Written by @Matt_Cee for @Hollywoodbets. Follow them both on Twitter and Facebook now!
The Wells Fargo Championship | Thursday 01 May – Sunday 04 May | Quail Hollow Club
This week the Wells Fargo Championship gets underway at Quail Hollow Club and as usual, it’s going to be a toughly contested affair as some of the world’s best compete for what has become known as the ‘Sixth Major’. Traditionally, this one has been dominated by the US players which comes as little surprise as it always draws a top class field. The course itself is as difficult as they come and plays at 7,500 yards. The length isn’t the only difficulty to contend with as the fairways are narrow and accuracy off the tee is definitely required. The real challenge comes at the end though as players need to handle the tricky ‘Green Mile’, the name given to the infamous final three holes. With four tricky par 5s to play, par 5 scoring average is going to be an important factor to keep in mind, as is total driving and GIR%. So who will be able to avoid the bogeys and keep their scores in check? Let’s have a look.
To Win Outright
Rory McIlroy 7/1
Lee Westwood 14/1
Justin Rose 16/1
Phil Mickelson 16/1
Jim Furyk 25/1
VALUE BETS
Rickie Fowler (25/1 a win, 11/2 a place)
A poor showing at the Zurich Classic means that Rickie Fowler is available at 25/1 and this price looks like a lot of value to me. He loves this tournament and won here in 2012, a feat he will no doubt be eager to accomplish again. That wasn’t a flash in the pan, as he had previously managed a sixth in 2010. He had been on fire prior to Zurich and no-one should discount him after he finished T5 at the Masters and sixth in Houston. A talented golfer who most punters want to see succeed, Rickie Fowler looks a good each way bet to me.
Lee Westwood (14/1 a win, 3/1 a place)
The odds are against Lee Westwood here as the tournament is usually dominated by the Americans but with Rory McIlory priced up as favourite at 7/1, the 14/1 available on the robust Englishman looks like a bit of value. He showed his worth at the Masters where he finished near the top in seventh and he seems to have rectified those pesky sawing issues that have plagued him for the last few seasons. It takes a good all round game to finish near the top at the Masters and it’s good to see Westwood back to his best. Each way looks like a good bet to me, especially considering that he managed Top 5s here in 2012 and 2013.
Ryan Moore (33/1 a win, 73/10 a place)
Moore’s fallen off the radar lately and after a string of poor finishes, I probably shouldn’t be backing him. However, he is one of the few players who can boast a run of close finishes at Quail Hollow and if there’s one theory I subscribe to, it’s “horse for course”. He’ll be keen to show his worth on a track he clearly enjoys and I reckon he could find himself at the very least in the Top 5. Each way here is the bet for me.
TOP BET: Jonas Blixt (45/1 a win, 10/1 a place)
This is the first time we’ll be seeing Jonas Blixt after his unexpected second in the Masters and I’m salivating at the thought of backing him at a generous 45/1 this week. He missed the cut here in 2013 which could be the reason he’s on offer at such a good price but in 2012 he managed a Top 10 finish. Since then his golf has improved drastically and I reckon he has a real chance of at least a place in the Top 5. Each way on Blixt looks like the way to go.
