Steve The Golf Banker:
2 tournaments this week. Picks and writes for each are below:
Hero World Challenge
This years event will take place at Albany G&CC which is located in New Providence, Bahamas. Jordan Spieth ran away winning this tournament easily last season but that took place at a different course. Albany is a Par 72 course that is designed by Ernie Els, and should play around 7400 yards for this week. The course combines features of many styes of golf, but can be described as mainly desert links.
Patrick Reed 12.5 TO 1- Reed has played well as of late, starting off the PGA Tour season with back to back Top 10 finishes. He tends to play well on links style golf courses as he flights the ball extremely well. The 25 year old American is primed for a very big 2016 in my opinion, and it will get started off with a win at the Hero Challenge.
Adam Scott 16 TO 1 - Scott shot a blistering 65 in the final round of the Aussie Open last week but couldn't catch eventual winner Matt Jones. Adam has not won in 2015 and this will be his last opportunity to do so. The travel could be taxing on Adam, but that is the only thing that should hold him back from contending. We will go with the sweet swinging Aussie to go low and contend once again this week.
2 Units on Justin Rose 7.75 TO 1 - Rosey had an interesting year. He finished 4th on the European Tours Race to Dubai and 8th in the Fed Ex Cup rankings. He won on each Tour once but you could still say he was probably disappointed he didn't win more often. He is always in contention and had a real chance this season to win multiple times on both Tours. Rose is another great iron player who should really like the layout this week. He also enters as one of the hottest players in the world.
Nedbank Challenge
Another event held in South Africa but this one will be at Gary Player G&CC. The course has been open since 1979 and is easily one of the best the region has to offer. The layout will be similar to last weeks event, but expect scores to be slightly lower (-20 should win the event). The course is located in Sun City, South Africa and it is simply gorgeous. We are going to go with 3 players this week, with 2 Units on our favourite.
Bernd Wiesberger 34 TO 1 - We have taken Bernd a few times this year and will most likely take him even more next year. He is one of the Top up and coming talents on the Euro Tour and will be in contention to earn himself a spot on next years Ryder Cup team. Bernd is very long off the tee and has an excellent iron game. It will come down to his putting this week, but I like his chances coming off Top 25’s in 5 of his last 6 events.
Danny Willet 12 TO 1 - Willet enters the tournament playing excellent golf, having finished inside the Top 11 in 3 of his last 4 tournaments. He is 28 years old and seems to be in a great place on and off the course. Watch for Willet next year to contend or win a major, as he has no flaws.
2 Units on Henrik Stenson 7.25 TO 1 - Stenson has yet to win this season and has a great history at this course. He is too good to go an entire calendar year without a win, so he gets it here