PGA Tour - Wells Fargo Championship 3rd - 6th May 2012

The rabbit

The PGA tour is in North Carolina this week for the Wells Fargo Championship ( previously named the Quail Hollow & also the Wachovia Championship ). The course is the Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte and is quite long at 7442 yards and is a par 72 with four par 5's. Tiger is competing and so is Phil Mickelson, Rory McIlroy and Lee Westwood. Defending champion is Lucas Glover who shot - 15 to win but had to beat Jonathan Byrd in a play off. Rory missed the cut here last year and nearly missed the cut in 2010 but then played excellent golf over the weekend with scores of 66 & 62 to win by 4 shots from Phil Mickelson. Tiger won this in 2007.

Length off the tee can be an advantage here but is not essential at this course which has hosted this event since 2003 and the final three holes are quite challenging with the 18th being one of the toughest finishing holes on this tour. The course is not an easy one to play and is usually ranked at above average for difficulty with the winning scores being -13, -16, -11, -15, -15 in the last five years.

Selections etc to follow and I will probably bet on Rickie Fowler again after his jt 10th in New Orleans and he was jt 16th in this last year. Will also bet on Sean O' Hair who won this is in 2009.

Good luck everybody Smile

Pete

The rabbit · Posted: Mon Apr 30, 2012 10:44 pm Post subject:

April was one of the worst months for me on the golf since I started betting on it Lose

Hoping for a change of luck in May and going with four players. Will edit with proper reasoning tomorrow but I think Webb Simpson ( 40/1 ) looks due a good performance and he played quite well last week. Rickie Fowler ( 50/1 ) seems to like this course ( 16th last year and 6th in 2010 ) and could be about to hit form after his 10th last week. Sean O'Hair ( 90/1 ) has won this before and Bo Van Pelt may not win as he rarely does but I think he could play well and I got 64/1 on B/Fair on him to win so could Lay off for a profit if he gets into serious contention .....he's about 50/1 with the bookies.

EDIT -

Webb Simpson ( 40/1 ) experienced a successful season in 2011 with two victories on the PGA tour ( Wyndham Championship and Deutsche Bank Championship ) and he was also runner up on three occasions so is capable of playing some very good golf. So far this year he has played moderately but has not missed a cut in nine stroke play tournaments. He started the year with a 3rd in the Hyundai Tournament of Champions but only about 30 players compete in it. Since then he has managed a couple of top 10 finishes and last week he played four solid rounds to come jt 13th when he putted very well and I think he may be ready to produce a very good performance on this week's course where he came jt 21st in 2011.

Bo Van Pelt ( 50/1 ) is a player I rarely select as he is a frustrating type of player to bet on as he often looks like winning in the near future but rarely does and he has only won one PGA tournament in 303 attempts since turning professional in 1998. He reminds me of last week's PGA winner Jason Dufner who is another good player who has struggled to obtain victory. Bo Van Pelt has been playing consistently this year though with four top 10 finishes from only eight stroke play tournaments so far and his overall game is in good shape and he is ranked at 4th place in the all around ranking stat on the PGA tour for this year. This week's long course will not be a problem for him and he has been putting well this year. He played at the Masters and struggled in the conditions to start with but finished with a final round of 64 to come jt 17th. He then missed the cut at the RBC Heritage but may have been feeling tired after his efforts at Augusta and looks worth an e/way interest in this event where he came jt 6th in 2006 and 5th in 2010.

Rickie Fowler ( 50/1 ) is a player I selected last week in New Orleans where he came jt 10th and I think he is worth another chance in this tournament. He has yet to win on the PGA tour but this long course suits his attacking style of play in my opinion and he came jt 16th last year and 6th in 2010 so he has shown a liking for it. He could be about to hit form after his 10th last week and his odds look reasonable. He has only missed two cuts this season on this tour and his best effort has been a jt 7th at the Honda Classic where he putted well and he will have a reasonable chance of winning this if he can again play well on the greens

