The famous 17th on the Copperhead course on the Innisbrook Resort © Innisbrook Resort
Jordan Spieth 16/1 © Under Armour
After last weeks WGC Cadillac Championship its back to the regular PGA Tour schedule, which stays on the Florida swing and tees up at the Copperhead course on the Innisbrook Resort at Palm Harbor, Florida.
It’s always a good indicator of how good a course is when the players that compete on the tour say great things about the track. Paul Azinger, 2008 U.S. Ryder Cup Captain said, “Copperhead is the best course we play on Tour.” Two times US Open Champion Curtis Strange stated, “If I could only play one course the rest of my life, it would be Copperhead. It has that much character.”
Designed by Larry & Roger Packard in 1974 its 7.300 yards is characterised by its rolling terrain and tree lined fairways, The course makes the most of its natural lakes and ponds which are home to an abundant of wildlife including fox squirrels, bald eagles, alligators, blue herons, and many other types of water fowl.
Luke Donald 20/1 © Keith Allison
My tips to win:
It shows how far Jordan Spieth 16/1 has come in such a short space of time for the bookies to make him favourite for a tournament, but like me, they obviously think it will be only a matter of time before he bags his second tournament victory. Jordan has had three Top 5 finishes so far this season from eight starts and with his length off the tee and that solid putting action that shows no fear, look for him to be in one of the final pairings come Sunday afternoon.
It’s not been the start to the season that 2012 champion of this event Luke Donald 20/1 would have wanted, but being back on a track that he enjoys playing I expect to see Luke once again challenging for the winners cheque this week. Luke defended his title last year with another Top 5 placing and a sixth place finish in 2010 should see the Englishmen arrive at Innisbrook in confident mood.
Justin Rose 22/1 hasn’t started the season in the best of form and had to pull out of the Honda Classic due to a shoulder injury. But Justin on form is one of the most consistent players on tour and will want to be in good shape going into the Masters. Rose has had a Top 5 finish in this event back in 2011 and a Top 15 placing in 2010, so he obviously enjoys the track so I can see him being in the thick of it come Sunday.
Jim Furyk 28/1 © James Marvin Phelps
My each-way tips:
Webb Simpson 28/1 has not been outside the Top 20 in this event since 2010 and had a runners-up finish in that run in 2011. Webb has had a win this season and five other Top 10 finishes. Simpson currently sits third in the birdie average and first in the Par 5 Birdie or Better sats and I expect him to be a solid each-way bet this week.
The 2010 Champion of this event Jim Furyk 28/1 is another player that seems to enjoy playing the Copperhead Course, apart from that win Jim has had a runners-up finish and two other Top 20 placing’s since he lifted the trophy at the Innisbrook Resort. Furyk has two Top 10 finishes so far this season from his five starts.
My outside tip:
One player I have been watching with interest this season is Brian Stuard 100/1, Brian has started this year in great form and from his runners-up finish at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba went on to have two other Top 6 finishes. After watching him make the Top 25 at the Honda Classic firing a third round 65 to move himself up the leaderboard, I think Stuard could again be moving in the right direction.
For updated betting odds during the tournament go to planetgolfreview.com
