Weekly PGA Tour Tips

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Sepp Straka – 35/1 – 2pts each-way

Charley Hoffman – 40/1 – 1.5pts each-way

Patrick Rodgers – 45/1 – 1.5pts each-way

Seamus Power – 66/1 – 1pt each-way

Patton Kizzire – 100/1 – 0.75pts each-way

The PGA Tour heads for the Dominican Republic this week following a memorable week at the US Open in New York. This week is the first time that the Corales Championship at the Puntacana resort is a fully-fledged PGA Tour event with 500 FedEx points for the winner and a place at the Masters next year. It started life out as a Korn Ferry Tour stop before being an Alternate event the last couple of years in the same week as the WGC Matchplay. Unfortunately, in the wake of a major championship the standard of the field has dropped considerably. Nevertheless, it will be a competitive event where Korn Ferry Tour leader, Will Zalatoris, is the favourite from the two Canadian players, Mackenzie Hughes and Corey Connors. The course at Puntacana is a long track at around 7,600 yards with paspalum grass greens. Despite its length, this is not a bomber’s paradise as Graeme McDowell is defending champion. It will be something of a birdie-fest with pleasant weather conditions expected. The focus is on relatively long-hitting players who are in decent form and can amass plenty of birdies.

The headline selection for this event is the big-hitting Austrian, Sepp Straka. He has had some eye-catching performances since the lockdown finished, including a top-10 at the Rocket Mortgage and a tied-14th at the Safeway Open. Given his recent strong form, he can clearly contend at this type of event. If he puts in four quality rounds, he will go very close.

Charley Hoffman is a veteran at this stage with some big wins to his name, including one at Mayakoba on paspalum greens. Charley has had some good results since the lockdown finished, notably a top-10 at the Workday and a tied-13th at the Northern Trust. He still possesses the ability to contend and win and this is an excellent opportunity for him.

Patrick Rodgers has flattered to deceive somewhat in the last few months. At a few events, he has shaped like he could put in a serious performance only to fall away. He has two quality top-20 finishes since the lockdown, but he is a much better player than that and still craves that first PGA Tour win. This is the type of event where he can break his duck.

Seamus Power is another player who needs to chalk his first tour victory. He has played well at this event in the last couple of years with a tied-5th in 2018. His form has been good when he has got his opportunities. He played well in Detroit and had a top-10 at the Barracuda. This looks like it could be a good week for the Waterford native.

Finally, we are taking a former winner of the OHO Classic at Mayakoba to round out our selections. Patton Kizzire has gone off the boil since having two wins in the 2018 season. He has missed a few cuts since the lockdown but when he is feeling it he can contend and win. He was tied-6th at the Travellers earlier in the summer, so his game is still good enough.