Greetings
Be cognisant (why do the Yankees have to mess up the King’s English?) of the fact that today’s date only occurs every four years. It’s a big deal for Grandpas like me, who can raise a glass to their leapling descendants. Our Arthur (12, allegedly) is one of this exclusive group – there are less than 4 million leaplings around the globe. Cheers, Arthur!
The Champion is an old-fashioned par 71 golf course that provides players with some fearsome challenges: swirling Florida winds, water hazards around every corner and the infamous 17th hole, the ‘Bear Trap’, a par 3 that, over the years, has seen more par 3 triple bogeys than any other in the States. The name pays tribute to course redesigner Jack Nicklaus, the “Golden Bear”.Just 3 of the top twenty players in the Official World Golf Rankings will tee off this week. Each of them, Rory McIlroy, Matt Fitzpatrick and Tom Kim have been playing like Municipal Course hackers recently so we shall look elsewhere. To make our task easier, it has been noted that just 7 of the past nineteen tournament winners have been American. The two dominant stats in recent years, hitting greens in regulation and scrambling help to further narrow the search. But the biggest clue is the fact that most recent winners had played well in the event already. With all this in mind, here are my Big 5 selections for this tournament: (Name Odds-No of Places:)
- Byeong-Hun An 30/1-5p, 25/1-8p : The South Korean has been in sparkling form this year. He has posted good recent results, likes the course, and ticks all the stats boxes. There is nothing not to like.
- Stephan Jaeger 40/1-5p, 35/1-8p: Not proven on the course but his stats indicate that it will be right up the German’s street. He has secured a top 3 slot in 2 of his last three outings.
- Christiaane Bezuidenhout 50/1 gen: Excellent recent form and respectable course form. The South African is knocking on the door.
- Shane Lowry 45/1-5p, 33/1-8p: The big-hitting former Open Championship hero has been disappointing in recent times but this course lights the Irishman’s fire. He finished 2nd in 2022 and 5th last year.
- Rasmus Hojgaard 50/1 gen: A proper outlier with no course form but with fabulous recent results. The Dane is a winner waiting to happen.
Throw in previous winner Sepp Straka 40/1-5p, 356/1-8p, who comes to life here and stake 1 point each-way on all. Look out, after 54 holes, for Eric Cole 28/1, 2nd in this last year and ready for his maiden success.
Good Luck – Sandy Lane