Outright plays (1.5pts):
Tim Herron to win 25/1 e.w. @ Sportingbet, Sporting Odds, Paddy Power and Victor Chandler
Should really avoid people who played at the weekend given the brutal nature of the course, or rather, the greens. But Herron was never in contention and outplayed his partner, Tiger Woods, in the final round. It was his fourth top-20 in five starts and that includes two top-5 finishes last month. Having finished in the top-10 in 2000 and 2001 here, he has shown that he can master this course and is in the form to do so again.
Tim Clark to win 33/1 e.w. @ Victor Chandler
Committing the same error here. Clark came from nowhere last week with a 3rd round 66, but was realistically still out of contention with one round to play. He finished alongside Herron in 13th place and like Herron, this was just the latest result in a run of good form: his third top-15 in three four starts. He had a top-20 finish on his debut at Avenel two years ago, so unless the fatigue factor from Shinnecock Hills is too severe, he should also continue his good form on this course.
Luke Donald to win 33/1 e.w. @ Victor Chandler
On much firmer ground here with Donald who did not qualify for last week's event. But on his last outing two weeks ago, he finished 7th and that was his 7th top-20 finish in 15 starts this year. He almost gained his second Tour victory when he lost to John Daly in the playoff for the Buick Invitational in February and could certainly make amends this week. He has played this course previously and he completes a trio of players in good form who match the criteria for success around Avenel - good at hitting greens in regulation, but not necessarily good putters given the very small size of the greens.
Tim Herron to win 25/1 e.w. @ Sportingbet, Sporting Odds, Paddy Power and Victor Chandler
Should really avoid people who played at the weekend given the brutal nature of the course, or rather, the greens. But Herron was never in contention and outplayed his partner, Tiger Woods, in the final round. It was his fourth top-20 in five starts and that includes two top-5 finishes last month. Having finished in the top-10 in 2000 and 2001 here, he has shown that he can master this course and is in the form to do so again.
Tim Clark to win 33/1 e.w. @ Victor Chandler
Committing the same error here. Clark came from nowhere last week with a 3rd round 66, but was realistically still out of contention with one round to play. He finished alongside Herron in 13th place and like Herron, this was just the latest result in a run of good form: his third top-15 in three four starts. He had a top-20 finish on his debut at Avenel two years ago, so unless the fatigue factor from Shinnecock Hills is too severe, he should also continue his good form on this course.
Luke Donald to win 33/1 e.w. @ Victor Chandler
On much firmer ground here with Donald who did not qualify for last week's event. But on his last outing two weeks ago, he finished 7th and that was his 7th top-20 finish in 15 starts this year. He almost gained his second Tour victory when he lost to John Daly in the playoff for the Buick Invitational in February and could certainly make amends this week. He has played this course previously and he completes a trio of players in good form who match the criteria for success around Avenel - good at hitting greens in regulation, but not necessarily good putters given the very small size of the greens.
