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Tag: Rory McIlroy

  • 106th PGA Championship | 15/2 McIlroy seeks Major closure at Valhalla

    106th PGA Championship | 15/2 McIlroy seeks Major closure at Valhalla

    Can it really be TEN years since Rory McIlroy last won a major?

    This week in Kentucky, the Northern Irishman seeks to end his growing hoodoo, returning to the Bluegrass State, as Valhalla Golf Club in Louisville hosts the 106th PGA Championship.

    And having tasted that winning feeling once again this past weekend, the signs are promising for McIlroy.

     

    Double-figure drought

    August 10 2014. A typically steamy Kentuckian summer day on which Rory McIlroy claimed his fourth major and second Wanamaker Trophy.

    Just a month on from winning the Claret Jug at Royal Liverpool, the tally looked guaranteed to be ticking over rapidly.

    Since the late summer of 2014 and this week, the Briton has won three World Golf Championships, one Players Championship and no less than three Tour Championships.

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    However, one of just three players to have won four majors by the age of 25, somewhere along the route, McIlroy has become lost in the clouds of the modern day game.

    A total of 37 majors have come and gone; could number 38 finally be his time again?

     

    Perfect McIlroy prep

    For his many fans looking for hope, Valhalla 2014 could be a different tale and what better way to warm up than with a fourth Wells Fargo title this past weekend.

    By five strokes.

    His win in Charlotte was the biggest margin of victory in the tournament since he won in 2015, and his odds have since tumbled from 12/1.

    Since The Masters, McIlroy also won the Zurich Classic with fellow Irishman Shane Lowry.

    For those seeking further ammunition for McIlroy hope, this past month has been the first time since the 2014/15 campaign he has won two separate PGA recognised events between majors.

    McIlroy has been longer odds of late, but 15/2 for 7 places with Unibet could still look very smart come Sunday evening.

    But can he overcome the mental battle?

     

    Stopping Scottie

    Like in any one of the more recent majors, McIlroy’s task has been made more difficult as the game – or rather the calibre of opposition – has skyrocketed.

    And right now, his biggest obstacle is the near-impenetrable Scottie Scheffler.

    Having won a second Green Jacket at Augusta, the New Jersey native won a tenth PGA Tour crown with the RBC Heritage just a week later.

    Topping the stats and breaking records across the board this term, it is hard to make a case against Scheffler winning a third major but a first away from the Butler Cabin.

    Like pre-Masters, you wont get much value, but punters will still flock to Scheffler at 9/2 for 7 places with BetUK.

     

    Defending Koepka

    If Scheffler were not to lift the Wanamaker Trophy on Sunday evening, who can we look to from the form pack to challenge?

    As a roller-coaster PGA season winds on, there have been no less than seven first-time PGA Tour winners, the most recent of which, was Chris Gotterup.

    Whilst McIlroy was victorious in North Carolina last Sunday, the American had his first win in Myrtle Beach.

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    From the LIV Golf League, LIV Adelaide crowned the competition’s latest winner in Brendan Steele.

    Meanwhile, the defending PGA Champ, Brooks Koepka comes here in fine fettle from winning his fourth LIV event in Singapore.

    Koepka has won the Wanamaker a total of three times now, but this will be his first trip to Valhalla.

    Nevertheless, the 34-year-old Floridian – despite finishing a lowly T45 at the Masters – is in good shape to tie Tiger Woods for number four and for the second time in his career, retain the trophy.

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    If we look back to the first major of the year last month, both Lucas Aberg and Max Homa can figure over the weekend.

    The latter recorded by far his best result in a major in finishing T3, but will have to erase memories of last year where the Californian barely scraped past the cut.

    However, Homa looks a more rounded player this term and the numbers prove it, at a very decent bigger price value of 33/1 for 7 places with Unibet.

     

    The 106th PGA Championship begins on Thursday at Valhalla Golf Club, Louisville, Kentucky.

  • 151st Open Championship | Back 22/1 home favourite Fleetwood at Hoylake

     

    As the golfing fraternity unites for one final time in 2023, Hoylake hosts the 151st Open Championship and maybe, just maybe, Tommy Fleetwood is in the box-seat.

