North-East Trends Fan

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -117.5pts ROI: -43.52% (SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%) A winner at last as Brendon Todd (@160) delivered on the potential he has shown throughout the season so far by taking the HP Byron Nelson Championship in Dallas last week. The Tour remains in Texas this week for the Crowne Plaza Invitational from Colonial Country Club, a tournament demanding craft and guile which has normally gone to more experienced members of the PGA circuit. Accuracy off the tee and the ability to shape the ball on the approaches to the greens will be paramount. Zach Johnson (@15) and Jim Furyk (@16.5) seem sure to go well but are fairly easy to swerve at the prices. I can also see this being the type of event to suit the very talented Harris English (@65) but given...

SEASON 2013-14 P/L: -260.00pts ROI: +00.00% (SEASON 2013 FINAL P/L: +85.23pts ROI: +20.79%) Another frustrating week after watching Martin Kaymer, who I had tipped up the previous week, turn in a fine display to win The Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass. The PGA Tour returns to Texas this week for the HP Byron Nelson at TPC Four Seasons in Irving. Focusing on long, solid drivers and decent putters on this shortish Par 70 track. [b]Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):[/b] Ryan PALMER 3.25pts @ 50 - The Texan is a long, solid driver and a multiple winner on PGA Tour - Lost in a play-off here in 2011 and T9 two years ago - Twice finished 2nd already this season and T7 in Houston a few weeks ago Freddie JACOBSON 2pts @ 80 - Excellent putter in decent ...

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...

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. [b]Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):[/b] 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...

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 ...

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...

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 ...

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: [b]Selections (all prices from Betfair unless stated):[/b] 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

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)...