Teeing Off: The Coral Golf Blog
After all the drama at the Players Championship, the PGA Tour moves on to Texas where Jason Dufner defends his title. TPC Four Seasons Resort is the host course and the 7,166 yard par 70 will present another demanding test for the field. This layout is dominated by large undulating greens and the players will have to handle strong winds which are certain to provide extremely difficult scoring conditions at the tournament.
Jason Day has fond memories of this event as his sole title in America came here in 2010. The confident Australian has also enjoyed returning to Four Seasons since as he finished fifth two years ago before managing a tie for ninth last season. No-one in the field can match his consistency at the track and Day looks the strongest contender this weekend as he chases a second victory.
The 25-year-old has already caught the eye this year after going so close to winning the Masters. Day briefly led at Augusta on the final day before ending up third but it was a performance which demonstrated his potential as a future major champion. The powerful hitter has been much brighter in 2013 after a disappointing season last year and he also finished third at the WGC Match Play Championship in February. Sitting 14th in the all-r0und rankings, Day’s game is in excellent shape and he looks well worth backing at 14/1 each way.
Marc Leishman also contended at the Masters and this performance has elevated his confidence to a new level. He followed up his tie for fourth at the year’s first major by claiming top tens at the Heritage and the Players Championship at the weekend. Leishman has clearly been lifted by his maiden win last season at the Travelers Championship and he looks close to doubling this tally.
The 29-year-old enjoyed his best finish at the Byron Nelson 12 months ago when he tied for third in Texas. As an Australian, Leishman is comfortable in windy conditions and this course has also seen him finish joint eighth and 12th in two other visits. His best display in a major has done wonders for his belief and it would be no surprise if he captured a second title this week at 22/1 each way.
DA Points has been in impressive form over the last couple of months which all started with his victory at the Houston Open. The 36-year-old backed this win up with a superb performance at the Zurich Classic where his total of 19-under-par was unlucky to only earn second place.
Points is clearly comfortable in this part of America with his success in Houston firm evidence but he has also performed well at this venue in recent years. The two-time winner was third at Four Seasons in 2009 and returned the following season to finish in a tie for seventh. This mixture of course and current form suggests Points is decent value at 33/1 each way.
JJ Henry has plenty of local knowledge, living in Texas, and the experienced American has compiled a decent record at the tournament down the years. His best effort came last season when he tied for third and he has three other top-13 finishes at the track.
Henry added his second tour title last year at the Reno-Tahoe Open so is capable of getting over the line if in contention. This course requires accuracy, rather than power, and his stats bode well this week. He is 20th in greens in regulation and 28th in driving accuracy percentage which indicates his ball striking is in fine fettle. Take Henry at 125/1 and he is also worth backing at 10/1 in the top ten market.
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