The PGA tour stays in Cali this week and its the Northern Trust Open at the Riviera cc,Los Angeles.It's a par 71 course over 7298 yards with three par 5's.This course does not usually play too easily and was ranked 20(out of 52)in difficulty on the PGA tour in 2010.
The course...quote"This is an old fashioned test of golf,requiring players to position their tee shots well,move the ball both ways in the air and keep out of trouble.The bentgrass greens are smaller than average and have subtle contours" Course knowledge and a few years on the clock are advantages at Riviera it seems...With rain forcast for most of the week,length from the tee might be important aswell as players who find plenty of greens in regulation.
Last year Steve Stricker scored -16 to win by two shots from Luke Donald.Phil Mickelson won this in 2008 and again in 2009 with Stricker coming 2nd so both have a liking for the course.I always have a liking for Fred Couples on this course as has a great record here also but because of forcast rain will wait till the weekend to see how he's doing!!Wont be backing the two market principles Mickelson and Stricker as their prices are to short,so my picks this week will be Dustin Johnson,Anthony Kim,Robert Karlsson and Rory Sabbatini.
Dustin Johnson(22/1 brucebetting)Had a bad week at Pebble Beach but because of that he's a huge price @22/1.Firstly,he has course form:His debut at this course was T54th,T10th in 2009 and T3rd last year,hopefully can keep progressing this year!!Just read a quote from DJ about the course after playing here last year"I just like the setup of it,its always in good shape,it really fits my eye well,the greens are really good here,its just a fun course to play"Great to read that and makes DJ my top tip for this week.
Anthony Kim(40/1 paddypower)AK is the local boy this week playing infront of his home fans.Did'ent play last week at Pebble and missed the cut at Phoenix which was a surprise but before that has a T19th,T13th,T6th.That run of form has shown that the largely talented Kim has recovered from the thumb
surgery he had last year.In the Farmers Insurance at Torrey Pines Kim led the field in putting stats and if he can get hot with the putter at Riviera i think he can contend as he did on his debut here when T9th.Has won 3 times on the PGA tour and just like DJ because of a bad tournament previous we can get overpriced odds:)
Robert Karlsson(50/1 ladbrokes)Playing on the US tour this year and funnily enough is known as a rookie!!Has played ryder cup golf and picked upthe European tour order of merit.He comes to the U.S off the back of a win in November in Dubai and a 5th and 6th place finish in Europe in January and start of Febuary.Has played in the U.S before,got beaten in a playoff last year at the St Jude Classic which is a similar course.Great ball striker and great putter,would not be a surprise to see him go well.
Rory Sabbatini(66/1 paddypower)Going to persist with Rory as had backed him last week at pebble where he finished 15th.Was a winner here at Riviera back in 2006,also great efforts in 2009(6th) 2007(9th) 2002(2nd).In great form at the moment 22nd,13th and 15th at pebble(10th in driving distance)..ranking high in the total birdie stats at the moment too so the 66/1 looks a good price!!
Another few names to throw in because of course form and recent form are JB Holmes,Luke Donald,Andres Romero.
BEST OF LUCK!!!
No comments:
Post a Comment