Golf: Ace Venturer’s Top Tips

ACE didn’t get the win he wanted last week but no one was going to catch Jordan Spieth so he had to settle for a second-place thanks to Patrick Reed whom he tipped each way.

This week the PGA Tour stays in Hawaii for the Sony Open and in recent years a majority of the winners played in the Hyundai the week before. So his selections have come mostly from those he fared well last weekend.

Ace says: The Waialae course is not as long (par 70), the rough can be penal in some places and the wind can play a significant part although it’s not supposed to be too bad this week.

“I’m backing Kevin Kisner again this week as he didn’t seem to do a lot wrong last week finishing ninth. His stats were 79% GIR, 71.5% driving accuracy and strokes gained:putting was over one. Although he’s missed four cuts from four I still think he’ll play well this week and move up the leaderboard.

“After his display at the Hyundai I was thinking of taking Brandt Snedeker but his form seems to be a bit up and down and have decided to leave him alone.

“Emiliano Grillo had a superb finish to an otherwise lacklustre display last week with a final-round 66. After his win in the Frys.com (my tip) he went on to finish a superb T4 in the DP World Tour Championship in Dubai and in the Nedbank at the beginning of the 2015-16 European Tour was a T11. He is one of my six to follow this year and I think this week could be the start of a good year for Emiliano.

“It’s been nearly five years since Kevin Na won his only official PGA tournament but this season he has been close. He has two seconds and a third from four outings. His stats are 67% driving accuracy, 76% in GIR and strokes gained:tee to green of 2.66 (1st in the ratings). Although he didn’t play in Hawaii last week this course might suit him and could be one to follow.

“With more than 200 golfers taking part in the Joburg Open and over two courses it’s going to be tough to pick a winner. With a T8 finish in the SA Open last week Trevor Fisher didn’t play too badly.

“His second round let him down a bit but he fought back with a six-under 66 in the third then finished with a 70. Length off the tee won't be too important as the course is at altitude but GIR stats might come in useful. Fisher’s GIR stat is over 71% with ppr of 30 and he has had some good results here, T3 in 2012 and sixth in 2013, so might be worth a flutter.

“Twenty-two-year-old Callum Shinkwin, who is attached to Moor Park Golf Club, near Watford, got some good reviews last year, finishing in the top 10 five times on the Challenge Tour. In his four outings on the European Tour his best finish was a T13 in the Nordea Masters. Now he has his Tour card you might be seeing more of him in the top half of fields. Will have a small wager at top-20 finish.”

Recommended Bets

1.5pts ew Kevin Kisner (22-1, bet365)
1.5pts ew Emiliano Grillo (50-1, BetVictor)
1.5pts ew Kevin Na (35-1, Coral)

1.5pts ew Trevor Fisher Jnr (25-1, Betfred – top six)
1.5pts Callum Shinkwin to finish top 20 (7-1, BetVictor)

Ace Venturer

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