zurich classic

off to louisiana this week for the tricky ZURICH CLASSIC, a tough test for a change for these lads as this course is long and has fairly tricky greens too; the rough isn't too bad though so still good chances for some low scoring but hopefully a truer test of decent ball-strikers and good putters

the prices don't really attract however and thus not much interest although there are a few who catch my eye at half-decent odds.. looking more to trade this week as good chance of some performances from triple-figure players perhaps

tentaive picks (ie small stakes probably!) >

peter HANSON > 55 is big enough for the perenially under-rated swede; in good form for a while and obviously put up a good effort at the masters - hopefully the jaunt to china won't affect him too much and he can do well here as his game is in good shape (on at 55 yesterday but 50 now)

hunter HAAS > could be a good longshot if he manages to avoid the killer 77s he often finds.. back into a bit of form and played ok here last year,  not a bad putter from long distance which should help here too - decent at 180 b/f (on at 180 although 150 or so now)

ernie ELS > 60 again looks decent for the big easy who may be relaxed again after his pursuit of a masters place - has been playing well and could be due a further good spell as has the long game for sure

last 2 pics are tentative as not too sure about them.. PIERCY at 100 is possible as he has the ability I feel and backed him last wk when he got close with a 65 but not close enough (dropped from 80 to 40 mid tourney), CHALMERS at 75 may not be long but has done well here and has a great neat game / also in better form and more confident after a good aussie summer

had thoughts about Crane (70) and Palmer (100) but will leave them for now

> not going with as big stakes as usual as this tournament has a real unknown feel about it and I will look daft when the top 5 is full of those at the top of the market probably! but happy with these mentioned above and definitely looking for good trades this week

trading > these all attract me for various reasons so will be looking for them to start well and provide some profit or a free bet at least

lamely 800 hunch bet purely! (now 870)
adams 450 always catches my eye and this price is big (down to 350 now)
mathis 310 off the back of a good effort last week (out to 380 now)
taylor 300 hunch bet and did well couple of wks back for me (230 now)
couch 450 should go well if he gets his (usually) good putting back on song (340 now)

* prices altered on b/f as I drafted this article yesterday

valero texas open

brief picks from me for this week's less than stellar event in texas... weak field and very open so plenty who could nick a maiden win here or surprise at decent odds - hard to call so smallish stakes this week... course is long and has undulating greens so no real bias at all other than for length and someone in form who can get it close enough to have a few birdie attempts - anyone short or wayward will consistently be relying on their short game to save par which is hard to do over 4 days

picks are >

PALMER > 40 isn't great for someone not in good form but have always liked Ryan Palmer as he can find a win from nowhere every now and again (3 tour wins 04 08 and 10, similar to kuchar who has 3 tour wins!) - texan lad so will presumably show up well as he has in the past in his home state; played ok at houston recently and being a good mid range putter he could find some form here and get in amongst them, happy to be on a proven winner at 40 

PIERCY > should do well on this course, won at reno-tahoe last yr which is similar so that bodes well, played well at houston and was 5th in the transitions, good long putter which will help here - decent shout at 80 

WALKER > local lad as lives here so no idea how often he may have plaed this track but should do better than usual with all the home town support - has had 3 top 10s already this yr but I'm wary that he did the same last yr before fading so hope he can maintain the form a bit longer this time > 55 Betfair is enough to tempt 

STADLER > in excellent recent form with 3 top 10s in last 4 events played, needs to improve like this or become a journeyman - overdue being in contention on a sunday and hope that recent run will continue here - good putter too, 50 on Betfair 

had few thoughts about Huh, Wagner and even Delaet (course suits but out of form) - WAGNER may get some interest from me as he is a proven winner and born in texas (another with 3 career wins) 

hyundai tournament of champions

the start of the 2012 US TOUR is the traditional curtain-raiser in Hawaii with the winners from last year event... starting FRI 6th JAN 2012

the course here at KAPALUA is long but has extremely wide fairways so you can get away with blasting it wildly off the tee; add to this some strong breezes which are common and you can make a mockery of the longer holes...

this should help the big hitters for sure although the greens are very large too so there will be a lot of lag putts required and good putting will as always help here

expect a winning score around the -20 mark as -6 or -7 will be about right for the leader of each round.. chuck in the odd par score and your winner will probably need to be notching about 36 birdies or so (+/- eagles)

a few picks for this opening week >

jonathan BYRD > he is the defending champ and also boasts a good record here with four top 15 finishes (albeit small fields) and nearly always shoots below par - may again take advantage of slow tour starters being the first event, also has good 3 putt 'avoidance' stats as well so isn't bad at all at nearly 30 price-wise > 29 Betfair

gary WOODLAND > could be a very big year for this strong young powerful athlete - popular this week too with his game looking suited and some good recent performances (imppressive in the end of year tourneys) - hits it  a huge distance and can score really well here too if he putts as well as he can; great chance to really move onwards and upwards in 2012 > 20 Betfair 

scott PIERCY > another blaster like woodland who hits it a long way and also goes for the birdies so therefore a good week beckons although he may be a bit outclassed in this field, odds tempt however so will dabble > 75 Betfair

bryce MOLDER > was ranked 3rd last season in the 'strokes gained putting' stat on PGA TOUR (and also 3 putt avoidance) and really finished the year well so perhaps this is a nice stepping stone for him on the upward path he seems capable of > 34 Betfair

some others worth noting > Brendan Steele > I have high hopes for Steele, the likeable Bill Haas should go well here and I also think Jonatthan Vegas will be worth watching here - basically most of the new young guns should enjoy it and although there may be 1 or 2 obvious mature players (Bubba perhaps) one of the above hopefully will fire enough birdies to take this... I'm avoiding the top of the market and looking for one of these 4 above and might trade the other guys if odds look decent and they are still within touch after a round or so

let's hope for a decent start and I'll use smaller stakes here as always wary of the first event although will count them as 1 LSP as usual for stats purposes

* looking to maintain last year's huge profits tip-wise! *

links >

pga tour.com guide to the course