Preview & outright plays:
Who would want to be tournament director for the B.C. Open? In previous years it has fallen on the same week or the week before the Ryder Cup and since last year it has had a new home on the Tour schedule: the same week as the British Open! To make matters worse for this fated event, Hurricane Floyd created havoc with the first two rounds in 1999 and that was the last time the likes of Phil Mickelson and Tom Lehman would enter. In light of the mass withdrawals on Monday, the field has been reduced from 156 to 144.
But while the (fat) cats are away ... maybe there's the chance for one of the upcoming stars to gain that all-important Tour exemption that comes with victory. At least there is plenty of course form, though En-Joie did undergo a substantial overhaul after the 1996 event. At the start of the 1990s, Fred Couples and John Daly won this event, now it is the straights hitters and good putters that lead the way here. Narrowed fairways and small, raised greens confront the players this week. One player of note who is not here this week is the 1999 and 2000 champion, Brad Faxon. He did not have to suffer the ignominy of having to pre-qualify for the British Open this year, so he is elsewhere.
The three selections this week are definitely of the straight-hitting variety: Fred Funk, Jonathan Kaye and Jay Haas. Funk has not played since missing the cut at the rain-wrecked Buick Classic. That event can be ignored and he was in excellent form beforehand: top-20 finishes in his three events prior to the US Open and 44th in that event. He has a great record in this event. He lost to Faxon in a playoff for the title in 1999, his last visit, and won the event in 1996. His game is well-suited to this course and he should go close.
Kaye can also boast good form in this event and in recent weeks. He has finished in the top-20 in the last two years (4th in 1999) and closed with 65-67 over the weekend to jump to 18th at the Greater Milwaukee Open. A player with a decent all-round game, he looks a quality player in this field and this could be the week he makes that step up the Tour ladder and secures his maiden win. He has had three runners-up spots so far.
Finally, Jay Haas' form has been inspired of late, especially for someone only two years away from the Senior PGA Tour. He has finished in the top-20 in four of his last six Tour events and has not too far from the leaderboard in the other two. His resilience last week after claiming the 1st round lead cost me dear! He hasn't played this event since 1996, but he had two top-5 finishes in those last four visits and this could be a week to turn the clocks back for this veteran. Maybe even as far back as eight years to his last victory!
Outright plays:
Fred Funk to win 16/1 e.w. @
BetInternet or
NetBetSports
Jonathan Kaye to win 25/1 e.w. @
Surrey
Jay Haas to win 25/1 e.w. @
Victor Chandler
