The penultimate Fall Series event takes place at Annandale Golf Club.
The Course: Annandale Golf Club, Madison, MS (par-72, 7,199 yards)
A Jack Nicklaus-designed course with plenty of water and some large, undulating Bermuda greens. Even so, it causes the pros few problems and low scores are common - 2008 winner Will Mackenzie shot 19-under. The 522-yard 5th hole is the easiest of the four par-5’s, but all are reachable in two (the others being the 7th,11th and 18th). The yardage negates any advantage for the big hitters so it's all about GIR this week.
Ross' Top Tip: Chad Campbell @ 16/1 Stan James
The early 20/1 about Campbell has been snapped up but 16/1 is still fair. Granted, he was a bit disappointing last week (tied-33rd) but it's hard to ignore his previous Annandale record of second (01), fourth (02) and won (07). Plus, prior to last week, he was runner-up in Las Vegas, so he ticks the current form box too. With recent rain making the greens extra receptive, the Texan's superb iron play (ranked 9th in GIR) should yield plenty of birdie opportunities, and he's no slouch with the putter too. I'm quite confident he can at least cover the place part of the bet to ensure a profit.
Next Best: Webb Simpson @ 50/1 bet365
The second pick goes to this talented young buck who, like last week's runners-up Rickie Fowler and Jamie Lovemark, was a member of the victorious 2007 Walker Cup team. After making a bright start to his rookie season - ninth place in the Sony, fifth in the Bob Hope Classic - his form inevitably dropped off in the summer, but recent top-10's at the Barclays and Turning Stone Championship, and 13th last week, show that he is a force to be reckoned with again and his team-mates performances might just inspire him to that first success.
Outsider: George McNeill @ 80/1 Ladbrokes
After finishing runner-up in the Justin Timberlake Open, McNeil let down his supporters by missing the cut in Arizona last week, but he's worth another chance here at a decent price. After starting the year with a highly promising seventh in Hawaii, he disappeared off the radar until that performance in Las Vegas, where he lost out (along with Chad Campbell) in a play-off to Martin Laird. That wasn't a total surprise as his best form has come in the autumn - winner of the Frys.com Open in October 2007, second in the Ginn Classic last November and a record five-shot victory at the 2006 Tour School - so 80/1 could prove to be generous.
Tournament Lay: No Bet
The 25/1 on offer for last week's runner-up Rickie Fowler looks an over-reaction. However, the 20-year-old has a golf game to simply die for and is undoubtedly a future winner so I'd be wary of laying him even at that price.
Ross' 72-Hole Match Bet: Webb Simpson to beat Alex Cejka @ 10/11 Skybet
Recommended Bets:
Chad Campbell 2pts each-way @ 16/1 Stan James
Webb Simpson 1pt each-way @ 50/1 bet365
George McNeill 1pt each-way @ 80/1 Ladbrokes