Live on Sky Sports 4: Thu 04:30 & 20:00 Angus Loughran previews the 2014 Perth International and McGladrey Classic tournaments.
The European Tour moves Down Under to Perth this week, with the main focus on those battling to retain their card for 2015 as well as those trying to qualify for the big money end-of-season events.
In this sort of field Danny Willett should be able to make his class tell and he looks sure to be a leading contender at decent odds of 18/1.
Charl Schwartzel is a worthy market leader at 12/1 while Victor Dubuisson has an obvious chance at 14/1, although he may be tired after a hectic few weeks.
A tempting win-saver here is 20/1 shot Jason Dufner. Admittedly, I have no idea what shape the American is in but he is the class player of the field who could either run away with the event or miss the cut. I don’t want to look a fool so a small win bet is the answer, especially as he finished second here to Bo Van Pelt in 2012.
The Perth International has thrown up several shock winners in recent years including 200/1 chance Jin Jeong last year. For those looking for a three-figure price this time around can look towards Tom Lewis, who looks over the odds at 110/1.
The 2015 PGA season is already under way and Ben Martin was a shock 200/1 winner in Las Vegas last week. Similarly, the McGladrey Classic in Georgia has produced several big price winners in recent years so there has to be an element of caution for punters before they wade in on a course which will favour players with a decent short game and a hot putter.
The market is headed by Matt Kuchar at 14/1 closely followed by Webb Simpson and Billy Haas at 16/1 but I really like the chances of Chris Kirk at 18/1 after his shock victory in this event last year.
Kirk clearly loves the track and has the added advantage of being a member here. Having won the Deutsche Bank Championship and finished fourth in the season-ending Tour Championship he’s also in great form and would have made the American Ryder Cup Team at Gleneagles had his decent run of form begun just a few weeks earlier.
Zach Johnson has the game to contend on this type of course and at 20/1 must also be included in this week’s portfolio while those looking for a shock from a player with tremendous experience and great course form should look to proven winner David Toms, available at an insulting 90/1.
Although he missed the cut on his latest outing, Toms has not played much golf in recent weeks so should be fresher than many and he finished runner up in this event in 2012 as well as fourth – beaten by only four shots by Heath Slocum – in 2010. He is a player that will not be afraid to win on Sunday if finding his touch.
Good luck
Angus Loughran
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