    With PGA, DP World and Japan Tours meeting on the Merseyside coast, for many, this remains the most prestigious tournament in golf.

    After Cam Smith won his first major at St. Andrews last year, who will claim the Claret Jug on Sunday evening at Royal Liverpool?

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    Fate for Fleetwood? – 22/1 for 8 places with William Hill

    Is this finally the week Tommy Fleetwood delivers on the major stage, in his own back yard no less?

    Much like Matt Fitzpatrick did at Brookline in last year’s US Open, the Southport native has been one of golf’s nearly men, but ready to rise to glory.

    Still without a win on the PGA Tour, the Englishman’s three-year winning drought was, however, ended in South Africa earlier this season.

    More importantly, in recent months now under the guidance of Butch Harmon, Fleetwood has been playing the best stuff of his career.

    Coming home T5 at Oak Hill last month, he arrives home on the heels of a T6 at the Genesis Scottish Open last weekend and as a runner-up in the Canadian Open.

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    Whilst only three British players have won the Open in the last 24 years, the wait for a English winner of the Claret Jug stretches back yet further.

    Indeed, it was Sir Nick Faldo‘s victory at Muirfield in 1992 – his third Open win – the last time the colour of St. George adorned the trophy.

    The last time an Englishman won the Open on English soil was Tony Jacklin way, way back in 1969 at Royal Lytham & St. Anne’s – not a million miles from Hoylake. An omen?

    Could Fleetwood finally be the man to end 31 years of hurt, and in the case of the above, far longer?

     

    The form book

    Of the form bunch, Rory McIlroy, of course, must be taken very seriously.

    However this time, the Northern Irishman is buoyant.

    Fresh from winning for the first time on Scottish soil at Renaissance, the Briton, seeking to end a nine-year wait for a major is primed to claim a second Claret Jug after a win at Hoylake in 2014.

    Having come agonisingly close in 2022, McIlroy is the favourite this week at 15/2 and with some justification.

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    Rickie Fowler, a contender at the US Open, rather floundered on the Scottish coastline last time out, but still waiting for his first major was runner-up to McIlroy here nine years ago.

    Form like his this year and that statistic cannot be overlooked.

    The man McIlroy practiced with earlier this week, Tyrrell Hatton, was a central figure last weekend but rather imploded in the wind in the final shake-up.

    If Fleetwood is the big English hope – as a runner-up at Sawgrass in March and with two T6 Open finishes -Hatton is not far behind at 25/1 for 8 places with William Hill.

    Away from the PGA Tour, Talor Gooch could be good price to feature.

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    Quite simply the best player in the LIV Golf League this year, the Oklahoman has won three times since April.

    Gooch may have only been T33 at Royal St. George’s in 2021 and a place lower last year but has the qualities for this test at 80/1.

    However, the man who won LIV London at Centurion earlier this month, Cam Smith, can make a strong defence of his title at Hoylake.

    Edging namesake Cam Young 12 months ago, the Australian, having grown to love the conditions, is as good a shout as any this week.

     

    Sleeper picks

    Of the many outsiders, David Lingmerth might also be a name to consider.

    The Swede, who only qualified for Hoylake after grabbing one of three places at Renaissance last weekend has five top-ten finishes on the PGA Tour this season.

    Though the 35-year-old has a less than impressive best of 74th in the 2015 Open at the Home of Golf, his T3 in East Lothian is enough to suggest his form could carry over.

    Lingmerth is a massive price of 300/1 for 8 places with Betfred.

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    If we continue to cast an eye over events of last week, Sam Burns looks primed for Links golf.

    But for a freak bunker-initiated treble on Sunday, the American, who claimed the WGC Dell Technologies this term, would have had a top-ten finish likely with ease.

    Meanwhile, what of Padraig Harrington‘s chances?

    The veteran Irishman, no stranger to living with the trophy – for two years, in fact – featured at Renaissance and went into the final round only mere shots off the lead.

