Preview & outright plays:
The Tour moves to New Orleans this week for the Compaq Classic and a good quality field is on view as well. Five of the top-10 in the world ranking tee it up at English Turn and maybe the event's history of producing first-time winners may change. This is largely the result of scheduling: largely because it was the pre-Masters event, it was consistently ignored by the top players. The change of schedule two years ago is beginning to erase that.
As with any Jack Nicklaus designed course, there is an emphasis on length and an ability to hit a high ball, the importance of which was increased with the later staging of the event. However, the Bermuda greens are rather small and being difficult to hold when the course is playing fast and running, a good short game is vital as well. With the distinction of being the only PGA Tour course to feature water on every hole and having two of the hardest holes on Tour in the 17th and 18th, this is an excellent test of golf.
The three selections this week are Phil Mickelson, Scott Hoch and Steve Flesch. In an event in which infrequent visitors play well, the Mickelson fits the bill in that respect as well. In his only appearance, he finished 17th last year and has the basic game for a Nicklaus course: a high draw for a lefty. His deftness around the green will be called upon this week and having been rested since the Masters, he should be a strong contender this week and is tipped to win outright.
The other two plays are simply to finish in the top-4 and despite last week, that is justifiable on the basis of nerve! Scott Hoch and Steve Flesch are the two players concerned. Hoch is a former winner of this event - 19 years ago - and has an extremely consistent record on this course. He has played here seven times in the last ten years and his worst finish has been 21st! He comes off a win last week and so it would be too much to expect him to repeat the feat, but another good showing is expected and place-only is the play.
Steve Flesch has just a remarkable a record at English Turn as Hoch. He has played here three times and has finished 6th, 2nd, 2nd, with every round under par! He comes here off an inspired 63 to finish 7th in the WorldCom Classic three weeks ago and will be relishing the return to his most successful event. He is yet to win a PGA Tour event and has shown enough fragility down the stretch to ensure that the place-only play is the best angle this week.
Outright plays:
Phil Mickelson to win 9/1 @
Easybets
Scott Hoch to finish in the top-four 7/1 @
Olympic
Steve Flesch to finish in the top-four 10/1 @
Olympic
