The Memorial - Jack's Place

As we dust ourselves off from a weak Hisatsune finish last week, we have much to look forward to this, as a signature field minus Mcilroy, head to Muirfield village for the brutal test that is the Memorial Tournament, hosted by the great Jack Nicklaus.

Muirfield hosts this event every year, but unlike a lot of PGA tour events, this gaff rivals Bayhill as one of the sternest tests on tour and is often an event that feels more like a US Open, so these guys travel here knowing it's an attritional week, and viewers tune in expecting to see suffering. At 7569 Yards this par 72, tree lined course tests players accuracy, shot shaping and distance control and durability. There are birdie chances, but there is danger at every turn and straight hitters fare well. Cantlay, Horschel, Scheffler all go well here, and with just 6 places on offer we can only hope that Scottie keeps struggling with that left miss or his putter goes cold again as he is a worthy and very short priced favourite. As always I will be opposing him, and most mere mortals would be burnt out by now, but he is no mere mortal and dangerous.

72 players in this signature event, somehow Speith and Fowler have go invites despite rancid form and we are 5 players this week (30pts) as I'm holding back some outlay for the US Open and a traditionally strong Canadian open next week.

It's been a trappy build up as I like a dozen blokes at this venue, but our first pick was not a tricky assignment. Cantlay aside, statistically nobody has played Muirfield more consistently than MATT FITZPATRICK. His lazer like iron play and newfound driving distance has seen him back on leaderboards for a few weeks now. 40th at the Masters, 38th at the Heritage, 23rd at the Truist and 8th in the PGA he is trending. Statistically his approach play and putting is horrific, but he has a lot of data to shake off after a dreadful start to the season, and this lad is one of the best putters in the world and knows how to hit greens. He has won a US Open, he chips well, he is a thinking mans golfer and his record here reads 3rd, MC, MC, 5th and 9th. He is nicely priced but we are giving up 1 place for the 60/1 on offer. Bet365 are 60s for 5 places and we are 3pts e/w.

More trends and some writer bias next, and we go British again with blog regular BOB MCINTYRE. Bob's numbers tee to green are bang on point this season and mysteriously his putting is lagging behind. He's a great putter, a streaky player and a moments player and he has the game for the biggest and toughest events. He finished 6th last week after a disappointing finish in the PGA, He is 60/1 6 places with Hills and many others and he is close to his next victory, could it be this week? 3pts e/w again and a very possible yes is the answer..

Next up course form and trending aside, DENNY McCARTHY has not missed a single cut on tour this season. Although his length off the tee should be problematic in some of the events, he has done well at (He was brilliant) Torrey Pines and an 8th place at Quail in the PGA. The sum total of his iron play and brilliant putting has seen him never once fail to shoot over par for 4 rounds. His consistency, his putting and his form here, 39th, 2nd (lost play off) and 5th in the last 3 years means he cannot be ignored. He's 45/1 with Ladbrokes who are paying 8 places and he gets 4pts ew of our money.

Next I had a struggle with Young, Glover and Bridgeman at huge odds but hitting greens matters here and although we are mainly looking at last season, the best player on tour after Scottie, SG approach, was Frenchman Matthieu PAVON. He has been a mile off this season until the PGA and although he fell away, his ability to find the short grass on such a long course tells me he is way overpriced here and our next hail mary is 1pt ew on him at 250/1 with Ladbrokes 8 places.

The final selection has been picked recently and I've been watching a lot of his game. SI WOO KIM has the ability to win by 5 or withdraw, his temperament is suspect as is his putting, but his last 5 results in singles reads 8th, 15th, 17th. 8th and 28th. What's more 15th, 4th, 13th, 9th, 18th in recent visits we will 100% be getting a run for our money and at 40/1 with Paddy Power and others 6 places our last 4pts e/w go on him with some real positive vibes. The more I've looked and the harder I've gone into the stats, the more I think maybe he should have been at the top of the list. It's going to be a great week.

Go well

TEWT