It has only been just over two weeks since the finale of the 2014/15 PGA Tour season but already the 2015/16 wraparound PGA Tour season kicks off on Thursday when the season opener Frys.com Open is played.
Ahead of the new season one of the best markets to look at is the PGA Tour Money List winner one. Before going into the dynamics of the picks and things we should point out that this market doesn’t include the hefty bunce landed for winning the FedEx Cup. This is just tournament wins minus bonuses.
Jordan Spieth had a year to remember last season pocketing over $12m before taking into account the extra $10m he trousered when he won the FedEx Cup and given the quality he has it is no surprise that he’s the 11/4 favourite here.
Spieth won two majors and a couple of other big events last season but you would think he will do very well to emulate that in the forthcoming 12 months so as big a fan of Spieth as I am I’m happy to take him on.
Jason Day was second in the money list last year but whether he can have such a good season next time around remains to be seen. Whenever Day is involved I tread with caution because of his well-publicised health issues. He’s plenty short enough in the betting so I’m keen to look elsewhere.
Injury restricted Rory McIlroy to just 12 starts last season but he was still able to pocket just under $5m. You would think with more starts he will move further up the money list but competition is strong these days so even at 9/2 I’m not convinced there will be much value on him.
Rickie Fowler is growing year on year and I see no reason why that won’t continue in 2016 and if it does he could be a big player in this market. He was the first man I considered in this field and at 16/1 I wouldn’t put anyone else off but there could be more improvement in some others.
I was very close to backing Henrik Stenson here. Stenson was the highest money earner last season of those who didn’t win a tournament and you would think he is too good to go back to back seasons without a win. He did have a number of runner up finishes though so maybe his improvement won’t be so much after all.
In the end I have plumped for three players all of whom look attractive prices and all of whom have big years in the making with the Ryder Cup getting ever nearer.
Justin Rose played 20 tournaments last season which was his most in a while but the sheer fact he only played two events prior to February shows there is room for more weeks on his schedule and the fact that he is teeing it up in the Frys.com Open on Thursday says he might be mixing his schedule up a little.
Rose will play the majority of the year in America as he chases a place in the Olympics and the Ryder Cup and with him now being a regular contender in the big events I think there is a little more to come from Rose and I wouldn’t be surprised if he becomes the latest multi-tournament winner in a PGA Tour season. If he does 28/1 looks big on him.
Jim Furyk got back in the winners circle last season and he still has plenty to give. The major courses didn’t suit him at all in 2015 but one or two more in 2016 will. Furyk continues to churn out results at this level and with his confidence significantly higher than at the start of last season I would expect Furyk to bank plenty of cash next season. He’ll want to play in the Ryder Cup so I’m expecting a big year from him and at 100/1 he’s worth a go here.
Finally I’ll take a chance on a bomber on a tour which is ever proceeding to be a big hitters tour and that is JB Holmes. Holmes will be eyeing up a place in the Ryder Cup at the end of the year and if he can just turn some of the top 20s, especially in the big tournaments, into top 10s and better than he won’t be far away.
Holmes finished the season strongly and was in good form in the Presidents Cup so he’ll go into the new season in much better form and with much more confidence than the season before and with that in mind I’ll chance him at a silly price.
Back J.Rose to win PGA Tour Money List (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 29.00 with Paddy Power (1/5 1-4)
Back J.Furyk to win PGA Tour Money List (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 101.00 with Bet365 (1/4 1-4)
Back JB.Holmes to win PGA Tour Money List (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 201.00 with Paddy Power (1/5 1-4)