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    With some talking up a unlikely wildcard call-up for the Ryder Cup, Harrington can boost his chances of facing Team USA for a seventh time.

    One final name to ponder for the betslip, Thomas Detry is well into treble figures with the bookies.

    A player 52nd in the FedEx Cup standings, the Belgian has been the beneficiary of LIV Golf, taking a card in the States.

    Though his record does standout, Detry shot up the leaderboard last weekend before fading badly.

    His results do not scream Champion Golfer of the Year, but his potential for a good week is there at 250/1 for 8 places with BoyleSports.

  • The 151st Open Championship | Hoylake return leads McIlroy full-circle

     

    Liverpool. A name which, almost certainly, would bring one to think of The Beatles. However, for one week at least, for golf fans, Hoylake takes top billing.

    As Royal Liverpool prepares to host the 151st Open Championship, Rory McIlroy looks in perfect position.

    After nine years in the major wilderness, is the Northern Irishman finally primed to end his lengthy drought?

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    Breaking ground

    For a four-time major winner, a 16-year career without a win in Scotland seemed more than a little off.

    Having grown up on the banks of the Irish Sea in County Down and with Links golf in his blood, the Northern Irishman has frequently floundered.

    No win in the Home of Golf was a baffling truth; until last weekend.

    Sinking an eight-foot putt to seal the Genesis Scottish Open at Renaissance, there was almost surprise on McIlroy’s face in victory.

    Sealing a one-stroke victory over Scotland’s own Robert MacIntyre, McIlroy become the first player to win back-to-back Rolex Series events – his last, a third win in the Dubai Desert Classic in January.

    As the Briton once again plays his home Open this week, in terms of preparation, it could not get much better for McIlroy.

     

    Pressure

    After victory in East Lothian however, McIlroy is once again assigned another ‘favourites’ tag for a major.

    A badge, which in the last decade has become quite the burden.

    As documented now until the cows have come home, McIlroy’s quest for a major is now closing on a full decade.

    It is a statistic which could yet deny his status as one of golf’s true greats.

    Since winning the PGA Championship at Valhalla in 2014, the cabinet has remained dry for the Holywood native, with the Green Jacket still eluding his Grand Slam.

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    Hunting the Masters title, earlier this season and possibly as big a favourite in Georgia than ever, McIlroy flopped once more, failing to make the cut for the second time in three tournaments.

    It’s worth reminding ourselves however, that same year saw a major double with an Open win also.

    For it was nine years back that the Briton took home the Claret Jug, here at Hoylake.

    However, instead of those looking for omens, the Open’s return to Royal Liverpool may only serve to heap the load on McIlroy yet further.

     

    Primed?

    Perhaps however, 2023 could be a different story.

    Now, lightened by not having to carry the PGA Tour almost single-handedly, the merger with LIV Golf has seen his inbox on an average week significantly decluttered.

    Not only that, but as Brad Faxon continues to iron out the chinks in his game, McIlroy’s new driver has been a godsend.

    Forgetting his trip to Augusta in April, his major campaign this term has been impressive.

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    After a T7 finish at Oak Hill, a runner-up finish to Wyndham Clark at Los Angeles Country Club felt like huge progress, but was still a huge chance missed.

    At St. Andrews in last year’s Open, McIlroy went into Sunday tied for the lead but again, could only finish third.

    Now no.2 in the world, the Northern Irishman has nine top-tens this season.

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    The last time McIlroy won a major he was only 25; a flood of major honours seemed destined to follow but somehow, the pressure has been too much.

    That very same element is front-and-centre at Hoylake and after pulling out of a pre-tournament presser, McIlroy knows all eyes are on him.

    In the past five years, pundits and media circles have falsely predicted the second coming of McIlroy; but it is just possible however, that Hoylake may finally see McIlroy’s often torturous journey to a fifth major complete its journey this week.

  • The 87th Masters preview: Scheffler defends Green Jacket as LIVGolf stars return

    The 87th Masters preview: Scheffler defends Green Jacket as LIVGolf stars return

    With spring in the air, for golf fans, April can only mean one thing: The Masters.

