Firstly, hearty congratulations to Xander Schauffle for his magnificent triumph at Valhalla last week. He had been my headline selection for the Masters, but Heigh Ho! Xander’s victory was made even sweeter because he held off a huge last-round surge by a player from the LIV circuit, Bryson DeChambeau.
Onwards and upwards to this week’s tournament, played at the Colonial Country Club since 1926. This tight, tree-lined classical course with 12 dog-legged holes rewards accuracy over power-play and favours golfers who have performed well here in the past. Its nickname of ‘Hogan’s Alley’ honours the legendary Ben Hogan, who won the tournament a record 5 times in the Forties and Fifties. The course has recently undergone a $20m refurbishment to restore it to what it was in Hogan’s day.Interestingly, none of the last 22 winners here were PGA Tour maidens, so let’s ignore all the trendy young bucks in the field and focus only on some well-established stars.
Here are my MAGNIFICENT SEVEN (Name and Current Price) selections for the Charles Schwab Challenge. Bets should be placed by 2 p.m. on Thursday.
TONY FINAU 28/1: His 8th placing at Valhalla was one of several sparkling performances this season. Tony’s 3 top-25s here in the past four years indicate how happy he is here.
MAX HOMA 201/: 9th here last year and some progressive recent form entitles Max to a place in our line-up.
JUSTIN ROSE 50/1: The 2018 winner here loves the place and didn’t he play brilliantly last week in Kentucky?
JORDAN SPIETH 22/1: I know. I know! Yet, remember that he won here in 2016 and has had 4 top-ten placings in the past five years.
AARON RAI 55/1: The wonderfully accurate English ball striker finished 12th on debut here last year and almost always plays well in Texas.
COLLIN MORIKAWA 12/1: Can bounce back from a moderate final round last week. He’s had 2 top-twenties here before and will have less pressure on him than in recent high-profile events.
AUSTIN ECKROAT 50/1: A real outlier but a tournament winner this year – in the Cognizant in March – and was 18th at Valhalla.
Bet 1 point each way on all and watch out for our Scottie after 54 holes.
Good Luck – Sandy Lane
PROFIT OR LOSS FROM THIS POST -10.60
1 pt e/w each