Written by Matt Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The Memorial Tournament | Thursday 04 June – Sunday 07 June | Muirfield Village GC
The PGA Tour has been going through a bit of a slump over the past two weeks and the fields have been somewhat disappointing compared to the usual quality on offer – but that all changes this week as the historic Memorial tees off at Muirfield Village GC. As usual, the world’s finest golfers have assembled at this Jack Nicklaus designed stunner and whoever wins here will need to be in complete control of their game. Why is that? Well, to start the competition is stiff and throughout the four days whoever is in the lead won’t feel comfortable. On this layout, things can change in an instant and the slightest error could end any hopes of winning. The greens are fast and putting is key but more difficult will be controlling the approaches and keeping them from rolling off. Add to that the thick rough which will swallow anything that ventures off the fairway and you have a real challenge on your hands. On the positive side, the fairways are wide so missing them off the tee won’t be a problem, it’s making sure your approaches stay away from the thick stuff that will count this week.
To Win Outright
Jordan Spieth 7/1
Dustin Johnson 12/1
Justin Rose 20/1
Rickie Fowler 22/1
Hideki Matsuyama 22/1
VALUE BETS:
Daniel Berger (90/1 a win, 19/1 a place)
I’m going against my better instincts this week by backing Daniel Berger because traditionally, only the best have won this event. However, Berger has been in solid form of late and at this price he looks to good to ignore. Sure, he’s only recently begun to make a name for himself and he may struggle against this field but he held his own at the Zurich Classic and looked to be in good form last week at the Byron Nelson. It looks to be a certainty that he’ll win this season, the only question is when? Let’s hope it’s this week but even if it’s not, a Top 5 will provide a tidy profit. Each way looks the sensible option.
Justin Rose (20/1 a win, 44/10 a place)
Justin Rose loves this event. He won in 2010 and since then has come close on two occasions, eventually finishing inside the Top 10 in both instances. Rose is one of those players who seems to really come into his own when things get tough and bar the Majors, there aren’t many titles more coveted than this one. Rose will arrive at Muirfield well aware that a win here will be the perfect start to his preparation for the US Open and will be eager to finish strong. The price looks about right, each way is my bet on Rose.
Kevin Na (40/1 a win, 88/10 a place)
Kevin Na is playing some great golf at the moment and in his last seven starts he has finished inside the Top 20, highlighting that he is one of the most consistent golfers in the world at the moment and due a win sometime soon. He rarely puts a foot wrong these days and that kind of consistency will go a long way in ensuring he fares well at Muirfield. Last year he looked comfortable going around the course on his way to a second-place finish. With his game in the shape it’s in at the moment I see no reason he can’t go one better this week. Each way is the bet for me.
TOP BET
Jim Furyk (25/1 a win, 11/2 a place)
In my mind Jim Furyk is the bet of the week. Like Rose, he loves this tournament and two runner-up finishes and a win prove that beyond a shadow of a doubt. Over the past two seasons he seems to have lost a bit of the consistency that he was once famous for but he still has it in him to win tournaments as he showed earlier in the year and I see him finishing inside the Top 5 at least this week. The doubters will point to his missed cut at the Wells Fargo but I’m not reading too much into that, I’m more concerned with his course form which is unmatched.
