Wentworth once again plays host to the European Tour’s flagship event as many of the tour’s elite do battle for the BMW PGA Championship trophy.
Here we run through the betting and pick who could come out on top.
McIlroy’s indifferent record
As should be the case, most of the European Tour’s premier players are here this week and the field is headed by Rory McIlroy at 17/2 with Grosvenorsport.com.
The world number eight was last seen when missing the cut at The Players Championship a couple of weeks ago and bar his win at the Arnold Palmer Invitational in March, he’s only had one other top-ten finish since February.
On his day he’s arguably the best player on the planet, but for a man with such talent, he’s beginning to fail to deliver far more regularly than he should.
His record around Wentworth is patchy to say the least – one win and three missed cuts means he’s a risky proposition and while he could tear this field apart, I’m prepared to leave him alone.
Molinari tailormade for Wentworth
With Wentworth having hosted this event for more than two decades, you’d think a certain type of player would have developed who usually takes the title. Not a bit of it! Bombers like McIlroy and Angel Cabrera have won here while short and more accurate players like Luke Donald and Matteo Manaserro have also lifted the trophy.
Taking this into account, I’m going to concentrate on course form as those who play well at Wentworth seem to do it time and again.
Francesco Molinari has recorded top tens in the event in five of the last six years including a two-stroke second to Alex Noren last year.
His game is made for the course, he’s seventh on the PGA Tour for strokes gained off the tee meaning he’s more than often in the correct spot to attack the flags. Accuracy off the tee is so important around Wentworth with the tiny greens so well protected and many of the pins are virtually impossible to get at if you’re not firing from the fairway.
Many used to claim he was a bit short off the tee, but the Italian has clearly worked on that aspect of his game having increased his distance off the tee by almost 15 yards over the last two seasons.
Providing his putting holds up, I think he’s a cracking bet at 18/1 to take the title come Sunday afternoon.
Hatton primed for bold showing
While I’m pretty sure last year’s winner Alex Noren will go well at 14/1, my second selection is Tyrrell Harron at an inviting 28/1.
A couple of years ago, Hatton was renowned for being very talented but his mental instabilities would often cost him at the business end.
However, in the last 18 months or so, the Englishman has really focused himself mentally and his results have improved dramatically transporting him to 21 in the world rankings.
His wins at the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship and the Italian Open last year and his third placed finish at this year’s WGC Mexico Championship have showed he is really coming of age and isn’t afraid to mix it with the game’s best.
Admittedly, his record at Wentworth isn’t anything to right home about with just one top ten in four starts, but I’m hoping playing on the big stage in Europe’s premier event can spark him into life.
Recommendations:
EW Terms 1/4 1-2-3-4-5-6
Francesco Molinari – 18/1
Tyrrell Hatton – 28/1
Leave a Reply
You must be logged in to post a comment.