I'm positive I've never had a season (starting in earnest in 2002) in which the third major is here and I still haven't really made a commitment to an ante-post play weeks in advance in any of the events.
But in the weeks leading up to Bethpage, I had been frequently sizing up and contemplating INFORMATION and ANGLES for the names and odds of the players on all my various printouts, and on the weekend before I was fairly firm with my committment on the 7 names, and only the 7 names, I ended up posting, including Lucas Glover, Ross Fisher and Phil Mickelson. Then on Sunday or Monday I looked at the pairings and was immediately satisfied to thrilled with the pairings for all 7 of my plays, and on Monday I was "quick for me" ready to committ to those 7 names as my plays.
This week, my initial take on Sunday was that there were many candidates for my money, but I was struggling to find value. Three days later, I'm satisfied in the value (6 places will especially do that) for most of my plays. However, now I've ended up with 10 plays so far, and I usually have my best results in events when I have managed to limit my plays to 5 or no more than 6 in a regular event, and no more than about 8 for one of the majors. And there will be at least one more to come, as this has always been my favourite, and one of my best events, for in-running selections before the weekend.
Outrights (1/4 for 1-2-3-4-5-6):
Henrik Stenson(35/1) e.w.
- - Stenson's 3-wood ruled at Sawgrass. It's not a stretch to see the game to tame Sawgrass as standing one in very good stead at Turnberry. Elevated to my headliner on the strength of how he says just the kinds of things I like to hear in this interview clip.
Radio & Podcasts -
Jim Furyk(33/1) e.w.
- - Crumbs from the table so far from one of the most focused campaigns ever by this noted grinder. Eminently worthy of a banquet feast this week . . . Always a plus in my book is a pairing that fits and works for my way of seeing things.
Zach Johnson(80/1) e.w.
- - I'll quote my post before last week:
Zach Johnson(20/1) e.w.
- - I seriously expect his elite season to have more in store, and being primed for a run that doesn't wait until next week or thereafter for a launch fits right in with those expectations.
I think I've had a fair read on the Cedar Rapids, Iowa native since last fall, and I see the opposite of his stock going down because he spent too darn much capital in his 36 hole charge in his 5th major at the Quad Cities.
Soren Hansen(100/1) e.w.
- - On my radar for a fine links effort after finishing 6th at Bethpage, now hearing inside info suggesting he's got the look of going well.
Ernie Els(40/1) e.w.
- - Always fragile, but this is much more than a fanciful opportunity.
David Duval(125/1) e.w.
- - A fanciful opportunity.
Chris Wood(50/1 and 1/4 for 1-2-3-4) Top GB&I
- -
Thomas Aiken(300/1) e.w.
- -
Tiger Woods(+245) Win Only
- - Insurance against.
Ben Curtis(55/1) e.w.
- - His magic at the finish at Wentworth makes me unable to deny him the last spot on my team.
Matchups/Props:
Lowest Round Score(Un65')(-140)
GL
