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US PGA Tour golf tips: Viktor Hovland teeing off for Pebble Beach glory

Tipstrr golf expert Martin Colwell has been studying the field for this week's US PGA event, and believes that some of Europe's best can give a good account of themselves on the Californian coast.

The last Pro-Am tournament of the season takes place this week at Carmel Bay, California, culminating on the iconic Pebble Beach links. 

A stellar field plays across three courses, with the dreaded cut coming after 54 holes, with the final round taking place on Sunday at Pebble.

All three courses are around 7,000 yards in length with low scores readily achievable if the wind does not blow, and a winning tally would be expected to be in the region of 20 under par.

Looking at past results, course experience appears to be important, plus the ability to last the long and laborious pro-am element.

The courses

  • Pebble Beach links - a par 72 with Ryegrass fairways and Poa Annua greens, which are very small challenging targets.
  • Spyglass Hill - a par 72 with the same set up as Pebble, but with more generous greens.
  • Monterey Peninsula - a par 71 on a Bent grass surface.
Temperatures look set to be the low 60's, but it will obviously be chillier in the mornings with the potential for a sea fret. There has been a bit of rain about in the area recently and so the courses may play soft.

Market leaders

In a field lacking some major names, Matt Fitzpatrick is the bookmakers' joint favourite this week at 10/1, and although there is no doubting he is a great ball striker and putts well enough, as well as being a recent Major winner, there appears to be better value around.

These Pro-Am tournaments can be hard graft and usually suit players who have experienced these courses several times before.

That brings in the other joint favourite in the shape of course legend Jordan Speith, who has been a winner here in the past along with multiple place finishes. But can we trust him at such short odds these days?

Viktor Hovland is also around the 10/1 mark, and his excellent iron play should serve him well around Pebble Beach, making him appear to be a real contender if he can find the fairways off the tee and keep his short game in order.

The market prices then jump to 18/1, where course specialist and tour maiden Maverick McNealy can be backed on his favourite course that potentially offers his best chance to get that elusive first tour win under his belt.
At those same odds is the in-form Tom Hoge, and as the defending champion there can be no issues regarding his ability to figure this week.
Andrew Putnam might be a worthy option at 22/1, as his game suits short courses. His putting game can cope with Poa greens and a reasonable performance at the Sony Open recently reflected significant improvement since he was the 54-hole leader here a year ago.

Seamus Power can also be found at an attractive-looking 20/1, and he is another whose game is well suited to short coastal courses. The Irishman has two US PGA Tour wins under his belt, including in Bermuda in October, and he claimed a decent 20th place last time out in Abu Dhabi.

Outsiders to consider

Taylor Pendrith at 40/1 was fancied last week, but failed to deliver, and this event offers another opportunity for him to step forward.

Scott Stallings was in great form a few months back, and has now drifted out to 50/1 in places, which appears generous in this weakened field scenario.

Further outside the box, Chesson Hadley looks big at 150/1, bearing in mind that he has had three top ten finishes here and says that this is his favourite course.

No matter where our money goes, we're in for a marathon tournament where stamina and course fit will pay off.

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