Robert Garrigus will be keen to ‘right the wrongs’ when he returns to Memphis, Tennessee for the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
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Garrigus 100.0 somehow managed to blow a three shot lead on the final hole in 2010 but he has since put it behind him to go on and claim his first victory on tour. However, if he's hoping to block last year's disaster from his mind he can think again because tournament organisers have paired him with his playoff partners (Lee Westwood and Robert Karlsson) from last year for the first two rounds. But rather than be daunted the big American says he is relieved to have another chance to try and beat them.
Fresh from qualifying for the US Open at Brookside on Monday (despite giving himself an extra shot on his scorecard by mistake!), with his first win firmly banked, I think we will see a more composed Garrigus on his return to the St Jude, don't be surprised to see him in contention and don't be surprised to see him hold his nerve this time.
To tell you the truth, I am licking my lips at some of the prices available this week. Perhaps understandably (the week before a Major) the field lacks strength in depth (there's plenty of names that rarely get a chance at this level) and with a good first round some of the triple figure prices about more established golfers will come tumbling. Bryce Molder 140.0 is a golfer I've been keen to get onside and I think this could be the week.
For some reason Bryce didn't play here last year but in 2009 this was the scene of his best PGA Tour performance to date and his runner-up finish included a second round 63. Last week Molder broke a run of missed cuts with a 30th placed finish at the Memorial, he's not had the best season thus far but he's had the odd good finish and his putting stats are fantastic.
'Baby Walrus' Kevin Stadler 170.0 is a player who frequently catches the eye but like many of his peers he has struggled when in contention at this level. However, Stadler has four Nationwide tour wins to his name from just 30 starts and I believe he has the game to get over the line on the big stage. He does have a piece of form here, courtesy of a 12th place finish in 2009 and he also has good recent form to his name, having finished 22nd at the Memorial and seventh at Colonial. I do like an early Thursday starter and the 'Baby Walrus' can get his name on that leaderboard before many have teed off, he's first out on the course at 7am.
Dangers: Luke Donald may currently hold the title of world number one, however, I'm of the opinion that it won't be long before he hands it back to his Wentworth Playoff victim Lee Westwood 8.6. The current world number two can feel hard done by, he has done nothing wrong in recent weeks and can count himself unlucky not to be coming into this week with four wins on the trot. As defending champion he can be nothing other than a short priced favourite and deserves his position in the market. I wouldn't be at all surprised to see him follow a good week here with victory at next week's US Open. Chad Campbell 130.0 was very close to selection, he's been in the wilderness of late but recently qualified for the Open with a low score and is more than capable.
Rickie Round-Up: Twenty-six birdies and an eagle = four under par, 22nd position. Remarkable scenes once again from Rickie. He's been taking his mind off that elusive first win with a spot of 'golf' painting.