    As the 87th edition of arguably the most prestigious major on the calendar begins on Thursday, the arrival of major season is more highly anticipated than for some considerable time.

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    Not only will 2023 see both a Solheim Cup and Ryder Cup later in the year, but as the golfing fraternity roll into the Augusta National this week, amongst them present will be the exiled stars of LIVGolf.

    Making a first appearance after leaving the PGA Tour last year, former winners drive up on Magnolia Lane looking to put the cat amongst the pigeons. And azaleas.

    This year’s edition looks set to be epic.

     

    Imperious Scheffler

    For Scottie Scheffler, the Masters represents his first chance to defend a major title after claiming the Green Jacket 12 months ago.

    And he could take some stopping.

    Fresh from a five-stroke Players Championship victory at Sawgrass last month, the New Jersey native is once again world number one.

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    Runner-up to Matt Fitzpatrick in the US Open at Brookline last June, the 26-year-old finished T8 or better in all four majors last term.

    This season, Scheffler has already added a second Tour crown by defending the Waste Management Phoenix Open.

    Not only that, the defending champ has no less than seven T7 finishes this term.

    Top of the charts off the tee, from tee and green and for greens in reg, Scheffler is 7/1 for 8 places with William Hill.

     

    Can McIlroy seal Grand Slam?

    Or, could this year’s trip to the Peach State finally see the crowing glory for Rory McIlroy?

    Now close to nine years since his last major win at Valhalla in 2014, the Northern Irishman’s game has perhaps returned to the same level.

    With a new driver in the bag, McIlroy has been better off the tee than ever this term and despite again missing the cut at Sawgrass, was third in the WGC Matchplay a fortnight back.

    In the past, the Briton has struggled with the pressure of sealing the career Grand Slam, but with his accuracy at a very high level right now, McIlroy looks poised.

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    Despite missing another high-profile cut in 2021, the four-time major champ has finished at least T5 or better in half his last eight appearances at Augusta.

    Though his iconic bunker play at the 18th on Sunday last year proved in the end forlorn, McIlroy’s 64 proved he still can do it at Augusta.

    So will 2023 be his time? McIlroy is favourite with some bookmakers and 13/2 for 8 places with BoyleSports.

     

    LIV Golfers to add Masters spice

    If the Masters itself wasn’t enough to fire up the cylinders for major season, the LIVGolf crew are in town.

    After the Augusta National in December made the decision not to alter their qualifying criteria, that meant former major winners past and present would be on show; including those from Greg Norman’s rebel alliance.

    The most recent major winner, Cam Smith will be front and centre after winning the Claret Jug at St. Andrews last summer.

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    There will also be five other former winners of the Green Jacket from LIV in attendance; Charl Schwartzel, Phil Mickelson, Bubba Watson, Patrick Reed and most recent victor, Dustin Johnson.

    All six look capable of throwing the iron of controversy into the fire but we’re looking a bet special with SBK in this case.

    Indeed, you can claim your money back as a free bet, up to £10, if any of the breakaway LIV Golfers win.

     

    The contenders; back Day to figure

    Elsewhere, of the leading names that could figure, Jason Day looks a prime candidate.

    Without a major or Tour victory in five years, the 2015 PGA Champion appears to have left his health issues behind.

    Runner-up to Charl Schwartzel at Augusta 12 years ago after the South African’s remarkable 4-2-3-3 finish, Day has three T5 finishes in Georgia.

    This season, recapturing his very best with six top 10 finishes, Day looks good value to feature at 25/1 with 888Sport.

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    Or, how about compatriot Min Woo Lee?

    Having played just five majors, the 24-year-old from Perth is coming up on the rails.

    T14 on his Masters debut last time out, the Australian was also T6 at Sawgrass and could be a real force here at 66/1 with BetVictor.

    Another British challenge meanwhile, could come from Tyrrell Hatton.

    Long talked up as a major winner in waiting, further success for the winner of the Arnold Palmer in 2020 has yet to materialise.

