North-East Trends Fan

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -240.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

Yet another first-time winner on Tour last week as the South Korean Seung-Yul Noh landed the Zurich Classic of New Orleans in impressive style and at a three-figure price.

We're in Charlotte, North Carolina this week for the Wells Fargo Championship from Quail Hollow and what is normally a top class event, although this year's renewal sees a slightly weaker field than usual.

The course provides a tough test (it will hold a major for the first time in 2017) and for aspiring winners, distance off the tee will be a huge advantage along with solid ball striking and the ability to get up and down if missing the greens.

Given his past record in the event allied to his overall ability, Rory McIlroy should go very close here if producing somewhere near his best but he's only trading at around the 7/1 mark so I'm going with the following at more tempting prices for my value picks:


Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Gary WOODLAND 3.25pts @ 55
- Huge hitter and good ball striker in good recent form
- Won twice on PGA Tour

Nick WATNEY 2pts @ 85
- Classy long hitter who T10 here last year and was 8th in 2012

Nicolas COLSAERTS 1pt @ 170
- Another huge hitter and has been in form on the European Tour

Stewart CINK 1pt @ 160
- Striking the ball well and had Top 15 finishes here in 2011 & 2012

Lucas GLOVER 1pt @ 180
- Great driver of the ball who won this in 2011

Martin KAYMER 1pt @ 150
- Big price for a player of his ability who is an excellent driver of the ball

Brendan STEELE 0.75pts @ 230
- Already won on PGA Tour and I think there's more to come from the long hitting Californian

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -230.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

Another Top 10 finish for my top pick last week but Russell Knox (@85) could only manage a T9 as Matt Kuchar (frustratingly my top pick the week before in The Masters) holed out from the bunker at the final hole to cap a blazing last round 64 and seal victory in the RBC Heritage.

The PGA Tour moves to New Orleans this week for the Zurich Classic. This is normally a low scoring event and although there is not too much trouble off the tee, there is still a premium on hitting the greens in regulation to avoid the punitive bunkers guarding them and to give yourself plenty of birdie opportunities.

Apart from my selections below, I can see the likes of Rickie Fowler, Graham DeLaet, Kevin Stadler and Ryan Palmer all going well this week but their odds are a bit skinny for me so at the prices, here are my picks:

Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Nick WATNEY 3.25pts @ 55
- The 2007 winner of this event looks to be quietly playing himself back in to form and could go somewhat 'under the radar' here
- Also finished T15 here last year and T20 in 2011
- T12 in Proximity To The Hole on tour this season which suggests he is striking his irons well

Paul CASEY 2pts @ 80
- Another classy type whose game seems to eventually be getting back to somewhere near its best
- Long hitter who is 6th in Proximity To The Hole this season
- T18 last week in the RBC Heritage on a course demanding accurate play

Brooks KOEPKA 1.5pts @ 90
- Up and coming youngster who turned in a fine performance to get in to this event by winning Monday qualifying
- Long off the tee and 5th in Proximity To The Hole this season is a very promising combination

Camilo VILLEGAS 1pt @ 150
- The Columbian is enjoying a more consistent season and is the type who can go very low if he gets the putter going
- Multiple winner on Tour who T18 here two seasons ago

Chad CAMPBELL 1pt @ 370
- Another multiple Tour winner who sits 1st in Greens In Regulation this season
- His victories on the PGA Tour have normally come in low scoring events

Sean O'HAIR 0.75pt @ 230
- Classy Texan who hits it long and is a solid ball striker
- Multiple winner who has turned in some better displays this season to suggest another vixtory may not be too far away

Heath SLOCUM 0.5pts @ 460
- Accurate type whose wins have come in relatively easy events
- 2nd in Proximity To The Hole this season so should give himself plenty of birdie chances

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -220.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

Yet another second last week (Jonas Blixt @ 370) although an exhilarating display meant Bubba Watson made his second Masters victory look comfortable in the end after a superb renewal of the season's first major at Augusta.

On to South Carolina this week for the RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Links. A cracking little tournament with a decent field and the emphasis very much on accuracy off the tee and solid iron play in to the small greens on this tight, traditional course.


Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Russell KNOX 2.5pts @ 85
- The Scot has had a decent season so far and is very accurate off the tee
- Solid iron player and scrambler who has won on the Web.com tour

K.J. CHOI 2pts @ 110
- Some solid displays this season and this is the sort of course where the classy Korean could plot his way in to contention

Stewart CINK 1.5pts @ 100
- Class act who looks to be swinging well again
- T14 in the Masters last week

Justin HICKS 1pt @ 190
- This 2-time Web.com Tour winner T18 here last year
- This course should again suit his very accurate game

David TOMS 1pt @ 410
- If this 13-time PGA Tour winner is to win again this could well be the place
- 2nd in Driving Accuracy on Tour this season

Mark WILSON 0.5pts @ 310
- Accurate driver and a 5-time winner on Tour
- T9 here last year, T24 in 2012 & T21 in 2011

Tim CLARK 0.5pts @ 360
- The South African is 3rd in Driving Accuracy on Tour this year
- T24 here last season

Spencer LEVIN 0.5pts @ 310
- Accurate off the tee and T14 here in 2011

Roberto CASTRO 0.5pts @ 280
- Talented and accurate and this is the type of course that could see the youngster return to form at a big price

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -200.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

A thrilling week in prospect as ever as arguably the greatest sporting spectacle of the year, the 78th US Masters, gets underway at the stunning Augusta National, Georgia on Thursday.

No Tiger Woods in this season, he has withdrawn with a persistent injury. But this would have been a wide open renewal even with his presence in the field.

Things are changing on the PGA Tour and there is a rapidly rising crop of quality young players, many of whom could well go close this week, especially the likes of Harris English, Patrick Reed and Jordan Speith.

But I still see some of the wily old guard who know their way around this track being at the forefront of affairs come Sunday.

It would be no surprise at all to see Phil Mickelson don the green jacket for a fourth time as he retains all the craft and guile around the greens that is so important here. But I think that at 16 on Betfair, he is just a little too short given his form this year and injury concerns so my top pick is the consistent, crafty and in-form Matt Kuchar. More on him and my seven other value picks below.

Double stakes this week as always for the four majors. Get your bets on, put your feet up for four days and soak up the thrills and atmosphere of a truly outstanding event.


Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Matt KUCHAR 8pts @ 26
- Georgia Tech alumnus who is very classy and consistent and boasts six PGA Tour wins
- In excellent form recently although backing him certainly comes with risks (he blew out spectacularly in last week's final round)
- T8 here last year and T3 in 2012
- In Top 15 in scrambling on Tour for the last three seasons and a strong putter too

Graeme McDOWELL 3pts @ 70
- The former US Open winner is leading the way in Strokes Gained Putting on the PGA Tour this season
- T12 here in 2012
- Very consistent performances in an albeit light PGA Tour campaign so far this year

Ian POULTER 2.5pts @ 80
- Loves the big stage and making positive noises about the state of his game recently
- 7th here in 2012 and T10 in 2010
- Good scrambler who could contend if he can get the short putts to drop this week

Jim FURYK 2.5pts @ 85
- Top class, accurate former major winner who has turned in some encouraging performances so far this season
- 11th here in 2012
- 14th in Scrambling on Tour this year (and 3rd in 2012); T19 in Strokes Gained Putting in 2012

Marc LEISHMAN 2.25pts @ 130
- Big hitting Aussie whose game is suited to the shape of Augusta
- Finished T4 here last season
- Decent from within 125 yards of the pin

Chris KIRK 0.75pts @ 310
- Solid up and coming player who was born and studied in Georgia
- 3rd in Scrambling on Tour last year and 18th in Strokes Gained Putting

Jonas BLIXT 0.75pts @ 370
- The young Swede is an excellent putter and will hopefully get to grips with Augusta's fast and tricky greens
- 24th in Scrambling in 2013 and T16 in 2012

Vijay SINGH 0.25pts @ 670
- In his 50s now but the big Fijian has put in a few decent showings this season, including a 2nd in the Frys.com Open
- Former winner of the Masters and still doubtful whether anybody puts more effort in to their practice then he does
- Could be a surprise name near the top of the Leaderboard at a huge price

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -180.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

Yet another frustrating second placed finish last week (Keegan Bradley @ 38).