Sean O'Hair ( 90/1 ) has won four times on the PGA tour so he is capable of playing very good golf but the problem is predicting when he will perform well as he is an inconsistent golfer and two of his PGA victories have been achieved after missing the cut in his previous tournament. His latest victory was at the Canadian Open at the end of July 2011 and he has only missed the cut once so far this season with his best effort being a jt 2nd at the Sony Open in Hawaii so he has shown some decent form this year. He played some good golf from tee to green at the Masters but was let down by his putting so I will be hoping for a better week from him on the greens. He was 68th in his latest event which was the RBC Heritage but maybe that is encouraging as he can sometimes play verywell after a poor performance. He won this tournament in 2009 so is obviously able to perform well here.

Hope one of us picks the winner of this Fingers Crossed

Pete

drobgod · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 12:28 pm Post subject:

My main bet will be Rickie Fowler as he's posted two decent finishes here in 2010 and 2011, but I think I'll be having a saver on Phil Mickelson also.

Also I don't often play in the Seniors but will be backing Tom Lehman and Olin Browne this week. Browne in particular looks big at 50/1, remember he won the Seniors US Open last year.

http://www.valuechecker.co.uk/

phildean007 · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 1:10 pm Post subject:

I have taken the 66/1 on offers at Stan James for Nick Watney E/W. He isnt on the best of form at the moment in my opinion. But he has all the attributes to win here or post a top 5 finish. For me the 66/1 is a huge price for him, having previously won big eventson the PGA tour like a WGC event to name 1.

I have also had a stab at Rickie Fowler E/W at 50/1 with Ladbrokes, as he likes the course here and seems to be hitting some form. He has to win on the PGA tour eventually doesnt he!

Lastly I have gone with "Lefty" Big Phil Mickleson E/W at 12/1 with Stan James. In to 11's now by the looks of it. Has a excellent record here over the last 7/8 years and on his day can win any golf event on the planet! So nothing stopping him winning here. Plus i feel he is due a win!

Good luck all. Win

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mercer · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 3:48 pm Post subject:

Bo Van pelt 40/1 E/W

"Bo Van Pelt is having a big season and was fancied to do well in the Masters but left it to the last round to figure but was too far behind Been in good form this season and has four top 10 placings already in just 9 events and will be a threat to all and looks over priced Van Pelt has a decent record here and posted top 10 placings here and shuld play better after a rest after flopping at the Heritage Looks great Each Way value to me with the form he is in but the field is quality and will take some winning "

John Senden 80/1 E/W

John Senden is a very good player and backed him last week and done well but was just not good enough Has a decent record here and often makes the cut so fingers crossed he makes it again and if he does then will have a chances John Senden has posted top 10 efforts this season and been sixth twice so can figure Senden finished well the last two rounds last week and will take confidence from that and looks over priced to me here and shot a cracking 64 here in the second round last season so can be dangerous on this course"

Kevin Na 60/1 E/W

"Kevin Na has been in tremendous form this season and summed it up with a great 12th in the Masters so can put it to the best Kevin Na has been so consistent this season and has a amazing 6 top 25 placings in 10 events so looks over priced to me and will be thereabouts and looks great Each Way value Fifth last year but worst round came in the last round and cost him and was also 14th the year before so proven course form Withdrew two weeks ago from the Texas Open after a poor first round 79 but would have been practicing more after that poor effort and will go close"

Golfboy89 · Handicapper Joined: 28 Apr 2012 Posts: 21

Although it is not a bold shout I feel that Tiger Woods is great value this week at 9/1 on Bet365. He will have been putting the hours in and so far all his interviews this week sound as though his game is good. It wouldnt surprise me to see him win this one by a fair few.

I also think John Huh is worth a punt, the kid has been on fire this week and at 90/1 could be a good EW tip. However I feel due to the quality of field the real value is for a top 10 at 15/2

Finally if you want a few value tips I think the young Americans on Stanley and Every are worth a punt.

