With this week's European Tour event cancelled we will focus all our attention on the PGA Tour with the Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Club, Southampton, Bermuda.
The 130 field will all be competing around this stunning par 71 track with TifEagle greens and ocean views for a share of the $6.5M purse with the winner collecting the title and $1.17M.
This is one of the legends of golf's favourite courses, Jack Nicklaus adores Port Royal with its signature par 3, 16th hole, described as one of the most spectacular holes in the world with its cliff hanging features overlooking the Atlantic Ocean below.
Brian Gay returns to defend his title when winning last years event, his first PGA victory for seven years making it five PGA crowns for the America .
Before I continue I just want to get this out there. It’s always tricky to pick winners at golf at anytime but even more so at this time of the season with so many new tour cards etc and golf isn’t really associated with Halloween, Guy Fawkes or Christmas anyway is it? .
I’m aiming to finish what’s been an amazing year on a high. With over £4K profit to a just an incredible tenner stakes only. Last week I was pleased to see both Naps collecting yet again at the European and PGA events but I’m aiming to single out another good priced winner or two before the year is over.
So back to this week and the Bermuda Championship.
The weather is forecast to be not very pleasant I’m afraid, but this should add to the excitement around this lay out. Strong Atlantic Ocean winds are predicted throughout with rain over the weekend. This actually has a massive influence over my first selection this week. These conditions will be brutal and a severe test for all.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 6.30pm GMT on Thursday.
So let’s have a look at some of this week's selections for the Bermuda Championship.
Russell Knox
For my first and main selection I’m really liking the look of one of our very own, Russell Knox 35/1 EW 1-7 places Betfair.
The 36yr old Scotsman from Inverness in the Highlands plays most of his golf in the States on the PGA Tour and is well accustomed to this event in Bermuda.
The weather is a key factor this week, with the strong winds and rain forecast, but the Scotsman has all the credentials to prevail at Port Royal this weekend. The layout and conditions this week will more than suit Russell Knox to a tee (pardon the pun) and his game will thrive in this environment.
Knox ranks seventh in Strokes Gained Total at Port Royal and has finished inside the Top 20 on both his last starts here.
He is ranked fourth in Fairways Gained around here and that could prove pivotal on the second hardest course (51.5%), to hit fairways on the PGA Tour.
The Scotsman had considerable success from 2014-2016 on the PGA Tour winning the WGC HSBC Champions in 2015 and in 2016 he won the Travelers Championship . He also accumulated three runners up positions with a further three more third place finishes which include runner up at the Dubai Duty Free Irish Open in 2016 on the European Tour.
His best recent form is 29th at the Sanderson Farms Championship a few weeks back but I'm throwing the form book out the window for my main selection this week.
Russell Knox is one of the best wind players in the business and I’ll be rooting for him to make it a hat-trick of PGA crowns with his accuracy and precision in difficult conditions.
Hank Lebioda
For my next selection I’m going to advise Hank Lebioda 45/1 EW Bet365.
The 27yr old from Orlando, Florida was on my radar earlier on in the year but has since disappeared without trace.
With four missed cuts and a withdrawal in his last five tournaments it’s hard to make a case for Lebioda but I’m willing to include him to get back on track this week at Port Royal. Previous to the above mentioned, he was as 8th at the John Deere Classic, 4th at the Rocket Mortgage and 5th at the Travelers Championship.
He was sublime at this event two years ago when finishing T3rd in 2019 so knows what it feels like to be challenging on the back nine at Sunday's final round. I've just got an feeling that Hank Lebioda will be in the mix yet again and can go on to claim that elusive maiden PGA Title that has so far eluded him this weekend in Bermuda.
David Lipsky
For my next pick I’m going to look for some good old value and for that reason I’m going to single out David Lipsky 50/1 EW Ladbrokes.
The 33yr old from Los Angeles was in excellent form last time out when making a regular visit to the European circuit which he always mixes up with the PGA Tour.
At the Andalucia Masters he finished in 4th place so will come here full of confidence on the back of that effort.
Lipsky already has two victories on the European stage when winning the Alfred Dunhill Championship in 2018 and also the Omega European Masters in 2014.
He is yet to break his duck on the PGA circuit but has won on the KFT Tour which covers courses similar to Port Royal. At the price quoted, 50/1 Each Way, then a place will represent decent value and return a tidy profit. These prices can vanish into thin air after a few birdies or better so my advice is take the 50/1 while it’s available pre-tournament.
Matthew Fitzpatrick v Christiaan Bezuidenhout
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet Nap which has been kind to us throughout the year. This week I’m liking the look of Matthew Fitzpatrick’s hot putter to see of Christiaan Bezuidenhout 9/10 Nap Betfair.