The PGA Tour moves on to Texas this week and first up is the Valero Texas Open at TPC San Antonio.
There will be a premium on solid ball striking and the ability to score well on the tough Par 5s at this Par 72 track.

Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Billy HORSCHEL 3.5pts @ 40
- Generally very consistent and a good ball striker, posted his maiden victory in Texas last season
- T3 here last year
- 13th in Ball Striking on Tour this season

Brian HARMAN 1.5pts @ 90
- A player on the up. Having a consistent season and is an excellent putter
- T22 here last year and T18 in 2012

Martin FLORES 1pt @ 180
- Long hitting Texan with a few decent pieces of recent form
- T10 here last year and T24 the year before that
- T32 in Par 5 Scoring Average this season

Sean O'HAIR 1pt @ 160
- Texan who is a very good ball striker and a multiple winner
- Solid performance at Bay Hill last week included an excellent last two rounds so confidence will be high

Ben CURTIS 0.75pts @ 320
- Won this two years ago and T31 last season
- Multiple winner on Tour who is adept at handling the expected windy conditions

Justin LEONARD 0.75pts @ 140
- The Texan is a former winner of this event and of 11 other tournaments on the PGA Tour
- No worse than T37 here the last three seasons and has put in a few decent performances this year

Bud CAULEY 0.5pts @ 270
- Talented youngster who T31 here last year and T18 in 2012

Josh TEATER 0.5pts @ 460
- Long hitter showing signs of a return to form

Harrison FRAZAR 0.5pts @ 1000
- Solid driving Texan who won on Tour in 2011

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -170.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

Tiger Woods has withdrawn due to his persistent back injury but there is still a top field and a decent shape to the betting market for what promises to be a tough but exciting week at Bay Hill in Florida.

I'm looking for long hitters who can take advantage of the four Par 5s on this testing Par 72 track, preferably with course and recent form.

Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Keegan BRADLEY 3.5pts @ 38
- T3 here last year
- 1st on Tour in Par 5 scoring average in 2013
- Three wins from just 87 PGA Tour events and only missed cut once this season

Chris KIRK 3pts @ 70
- T16 here last year
- T9 on Tour in Par 5 scoring average this season
- Already a dual winner on PGA Tour

Martin LAIRD 1pt @ 140
- Long hitter who won this in 2011
- T7 in Par 5 scoring average this season
- Three time winner on PGA Tour

Aaron BADDELEY 1pt @ 410
- T12 on Tour in Par 5 scoring average this season
- T12 here in 2011
- Good putter who is a three time winner on the PGA Tour

Camilo VILLEGAS 0.5pts @ 300
- T16 here last season
- Signs of a return to form this year, only having missed two cuts so far this season

Trevor IMMELMAN 0.5pts @ 380
- T11 here in 2012 and T12 the year before that
- T32 in Par 5 scoring average this season

Brendon TODD 0.5pts @ 260
- Consistent form this season and one to keep onside at the moment at triple-figure prices

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -160.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

The tricky Par 71 Copperhead course at Innisbrook in Palm Harbor, Florida plays host to the Valspar Championship this week.

Winners down the years have mixed profiles but the focus is on solid ball strikers who can putt well on these fast greens:

Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Webb SIMPSON 4pts @ 28
- T17 here last year, T10 in 2012 and 2nd in 2011
- 3rd in Strokes Gained Putting (SGP) this season and 12th in Scoring Average

Brendon TODD 1.5pts @ 210
- Having a very consistent season
- Has the long game accuracy and the putting to contend here
- Twice a winner on the Web.com Tour

Brian HARMAN 1.5pts @ 100
- Good putter who T14 here last year
- 29th in Scoring Average this season

Justin LEONARD 1pt @ 130
- T4 here last year, T29 in 2012 and T20 the year before that
- Enjoying a better season. 18th in SGP and 30th in Scoring Average
- Multiple winner on PGA Tour

Jonathan BYRD 1pt @ 190
- Multiple tour winner who showed signs of a return to form with a T12 in Puerto Rico last week
- T20 here three years ago

Brian GAY 0.5pts @ 340
- Another multiple winner who is a very good putter

James DRISCOLL 0.5pts @ 200
- T21 here last year
- 33rd in SGP this season

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -150.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)


The importance of past course form is very difficult to assess this week as the host course, Doral, has undergone significant structural changes during the last year.

