Walking in Memphis
June 4th 2008 02:17
Golfdelerium is on a roll.
For the second week running I’ve come up with a winner plus a runner-up, so if you’re making money from my tips make sure you share the love …
Last week, at the Memorial Tournament I pointed out that Kenny Perry was in great form and had won twice at Muirfield in the past.
The Kentuckian delivered in style, coming from three shots back after the third round to haul in stumbling Matthew Goggin.
While it was a surprise to see Goggin up there on the leaderboard, in some ways it shouldn’t have been because it’s a course where Aussies continually play well.
Over in Europe, how unlucky is Robert Karlsson. Since his top-10 finish at the Masters, the big Swede has finished 3rd, 3rd, 3rd and 2nd.
His next start will be the US Open and it would be no surprise to see him among the leaders.
He was my best result at the Wales Open and despite a final round of 64 he couldn’t reel in runaway Australian winner Scott Strange, who lived up to his name by being one of the least well-known winners on a major tour this year.
I also tipped Nick Dougherty, who finished top-10.
But that was last week and what you want to know is who to back this week.
Well, the PGA Tour stops at Memphis, which, it’s fair to say, has been David Toms’ favourite course over the past five years. He’s had two wins, a second and third in that time and with his game returning to somewhere near his best he’s a great hope.
After him, there’s a raft of contenders but in the end I’ve gone for form. Stephen Ames, Tim Clark and Brian Gay have all been in good nick recent weeks and are among the top picks. South African Clark in particular deserves a win and this course will suit him.
For a fifth selection I’ve gone for an outsider in Englishman Brian Davis. He’s been a journeyman pro for 14 years but was second at this tournament this year and besides, this venue has a habit of delivering victory to guys who have been around for while – like Woody Austin (2007), Jeff Maggert (2006) and Justin Leonard (2005). To win at Memphis you need to be sure of your game.
For that reason, I’d also be remiss not to mention Robert Allenby as a contender but he’s been in good form a while and hasn’t delivered so I’ll risk him.
In Europe, it’s almost a lottery at the Austria Open, although I’m betting on Aussies making two wins in a row in Europe – I expect Richard Green to back up his win last year with another victory.
It’s a weak field, Green is in reasonable form and he loves this course.
Another who loves competing here is Austrian Markus Brier, while Stephen Jeppesen is a roughie who always excels on this circuit.
The other guys I like are rotund Irishman Gary Murphy, another who likes this course and has been threatening to win something for years.
And Italian Francesco Molinari is in top nick and likes to go low, which you have to do at this tournament.
So in summary:
US PGA: David Toms, Stephen Ames, Tim Clark, Brian Gay, Brian Davis.
Europe: Richard Green, Markus Brier, Gary Murphy, Steven Jeppesen, Francesco Molinari.
And finally, a long range tip for the US Open. On the basis Tiger’s knee’s not quite right and Phil can’t find his range with the driver, I’m going with Englishman Luke Donald.
Until next week.
For the second week running I’ve come up with a winner plus a runner-up, so if you’re making money from my tips make sure you share the love …
Last week, at the Memorial Tournament I pointed out that Kenny Perry was in great form and had won twice at Muirfield in the past.
The Kentuckian delivered in style, coming from three shots back after the third round to haul in stumbling Matthew Goggin.
While it was a surprise to see Goggin up there on the leaderboard, in some ways it shouldn’t have been because it’s a course where Aussies continually play well.
Over in Europe, how unlucky is Robert Karlsson. Since his top-10 finish at the Masters, the big Swede has finished 3rd, 3rd, 3rd and 2nd.
His next start will be the US Open and it would be no surprise to see him among the leaders.
He was my best result at the Wales Open and despite a final round of 64 he couldn’t reel in runaway Australian winner Scott Strange, who lived up to his name by being one of the least well-known winners on a major tour this year.
I also tipped Nick Dougherty, who finished top-10.
But that was last week and what you want to know is who to back this week.
Well, the PGA Tour stops at Memphis, which, it’s fair to say, has been David Toms’ favourite course over the past five years. He’s had two wins, a second and third in that time and with his game returning to somewhere near his best he’s a great hope.
After him, there’s a raft of contenders but in the end I’ve gone for form. Stephen Ames, Tim Clark and Brian Gay have all been in good nick recent weeks and are among the top picks. South African Clark in particular deserves a win and this course will suit him.
For a fifth selection I’ve gone for an outsider in Englishman Brian Davis. He’s been a journeyman pro for 14 years but was second at this tournament this year and besides, this venue has a habit of delivering victory to guys who have been around for while – like Woody Austin (2007), Jeff Maggert (2006) and Justin Leonard (2005). To win at Memphis you need to be sure of your game.
For that reason, I’d also be remiss not to mention Robert Allenby as a contender but he’s been in good form a while and hasn’t delivered so I’ll risk him.
In Europe, it’s almost a lottery at the Austria Open, although I’m betting on Aussies making two wins in a row in Europe – I expect Richard Green to back up his win last year with another victory.
It’s a weak field, Green is in reasonable form and he loves this course.
Another who loves competing here is Austrian Markus Brier, while Stephen Jeppesen is a roughie who always excels on this circuit.
The other guys I like are rotund Irishman Gary Murphy, another who likes this course and has been threatening to win something for years.
And Italian Francesco Molinari is in top nick and likes to go low, which you have to do at this tournament.
So in summary:
US PGA: David Toms, Stephen Ames, Tim Clark, Brian Gay, Brian Davis.
Europe: Richard Green, Markus Brier, Gary Murphy, Steven Jeppesen, Francesco Molinari.
And finally, a long range tip for the US Open. On the basis Tiger’s knee’s not quite right and Phil can’t find his range with the driver, I’m going with Englishman Luke Donald.
Until next week.
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