Well done Phil from everybody who got their free Callaways! Can we move on before we have to run pictures of Amy and the kids?
Hilton Head is a golf course that has two claims to fame. Firstly, it's on every golf computer game (well both the ones that we play anyway) and secondly it's the venue for the tournament after the Masters. Not the hugest claims to fame admittedly, but it's definitely a few notches up from the local muni.
The MCI Heritage, now known as the Verizon heritage is a graveyard for Masters form. Won last year by Peter Lonard, it's a seaside links type course, short and featuring small greens. It's as far from Augusta as it's possible to get. Understandably, therefore, it's very rare for players to carry their form through from the Masters and in our tipping this week, we'll run the risk of completely ignoring Tim Clark, Jose Maria and tournament favourite Ernie Els.
We're looking for someone who is fresh, can play well on tight courses that reward good iron play and has a track record on seaside links.
First up on our list to consider is Brian Davis. Known for his silky smooth and enviable swing, his first tournament win many, many years ago was the Jersey Open and serving his apprenticeship in Europe before (lest we forget) winning Tour school last year, he's got the all round ball striking skills. Sure he's one of our favourites, but he'll have enjoyed the recent easy schedule and with no Tiger or Phil, well hey! We think that this is Brian's type of course and we love the 250/1 that's on offer with Betfair.
Talking of tour school winners, we reckon that J B Holmes is a great bet when the big boys are having a rest. JB missed out on the Masters and again the rest can only have done him some good. It's his first year on tour, so he's got no obvious course history, but as we all know, he has won already, streeting the field at the FBR open, having finished 10th in the wind at Hawaii on his first tour start. He's scond in driving distance, which on a short course means he'll be hitting very short irons into most of the par fours. We're convinced he's a star in the making and this is a great week to be getting a three figure quote on his chances.
Our final choice in this furiously tough week is another player with form on the board who failed to get a go at Augusta. Nathan Green has also won already this year and boasts plenty of form from his Aussie tour days of windy links golf. He grew up playing the tough NSW coastal courses and now that he's dicovered the secret of putting (he leads the tour putting stats as we write) he's too good to overlook at 100/1 plus. We caddied in a three ball with him last year and can report that he's a very solid, "fairways and greens" man.
Let's be honest, it's a lottery, but with all three paying well over 100/1 it's a good chance for some fun bets. We probably favour JB, but back all three and hope they last longer than Daly.
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