Puerto Rico

This will be the sixth rendition of the Puerto Rico Open and was one of the events that has made me concentrate this year on profiling events and their winners especially on the PGA tour. Last year I picked out George McNeill @ 55/1 having noticed that all four winners before him had very strong ties to Florida and all winners have stated that the course is very typical of Florida resort courses. All four winners (Bradley has won it twice) have met at least two of the criteria of having been born in Florida, attended college there or presently live there. I found out after the event last year that George McNeill had actually bought past winner Derek Lamelys' house - sadly I haven't been able to ascertain if he has sold it on! Taking this on board I came up with a short list of ten and have whittled that down to three including the biggest bet I have had so far this year.
Boo Weekley is Floridian through and through and also has a good course record a bit like George McNeill last year he was top five in his previous visit. That third place finish last year came on the back of some very poor form yet this year he has actually been playing quite well. He rounded off last year with a 5th in Florida which secured his card and has made his last four cuts and was third at the half way stage last week before struggling in the cold windy conditions over the weekend. All of his best finishes have come on coastal courses including his two wins at Harbour Town so I am expecting a big week 1 point ew 50/1
Matt Every like McNeill was born, educated and lives in Florida and whilst he has yet to win on the main tour he did have four top six finishes last season. One of these was in Florida (ahead of Weekley) and then he was 6th in Hawaii and 3rd in the Mayakoba, throw in an 8th at Harbour Town and it is obvious where he plays his best golf. He does have a top ten to his name this season in the much stronger Phoenix Open so is worth a punt in this weeks weaker field 0.3 ew 66/1
Last man in is Erik Compton who was born and lives in Florida and who had his best ever PGA tour finish when tied for fourth in his home state last week surrounded by some of the best players in the world. I expected his odds to be slashed this week but they have held up remarkably well. This could be down to some indifferent course form although he has more experience of this PGA tour stop than any other and has improved in each of his four starts going mc/61/55/42 and it is interesting that he was also progressive at last weeks venue 44/26/4. He seems to be at home in this neck of the woods having had a couple of wins in Mexico in his career and with a good start to the season he could add to that tally this week 0.4 ew 66/1