Outright plays (1 unit):
Nick Price to win 14/1 e.w. @ Sportingbet, Sporting Odds, BetInternet and UKBetting
Few can match Price's form or course history this week and so is a straightforward selection. He has failed to repeat his return to the winner's circle of 2002, but he has come very close this term. He has finished in the top-5 in three of his last four events and these have been against much stronger fields, particularly the U.S. Open. Twice a winner in this event in the past ten years, he will certainly fancy his chances this week.
Jay Haas to finish in the top-five 8/1 @ SkyBet
The last two are hardly proven winners, so taking the place-only option instead. It has been ten years since Haas last won on the PGA Tour, but eleven years ago he did win this event. He has finished in the top-20 in each of the last three season, a feat that he has achieved in nine of the fourteen years that this event has been held at Southwind. He has come very close to breaking that run this year with 2nd place finishes in the Bob Hope Classic and the Players Championship, so he is still competitive and improved in every round last week to finish 6th against a much stronger field. He is as low as 20/1 in places and looks good to at least contend this week.
Tim Petrovic to finish in the top-five 10/1 @ SkyBet
Petrovic certainly contended last year. He was the first-round leader and remained with the leaders throughout, only to be denied by a charging Len Mattiace in the final round. He finished one shot back in 2nd place, which is a problem he has had in the last few years. He finished 2nd, 2nd and 3rd in consecutive events on the Nationwide Tour in 2001 and has had two top-five finishes this year (Phoenix Open and Ford Open). Despite last week's missed cut, he has shown good form since the Wachovia Championship in May, including a 15th place finish in the U.S. Open two weeks ago. Looks unlikely to win, but certainly capable of repeating last year's performance.
Nick Price to win 14/1 e.w. @ Sportingbet, Sporting Odds, BetInternet and UKBetting
Few can match Price's form or course history this week and so is a straightforward selection. He has failed to repeat his return to the winner's circle of 2002, but he has come very close this term. He has finished in the top-5 in three of his last four events and these have been against much stronger fields, particularly the U.S. Open. Twice a winner in this event in the past ten years, he will certainly fancy his chances this week.
Jay Haas to finish in the top-five 8/1 @ SkyBet
The last two are hardly proven winners, so taking the place-only option instead. It has been ten years since Haas last won on the PGA Tour, but eleven years ago he did win this event. He has finished in the top-20 in each of the last three season, a feat that he has achieved in nine of the fourteen years that this event has been held at Southwind. He has come very close to breaking that run this year with 2nd place finishes in the Bob Hope Classic and the Players Championship, so he is still competitive and improved in every round last week to finish 6th against a much stronger field. He is as low as 20/1 in places and looks good to at least contend this week.
Tim Petrovic to finish in the top-five 10/1 @ SkyBet
Petrovic certainly contended last year. He was the first-round leader and remained with the leaders throughout, only to be denied by a charging Len Mattiace in the final round. He finished one shot back in 2nd place, which is a problem he has had in the last few years. He finished 2nd, 2nd and 3rd in consecutive events on the Nationwide Tour in 2001 and has had two top-five finishes this year (Phoenix Open and Ford Open). Despite last week's missed cut, he has shown good form since the Wachovia Championship in May, including a 15th place finish in the U.S. Open two weeks ago. Looks unlikely to win, but certainly capable of repeating last year's performance.
