The West Coast Swing continues this week with the traditional pro-am at Pebble Beach as the stars of golf join forces with the best sport, screen and music has to offer around three iconic golf courses for the right to win some decent cash and in terms of the professionals all of the rewards that go with it.
Vaughn Taylor won the tournament last year but this tournament has an illustrious roll of honour and can take a bit of winning in what is a loaded field.
Recent Winners
2016 – Vaughn Taylor
2015 – Brandt Snedeker
2014 – Jimmy Walker
2013 – Brandt Snedeker
2012 – Phil Mickelson
2011 – D A Points
2010 – Dustin Johnson
2009 – Dustin Johnson
2008 – Steve Lowery
2007 – Phil Mickelson
The Format
The 156 man field play one of the three courses on each of the opening three days with the cut coming after 54 holes on Saturday. The top 70 then progress to Sunday where the entire field has a second round at Pebble Beach to decide the title.
The Courses
Pebble Beach, Spyglass Hill and Monterrey Peninsula are the courses on show this week. The general consensus is that Monterrey Peninsula is the easiest of the three and one which needs to be taken care of if you are to have a chance here.
All three courses measure less than 7,000 yards and given that amateurs are joining the professionals this week the courses are set up fairly easy for the first three rounds. Hitting the greens and making birdies are very much the order of the day and the path to success this week.
The greens are poa annua this week like they were at Torrey Pines a couple of weeks ago and the weather is set to be mixed with a fair bit of wind around which isn’t a surprise given the seaside nature of the courses so keep good wind players on side.
The Field
Credit must once again go to the organisers this week as a top level field has been assembled. Three of the big four tee it up this week in Dustin Johnson, Jordan Spieth and Jason Day while the Olympic champion Justin Rose is also in the field too.
Popular former winners Phil Mickelson and Brandt Snedeker play this week as do a host of big names. Patrick Reed, Matt Kuchar, JB Holmes and Jimmy Walker from the successful US Ryder Cup team tee it up as does Jim Furyk, the man who will lead them into battle in Paris next year.
Market Leaders
Dustin Johnson has won twice around here and is probably still wondering how he didn’t win the US Open here back in 2010. He is 8/1 to win the title for a third time although that is pretty short given the lottery nature of the tournament and the strength of the field.
Jordan Spieth is yet to win this tournament but in an event of this kind which suits top level putters you can never rule him out. Once again 9/1 is a little short but he does tick plenty of boxes for those happy to take someone at single figures.
Jason Day hasn’t looked himself for a while. Injuries and perhaps a loss of confidence as well as a change of clothing manufacturer might have created a hectic few months for the Australian but like Spieth he’s a top class putter and can’t be ruled out at 12/1.
Justin Rose has begun the year well and he putts well on poa annua which is a major box ticked. He is 14/1 to win for the first time this week and if his putter remains hot then he shouldn’t be ruled out.
Phil Mickelson has won this tournament on no fewer than four occasions and he is no bigger than 18/1 to win it again here. Mickelson has been showing some good form in the lead up to this tournament and might have every chance of a fifth title. It is 20/1 bar those named.
Main Bets
There are two main bets for me this week. JB Holmes ticks a lot of boxes here not least course form where he has five top 20s here including a runner up finish in 2010. We saw at Troon that he can deal with inclement weather and he putts very well on poa annua which is essential. Holmes’ length can take these courses apart and if he can begin the rotation well he can last home on Sunday.
Tony Finau is another player who has the length to take these courses to the cleaners and he is another who showed at Troon and in Puerto Rico last year how he can deal with tough conditions. He arrives here off the back of an excellent showing at Torrey Pines and is well set for another decent run.
Outsiders
I’m going to throw a dart at a few outsiders who are overpriced and who tick the boxes of putting well on these greens, can play in the wind and score well.
Jim Furyk may not be able to compete on too many courses on the PGA Tour these days but these three he certainly can. He has five top 10s in this tournament which shows he can compete around here and he has shown in the past that he can play in the wind. He ended 2016 in decent form and while Ryder Cup commitments will take over soon I don’t think they will just yet so I’m happy to be on a Furyk who putts very well on these type of greens.
JJ Spaun has been in outstanding form in recent weeks. He has had top 10 finishes at Torrey Pines and in Phoenix so we know he is hitting the ball well and more importantly we know he is putting well. His finish at Torrey Pines was most impressive and given these greens are the same grass as those I’m expecting him to putt well here. If he does he’s a live runner.
Stewart Cink’s credentials in the wind needs no going over. The former winner of The Open is a specialist in such conditions and is another who putts well on these sorts of greens. We all know Cink isn’t playing as much these days given his wife’s illness but when he does play he goes well. He has four top 20 finishes this season including on his last start at Torrey Pines and he doesn’t need much more to be right in the mix here.
Tips
Back JB Holmes to win Pebble Beach Pro Am (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 34.00 with Coral (1/5 1-7)
Back S.Cink to win Pebble Beach Pro Am (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 126.00 with Coral (1/5 1-7)
Back them here:
Back T.Finau to win Pebble Beach Pro Am (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 51.00 with Paddy Power (1/5 1-7)
Back him here:
Back J.Furyk to win Pebble Beach Pro Am (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 61.00 with Boylesports (1/5 1-6)
Back JJ.Spaun to win Pebble Beach Pro Am (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 81.00 with Boylesports (1/5 1-6)
Back them here:
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