However, scanning the final leaderboards of the tournaments held here in recent years, one thing stands out for me and that is the abundance of players of the very highest calibre who proliferate them. My view is that won't change this week despite the course changes potentially acting as something of a levelling factor and classy performers is where my main focus lies.

I'm also looking for players who hit it long and who are high in the rankings for both driving accuracy and greens hit so far this season.

Whatever the course changes bring, the Blue Monster is certain to throw up plenty of drama once again this week as an intriguing and exciting PGA Tour season continues to unfold:


Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Dustin JOHNSON 6pts @ 20
- Top class and has eight PGA Tour victories to his name
- One of the longest hitters on tour
- 1st in all-round ranking this season and 1st in greens hit too

Webb SIMPSON 2pts @ 42
- Another top class player and already a major winner too
- 2nd in all-round ranking this season, T17 in greens hit and T23 in Total Driving

Harris ENGLISH 2pts @ 38
- Rising star who appears to have all the attributes to remain in the top bracket for many years to come
- Already won twice on the PGA Tour
- 3rd in all-round ranking this season, 8th in greens hit and 11th in Total Driving

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -140.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)


Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson and Adam Scott return to head an excellent field in The Honda Classic this week as the PGA Tour moves on to Florida.

In what promises to be another gripping event following the superb drama of last week's Match Play (in which Jason Day eventually pipped the gritty Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, of whom we are going to be hearing a lot more for years to come), it would be no surprise to see several of the market leaders contending come Sunday. Cases can be made against most of them, however, and their presence means plenty of decent prices are available elsewhere.

PGA National is a tough Par 70 track requiring careful course management and an ability to get up and down from around the greens.

I'm focusing on solid ball strikers who can scramble and I also have an eye on the Par 3 performance stats.

My best value bets are below but others I can see having a decent spin this week are the likes of Charl Schwartzel, Peter Hanson and Chris Stroud.

Best of luck to one and all...

Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):

Keegan BRADLEY 4.5pts @ 34
- Has the class and all round game to go very close here
- T4 in this event last year and T12 in 2012
- 6th in Scrambling on tour this season, T13 in Par 3 Performance and T27 in Ball Striking

Spencer LEVIN 1pt @ 730
- Had looked a certain future winner on tour prior to suffering injury and personal tragedy last year
- T21 here in 2012 and T14 in 2011
- A good scrambler who is also T10 in Par 3 Performance on tour this season

Justin HICKS 1pt @ 540
- T17 here in 2011 and his game has come on a long way since then
- 4th in Ball Striking on tour this season and T21 in Par 3 Performance
- Has made a consistent start to the season, although he has missed his last two cuts

Brian HARMAN 1pt @ 140
- This excellent putter has shown some fine form in the opening part of this season
- T12 here in 2012

Y.E. YANG 1pt @ 280
- Won this in 2009, 2nd in 2011 and T18 last year. Also has a major win (the PGA in 2009) to his name

Sean O'HAIR 0.5pts @ 740
- Multiple winner on tour and a good ball striker
- T18 here last year and T24 in 2011

Mark WILSON 0.5pts @ 850
- Huge price for a multiple winner on tour who is generally accurate and a decent scrambler

Tim CLARK 0.5pts @ 330
- Classy, accurate type and a very good scrambler
- Returning from injury so fitness taken on trust but happy to have him on side at this price

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -130.00pts ROI: +00.00%
(SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%)

A cracking five days entertainment in prospect in Arizona this week.

I'm looking for classy types with a solid long game who are also adept with the flat stick:

Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):
Webb SIMPSON 4.5pts @ 36
- Classy with a superb long game. A very good scrambler to boot
- Quarter-finalist in this last year and a strong President's Cup performance last year

Keegan BRADLEY 2.75pts @ 50
- Gritty American with a solid long game and is also an excellent putter

Jimmy WALKER 2.75pts @ 50
- Outstanding recent form
- Long hitter and an excellent putter