North-East Trends Fan

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -90.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)


Yet more promising signs for the upcoming tournaments in the Humana Challenge last week as, for the second week in a row, my top pick (this time Ryan Palmer @ 42) finished in a close 2nd place.

On to the famous Torrey Pines in California this week for what promises to be a cracking event boasting a high-class field, headed most notably by seven-time tournament winner Tiger Woods making his seasonal debut.

The tournament is staged on both the North and South courses here but I'm mainly looking for classy long hitters armed with the right credentials to tackle the South course. It is the longest course played on Tour this year and one which any eventual winner will have to play well three times this week (whereas each player will only face the shorter North course once).

Of those at the head of the market, Tiger Woods (@ 3.55) is the most likely winner given his outstanding previous results here and return to form last season. I can also Jason Day (@ 34) and previous winner Bubba Watson (@ 36) going well but below are my value tips for this week. Good luck one and all:

Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):
Hunter MAHAN 3pts @ 42
- Top 15 finishes here in each of the last three seasons
- Long off the tee with a superb all round game and a classy, proven, multiple winner on Tour

Keegan BRADLEY 3pts @ 38
- Top 25 finishes here in 2011 & 2012
- First in Par 5 performance on tour last season and 11th in Driving Distance
- Consistent and already a multiple winner on tour who put in a promising display in the Humana Challenge last week

Jimmy WALKER 2.5pts @ 42
- I don't normally like to back players next time out after a win but I just can't ignore Walker's strengths or his previous record here
- T4 here last season and T8 the year before that
- 20th in Driving Distance on tour last season and 40th in Par 5 performance and putting superbly recently
- In outstanding form, with two wins in his last six events on the PGA Tour

I do see the winner coming from those closer to the head of the market this week but I also fancy three at more fancy prices who could go well:

Brendan STEELE 0.5pts @ 510
- T27 here last season and T17 in 2011
- California resident who is long off the tee and has won on tour and put in a solid run towards the end of last season

Geoff OGILVY 0.5pts @ 580
- Classy, multiple PGA tour winner and it wouldn't be stretching the imagination too far to see him return to form and compete this week
- Long hitter who can get very hot with the putter too

Seung-Yul NOH 0.5pts @ 270
- Young South Korean of tremendous potential who hits it a mile off the tee
- T27 here in each of the last two seasons
- Mainly his putting which has let him down recently but he can compete here given a better week with the flat stick