Fowler a worthy favourite
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Preview of the FedEx St Jude Classic
TPC Southwind, Memphis plays host to the ever-popular FedEx St Jude Classic for what will be the 29th year on the bounce. That ensures the major names in the field will arrive with a perfect understanding of just what is expected of them this week.
Does that shift the power towards past winners at this course? We don’t think so. Coral are betting on a number of markets, designed to give you an interest throughout play, and you can keep pace with the action live on Sky Sports from Thursday.
Champion won’t defend
Daniel Berger arrives as champion, but it’s unlikely he’ll receive too much attention pre-tournament to go and do two in-a-row. Our traders appear to have put a line through his chances of successfully defending the title, and offer up a tempting 20/1 to anyone who wishes to disagree and back the young American.
Rickie Fowler has been penned in as the most likely winner, according to the market, but he has only gone around here once before, back in 2014. Will that put fans off a financial interest on the Californian? It shouldn’t.
Favourite arrives on form
The 28-year-old didn’t do too badly during that introduction, finishing 13th, and those who fancy a repeat performance will find him as short as 4/11 to record another top-20 effort. Surely a bet that can be trusted by the big-hitters out there, or those who enjoy a weekend sports multiple.
Fowler arrives in fantastic form, but with a bit of a point to prove, both to himself and his followers, having thrown away the chance of victory in the Memorial Tournament last week, falling short on the final day despite looking every inch the winner, even at the business end of his round. That shows the kind of golf he is playing at the minute, but it would’ve also hurt to see his challenge crumble so late in the day, and the selection will arrive here determined to improve.
He goes as our main pick, and although it’s not often we find ourselves backing the market leader, we should get a serious run for our money, providing he’s over the heartache of Sunday. Rickie strikes me as the kind of professional who won’t dwell on it too much, but instead use it as a driving force.
Putting is key at TPC Southwind
Although fairly inexperienced at Southwind, the challenges of this course seem to fit well with his game, certainly on paper. The pick will give it plenty off the tee, and that’ll ensure he has every chance of challenging. This is a course for those who can whack, but it’s not a mere shoot-out by anyone’s standards, meaning Rickie will have to be shrewd when it’s needed.
His ability with the putter in hand will be the difference between challenger and champion on Sunday, and the greens here will be to his liking. We’re giving out 8/1 on Fowler living up to expectations and getting the win. Once again, each-way players can get on with confidence, as we’re giving 1/5 the odds 1-2-3-4-5-6-7.
