Before I read this I was gonna tip tommy Fleetwood fr a return this week the guys a right player every week heez there and about and is gonna start winning regularly soon ad say.
jim, in Saturday’s Record I’m tipping Fleetwood at 5-2 with 888sport for a top-20 finish. He is 26 under par for six rounds at St Andrews in the Dunhill Links. 90-1 to win but that’s probably going too far.
Justin Thomas made a great start for you Ace after Sundays debacle maybe he going put it right and win some coin for you
Just back from gullane at 9pm..been at course since 9am..cream crackered off to sleep..but would just like to say,what a great course. .will be interesting to see who handles bad weather best 2mrw..gmac to win it..i think..
malkster, watched a bit on TV earlier and looked good. Leaving at 7.30 so will be a long day but looking forward to it. Have backed Fleetwood and Lowry and both going well.
I submitted my tips..3 days ago..but they didnt show up..on email. Only chance of places are palmer and gmac..pga lee flying again have thomas too..but johnson n jordan to beat now..thomas plodding at moment…djoko at start for Wimbledon. .hope fed has off day with service. .
malkster, what do you mean you submitted the tips by email? Lee as you say is looking good and Thomas could still win for Ace although he’s had a quiet day so far.
The Scottish is tough to call now but I’d side with Fowler or Fleetwood who is another Ace tip.
By smartphone..not into this technical stuff..mr F..speith just holed from 106 yrds for 2nd eagle.of round .luck is with young man..still think lee can beat him..