Outright plays (total stake per play: 1.5pts)
Jonathan Byrd to win 25/1 e.w. available generally
Looking for a good reaction to being pulled up for 'building a stance' in the bunker on the 9th hole yesterday. That demoted him from solo 3rd place to a five-way tie for 5th and the loss of a lot of money. Of course, he had higher aspirations earlier in the day as he did hold the lead during the final round, but it was still a very encouraging performance. And now that he returns to a course on which he has shot par or better in all 12 previous rounds, he looks an obvious candidate this week. Not great odds, but a likely candidate anyway.
K.J. Choi to win 33/1 e.w. @ BetInternet, Victor Chandler and BetFred
Slightly better odds on Choi who finished 7th in his previous visit in 2004 and comes into the event in good form. In his last three Tour events, he has finished 9th (U.S. Bank Championship), 7th (PGA Championship) despite being 82nd after the 1st round and 22nd (Bridgestone Invitational) despite being 63rd after the 1st round. All these events have been against very much tougher opposition and if he can dispense with the slow start, he should be in contention on Sunday.
Craig Barlow to finish in the top-five 14/1 @ BetFred and BetDirect
Siding with the place-only play on Barlow and 14/1 looks more than fair. A year ago, he entered the final round in 2nd place and after birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes, he held a share of the lead with Jason Gore. In the end, he was 4-over-par for his last eight holes and finished 13th, but he had been in the thick of contention. He had similarly been in contention in 2003, shooting every round under 70 and finishing 8th. So with two top-5 finishes from 19 starts this year and strong performances in the Buick Open, the International and the Reno-Tahoe Open in the last month, he looks decent value for a top-5 finish around this course.
Jonathan Byrd to win 25/1 e.w. available generally
Looking for a good reaction to being pulled up for 'building a stance' in the bunker on the 9th hole yesterday. That demoted him from solo 3rd place to a five-way tie for 5th and the loss of a lot of money. Of course, he had higher aspirations earlier in the day as he did hold the lead during the final round, but it was still a very encouraging performance. And now that he returns to a course on which he has shot par or better in all 12 previous rounds, he looks an obvious candidate this week. Not great odds, but a likely candidate anyway.
K.J. Choi to win 33/1 e.w. @ BetInternet, Victor Chandler and BetFred
Slightly better odds on Choi who finished 7th in his previous visit in 2004 and comes into the event in good form. In his last three Tour events, he has finished 9th (U.S. Bank Championship), 7th (PGA Championship) despite being 82nd after the 1st round and 22nd (Bridgestone Invitational) despite being 63rd after the 1st round. All these events have been against very much tougher opposition and if he can dispense with the slow start, he should be in contention on Sunday.
Craig Barlow to finish in the top-five 14/1 @ BetFred and BetDirect
Siding with the place-only play on Barlow and 14/1 looks more than fair. A year ago, he entered the final round in 2nd place and after birdies at the 2nd and 3rd holes, he held a share of the lead with Jason Gore. In the end, he was 4-over-par for his last eight holes and finished 13th, but he had been in the thick of contention. He had similarly been in contention in 2003, shooting every round under 70 and finishing 8th. So with two top-5 finishes from 19 starts this year and strong performances in the Buick Open, the International and the Reno-Tahoe Open in the last month, he looks decent value for a top-5 finish around this course.
