Outright plays (total stake per play: 1.5pts)
Trevor Immelman to win 40/1 e.w. @ BetInternet, Bet365 and BetFred
Looking for Immelman to continue his form this week. There were fears that it might not return after he took five weeks out, during which time his first child was born, but his 5th place finish in the Canadian Open was just as good as his earlier form which saw him claim the Western Open. He had struggled tee-to-green on his return, but ranked 4th in greens in regulation around the tight Hamilton course. And while no-one has played this week's course, it is supposed to be reminiscent of Wentworth and Immelman has recorded finishes of 2nd and 6th around that course in the last four years. With the added advantage of living in Richmond and so being to commute to this event, there should be a lot that is familiar to Immelman and it may even be a return to the winner's circle.
Stewart Cink to win 40/1 e.w. available generally
Two years ago, Cink was a member of the American Ryder Cup team that lost 18-5-9.5 to the European at Oakland Hills. On that occasion to reacted to the embarrassment by finishing 2nd the following week in the 84 Lumber Classic. Two other members of the American team also played that week and they responded in the same manner: Chris DiMarco finished 3rd and David Toms finished 25th. After a repeat of that result last week, I'm expecting a similar response from some from those Americans who are not still shell-shocked. And Cink fits the bill perfectly. Even though he played in all matches, he only lost once and was in pristine form in beating Sergio Garcia 4&3 in the singles. And it was no fluke: he had finished in the top-5 in four of his last seven PGA Tour events and came so very close to defeating Tiger in the last WGC event. I don't think fatigue is an issue with Cink this week and this is a very good price.
Ian Poulter to win 40/1 e.w. available generally
After Henrik Stenson took away the fairy-tale ending of Darren Clarke holing the putt to win the Ryder Cup, there has been a resurfacing of the debate over whether it was Monty or really Poulter that sank the winning putt in 2004. It can only add to his desire to outperform the Ryder Cup players once again, as he did when winning the Open de Madrid two weeks ago. Together with the desire is a good record on these types of courses. The Grove has been likened to classic English courses such as Wentworth, on which he has a poor record, but also to Woburn, to which he is attached and where he has played well on the Marquess course, and the Forest of Arden, where he has a particularly good record. Both those courses are close to his home in Milton Keynes and, like Immelman, he will be able to travel from home to this weeks' course and enjoy the benefits that that brings. I wouldn't want to go lower than 40/1 in this field, but Poulter should be a player a back the week after the Ryder Cup and close to home.
Trevor Immelman to win 40/1 e.w. @ BetInternet, Bet365 and BetFred
Looking for Immelman to continue his form this week. There were fears that it might not return after he took five weeks out, during which time his first child was born, but his 5th place finish in the Canadian Open was just as good as his earlier form which saw him claim the Western Open. He had struggled tee-to-green on his return, but ranked 4th in greens in regulation around the tight Hamilton course. And while no-one has played this week's course, it is supposed to be reminiscent of Wentworth and Immelman has recorded finishes of 2nd and 6th around that course in the last four years. With the added advantage of living in Richmond and so being to commute to this event, there should be a lot that is familiar to Immelman and it may even be a return to the winner's circle.
Stewart Cink to win 40/1 e.w. available generally
Two years ago, Cink was a member of the American Ryder Cup team that lost 18-5-9.5 to the European at Oakland Hills. On that occasion to reacted to the embarrassment by finishing 2nd the following week in the 84 Lumber Classic. Two other members of the American team also played that week and they responded in the same manner: Chris DiMarco finished 3rd and David Toms finished 25th. After a repeat of that result last week, I'm expecting a similar response from some from those Americans who are not still shell-shocked. And Cink fits the bill perfectly. Even though he played in all matches, he only lost once and was in pristine form in beating Sergio Garcia 4&3 in the singles. And it was no fluke: he had finished in the top-5 in four of his last seven PGA Tour events and came so very close to defeating Tiger in the last WGC event. I don't think fatigue is an issue with Cink this week and this is a very good price.
Ian Poulter to win 40/1 e.w. available generally
After Henrik Stenson took away the fairy-tale ending of Darren Clarke holing the putt to win the Ryder Cup, there has been a resurfacing of the debate over whether it was Monty or really Poulter that sank the winning putt in 2004. It can only add to his desire to outperform the Ryder Cup players once again, as he did when winning the Open de Madrid two weeks ago. Together with the desire is a good record on these types of courses. The Grove has been likened to classic English courses such as Wentworth, on which he has a poor record, but also to Woburn, to which he is attached and where he has played well on the Marquess course, and the Forest of Arden, where he has a particularly good record. Both those courses are close to his home in Milton Keynes and, like Immelman, he will be able to travel from home to this weeks' course and enjoy the benefits that that brings. I wouldn't want to go lower than 40/1 in this field, but Poulter should be a player a back the week after the Ryder Cup and close to home.