    However, after carding a stunning final round 65 in the Players, claiming second place behind Scheffler was a fitting consolation.

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    In six Masters showings, Hatton’s best came in a T18 two years ago.

    Looking to follow in the footsteps of messrs Faldo and more recently Danny Willett, Hatton, to be the third English winner of the Green Jacket can be had at 45/1 with Betfred.

    Finally, another player of real consistency to note, Corey Conners may be in the perfect position after winning the Valero Texas Open for a second time last weekend.

    Of the four majors, the Canadian has performed best at the Masters with a best of T6 last year.

    It would be no surprise to see the putting maestro revelling on the greens at 45/1 with William Hill.

  • Players Championship 2023 betting

    Players Championship 2023 betting

    As spring approaches, major season nears ever closer with The Masters beginning April 9 at the Augusta National.

    Before that however, the Players Championship rolls into view on Thursday at TPC Sawgrass.

    Fresh from the Arnold Palmer Invitational at Bay Hill, the Florida swing continues apace.

    With the Stadium Course set, the biggest purse of the year is up for grabs at a cool $25 million.

    The PGA’s flagship event, the Players’ is now regarded the unofficial fifth major but who will take the crown this year?

     

    The big three

    Despite the loss of a number of heavyweights to LIVGolf – including last year’s winner Cam Smith – both PGA and DP World Tours look healthier than ever.

    Scottie Scheffler, Jon Rahm and Rory McIlroy continue to see-saw at the top of the standings.

    Rahm continues as top dog having won three Tour titles since the turn of the year.

    Wins at Sentry, the American Express and at Genesis have kept the Spaniard on song.

    Rahm is on this week at a 10/1 price for 9 places with William Hill.

    It is McIlroy, however, who is tipped to win in Florida.

    Finishing just one stroke off the pace last weekend, the Northern Irishman’s game has returned.

    Victory in the CJ Cup was then topped by claiming a third Dubai Desert Classic in January.

    McIlroy might take some stopping and is 17/2 to win for a second time at Sawgrass for 8 places with Betway.

    It is worth reminding ourselves however, that whilst the Briton won here in 2019, on five occasions he has missed the cut.

    Further to that, in 12 attempts, McIlroy has finished T10 or better only four times.

    Finishing T33 last year though, bet365’s boosted offer of evens to finish in the top 20 is surely worth a stake.

    In the case of Scheffler, in his two appearances, the defending Masters champion has not enjoyed Sawgrass.

    Missing the cut on debut, Scheffler finished outside the top 50 last time out but is fancied to feature this year.

    Available at 9/1 with Ladbrokes for 10 places, given his struggles is also 4s to miss the cut with 10Bet.

     

    The chasing pack

    Of the chasing field, Max Homa could carry a strong threat.

    Indeed, everything points to this year being the San Diego native’s turn to shine in major season.

    With two more Tour wins in the Fortinet and Farmers Insurance, Homa was also runner-up to Rahm in the Genesis.

    Add to that a further T3 finish at the Sentry – also claimed by Rahm – and the American is in excellent form.

    Homa is 18/1 for 10 places with PaddyPower.

    If we had to plump for one player however, Cameron Young might be the man.

    Yet to win on the Tour, Young was a feature on Sunday at Bay Hill this past weekend.

    A runner-up at the Open and a T3 at Southern Hills last year, the Californian is poised.

    Set to tee off at a price of 40/1 for 10 places with PaddyPower, Young is value that should not be sniffed at.

    Corey Conners, meanwhile, remains a consistent performer having missed the cut just once in eight this term.

    With a T12 at the Sony Open, the Canadian came T7 at Sawgrass in 2021 and is 60/1 for 8 places with bet365.

    Finally, what of the newest PGA Tour winner, Kurt Kitayama?

    Holding his nerve to two-putt to win the Red Cardigan, the 30-year-old had previous on the European tour.

    Victorious in 2018 and 2019, Kitayama emerged from the wilderness last weekend.

    His price however, should not be scorned and a 100/1 shot for 7 places with UniBet could be smart.