Welcome to Virtual Insanity, where we spend virtual money to try and win virtual money on golf betting. It's that simple!
After a yo-yo year so far, the virtual pot is at €979 from €1000 entering this week's tournament of focus, the Valspar Championship on the PGA Tour in Florida.
The Copperhead course at Innisbrook Resort is a par 71, a tree-lined venue with many doglegs. It requires accuracy and good iron play. There is no identikit winner, so in-form players are important to follow, as they won't have to find their game at this tough track.
The tournament starts at Noon Thursday, Irish time.
Be sure to shop around, with bookmakers such as Paddy Power, Betfair, SKY Bet, Betfred and William Hill offering 1/5 the odds for your pick to get into the top eight places.
Our headline selection is Corey Conners for €4 each way at 20/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places).
From a place called Listowel in Ontario, Canadian Corey Conners has been playing the best golf of his life. He has finished in the top ten in four of his last six starts, including an excellent display at the Masters. A top quality ball striker, Conners was the 54 hole leader on his only appearance at the Valspar Championship in 2018. He's my main pick.
Our second selection is Jason Kokrak for €2 each way at 33/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places).
When it comes to horses for courses, big hitting American Jason Kokrak loves Copperhead. He's finished in the top 10 three times in his last five starts in this event. He knows the taste of victory after landing his first PGA Tour win at the CJ Cup back in October and then posted three top ten finishes in the Florida swing in February and March. It would be no surprise to see him win again this week.
Our third selection is Joaquin Niemann for €2 each way at 33/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places).
Chilean Niemann is an excellent ball striker who has a big future in the game. Still only 22, he started the year with consecutive back to back second place finishes in Hawaii. His form since then has been middle of the road, but he's had a break since the Masters and I feel his natural talent can see him improve on a tied 37th placing on his debut appearance at the Valspar Championship in 2019. Follow natural talent.
Our fourth selection is Denny McCarthy for €2 each way at 90/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places).
Ranked the best putter on the PGA Tour over the last two years, American McCarthy has been in solid nick, posting a tie for third at the Honda Classic in Florida in March. He was then tied for 13th at the Heritage on his latest start, carding three rounds of 67 in a row. McCarthy's debut appearance at the Valspar Championship resulted in a tie for ninth in 2019, so he's ticking a lot of boxes.
Our final selection is Doug Ghim for €2 each way at 100/1. (1/5 the odds the first 8 places).
Former world amateur number one Doug Ghim is making his first start at the Valspar Championship. I have been following him closely and this elite ball striker should be suited by the conditions this week. Ghim will have done enough to secure his card. He is gaining experience by producing some excellent rounds, but just not for the full 72 holes. He played well at Bay Hill and Sawgrass and he could out perform his three figure price.
So that's €24 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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