I’ve gone bigger than usual. 17 point outlay.
Matt Kuchar - As always, Kuchar will be backed by myself. It used to be him and Reee until the latter finally won for me in the Masters. I’ve been adamant for the last three years that both will eventually win majors. So Kuchar is in here, 80/1 ain’t bad. The course may suit too. 0.5 points each way for 8 places at 80/1.
Justin Rose - Now on to the five players that I actually fancy for the tournament here rather than by habit. Firstly, it’s Justin Rose. He has been excellent this season with top 20 finishes stretching back from before The Masters. That consistency is unheard of at this level. He’s been getting closer in the majors in the last couple of years and is my main fancy here. 2.5 points each way at 14/1 for ten places. The Top 10 finish looks bulletproof even if he doesn’t win.
Rickie Fowler - The Yank is getting closer to a Major himself. That nearly came for me last year at one of the majors when he led going into the final round for what would’ve been a 600/1 double with One For Arthur in the National. Sadly, he couldn’t hold his nerve on the final day and even missed a putt on the last to place. As fustrating as that would’ve been for him at the time, he’s a lot more mentally stronger now and that experience, in hindsight, looks to have helped him. His final day game has been very good this year and if he starts well, I expect him to go very close here. He likes Links courses too which is an obvious plus. 2.5 points each way at 16/1 is my play here.
Alex Noren - I’ve backed Noren here because of his love of Links courses. That course style just suits his game perfectly and the results show. At the prices, he’s a value each way play in my opinion. 1 point each way at 28/1.
Marc Leishman - Whatever it is about Links courses, the Aussie loves it - particularly this tournament. He seems I save his best golf for here and warmed up with a decent performance last week on a similar course. 1 point each way at 45/1.
Hideki Matsuyama - Japan’s rising star has been close enough on the leaderboard in the last few majors without really going too close as his Thursday and Friday game has been lacking before finishing with a flourish at the weekend. If he can keep within five shots of the leaders going into Saturday’s round, I’d have him in with a real chance here. After much deliberation, he’s made my list of five go to six as a 1 point each way bet at 45/1.
Bets:
Justin Rose - 2.5 points each way @ 14/1 (10 places)
Rickie Fowler - 2.5 points each way @ 16/1 (10 places)
Alex Noren - 1 point each way @ 28/1 (10 places)
Hideki Matsuyama - 1 point each way @ 45/1 (10 places)
Marc Leishman - 1 point each way @ 45/1 (8 places)
Matt Kuchar - 0.5 point each way @ 80/1 (8 places)
Good luck to you all
