HERE we go again. Another year of hopefully ace golf and Ace selections.
Our man Ace Venturer enjoyed a successful 2015 and to tee off 2016 he is travelling all the way to Hawaii for the PGA Tour’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions. What a way to start!
Ace says: There are only 32 players taking part but with the likes of Jordan Spieth, Bubba Watson, Jason Day, Rickie Fowler and Dustin Johnson involved it could be an exciting tournament.
Defending champion Patrick Reed is also down to play the Plantation Course and I’m taking him to retain the title. His form over the latter months of last year was superb and that’s while playing in America, Europe and Asia.
It was a busy schedule for Reed but hopefully he’s rested up over the past month and is ready for battle. With the wide fairways and big greens it’s not just a putting contest and last year Reed was T15 or worse in GIR and fairways hit but was 2nd in scrambling. This year he’s 4th in GIR (82.4%), has fairways hit of 69.05% (45th), and is first in scrambling. Obviously he likes the course and well worth a bet.
Kevin Kisner did me a good turn when he won the RSM Classic (20-1) in November and I'm looking forward to him doing the business again. He also had a brilliant second in the WGC-HSBC Champions a couple of weeks before and certainly has the game.
He came to the fore last year with three seconds and his win at the RSM this season has show his progression. It looks like his stats have all improved on last season, driving accuracy of 70.54%, GIR 73.95%, and strokes gained:putting of .972, and overall his game looks better than last year.
Meanwhile, at the Glendower Golf Course, Johannesburg, the European Tour and the Sunshine Tour co-sanction the BMW South African Open. Defending champion Andy Sullivan returns and will be trying to emulate Trevor Immelman in 2003-04 and defend his title.
Sullivan’s win last year was the start to a great season for the Englishman, winning the Joburg Open and the Portugal Masters thereafter. He was also runner-up to Rory McIlroy at the DP World Tour Championship. Could have another good year, starting in Johannesburg.
I also like South African Jaco van Zyl. After a couple of seconds and thirds last season it’s about time van Zyl got his first win on the European Tour. If he can slightly improve on his stats from last year, driving accuracy of 67.5% and GIR 70.5%, he will be in the mix.
Twenty-three-year old Frenchman Gary Stal won his first European Tour event, the HSBC Golf Championship, at the beginning of last year but didn’t really follow up on that spectacular win. I expect him to move upwards this year and wouldn’t be surprised if he finishes at the top end of the field.
Recommended Bets
1.5pts ew Patrick Reed (11-1, 888.com)
1.5pts ew Kevin Kisner (20-1, BetVictor)
2pts win Andy Sullivan (8-1, Betfred)
1.5pts ew Jaco van Zyl (20-1, Ladbrokes)
1pt ew Gary Stal (40-1, Betfred)
Ace Venturer
In December 2020 we sadly 
Thanks for the write up Ace – I will be on all these as I followed you ( with success and fun ) for last few months – you know your stuff.
Good luck for the new season ?
Hi Ace what was your P and L for 2015,cheers Marc
Ace, when you advise ew I presume you mean win and top 4 – e.g. double stake. Only reason I ask is that if you’re betting on Sullivan to win, are you putting the van Zyl & Stal bets on top 4 finish only (otherwise you’re betting against yourself………)
hi been following you for sometime and your tips are second to none hopefully ul have another great year am on your tips as always goodluck ace keep up the goodwork
Welcome back ace good this time of the year start of the golf season and rugby season.
I’ve taken Dustin Johnson hoping he can pick up from last year and small ew bet on Jimmy walker
lee cuncliffe, it’s a course for the big hitters and Dustin’s won there before. I quite like Day but he hasn’t played for months.
Mr fix it Jason day was phenomenal last season could be some great battles ahead this year with day, Rory back to full fitness and speith. After what happened to Dustin Johnson last season I hope he gets one of the majors this year
lee cuncliffe, should be exciting with Rory back and Day and Spieth up there too. Agree with you it would be great to see a Dustin Major but it looks like he lacks the mentality.
Yeah I agree with that it’s mental block still he is worth a few quid for first round leader when the majors start up