North-East Trends Fan

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -120.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

It's the final California-based event of the season this week as the PGA Tour heads to the classic Riviera Country Club for the Northern Trust Open.

I'm focusing on accuracy off the tee and solid iron play as the players attempt to negotiate this tight and testing track which abounds with testing rough.

Given the absence of the likes of Woods, Scott, Mickelson, Stenson and Garcia, I'm struggling to find much value among those at the head of the market and instead I'm opting for a multitude of decent ball strikers at more attractive prices.

Of those at shorter prices though I'd expect to see the likes of Dustin Johnson (@14), Webb Simpson (@23), Jimmy Walker (@24) and Keegan Bradley (@32) challenging come Sunday evening.


Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):
Lee WESTWOOD 2.25pts @ 85
- His solid ball striking should suit this tight and testing layout
- T21 here last year

Cameron TRINGALE 1.5pts @ 140
- California resident who has finished T24 or better here for the last three seasons
- T13 last week and T12 in Phoenix the week before that

Martin LAIRD 1.25pts @ 230
- The Scot is solid from tee to green and T25 here in 2010
- Multiple winner on PGA Tour and has four Top 25s since the turn of the year

John MERRICK 1pt @ 190
- Defending champion here who is 6th in Driving Accuracy this year on Tour and 34th in GIR

Brendon de JONGE 1pt @ 170
- Another solid ball striker who finished T29 here in 2010

Trevor IMMELMAN 1pt @ 250
- Two-time winner on tour (including the Masters) who T29 here in 2010 and was T10 in the Farmers three weeks ago

Kevin STREELMAN 1pt @ 170
- 3rd in Driving Accuracy this year and he T27 in this last year
- Posted his maiden Tour win last season

Spencer LEVIN 0.5pts @ 390
- California resident who has shown signs of a return to form this season following injury and personal tragedy in 2013
- Solid ball striker and an almost certain future winner on Tour

Ben CURTIS 0.5pts @ 980
- A simply huge price for a multiple winner on Tour who has shown he can win from nowhere when seemingly out of form