Hyundai Tournament of champions selections and guide
I've got a bit of catching up to do already in 2014 after a poor pre Xmas run and there's a new format on the blog this year which will take shape as we go on. Basically, with social media taking off and so many people now writing previews as a hobby and Twitter destroying odds early, I'm going to make Nicspicks more facts and figures and straight to the point. This year will also have more of a focus on the exchange trading side.
We start with the Hyundai Tournament Of Champions breakdown which is a tough one to predict for obvious form reasons but, maybe less obviously, the main reason is actually the severe trade winds which blow across the course....
The course: Plantation at Kapalua; Length 7,452 yards; Par 73
Key Features: Wide open fairways, large undulating greens, elevation changes
Premium on: Controlling ball flight from approaches in the wind, driving distance, converting tricky short putts
Follow me on Twitter: @Nicspicks for extra views and insight
Nicspicks man to beat: Adam Scott 5/1
Market Negatives (notably underpriced IMO): Dustin Johnson 7/1
Hyundai Tournament of Champions shortlist
Ryan Moore
Current form: 9-1-50-23-7; Course form: 6-28
Key stats: Total putting: 6th; Total driving: 2nd
Other: Back to the top of his form at back end of last season and expecting a big 2014
Martin Laird
Current form: 61-20; Course form: 4-2 (scintillating)
Key stats: averaging just under 300 yards from the tee since 2012
Other: Wind competent. known fan of this week's destination.
Jason Dufner
Current form: 34-13 (progressive); Course form: 18
Key stats: (2013) 20th putting from 5-15'; 7th in par 4 performance
Other: Wind capable. -6 through last 14 holes to close here last year.
Jimmy walker
Current form: 1-12-6-46 1st gear; Course form: -
Key stats: 2nd in driving distance, putting and birdie av. in 2014 (4 events)
Other: New player under Butch Harmon. Owns low rounds of 64 and 62 already in season 2014. Backed at 33s in full field events last year. A real one to watch in 2014.
Sang Moon-Bae
Current form: 68-52-15 progressive ; Course form: -
Key stats: (2013) 18th in total birdies; 9th in putting from 5-10'
Other: General good early season form. Makes birdies in bunches. Should prove one of Asia's finest after maiden PGA win at HP Byron Nelson
Trading pointer (Back-to-lay): 1pt Jimmy Walker at 40.0 and look to lay 4pts at 10.0 - pays 3/1.
Finalised EW staking plan
1u EW Jason Dufner @ 25/1 (general)
1u EW Ryan Moore to shoot lowest round @ 20/1 (Skybet)
1u EW Jimmy walker to shoot lowest round @ 25/1 (Skybet)
0.75u EW S. Moon Bae to shoot lowest round at 60/1 (Skybet)
We start with the Hyundai Tournament Of Champions breakdown which is a tough one to predict for obvious form reasons but, maybe less obviously, the main reason is actually the severe trade winds which blow across the course....
The course: Plantation at Kapalua; Length 7,452 yards; Par 73
Key Features: Wide open fairways, large undulating greens, elevation changes
Premium on: Controlling ball flight from approaches in the wind, driving distance, converting tricky short putts
Follow me on Twitter: @Nicspicks for extra views and insight
Nicspicks man to beat: Adam Scott 5/1
Market Negatives (notably underpriced IMO): Dustin Johnson 7/1
Hyundai Tournament of Champions shortlist
Ryan Moore
Current form: 9-1-50-23-7; Course form: 6-28
Key stats: Total putting: 6th; Total driving: 2nd
Other: Back to the top of his form at back end of last season and expecting a big 2014
Martin Laird
Current form: 61-20; Course form: 4-2 (scintillating)
Key stats: averaging just under 300 yards from the tee since 2012
Other: Wind competent. known fan of this week's destination.
Jason Dufner
Current form: 34-13 (progressive); Course form: 18
Key stats: (2013) 20th putting from 5-15'; 7th in par 4 performance
Other: Wind capable. -6 through last 14 holes to close here last year.
Jimmy walker
Current form: 1-12-6-46 1st gear; Course form: -
Key stats: 2nd in driving distance, putting and birdie av. in 2014 (4 events)
Other: New player under Butch Harmon. Owns low rounds of 64 and 62 already in season 2014. Backed at 33s in full field events last year. A real one to watch in 2014.
Sang Moon-Bae
Current form: 68-52-15 progressive ; Course form: -
Key stats: (2013) 18th in total birdies; 9th in putting from 5-10'
Other: General good early season form. Makes birdies in bunches. Should prove one of Asia's finest after maiden PGA win at HP Byron Nelson
Trading pointer (Back-to-lay): 1pt Jimmy Walker at 40.0 and look to lay 4pts at 10.0 - pays 3/1.
Finalised EW staking plan
1u EW Jason Dufner @ 25/1 (general)
1u EW Ryan Moore to shoot lowest round @ 20/1 (Skybet)
1u EW Jimmy walker to shoot lowest round @ 25/1 (Skybet)
0.75u EW S. Moon Bae to shoot lowest round at 60/1 (Skybet)