The last of the three Buick-sponsored PGA Tour events boasts a better field than in recent weeks with the likes of David Duval, Davis Love and Nick Price on view this week. That said, Duval has not played since the British Open, and Love and Price have been struggling with their game in recent months. However Duval and Love have local connections this week. Love is a Georgia resident with an excellent record in this event - three top-3 finishes in the last four years - and Duval spent his student days at Georgia Tech and has been in the top-10 in his last two visits. If we add Stewart Cink to the list as a Georgia resident, his three top-10 finishes in his last four visits suggests that like last week at the Texas Open, it is the local boys who play well in the Southern states.
One reason may be Bermuda grass greens which are on offer this week and are much more common in the South, but climactic differences also come into play. As La Cantera, Callaway Gardens is rather hilly with much made of the narrow fairways which helps to explain the strong showings of Fred Funk and Jeff Maggert here. However, the course compatibility stats suggest [see website for tables] that is very much a course for the ball-strikers, the greens in regulation specialists. With the last three winners being David Toms, Steve Elkington and Davis Love, that conclusion is reinforced.
It is David Duval who tops my ratings this week, but is unlikely to be a selection to win this event. Dependent on tee-times, odds of about 9/1 would be the benchmark for Duval this week, he will surely be too rusty to be competitive at this level. Similarly, concerns over Love's current form would make him a risky selection unless odds of 14/1 were available. Instead the player with the local connections and the best value is likely to be Franklin Langham. Previous performances can be ignored to some extent for he is a revelation this year. He has finished in the top-10 in six of his last seven tournaments and this would be his pinnacle of his late-season efforts.
Two others to look for will be Chris Perry and David Toms. 4th best in the field in greens in regulation and 15th in driving accuracy and putting average, Perry has the complete game to challenge every week. 2nd twice in his last four events and with a decent record in this event - he has never missed the cut in eleven years - he looks a good value contender. The same can be said for Toms who as defending champion is rather surprising to be quoted at 35/1 by LVSC. Another good ball-striker, he has consistently played well in the South and has shown over the past few months that he certainly capable of holding on to the trophy.
As ever, the final outright plays will not be made until the tee-times are known. Will have matchup plays tomorrow.
One reason may be Bermuda grass greens which are on offer this week and are much more common in the South, but climactic differences also come into play. As La Cantera, Callaway Gardens is rather hilly with much made of the narrow fairways which helps to explain the strong showings of Fred Funk and Jeff Maggert here. However, the course compatibility stats suggest [see website for tables] that is very much a course for the ball-strikers, the greens in regulation specialists. With the last three winners being David Toms, Steve Elkington and Davis Love, that conclusion is reinforced.
It is David Duval who tops my ratings this week, but is unlikely to be a selection to win this event. Dependent on tee-times, odds of about 9/1 would be the benchmark for Duval this week, he will surely be too rusty to be competitive at this level. Similarly, concerns over Love's current form would make him a risky selection unless odds of 14/1 were available. Instead the player with the local connections and the best value is likely to be Franklin Langham. Previous performances can be ignored to some extent for he is a revelation this year. He has finished in the top-10 in six of his last seven tournaments and this would be his pinnacle of his late-season efforts.
Two others to look for will be Chris Perry and David Toms. 4th best in the field in greens in regulation and 15th in driving accuracy and putting average, Perry has the complete game to challenge every week. 2nd twice in his last four events and with a decent record in this event - he has never missed the cut in eleven years - he looks a good value contender. The same can be said for Toms who as defending champion is rather surprising to be quoted at 35/1 by LVSC. Another good ball-striker, he has consistently played well in the South and has shown over the past few months that he certainly capable of holding on to the trophy.
As ever, the final outright plays will not be made until the tee-times are known. Will have matchup plays tomorrow.