Good luck

robert611 · Group 2 Class Joined: 04 Jan 2012 Posts: 129

Aaron Baddeley 100/1 StanJames 6 places made 8 cuts from 10 this year with 4 top 25's superb putter which will be important this week on a tricky track .Does not have the best record here and i think that is why he is showing at 3 figure odds which to me huge value .. pick 2 is Nathan
green 275/1 StanJames 6 places best finnish here is 34th is a quality putter and has backed that up with some good greens in reg stats this year made 6 cuts from 8 starts

galster99 · Group 3 Class Joined: 21 Mar 2011 Posts: 95

Picks for this week:-

Rory McIlroy 8-1- When setting the course record 62 in 2010 fourth round Rory was catipulted into the world stage. First tournament since the Masters which an undercooked McIlroy suprisingly fell away after getting into a decent position. Consistency really has been McIlroy strength since winning the US Open last year. I really think we could see another special week from the young Irishman.

Hunter Mahan 20-1 - No.5 in the world and leader of the FedEx standings. Two time winner on Tour already...Hunter is having a career year. His new putter has changed his game, more confident on the green coupled with unairing accuracy off the tee. Another big week is expected from Mahan who had 4 solid rounds around Quail Hollow last year.

JB Holmes 80-1 - The big hitting Kentucky born Holmes was -9 on Par 5's last week at New Orleans and a similar score on the 4 par 5's this week will mean JB could be in the mix again. 2 top 10's and 3 top 25's already this year. Hits a high ball which could prove useful around here. Finishe dT-9 last year so has an eye for the course.

Camilio Villegas 150-1 - Why hasn't Villegas won more on Tour is the question I often ask. Has all the tools to be higher than 124 in the World. Showed glimpses last week that he was coming into a little bit of form. If he can find more confidence on the green the scorpion may well challenge on Sunday.

Finally mt long Each Way punt - M A Carballo400-1- The Tour rookie from Argentina follows in the footsteps of Anders Romero. Looking at the stats he looks to find alot of greens and seems quite solid off the tee. Made 7 out of 10 cuts this year socould have found his feet. Closing 68 last week would have given him alot of confidence.

Good luck to whoever you back this week Win

aubreyhoney · Group 2 Class Joined: 08 Feb 2010 Posts: 242

hi all,
3 for me this week are, HUNTER MAHAN @20/1, he's been playing great this year having 2 wins & was 12th in the masters. his form at here is steady having come 16th in 2011, 17th in 2010 & 22nd in 09 so should not be too far away.
JIM FURYK @ 25/1 was in my mind a bit unlucky in the heritage having played in the worst of the weather but still managed to finish in 8th. he was 11th at augusta, 11th in the anrold palmer & 2nd in the transtions. he won this event in 2006, was 24th last year 7 was 7th in 2010, 11th 2009 & 7th 2008 so he clearly loves this event.
ZAC JOHNSON @ 33/1 is more of a hunch than anything although he was 6th last year 11th in 2009 & was 2nd in his last event in the heritage, 11th in the arnold palmer so is showing signs of coming into form.
good luck all. Fingers Crossed

nico73 · Group 1 Class Joined: 02 Dec 2010 Posts: 317

Just wanted to say thanks for the usual glut of information guys.

Sounds like a tricky track where putting may be the key

Just hope I pick the right selections

Confused

jimmywomble · Posted: Tue May 01, 2012 9:09 pm Post subject:

Hi all

The PGA Tour heads to South Carolina for the Wells Fargo Championship at the Quail Hollow CC. The event has been held since 2003 and the winner last year was Lucas Glover in a playoff with Jonathan Byrd. As we will no doubt be reminded on many occasions by Sky Sports the 2010 winner was Rory McIlroy, and Tiger won this in 2007.

With Rory, Tiger as well as Phil & Westie there are some big names here. Main thought this week is one of the big names Phil Mickelson. He's played here 8 times and had 6 top ten finishes without ever winning, his best is runner up to Rory in 2010. His worst event was 35th in 06, and 12th in 08. Has 22 from 32 rounds under par here or 69%, only 2 in the field beat that of players who have been here more than once, and only 3 have a better scoring average of 70.28 (Bobby Gates has only played 4 rounds and averages 69.25 in finishing 6th last year, whilst Rory's average of 70.00 is helped by a 62 when winning, he missed the cut last year so is from 6 rounds). Form was a little mixed early in the season but has since been better with 3rd at the Masters his last outing, 4th the week before in Houston, as well as a win at Pebble & 2nd at Riviera.

