The penultimate tournament before the Masters sees the PGA head to Port Royal Golf Course this week for the Bermuda Championship.
This short par 71 parkland course wouldn’t normally be much of a test for the 132 competitors but with stormy conditions forecast from Friday to Sunday then I’d predict this course will become very tricky and wouldn’t expect to see the -24 winning score carded by last year's winner Brendon Todd.
Incidentally Todd is the only golfer in the top 50 world rankings taking part at this event.
With the wind forecast as gale force come Friday afternoon it may be worth holding off to gain an advantage selecting players who have the first two rounds under their belt before the storms commence.
Anyone teeing off on Friday afternoon will be facing the brunt off what is to come for the remainder of the weekend and with this course's exposed open layout there will be nowhere to hide from the stormy, windy conditions.
For my selections I’m going to put a stroke through the first two in the betting, Will Zalatoris is 11/1 favourite with last years winner Brendon Todd 2nd favourite at 14/1 then it’s a jump up to 25/1 for the next available prices so this represents some decent value.
Henrik Norlander
With this in mind I’m going to select Henrik Norlander for my first choice at 45/1 EW bet365.
The Swede recently finished 4th at Sanderson Farms and 6th at The Memorial. Last season he finished 5th at the Sony Open and 9th at the RSM Classic, both coastal courses like here at Port Royal.
Last year on this course he was ranked 1st in Driving accuracy and 5th for greens-in-regulation. Only his putting let his figures down, eventually finishing 28th. With not too much to beat in this field I feel Norlander looks overpriced at 45/1.
Kramer Hickok
For my next selection I’m going for Kramer Hickok at 100/1 EW Ladbrokes.
He finished a very respectable 15th at this event last year, carding scores in the 60s in all four rounds.
He is another golfer who seems to enjoy these seaside events and definitely benefits from the shorter yardage. I expect scrambling will be key here this weekend with the testing conditions and Hickok was ranked 3rd here last year on scrambling so maybe he is another one where the bookies have got it wrong and overpriced his chances with odds at 100/1.
I’d definitely say it’s a risk worth taking using smaller stakes.
Justin Suh
For my final selection I’m going to suggest the former world no.1 amateur Justin Suh 40/1 bet365.
Since turning Pro he is playing magnificent golf and it’s easy to see why he was an eight time winner as an amateur in high class tournaments.
A good few of his victories have also been on coastal courses namely Pebble Beach and Waikoloa Beach Kings course.
Suh has finished in the top 25 in his three PGA tour events since turning pro with a very impressive 8th last time out at the Shriners Open amongst a star-studded field.
Again, with none of the big names in the field this weekend this has to be a good opportunity for Suh to win his maiden title as a pro.
Recommended Bets
- Henrik Norlander 45/1 EW bet365
- Kramer Hickok 100/1 EW Ladbrokes
- Justin Suh 40/1 EW bet365
