It’s less than 24 hours since Tony Finau finally got that well deserved victory at The Northern Trust and with it progress to this weeks BMW Championship at Caves Valley Golf Club, Owings Mills, Baltimore, Maryland.
With the weather delay caused by Storm Fred, the Northern Trust was only completed last night (Monday) with Tony Finau seeing off Cameron Smith in a play-off after an exciting finish but the mullet from Australia could only hit his tee-off shot at the first play-off hole into the Hudson River to basically lay it on a plate for Finau, a victory I’m sure most golfers and fans alike certainly wouldn’t begrudge the talented American after so many near misses to claim his first victory in 1,975 days.
So what it all means now is that it’s down to 69 players to battle it out as the FedEx Cup play-offs continue at this stunning par 72 Maryland track with the Top 30 best players in the FedEx standings progressing on to next weeks finally, The Tour Championship.
The weather is forecast to be very hot throughout with temperatures in the mid 30s but there is a threat of some rain on Saturday.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 5.30pm GMT on Thursday.
So let’s move on swiftly with this weeks selections for The BMW Championship.
Sam Burns
For my first and main selection I’m going to advise Sam Burns 50/1 EW Bet365.
As you all know if you follow my selections, the 25yrs old from Louisiana has been all over my radar recently. I advised him at 80/1 less than a fortnight ago at the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational where he didn’t disappoint, only narrowly missing out in a play-off defeat to Abraham Ancer.
Last night he was in contention yet again at an advised 66/1 at The Northern Trust but had a poor final back nine only to fall away when it matters most to eventually finish 21st on -10.
This Cave Valley course is a tough test for all concerned and it will most certainly suit a big hitter with accuracy down the fairways to avoid the hazards on both sides.
Burns is an excellent ball striker and has good distance off the tee and can back that up with his reliable short game.
Again I think 50/1 is more than reasonable and maybe the firms still haven’t taken notice so yet again I’m all over Sam Burns to make them pay the price once more but this time with a victory and not just the place money.
Patrick Cantlay
For my next selection I’m going to single out Patrick Cantlay 25/1 EW Bet365.
The 29yrs old from Long Beach, California will not only be eyeing up the victory here in Maryland but also the chance to impress Steve Stricker, America’s captain for the Ryder Cup at Whistling Straits next month.
Cantlay, the world No.10 has a victory and three Top 20 finishes in his last six starts. He won the Memorial Tournament on similar bent grass greens to those here at Caves Valley so this course is all set up for Cantlay’s game.
The American currently sits at 4th place in the FedEx standings so shouldn’t be under pressure to qualify for next week’s Tour Championship therefore he can concentrate more on the job in hand this week and get the victory that would almost certainly assure him the Ryder Cup place.
Just check his last seven competitive rounds in all competitions 67-69-67-68-67-69-68. Not one round in the 70s so if he continues with those scores this week then Patrick Cantlay surely has to be a danger if not the champion at the BMW Championship.
Tony Finau
For my next selection I’m going to suggest last week’s, well sorry this week’s winner with the weather delay, Tony Finau 28/1 EW Ladbrokes to follow up on his success at the Northern Trust.
Now I fully appreciate that it’s very rare and not often you’ll see a player go on to win after a victory the previous week but I’m just thinking last week’s well deserved victory will only spur on the talented 31 yrs old from Salt Lake City.
He is the world No.9 for a reason and with so many near misses to mention, I just think the win last week will give him even more confidence to bag yet another victory in no time.
I’m not going to mention all the runners up places, Top 5s, Top 10s or 20s as there are just far too many but what I do think is worth a mention apart from his victory at the Northern Trust, is his form at Majors this year; 10th at The Masters, 8th at The PGA Championship and 15th at The Open Championship. He just seems to always produce at the big events and this week there is none bigger than the BMW Championship with the chance to progress to next week’s finale at the Tour Championship.
Finau will most certainly be suited to this track with his long accurate ball striking tee to green and although I’ve never yet advised a player to win an event immediately after winning the week before but hey, there’s a first time for everything and it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if Tony Finau could go on and do what most could only dream about and make it two victories in two attempts in less than one week.
Tony Finau to beat Louis Oosthuizen
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and I’m going to advise that man again Tony Finau 9/10Nap Betfair to get the better off Louis Oosthuizen who has just returned from a neck injury.
BMW Championship Tips
- Sam Burns 50/1 EW Bet365
- Patrick Cantlay 25/1 EW Bet365
- Tony Finau 28/1 EW Ladbrokes
- Tony Finau to beat Louis Oosthuizen 9/10 Nap Betfair, 72 hole matchbet.
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