THE USPGA tour heads to Sea Island, Georgia, and has the name suggests is close to the sea with the sea breezes that occur at any time suggest a difficult track to score on.
Average winning score over the last three years has been 20 under par and I expect that t be the target this year. The first two days are played over two courses. The Seaside measures 7,005 yards and is a par 70. The other course, The Plantation, measures 7,058 yards and is a par 72. The final two rounds are played over the Seaside Course and a field of 156 tee up on Thursday afternoon (UK time).
The favourite this time around is WEBB SIMPSON one of the few US Ryder Cup team to perform anything decent recently but at prohibitive odds of around 9/1 I feel the value is elsewhere.
Defending Champion is AUSTIN COOK who won by four shots last year showing great accuracy from the tee and a good shot game when required around the tight and quirky greens.
My three for this week are as follows..
Austin Cook
As with my European Tour Tips for his weekend I expect the defending champion AUSTIN COOK to again go close this week.
Obvious good course form last year was his maiden tour victory and with the course expected to be playing well on the opening two days I suspect he will be looking for a fast start.
He has been competing with the best this year and hasn't been outclassed. He can be the biggest threat to the favourite.
Cheng-Tsung Pan
Second Up is CT PAN, 100th in the World Rankings Cheng-Tsung from Taiwan, but based now in the US, has good course form; 6th two years ago and 13th last year.
Very accurate from the tee, he has two second places and five Top 10s in his short career.
This week could see the 27-year-old record his maiden victory.
Cameron Champ
Last but not least third selection is rookie CAMERON CHAMP. He won his maiden tour victory at the Sandersons last month and showed last week that a tough course in Mexico when he finished tenth.
Showed good and bad last week from a promising position and if his mental approach this week is good then he could go close again.
Recommended Bets
- Austin Cook 25/1 (Paddy Power) 1 Point e/w
- CT Pan 20/1 (Paddy Power) 1 Point e/w
- Cameron Champ 18/1 (Paddy Power) 1 Point e/w
- Austin Cook – Top 10 Finish 7/2 (Betfair) 1 Point
- CT Pan – Top 10 Finish 5/2 (Skybet) 1 Point
- Cameron Champ – Top 10 Finish 9/4 (Skybet) 1 Point
Good luck!
