Outright Plays - each .5u
Hudson Swafford - 37/1
Brendan Steele - 41/1
For those who follow along, you'll notice a couple familiar names above. Having not hosted a PGA Tour event, the Country Club of Jackson (down in Mississippi) will be new to most everyone. I say most because there is a local kid by the name of Jonathan Randolph, a rookie on Tour who, from what I have read, is an honorary member at the club. Def looking to fire probably a T10 on that kid. But for the most part the lack of familiarity with the course should even out an already rather 'evened out' playing field. I put it that way because we really have none of the 'big timers' here - as currently there are 45 of the Top 50 in the world playing the WGC-HSBC event in China. Should be a wide open event.
The types of things that I normally equate with 'course knowledge' are advantages in the short game area - scrambling and putting come to mind. It's why I feel like certain players play well at certain venues, take for instance Stricker at the John Deere. I don't believe that it has so much to do with Ball Striking as it does to do with a deep knowledge of the Greens. So the first thing that comes to my mind, when playing a relatively new course, is Ball Striking and Total Driving being more important that the short game - since really no one should have that 'knowledge' advantage. That is completely up to debate - but that's just how I feel.
Above we have 2 players who have started the year very well in those categories. Hudson is T19 in Total Driving and 10th in Ball striking, while Brendan is 30th and 37th respectively. They also are in good form as well, particularly Hudson who has gone 12,18,8 in his first 3 events of the year. Brendan has played in 2 events going 33,21.
There are a couple other names I am considering for the T5/10 markets, but still have yet to see prices. These include Scott Piercy, Tony Finau, and Peter Uihlein. As soon as I am able to check some lines out - I should have those posted asap. Unfortunately I am also waiting on the matches to be posted by 5d - as it appears the WGC event is taking more of their attention.
I know I mentioned the other event this week, and it will rightfully be the much more celebrated event this week with such a strong field, but I don't expect to make too many plays over there. I already have an idea on potentially 1 or 2 futures, and 1 Tournament Match, but I def expect to spend the majority of my time on the Sanderson Farms Champ. With such a strong field, and what should be an absolute shoot-out (last year DJ won at -24), I just sometimes find a difficult time getting a read on those type of events (as evidenced by me losing -16.3u on it last year). So I should have a full card on the 'lesser' event this week, with the odd play or 2 in China.
That's it for now folks. I hope we can all have a nice profitable week! Good luck everyone!
Back soon....
-LinksPicks