Simpson To Star In McGladrey Classic

A cracking field is expected for the McGladrey Classic in Georgia for one of the newest PGA tour events.

The Tournament

The McGladrey Classic is one of the newest events on the PGA Tour, established in 2010 and usually held in October, although it was moved back to mid-November last year as part of the reshuffled wrap-around Tour schedule. It is not one of the most prestigious Tour events, but there has been a significant prize money increase this year, which will see the winner earn a little over $1 million.

The Course

The tournament is based at the Sea Island Golf Club, Georgia, a par-70 venue that is one of the easiest on the Tour. Set amongst tidal creeks, dunes and salt-marshes, it has a links feel and if the Atlantic gales come into play, it can play much harder than it looks. But the forecast is good for this week though and with the greens playing fast and true, we can expect some low scores by the sea side.

In The Bunker

This is his home event and in three starts at Sea Island, Matt Kuchar has not finished outside the top twenty-five, but I’ll be opposing him in Georgia this week. I wasn’t convinced by his efforts at Silverado last week, where he followed up a third round 66 with a 76 to finish outside the top twenty. That suggested he’s still a little rusty and at odds of 14/1, I think there is better value to be found elsewhere.

Recommended Bets

Webb Simpson goes to Georgia as the antepost favourite and I think he rates as a solid bet this week.

He was the defending champion at Silverado last week where he kicked off the season in some style with four sub-70 rounds to finish in the top five.

Three trips to Sea Island have produced three top-fifteen finishes, including a second in 2011 and having started the new campaign strongly, Simpson is one to stick with at 12/1.

Chris Kirk is another player prominent in the antepost betting who should be on your shortlist this week. His victory at Sea Island last year was his second Tour win and kicked off a breakthrough season, the highlight of which was his victory at the Deutsche Bank Championship in September. He ended the campaign with a solid fourth at the Tour Championship and at 16/1 he’s a decent bet this week.

One of the rising stars of American golf, Tony Finau qualified for the PGA Tour after just one season on the Web.Com Tour and has shown no signs of being overawed. He made his PGA debut at the Frys.com Open, where he finished twelfth, and then broke into the top ten at the Shriners Hospitals Open last week. His confidence could not be higher at the moment, and the in-form rookie is worth a look at odds of 40/1.