Other thoughts are Jim Furyk who also has a good record here with 4 top tens in 8 appearances, including winning in 06 & runner up in 05. Has missed the cut in 03 & 06 as well. Similar stats to Phil here as well with 19 from 28 rounds under par or 68%, whilst his average of 70.58 is next in the list from Phil. Also like Phil his form seems to be coming back after a poor 2011. 8th at Harbour town was his last appearance with 11th at both the Masters & Bay Hill just before that, was also runner up at the Transitions.

Next up is a bright young thing in Ricky Fowler. Not one I normally go for but has a good record here in the 2 visits he has made with 6th on debut in 2010 and 16th last year, so he is the 3rd player to beat Phil & Jim in scoring average with 70.00 in 8 rounds, 6 of which have been under par, and a worst round of 73. So a great record here in his young career. 10th last week bouncing back from a missed cut at Harbour Town.

Final thought is another youngster who does not seem to have got his game back after surgery in 2010. Anthony Kim has been here 5 times before and won in 2008. Also 5th in 07 & 7th in 2010, poor last year as his form has dropped with 82nd and 47th in 09 complete the set. He has 14 under par rounds or 74%. However has only made 2 cuts this year and no better than 42nd, whilst has withdrawn from the last two events so maybe not then.

Not much of a choice for me this week as it has to be Phil Mickelson, great record here and sure would love to get the win here on his CV.

Cheers

Jimmy
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KangaMick · Posted: Wed May 02, 2012 2:51 am Post subject:

Hunter Mahan 20/1

Hunter had a very positive 2011 season with 22 cuts made from 25 starts. He had 13 Top 25′s and 9 Top 10′s as well as finishing 2nd twice. We then move forward to this season and he is in career best form. He has made the cut in all 8 starts and been placed in the Top 25 in seven of those! He has also notched up 2 Wins already with victory at the WGC Match Play Championship at the Ritz-Carlton GC in February and the Shell Houston Open at Redstone GC in late March.

After his victory at the Shell Houston Open he backed up the next week in the Masters Tournament and finished in a tie for 12th. He has sat out the past three tournaments and comes into this weeks event well rested and ready to show why he is playing so well and with so much confidence.

His form at Quail Hollow is very incouraging with his last four visits here notching up T12th (2008), T22nd (2009), T17th (2010) and T16th (2011). Then you look at his current stats of 5th in Driving Accuracy, 5th in GIR’s, 6th in Ball Striking, 14th in Scoring average and 39th in Strokes gained Putting and you can see why he has the game to win here.

This could be the week where we see Hunter chalk up his 3rd win for the season and his 6th in his PGA Career. You can almost here the crowd chanting the ‘Golf Boys’ song ‘Oh Oh Oh’ as he walks up the 18th on Sunday!

Bo Van Pelt 40/1

If you are looking for a consistant golfer to back then you can’t go past Bo Van Pelt. He is having a great season on tour with 7 cuts made from 9 starts with 5 Top 25′s and 4 Top 10′s.

He was T8th in the Phoenix Open, T8th Northern Trust, T8th WGC Cadillac Championship, 9th Transitions Championship and T17th Masters Tournament. After the Masters he missed the Cut at the RBC heritage and has since had a two week break to refresh himslef ready for the big events ahead.

Looking at his course form he has had 7 starts in this event and made the Cut 6 times. Last year he was T33rd and in 2010 he was 5th. In 2006 he was T6th so we know he can handle the course.

I like his stats this year as well as they are ideal for this type of course. He is ranked 1st in Strokes gained from Putting, 6th in Total Driving, 7th in Birdie average and 4th in All Round ratings.

At the current price he is a great Each Way chance and should also be looked at in Top 10 markets.

Good Luck and Good Punting.

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