Who to back at the Memorial Tournament
Memorial betting: Is Tiger worth backing?
As usual, all eyes will be on Tiger Woods this week as he puts in preparation for the US Open.
At the start of the year, Tiger was ranked outside of the top-500. Eight events later, he now sits 83rd thanks to a number of strong showings, notably at the Arnold Palmer Invitational and the Valspar Championship.
But is he worth backing this week?
Tiger’s been priced up around the 22/1 mark, and I’d say that’s incredibly fair. Woods seems to have won almost everywhere in his career, but Muirfield Village is one of a select few courses that he really enjoys playing. Indeed, he’s a five-time champion here at Jack’s place, and if he gets into contention on Sunday, there won’t be a player in the field more adept at pouncing than Tiger.
When you consider Rickie Fowler – a player that isn’t the most prolific – is a shorter price, my advice would be to back Tiger. He certainly looks primed to win again very soon.
Memorial betting: Keel’s each-way bets
Adam Scott has looked a helpless cause so far this season. That is until he returned to the long putter at the Players Championship where he went on to finish 11th. A top-10 followed at the AT&T Byron Nelson, and last week he finished 52nd, but the final round 64 he posted was particularly promising heading into this week.
Muirfield Village notoriously favours strong ball-strikers, and Scott is right up there with the best of them from tee-to-green.
The Aussie has gone close a few times here as well. In 10 attempts, he’s missed the cut just once, going on to finish in the top-five three times.
He’s best price 50/1, but if you head down to 45/1, you’ll be paid out if he finishes inside the top-eight.
Bryson DeChambeau continues to be underrated by the bookies, and he must be backed this week at 55/1.
The Scientist has been on fire so far this season, finishing inside the top-five four times.
The last two starts haven’t been anything to write home about, but the underlying stats have been incredibly impressive. Take last week at Colonial for example: DeChambeau finished 42nd, but he ranked 2nd for greens in regulation, 5th for driving distance, 5th in scrambling and 17th in driving accuracy.
The only part of his game that let him down was the putter – he lost over two strokes to the field just with the flatstick. A return to form with the putter will see him contend here, and it’s only a matter of time before he wins on the PGA Tour for the second time.
With two big events taking place this week on either side of the pond, make sure you check out who we’re backing for the Italian Open on the European Tour.
Quiz: US Open champions to finish over par
The McIlroy conundrum continues after missing out at Wentworth
As Tiger calls for a rule change – it’s time to let the pros wear shorts
Tom Irwin
Tom is a lifetime golfer, now over 30 years playing the game. 2023 marks 10 years in golf publishing and he is still holding down a + handicap at Alwoodley in Leeds. He has played over 600 golf courses, and has been a member of at least four including his first love Louth, in Lincolnshire. Tom likes unbranded clothing, natural fibres, and pencil bags. Seacroft in Lincolnshire is where it starts and ends.
