The golf season is in full swing again with both the PGA and European Tour hosting events this week.
I’ve already posted a preview for the Abu Dhabi Championship so we will concentrate on the PGA and The American Express at TPC Stadium Course and Nicklaus Tournament course, PGA West, La Quinta, California.
This tournament, formerly a pro-am event, probably more recognised as The Bob Hope Chrysler, has seen significant changes this year. There will be no amateur representation and it will be held over just the two courses with the cut put back to the normal 36 holes.
This new edition will see 156 pros competing on the desert par 72 courses for the $6.7m purse with $1.206m to the winner.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and relatively cool with only light breeze throughout the tournament.
The key attribute required this week will be accuracy and putting so these courses will suit a strong all rounder with severe penalties for any errors from tee to green.
Abraham Ancer
So let’s get in with the selections, for my first pick I’m going to suggest last years runner up Abraham Ancer 28/1 each-way at bet365.
Ancer fired a superb final round 63 here last year but it wasn’t enough to reel in eventual winner Andrew Landry.
Ancer, who has been runner up on two other occasions on the PGA Tour is yet to claim that maiden title. He looked as if he was on his way to that first title at The RBC Heritage only to see Webb Simpson go one shot better.
The Mexican had a consistent 2020 and was in the final 3-ball at The Masters in November before finishing a respectable 13th.
Ancer really feels at home on this Stadium course in California which hosts three of four rounds this week.
Last year he carded a 66 and a 63 on the only two days possible to play this course so he certainly knows his way around this tricky set up.
I just feel this could be the Mexicans breakthrough weekend and can see him contending here yet again come Sunday .
Russell Henley
For my next selection I’m going to choose Russell Henley at 36/1 each-way at Betfair.
This guy is just a model of consistency and always seems to be there or thereabouts. He is another who will be suited to this Stadium course, shooting eleven birdies here across two days and has never went over par at this venue.
To think that the American was outside the top 200 golfers in the world in June when the PGA returned, to now hovering around to top 50 best players in the world rankings is an amazing achievement.
A winner of no fewer that six PGA ranking events, Henley is a man back on form and it’s only a matter of time before he’s back in the winner’s enclosure.
He opened his season last week with a very respectable 11th place at The Sony Open in Hawaii so has returned showing no signs of rust after near misses at The CJ Cup and The Zozo Championship where he finished 3rd and 4th respectively.
Patton Kizzire
For my next selection I’m going to look for value and stick with a golfer who hasn’t let me down in the past with each-way money at prices over 100/1. He is currently trading at just under that mark; Patton Kizzire at 90/1 each-way with Betfair.
The two-time PGA Tour Champion just seems slightly overpriced especially if you look into his recent form;
- 7th at The Sony Open last week
- 10th at The RSM Classic
- 11th at The Houston Open
these all from three of his previous four tournaments.
The American is another who should be suited to conditions this week and I just feel the markets may have missed a trick here and I’m willing to suggest he can finish in the top 20 at 12/5 with bet365 and possibly go on to collect some each-way money at a handsome price.
Patton Kizzire to beat Emillano Grillo
For my final selection I’m going with a 72 hole match bet and I’m going to stick with that man again Patton Kizzire to beat Emillano Grillo 10/11 Nap bet365.
