The oracle almost upgraded our summer trip from Butlins to Puerta Banus last week when Bob MacIntyre placed second at 110/1. With the factor 50 on standby, we’re still holding out hope.
One to watch
Rory McIlroy starts favourite this week at 9/1 with four top-10’s from seven Memorial starts, but all eyes will be on Tiger Woods at 12/1. Muirfield Village is wide enough off the tee for Tiger and it will be intriguing to see the five-time champion’s form heading towards The US Open.
Doc’s Top-5 Each-Way Bets
Matt Kuchar 22/1
Continues to perform on the biggest stage. Kuch is perennially in the mix at Memorial with seven top-10’s from 13 career starts including a win in 2013. T8 last time out at Bethpage where nobody gave him a chance brings his run to four consecutive top-15 finishes. Could he make it the hat-trick of season wins this week? Certainly worth an each-way look.
Patrick Cantlay 18/1
How long more can this guy wait in the fringes before adding to his sole Shriners win in 2017? T9 at Augusta, T3 at Hilton Head and T3 at Bethpage last time out whilst posting some incredible scrambling stats. Solo fourth here last year and looks a good shout to go close again as he does for Pebble Beach in a couple of weeks’ time.
Tony Finau 25/1
Fans of Jack Nicklaus designed courses will know he likes to leave plenty of room off the tee before making things tough around the greens and that plays into the hands of the Tour’s big hitters like Tony Finau. Recovered from a poor PGA Championship to score a solo second at the Colonial, erm “Charles Schwab” last week. Three top-15’s from four visits to The Memorial.
Rory Sabbatini 66/1
The original Tour bad boy is enjoying a super return to form lately. I make it over $750,000 earned in his last four starts with a T6 at the Charles Schwab, T5 at the Byron Nelson, T18 in the Wells Fargo and T10 at the Heritage. Best of T2 here in 2012 and could score a place.
Hideki Matsuyama 25/1
Stats guys like me are looking at Hideki and scratching their heads wondering when all these good numbers will result in… well, a result! Contended at the PGA Championship before falling to a final round 77 for a T16 finish. Hideki has happy memories at The Memorial where he won on his debut in 2014 and I think this week could well be big for him!
Long Odds Glory Shots
Kyle Stanley at 85/1: Was having a poor year but turned it around somewhat since The Masters and has three top-6 finishes in the last six Memorials. Worth watching his progress.
Sung Kang 80/1: Won recently at the Byron Nelson and followed it with a solo 7th at Bethpage. No course form from two starts but in-form.
Jim Furyk 80/1: Is quietly having an excellent season now that the Ryder Cup commitments are over. Six top-20’s to date including a T13 at Colonial where he sat 2nd after 54 holes.
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