It's highly unlikely to match the excitement of last week’s US Open, but there’s still a decent field assembled for this week’s PGA Tour event, which is being held at the TPC at River Highlands for the eighteenth year in succession.
The Course: TPC River Highlands, Cromwell, Connecticut (par-70, 6,820 yards)
This is essentially a second-shot course. There’s no great penalty for missing the fairways but, as a short track, there’s no great premium on driving distance either. However, the bentgrass greens are smaller than average and are shaped like upturned saucers, so there’s considerable reward for iron play. It then boils down to a putting contest , and low scores are common. There are just two par-5’s - the 6th and 13th. The easiest hole of all is the driveable par-4 15th.
Ross’ Top Tip: Hunter Mahan @ 20/1 VCbet
The defending champion has been struggling for consistency since his tie for sixth at the Arnold Palmer Invitational back in March, but last week’s effort at Torrey Pines, where he was in contention up to the final round before settling for 18th place, will have done his confidence the power of good. I fancy he can keep the momentum going here on a course that holds plenty of positive memories.
Next Best: Nathan Green @ 66/1 Blue Square
The Aussie plays his best golf on short par-70 tracks and this week’s is no exception. He finished fourth on his only visit here in 2006 (stroke average 67.75), and has been in decent form of late with back-to-back top-30 finishes, so there is every reason to expect him to contend. He’s also a good shout for Top Australasian honours, for which 888sport go 15/2.
Outsider: Joe Ogilvie @ 100/1 Boylesports
There are plenty of players with ‘bits’ of form here and Ogilvie has more ‘bits’ than many. He has twice posted a really low round: a 64 in 2001; and a 63 in 2006, both in the second round. He went on to finish tied-9th in 2006, his third top-25 finish in seven starts here so, in a wide-open event, he’s worth an each bet at three-figure odds.
Ross’ Match Bet: Nathan Green to beat Kevin Sutherland @ Evens Stan James
In-running notes:
Seven of 17 third round leaders have gone on to victory, which can hinge on Sunday’s performance at the 16th, easily the toughest of the par-3’s.
Recommended Bets:
Hunter Mahan 1pt each way 22/1 VCbet
Nathan Green 1pt each way @ 66/1 Blue Square
Joe Ogilvie 1pt each way 100/1 Boylesports
Nathan Green (Top Australasian) 1pt @ 15/2 888sport
