Welcome to Virtual Insanity, where we spend virtual money to try and win virtual money on golf betting. It's that simple!
Last week was somewhat frustrating as headline selection Matt Fitzpatrick finished in a tie for second behind winner Max Homa at the Wells Fargo Championship.
It means the virtual pot is at €1103 from €1000, a profit of 10.3% for 2022 entering this week's tournament of focus, the AT & T Byron Nelson on the PGA Tour in Texas.
Taking place a week before the US PGA Championship in Oklahoma, this tournament will provide elite players such as Scottie Scheffler, Jordan Spieth, Dustin Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama the opportunity to fine tune their games for the second major of 2022.
It's also the chance for 156 players to win a prestigious tournament that was first held in 1944.
The host course this week for the second year running is the TPC Craig Ranch. It's a par 72 with generous fairways and it should suit the big hitters who will relish some reachable par-fours and par-fives in Dallas. Last year, KH Lee won with a 72 hole total of 25 under par.
The tournament starts at 12.45pm Thursday, Irish time.
Be sure to shop around, with bookmakers such as Paddy Power, Betfair, SKY Bet, Betfred, Ladbrokes, Coral and William Hill offering 1/5 the odds for your pick to get into the top eight places.
I highlight the best terms and bookmakers offering them beside each recommendation below.
Our headline selection is Will Zalatoris for €10 each way at 22/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places, William Hill).
It's a bit of an anomaly that last year's Masters runner-up Will Zalatoris has yet to win on the PGA Tour, but surely it's only a matter of time. In fact, why not this week? American Zalatoris grew up in the Dallas area and has played Craig Ranch countless times. While other players will be gearing up for the US PGA, Zalatoris will want his first victory, especially at a local track. In this event last year he was the leading player with approach shots, but putted poorly en route to a tie for 17th. I believe he's in better form this year - coming off three top ten finishes in a row and ranked second on Tour in the tee to green statistics. Winning isn't an issue - he has earned a win on the Korn Ferry Tour - and it's just a case of the putts dropping for Zalatoris to lift the trophy on Sunday evening. The photos have done the rounds of Zalatoris and Scottie Scheffler as junior golfers in Texas in the wake of Scheffler's rapid ascent to greatness - now it's time for Zalatoris to step out of his friend's shadow. He's a strong headline pick for me this week.
Our second selection is Doc Redman for €1.50 each way at 200/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places, William Hill, Ladbrokes, Coral).
There's only one other recommendation this week - a saver on American Doc Redman at a massive price. At the recent team event in New Orleans, Redman and playing partner Sam Ryder 'had a blast' in their own words on the way to a third place finish. That was followed by a missed cut for Redman at the Wells Fargo Championship last week.
I am prepared to give the 2017 US Amateur champion another chance - in this tournament last year he finished in a tie for ninth place off the back of a missed cut. He has a habit of turning up out of the blue - with ties for second, third and fourth last season. With room off the tee this week and with the ability to make putts, the 24 year old, a former Walker Cup team-mate of Zalatoris, has the natural talent to win.
So that's €23 wagered virtually on this week's golf. Make sure you bet less at home! A euro each way will do!
Please gamble responsibly, never bet more than you can afford, and good luck!
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