The PGA Tour continues this week with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, Fort Worth, Texas.
After all the excitement Southern Hills produced last week at the USPGA Championship we only have a few weeks to wait until the next one at St Andrews for the 150th Open Championship.
Honestly I could write a book with all the twists and turns at Southern Hills last weekend, where do I start? Congratulations obviously go to JT for winning & commiserations go to our 40/1 EW selection Will Zalatoris who was beat in a play-off yet again.
I just feel so sorry for poor Will, he’s come so close on numerous occasions, surely he has to get lucky soon. I for sure certainly hope so, even as soon as this weekend would be amazing, just to win that maiden title will release all the pressure and you’ll only see win after win for Will Zalatoris when it finally happens.
Another worth sending our best wishes to is the oh so unlucky Mito Pereira. What was he doing on the 18th and final hole? Only needing a par to claim the PGA crown, he drove into the burn then capitulated. I just don’t understand why these players take any risk when they simply don’t need too.
He could simply have used an iron off the tee just to get it straight up the middle, it’s obviously just the pressure that forces rash decisions but then again that’s why the caddies are on the bag to help.
Well done to everyone who collected decent Each Way money on our 40/1 selection Will Zalatoris, it was a case of so near but yet so far. The returns on Zalatoris meant it was yet another profitable weekend if you follow our selections.
Charles Schwab Challenge
So let’s move on with this weeks Charles Schwab Challenge preview.
The 120 field, with the top 65 including ties making the cut, will all be competing for a share of the $8.4m prize purse with the winner collecting the title and a cheque for $1.35m.
Jason Kokrak returns to defend the title he won last year with two shots to spare when beating Jordan Spieth who looked the most likely winner until a disappointing final few holes.
This stunning Colonial Country Club lay out will be playing 7,209 yards this week, it’s a par 70 parkland track where accuracy and iron precision will be the key to any success.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm on Thursday and Friday with moderate breezes. The weekend will see cloudier weather but still sunny and warm with winds expected to peak at around 22mph for Sunday’s final round.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 1.30pm on Thursday afternoon.
So let’s move on with some selections for the Charles Schwab Challenge.
Daniel Berger
For my first and main selection in Texas this week I’m going to point you in the direction of Daniel Berger 35/1 EW Bet365.
The 29 year old from Florida missed the cut at the PGA Championship last week but so did many others unexpectedly so I wouldn’t read too much into that.
In the eight events Berger has played previous to last week’s PGA Championship, he had finished inside the Top 20 on four of those occasions with two of those being Top 10 finishes; T5th at the Sentry Tournament of Champions, T20th at the Farmers Insurance, 4th at The Honda Classic and T13th at The Players Championship.
Berger can also boast stats that will matter here at Colonial. He is currently ranked 14th on the PGA tour for SG Tee to Green and 18th SG Approach the Green . Probably the most important pointer is the fact that Berger won this event in 2020 so clearly knows his way around this tricky track and enjoys playing here.
With four PGA Titles already in the bag it could be time for Daniel Berger to make it a famous five when he wraps up his fifth PGA crown in Texas once again this weekend.
Jordan Speith
For my next suggestion I’m going to single out Jordan Speith 12/1 EW Coral (8 places).
The 28 year old favourite from Dallas, Texas could well be the crowd pleaser this weekend and the fans will certainly all be behind the local native in his own backyard.
Now not only is Speith the main attraction at Colonial, he also comes here with a track record second to none. If this event was hosted then it world certainly be Speith hosting.
Just check out these credentials, don’t forget this is just at the Charles Schwab Challenge, 7th on his debut in 2013, 14th 2014, 2nd 2015, winner 2016, 2nd 2017, 32nd 2018, 8th 2019, 10th 2020 and last year runner-up yet again in 2021.
That must surely be the best track record by any player anywhere. If anyone can enlighten me as to a better track record anywhere then please kindly let me know.
I could go on and on about Jordan Spieth and tell you all about his eleven PGA victories including three majors but I’ll leave it for you to decide.
The last time I said it could be catch me if you can was with Scottie Scheffler and that’s what happened, it could be the exact same with Spieth this weekend as he roars to victory in his home state to the delight of the locals, oh and us if he wins.
Will Zalatoris
For my next selection I’m really liking the look of, you know what, I’m going to change my mind here at the last second, it’s Will Zalatoris 22/1 EW Bet365.
I’m not giving up on poor Will, he will win anytime soon and I don’t want to miss out.
Now I can’t tell you who my original selection was but I just hope it doesn’t backfire on me. We all know that golden rule about changing your mind with any selections especially at the last second. Listen , I’d be delighted as I’m sure muost people in the golfing world would be, whether it be players or fans, I’m sure everyone would be willing on Will to break that PGA duck soon and win that maiden title.
Shame on you JT for denying Oor Wullie his first victory, a major one at that and to make it worse, he was our 40/1 selection to win last weekend.
I’m only joking, JT is another whom I admire and who I rate highly. A true role model and ambassador in the sport and another well deserved hard fought victory at Southern Hills to make it his second major, both of them PGA Championships.
So back to Zalatoris, the 25 year old from San Francisco has now played at nine events this year and finished inside the Top 10 on no less than five occasions, truly remarkable considering two of them were at both majors this year. He was 6th at Augusta for The Masters and runner up last weekend at the PGA Championship as we all know by now.
He’s just been so unlucky and surely it’s time the golfing gods gave Zalatoris some grace. I’ll be praying for Will Zalatoris and hopefully so will you as he feels what heaven is like with that much deserved victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge on Sunday.
Tom Hoge vs Patrick Reed
For my final selection it’s the return of the customary matchbet Nap. For this weeks Nap I’m going to advise Tom Hoge to beat Patrick Reed over 72 holes, 10/11 Nap Betfair.
Charles Schwab Challenge
- Daniel Berger 35/1 EW Bet365
- Jordan Speith 12/1 EW Coral
- Will Zalatoris 22/1 EW Bet365
- Tom Hoge to beat Patrick Reed, 10/11 Nap Betfair, 72 hole matchbet
The post Golf Betting Tips: Charles Schwab Challenge Preview & Predictions appeared first on MrFixitsTips.