After a weekend of heroics from Phil Mickelson at Kiawah Island, normal service resumes on the PGA Tour with the Charles Schwab Challenge at Colonial Country Club, Forth Worth, Texas.
In amongst the 120 field we will have a few big hitters including Justin Thomas, Jordan Speith, Patrick Reed and last week’s USPGA Championship winner Phil Mickelson. They will all be competing for the $7.5 M prize money with the winner collecting $1.35 M.
This stunning par 70 parkland course has hosted a PGA event here at Colonial Country Club for over 75 years.
I would expect to see some low scorecards this week and the key attribute will be accuracy around this dog-legged track.
Daniel Berger returns to defend the title he won last year when he beat Colin Morinkawa in a play off at the first extra hole.
The weather is forecast to be sunny and warm throughout with only slight to moderate breezes.
The event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 1pm GMT, Thursday.
Joaquin Niemann
For my main selection in Texas this week I’m liking the look of Joaquin Niemann 25/1 EW Betfair.
The talented 22 year old kid from Chile has already bagged a PGA Tour victory to his name when winning at Old White TPC.
He was unlucky finishing runner up at the Sony Open in Hawaii earlier this year and also finished in 2nd place at the Sentry Tournament of Champions back in January.
Niemann definitely comes to Texas in good condition. He finished a very respectable 30th at Kiawah Island last week playing some tidy golf. He is currently ranked inside inside the worlds top 30 and really enjoys this layout at Colonial.
Putting will most certainly be key to any success around here and Niemann has always been hot with the putter.
This talented youngster is going to be a huge name in golf for many years to come. In his last twelve tournaments Niemann has finished inside the Top 10 on three occasions while finishing inside the Top 30 at no less than nine of those events.
With seven places available at Betfair then a looks good value to win the Charles Schwab Challenge or at very worst collect some decent each way value.
Will Zalatoris
For my next selection in the US I’m going to suggest yet another talented kid, Will Zalatoris 25/1 EW Betfair.
The 24 yrs old from California had yet another amazing Major last week at Kiawah Island and comes here in stunning form.
Zalatoris is still looking for that first maiden PGA Tour victory and this week gives him a perfect opportunity to make that breakthrough.
He was absolutely sublime at Augusta last month finishing runner up to green jacket winner Hideki Matsuyama.
He was also T6th at the US Open in 2020 so is definitely knocking on the door for not just a PGA Title but also a major.
Other notable finishes this year include T7th at the Farmers Insurance, 10th at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, 15th at the Genesis Invitational, 17th at the Phoenix Open and also 17th at AT&T Byron Nelson. Again with seven places available at Betfair just a top seven finish will ensure some decent each way value.
Patrick Reed
For my next selection I’m going to pick out Patrick Reed 22/1 EW Bet365.
Reed is a native to these parts having being raised in Texas and will enjoy home advantage especially with the good news that 10,000 spectators will be in attendance each day to cheer on their local favourite.
Reed is yet another of my selections this week to have had an amazing Masters at Augusta last month finishing inside the Top 10 in 8th place.
The 30 yrs old American from San Antonio, Texas is currently ranked inside the world’s Top 10.
He was 17th at at The PGA Championship last week, 6th at Wells Fargo the week before, 9th at the WGC Workday Championship and won yet another PGA Title when winning the Farmers Insurance Open.
Apart from the missed cut at Valspar, Reed has finished inside the Top 30 in all his previous tournaments which include two Top 10 finishes.
He is another coming into this event with good form and can use his experience and expertise especially around these tight greens, there is no one better with the short game than Patrick Reed.
With the home fans behind him I can’t see Reed disappointing and you can expect him in contention on the back nine on Sunday evening.
Joachim Niemann v Corey Conners
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and I’m sticking with my main selection Joachim Niemann to get the better of Corey Conners.
Charles Schwab Challenge Tips
- Joachim Niemann 25/1 EW Betfair 1-7 places
- Will Zalatoris 25/1 EW Betfair
- Patrick Reed 22/1 EW Bet365
- Joachim Niemann to beat Corey Conners , Evs Nap , 72 hole match
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