Preview & plays ...
Three years ago John Huston set a PGA Tour record of 28-under-par for this event. Changes were forthcoming, but they were largely cosmetic. The tees were brought forward at the first and 17th holes to make them par-fours instead of par-fives. Fairways were allegedly narrowed considerably, but it made little difference to scoring. After the winds had blown Jeff Sluman to victory in 1999, Paul Azinger won this event last year, completing the 72-holes in just one shot more than Huston had done in 1998. Accuracy is more important than length off the tee, but the crucial aspect at Waialae is the Bermuda greens. Time and again, good putters and especially good Bermuda green putters have performed well at Waialae.
The outright picks for this event reflect that preference for accuracy over length and for Bermuda over Bentgrass. The first is the single-figure favorite for this event Ernie Els. The 'Big Easy' wins events on tight courses and this is tighter than the average course, but Els' best part of his game, statistically, is his putting and he is well-accustomed to the grainy Bermuda greens on offer this week. He may have looked a little rusty in Melbourne, but for nine holes last Saturday afternoon, he was in a different class to the rest of the field. He can build on that and certainly improve on his debut 5th place here last year.
Ahead of him last year was John Huston in 3rd place. The tightening of the course was supposed to counter Huston's game of 1998, but it seemed to make no difference as he showed last year. All six of his Tour wins have been on Bermuda greens and with a good close to last week's event where he finished 5th, his event should be very high on his list of season priorities.
The final pick is Texan Jeff Maggert who boasts five top-10 finishes in his nine visits to this course. Even before the course was tightened he was performing well here, but since the changes were made he has finished 2nd and 9th last year. For a player who has had difficulties with his game over the last couples of years despite winning the WGC Matchplay in 1999, that is quite a performance. Like the others, he is more accurate than long, better on Bermuda than Bentgrass and comes off a top-10 finish last week. Looks a decent play for a top-5 finish.
Outright plays:
Ernie Els to win 8/1 @ First Stake [same @ Easybets]
John Huston to win 25/1 e/w @ DAS
Jeff Maggert to win 50/1 e/w @ Surrey
ag, first time we've had spread betting plays posted here. Very welcome
They certainly make the viewing more exciting! Can't say I agree with you about Azinger though. I would say he'll finish top-10 here and it is very unlikely he will miss the cut or finish 50th or below; there was no evidence of that at the Mercedes last week. However I do agree you on Begay. Opposed him myself last week for two very rare wins this year so far
Three years ago John Huston set a PGA Tour record of 28-under-par for this event. Changes were forthcoming, but they were largely cosmetic. The tees were brought forward at the first and 17th holes to make them par-fours instead of par-fives. Fairways were allegedly narrowed considerably, but it made little difference to scoring. After the winds had blown Jeff Sluman to victory in 1999, Paul Azinger won this event last year, completing the 72-holes in just one shot more than Huston had done in 1998. Accuracy is more important than length off the tee, but the crucial aspect at Waialae is the Bermuda greens. Time and again, good putters and especially good Bermuda green putters have performed well at Waialae.
The outright picks for this event reflect that preference for accuracy over length and for Bermuda over Bentgrass. The first is the single-figure favorite for this event Ernie Els. The 'Big Easy' wins events on tight courses and this is tighter than the average course, but Els' best part of his game, statistically, is his putting and he is well-accustomed to the grainy Bermuda greens on offer this week. He may have looked a little rusty in Melbourne, but for nine holes last Saturday afternoon, he was in a different class to the rest of the field. He can build on that and certainly improve on his debut 5th place here last year.
Ahead of him last year was John Huston in 3rd place. The tightening of the course was supposed to counter Huston's game of 1998, but it seemed to make no difference as he showed last year. All six of his Tour wins have been on Bermuda greens and with a good close to last week's event where he finished 5th, his event should be very high on his list of season priorities.
The final pick is Texan Jeff Maggert who boasts five top-10 finishes in his nine visits to this course. Even before the course was tightened he was performing well here, but since the changes were made he has finished 2nd and 9th last year. For a player who has had difficulties with his game over the last couples of years despite winning the WGC Matchplay in 1999, that is quite a performance. Like the others, he is more accurate than long, better on Bermuda than Bentgrass and comes off a top-10 finish last week. Looks a decent play for a top-5 finish.
Outright plays:
Ernie Els to win 8/1 @ First Stake [same @ Easybets]
John Huston to win 25/1 e/w @ DAS
Jeff Maggert to win 50/1 e/w @ Surrey
ag, first time we've had spread betting plays posted here. Very welcome
