The PGA Tour resumes with its normal format this week for the Valspar Championship, Copperhead Course, Innisbrook Resort, Palm Harbor, Florida.
A few of the big guns will return to Florida this week including world No.1 Dustin Johnson, Justin Thomas and Patrick Reed.
The field will be competing on the par 72 parkland course for the $6.9 M prize money with the winner collecting $1.2M.
Paul Casey will return to defend the title he won in 2019 with last year’s event cancelled and the Englishman will be aiming to make it a hat-trick of victories at this tournament.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and very warm throughout with only light to moderate breezes to contend with.
The event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 12pm GMT on Thursday.
Go Team Mullet!
We had yet another profitable week with my main selections Cameron Smith and Marc Leishman winning the Zurich Classic at an advised 12/1 EW.
It was an eventful final few holes but Team Mullet held on for the win after Oosthuizen drove into the water at the first play-off hole giving his partner Schwartzel too much to make up. The Aussie pairing were also my winning Nap beating Morinkawa and Wolff after only 36 holes.
On the European Tour I selected Sam Horsfield at 18/1 Each Way and despite a late surge the Englishman could only manage a best place 4th, it was enough though to secure the place money.
Well done yet again to everyone who followed my selections last week and collected a tidy profit.
Sungjae Im 35/1
So let’s get on with this weeks Valspar selections,for my main pick at Copperhead this week I’m going to advise Sungjae Im 35/1 EW Betfair.
The young 23 year old South Korean simply adores playing golf in Florida and always seems to bring his A-game to the Sunshine State.
Im, who is currently ranked inside the world's Top 20, finished 8th at the Honda Classic at Palm Beach where he was defending his title he won the previous year. Just before his victory in Florida he was 3rd at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in Bay Hill and managed a respectable 21st place when returning last month.
The South Korean is ranked 7th shots gained off the tee in his last four events in Florida and bounced back from a disappointing Masters with T13th at the RBC Heritage last time out.
In his last ten events Im has five top 10 finishes and I just feel he can better the 4th place finish he managed as a debutant here at his last visit. With most firms again offering eight places then I think the 35/1 on offer represents decent value even for each way punters but I’m sure the talented youngster will be in contention once again on the back nine at Sunday’s final round.
Dustin Johnson 12/1
For my next pick I’m going to suggest, for the simple reason I just don’t like opposing him, the world No.1 Dustin Johnson 12/1EW Betfair.
It’s fair to say that DJ hasn’t been at his usual best recently but don’t allow that to put you off as he will be trying harder than ever to find a groove.
Don’t forget, the 36 year old American started the year 11th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, 1st at the Saudi International and 8th at the Genesis Invitational.
He did bounce back from missing the cut at The Masters with T13th at the RBC Heritage last time out so although not at his best, it’s not exactly form to suggest not to back him.
The American was leading the field at RBC in shots gained off the tee on a track that doesn’t suit his style of play. This venue will suit DJ's game with Copperhead being long and testing and in 2019 he finished 6th round here which could have been much better if not for a testing final round.
With the next major on the golfing calendar fast approaching then it’s even more reason to suggest the big hitting world No.1 will be looking for another victory to set him up nicely for The PGA Championship in his native home state.
Keegan Bradley 80/1
For my next selection I’m going to look further up the field for some decent value and for this reason I’m going to single out Keegan Bradley 80/1 EW Bet365.
The 34 year old American has been back on the radar lately, most notably T4th last week at the Zurich Classic. He can also back that up with T10th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and T4th at Sanderson Farms Championship.
This class act on his day has too many victories along with runners-up spots to mention and just seems to be finding a groove.
I listened to Rory McIlroy's interview at Augusta when he commented that golf must be about the only sport where a player can bounce back onto the scene from nowhere. Just look at my 150/1 selection Stewart Cink not even a fortnight ago, winning to the delight of our followers here at MFT, it’s happened before and it will happen again and this time it could be in the shape of Keegan Bradley.
If only he can match his putting figures with his tee to green proficiency then the American would enhance his chances for that long awaited bounce-back victory, his first since winning the BMW Championship in 2018.
Remember this guy has a major to his name winning the 93rd PGA championship so I’m going to single him out to do the business at attractive odds with even just each way money returning a tidy profit.
Corey Conners to beat Abraham Ancer
For my final selection it’s the usual 72 hole match bet and I’m going to advise Corey Conners to beat Abraham Ancer 10/11 Nap Bet365.
Any tips for Tenerife??
The Tenerife Open preview has now went live on the site . Good luck 🤞
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Good luck with Bradley on Sunday.
Last round £2 outright double Higgo 11/1 and Hoffman 50/1.
Hope Hoffman does well ,I’ve got him in a e/w double with burmester.