STRICK(er) the pick in BMW Championships

The third stage of the FedEx Cup play-off series gets underway this Thursday from Conway Farms. The event features 70 qualifiers with the top 30 in the standings after this event booking their place in the finale in Georgia, the Tour Championship. Bookmakers make Tiger Woods the 6/1 (GENERAL) favourite as he has a good record in Illinois (where this event is being played) winning seven times from 16 starts. That being said he was a poor tied 65th two weeks ago in the Deutsche Bank and he tends to do most of his winning in courses he knows well and this is a course he has never played before.

Henrik Stenson (GENERAL) and Adam Scott (ladbrokes) are both 14/1 chances for victory. The former is the form player of the moment and landed the win at the Deutsche Bank to cap a run of remarkable form of late. The Swede is likely to be in the mix again here as is Scott. The Australian Scott is also having a good season though a finish of 53rd last time out is a little worrying for those wishing to side with him.

The value looks like being on Steve Stricker at 22/1 (GENERAL) as he has finished no lower than 13th from his last five starts including runner-up in the Deutsche Bank. The American has looked a new player since deciding to go part-time and just play selected tournaments. His record in Illinois is excellent with three wins in the John Deere Classic at TPC Deere Run. Finally, his record towards the end of the year tends to be excellent so much so that his nickname on the tour is often ’Mr September.’

Those looking for a player at a bigger price might want to consider Patrick Reed who is one of the few with course experience. The Wyndham Championship winner played here twice as an amateur player winning the 2006 Cannon Cup and making the semi-finals of the 2009 Western Amateur. This course advantage could prove invaluable and those who want to back him each-way can do so at 150/1 (GENERAL) or 10/1 (GENERAL) to finish in the top ten.

The featured event on the European Tour is the KLM Open from the Netherlands. The event moves from the Hilversumche Golf Club that has been the home for three years back to the Kennemer Golf and Country Club that hosted the event between 2006 and 2009.

Ross Fisher and Simon Dyson both are former winners with Fisher claiming the trophy at this course in 2007 while Dyson won here in 2006 and has gone on to win the title on two more occasions (2009/2011). Fisher is the 16/1 (GENERAL) favourite and is in decent form after tying for fifth last weekend he has to be respected as does Dyson though I think neither represent great value.

Joost Luiten comes next in the betting at 20/1 (GENERAL) and he finished runner-up here as an amateur in 2007 and local fans will hope the Dutchman can go one better this year. He has a win to his name in Austria on the Tour this year though did not play well last week and looks a little short to me in an event where the pressure will be on.

I am going to take a punt on Peter Hedblom at a large price in the each-way market. SPREADEX are offering 250/1 on the Swede which seems generous as he came tied for second here in 2009. Hedblom has not had a great year but he did show signs of form when coming tied for 26th at the Handa Wales Open including an excellent round of 66.

BEST OF THE BETS

GOLD: Steve Stricker, EW in BMW Championships, 22/1 (GENERAL)
SILVER: Patrick Reed to finish top ten in BMW Championships, 10/1 (GENERAL)
BRONZE: Peter Hedblom, EW in KLM Open, 250/1 (SPREADEX)

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12/09/2013     © Frixo 2024