RATED one of the toughest par 71s on the PGA Tour the Innisbrook Resort and Golf Club hosts the Valspar Championship this week.
Defending champion Jordan Spieth returns to the Copperhead Course hoping to get some sort of form back which has deserted him since he won the Hyundai Tournament of Champions in early January. Apart from the fact he is such a short-priced favourite I think he will fall short so I wont be picking him.
Justin Thomas won the CIMB Classic in November but had a pretty poor 2016 up until a T3 in the Honda Classic at the end of February. His driving average is 302 (27th) so the 7200-yard course will suit the young Kentuckian. His driving accuracy stands at 57.48% and GIR at 70.37%, with putts per round of 29.25. Think he will be around at the finish.
Danny Willett has certainly hit the ground running this year with a win in the Omega Dubai Desert Classic in February and a fourth in the Nedbank in South Africa. His T3 in the WGC Cadillac was a superb effort and was unlucky not to beat Australian Adam Scott. His stats on the PGA Tour all hold up with driving distance averaging nearly 292 yards, driving accuracy of just under 59%, GIR of 75.69% and an impressive strokes gained:putting 1.82.
This season for Henrik Stenson has been a tale of two Tours. He’s had three top-six finishes from four on the European Tour and had one top 25 from three starts on the PGA Tour. On his first outing here last year Stenson finished a solo fourth and can certainly improve on that. His stats on the PGA Tour are slightly worse than in Europe so if he can improve them he will be up there.
Remember to watch out for my tournament inplay tips and thoughts on the forum.
Valspar Championship Tips
1.5 ew Justin Thomas (33-1, 888sport)
1.5 ew Danny Willett (22-1, BetVictor)
1.5 ew Henrik Stenson (14-1, Betfred)
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.
In the states I’m going for
Willet 20/1 ew
Stenson 12/1 ew
S Kang 80/1 ew
Good luck
Always keep an eye on your previews ACE
Honda i had Scott 25/1 ew which i was pleased with
WGC i had Willet 70/1 ew, the birdie chance on 17 and into the water on 18 is still haunting me but up until then he had a brilliant weekend. Kicked myself not backing Scott last weekend so will be sticking with Willet to do the business this weekend.
Will a look tonight for another good each way value bet.
P.S after last weekend i got on Willet 80/1 for the masters, now been cut to 60/1
fraser51 that’s some price on danny willet for the masters, think top 7 finish might be best for him,
put my thoughts on the masters last week was
adam scott if he continues his top form , driving saving putting
bubba Watson driving, iron play chipping and long putts
good luck all, going for 3 in a row of wins
ace you had any more thoughts on the maters or to early
townie, too early – he’ll probably put something after the first round play.
P Harrington 1st rd leader e/w @ 125/1 Boyles
K J Choi e/w @ 45/1 PP
cheers mr f so he is waiting till most of the dudds or other players not prove themselves,
you got a bet on the golf this week
townie, not sure what you mean by that. His tips are up and he’ll do a review and look at latest prices, match bets, etc after the first round.
I haven’t had a bet yet – too busy with the football.
hold up mr f wasn’t saying anything against ace tips, what I meant was the players who will find
the augusta course to tough to handle and drop down the field, cheers
I’m on a few draws in the Europa league
townie, Ace has some comments about the forum. One of his selections Uihlein is leading after the first round in Thailand.
Can’t disagree with Scott or Bubba for the masters, they are on form and have both won in recent years. I only got on Willet for some value. Nearer the time i might be tempted with Day/Fowler/Mickleson depending on odds. Anyway Masters chat is still a couple of weeks away.
Back to this week are these are my fancies
Willet 20/1
Dufner 28/1
Moore 40/1
Kokrak 60/1
Kizzire 80/1
Good luck gents
Had good week last week got my 4th win of the Season by sticking with Adam Scott. Onto this week.
I am looking at people who have played well here in the past as its not the easiest on the tour nor is it the strongest line up so could be in for a shock winner. 3 Picks for this week are
Jason Dufner -28/1 – Has done ok this year with a few top 10 finishes without setting the world alight but has been consistent here never missing the cut in the 7 times he played
Patrick Reed – 30/1 Hasnt found his form yet this year but has the quality and nearly won this last year before losing out to Speith in Playoff
Kevin Streelman 66/1 – E/W outside bet as he is another one like Dufner in decent form without being great but won here 3 years ago so hoping he remembers how to play the course