Outright plays (1.5pts):
Sergio Garcia to win 40/1 e.w. @ BlueSq
Encouraged by his storming finish at the Masters (his last event) where he finished 4th, I'll side with the Spaniard at these odds. Boasting some of the narrowest fairways, Quail Hollow would not suit Garcia if he were ill at ease with his game, but he was ranked #1 in total driving in 2001 (and 4th in 2002) and he was 13th in driving accuracy in his last start so he is capable of some control. Quail Hollow is also a shotmaker's course and Garcia ranks in the top-10 in the GIR stats, plus he has been top-ranked for GIR in two of his six strokeplay events this year. So erratic he may be, but he has any sort of game in place this week, he should certainly feature on the leaderboard.
Stewart Cink to finish in the top-five 12/1 @ SkyBet
Won't back Cink to win twice in two starts as I wouldn't want to change my opinion of him just because he was a winning selection a couple of weeks ago. However, he has been extremely consistent this year and if he can keep his drives on the fairways, then he should continue his run of high finishes. Despite the headline players, he should not be this high for a top-five finish.
Nick Price to finish in the top-five 14/1 @ SkyBet
Price did finish in the top-five last year and that was despite the course being wet. He depended heavily on his putter last year, but the conditions will be harder and Quail Hollow will require more of an all-round game from the contenders this year. Price finished 6th in the Masters and while he is unlikely to win again on this Tour, he is surely a much better than 14/1 chance to repeat last year's feat.
Sergio Garcia to win 40/1 e.w. @ BlueSq
Encouraged by his storming finish at the Masters (his last event) where he finished 4th, I'll side with the Spaniard at these odds. Boasting some of the narrowest fairways, Quail Hollow would not suit Garcia if he were ill at ease with his game, but he was ranked #1 in total driving in 2001 (and 4th in 2002) and he was 13th in driving accuracy in his last start so he is capable of some control. Quail Hollow is also a shotmaker's course and Garcia ranks in the top-10 in the GIR stats, plus he has been top-ranked for GIR in two of his six strokeplay events this year. So erratic he may be, but he has any sort of game in place this week, he should certainly feature on the leaderboard.
Stewart Cink to finish in the top-five 12/1 @ SkyBet
Won't back Cink to win twice in two starts as I wouldn't want to change my opinion of him just because he was a winning selection a couple of weeks ago. However, he has been extremely consistent this year and if he can keep his drives on the fairways, then he should continue his run of high finishes. Despite the headline players, he should not be this high for a top-five finish.
Nick Price to finish in the top-five 14/1 @ SkyBet
Price did finish in the top-five last year and that was despite the course being wet. He depended heavily on his putter last year, but the conditions will be harder and Quail Hollow will require more of an all-round game from the contenders this year. Price finished 6th in the Masters and while he is unlikely to win again on this Tour, he is surely a much better than 14/1 chance to repeat last year's feat.
