St. Judes Classic at TPC Southwind GC, Memphis, TN

Welcome to the St. Judes Classic from TPC Southwind in the deep south of Memphis Tennessee. This is the last tournament before the second Major of the year the US Open at Pinehurst next week, and the strength of the field is reflected in its entrants. To be fair, not many of the top players come to this event, so it hardly a shock that they are not here. Of the top names, the likes of Rose, Speith, Scott, Watson and McIlroy are all missing, probably trying to get their game ready for next week’s challenge at Pinehurst. In fact only 6 of the top 25 in the World Rankings line up here this week, all with next week in mind you would think…

So, who do we have in the field that may tempt us to part with some of our hard earned cash…? - (though not with Smokin at the moment who has plenty in reserve after his double of winners last weekend, top stuff pal…)


Kuchar is here again, and will be there or there again near the top. Big Phil Mickleson will be hoping to go one better than last year’s runner up position to Harris English, who also comes here to defend his title. Ryan Palmer has 2 consecutive top 5 finishes to build on and another one who must like it around here is Camilo Villegas who has 3 top 10 finishes in the last 4 years…

This course is consistently ranked in the top 10 for Distance on the PGA year after year, and with the 14th we have a par 3 sitting at 239 yards, ranking one of the hardest par 3’s on the whole of the Tour. It is a tree lined course with plenty of water features, though this doesn’t come into play for most of these players, though it will catch them out if they are off line with their approach shots. Sits at some 7,244 yards in length, you will need a big hitter off the tee to give you a chance of winning here. As usual good stats in the GIR and Putting make life easier, but to be fair it’s a course which lends itself to the big hitters than most.

Taking a look back over the past 4 years we see last year’s winner Harris English was T28 in the Driving Stats at the time, with Phil Mickleson, who was runner up, ranked T15th at the time. Dusty Johnson who was the winner back in 2012, was 2nd in the Distance rankings at the time, with the 2011 winner, Harrison Frazer, ranked 17th in the list of Driving Distance on the Tour. We can see a pattern, hit it long…!!!



So with this in mind…
Charles Howell III finished T3rd back in 2011, came 3rd at the Byron Nelson last month, and sits 18th in the Driving Distance stat. He is more than just a smasher as he is currently 14th in the All Round Ranking. With 6 top 10 finishes this year it maybe his time soon to get that winner’s cheque come Sunday night...

Russell Henley won this year’s Honda Classic back in March and hasn’t really gone on from there making only 4 out of his next 8 events. But he did finish T17th at the Players and came T7th in the Shell Houston Open. Is 292 off the tee, hits the fairways for 65%, which gets him ranked 40th for a Total Ranking of 8th overall. Couple this with half decent putting stats and he may well have a chance…

Robert Garrigus tied with Lee Westwood back in 2010 only to lose to him in a three way play-off. He finished off that year as the number 1 player in terms of Driving Distance, and to honest he is nearly always at the top of the list come the Driving Stats. In fact he hasn’t been out of the top 10 for this stat in the past 5 years averaging over 300 yards for each of them years. Gets his putting going and he could take some stopping…

Ben Martin is averaging 292 off the tee, which ranks him 62nd, coupled with a Driving Accuracy of 63% see’s him ranked 21st in the All Round Driving. He has had two Top 10’s this year, both 3rd place finishes, so hopefully he can bring his top game to this event this week…

Charles Howell III @ 50/1…
Russell Henley @ 50/1…
Robert Garrigus @ 66/1…
Ben Martin @ 100/1…

All done in the usual £2.50 e/w… PadPow pay ¼ odds top 6…

 

We have a selection the same this week Red

Phil Mickleson - 20/1
Charles Howell III - 50/1
Luke Guthrie - 66/1
Morgan Hoffman - 125/1
Geoff Ogilvy - 150/1

In Europe i have:

David Horsey - 40/1
Tyrell Hatton - 66/1
Matthew Baldwin - 100/1

 

Did ya's see big Phil is being investigated by the FBI over insider trading , not sure how much is in it but Phil does like a gamble and this way it takes the risk out. Wonder how this will develop if at all, for his sake I hope he get's cleared and that's it's just a mix up.

 

Matt Every 80/1 and Broberg 100/1 in the European event...

Looked at Garrigus, was a bit disappointed he wasn't a bigger price..

 

Ive truggled to get up to speed with the golf this weekend but looking at the scores Ben Crane is going to have to have a bleedin mare if he is to lose from 7 shots ahead...

But most of the field havn't even got out yet, so its not looking good for this tournament going the full 4 rounds... Not to worry, its the US Open next week...

 

Could turn into a 54 holer alright. Barely got any coverage on Sky with the weathet but I enjoy watching them play in the shot centre...I want one of them in my house! Ben Crane the speed merchant in front he really will have to falter bad to lose it now.

 

I think with all the delays that tournament's ending was appreciated

although if you'd have said that Crane was going to shoot +3 for a final and round, and with Big Phil 4 back with that round to go, i'd of been confident of at least some of the 4/1 a aplace money

nevermind, onto Thursday and another MAJOR!!