Wednesday 27 May 2015 11:45, UK
Jordan Spieth returns to the site of his PGA Tour debut as he headlines a quality renewal of the AT&T Byron Nelson.
It was here at TPC Four Seasons that a 16-year-old Spieth showed what he could do with a top-20 finish as an amateur in 2010, and given how far he’s come since then, it’s easy to see why he’s been put in as a 9/2 favourite to win for the third time this season.
Spieth was second last week, taking his 2015 form figures in his home state ofJorda Texas to 2-2-2, so he’ll be extra determined to cross the line in front and considers this course to be much more suitable than Colonial Country Club.
As with Rory McIlroy in the Irish Open, the case for Spieth is easy to build but there’s so much quality in behind him that I’d rather play each-way and hope that he once again comes up one or two shots short.
First up it’s Brandt Snedeker, who will feel like he should’ve won the Crowne Plaza Invitational on Sunday.
One of the best putters in the world took three from 40 feet on the 13th, before missing opportunities on both 17 and 18, in the end losing by a single stroke to Chris Kirk.
Snedeker left that event satisfied with his progress yet annoyed at his failure to win, but history shows that when he’s gone close he’s worth sticking with. All seven PGA Tour wins have come when he’s bang in-form and another could well be on the cards here.
Gary Woodland loves this week’s course, where he spends plenty of time practising, and can build on last year’s seventh which saw him rank 50th in putting.
Woodland’s long, accurate driving is a huge asset – particularly given the rain that has fallen in Texas – and having been inside the top-five in two of his last three starts he arrives in excellent form. It’s high time this super-talented 31-year-old secured a third PGA Tour title and there’s probably no better event for him on the calendar.
Keegan Bradley's recent form isn’t quite so strong but, while he did miss the cut at Sawgrass, the former US PGA champion shot a second-round 68 to demonstrate that he’s not far away.
Certainly, this course is much more suitable and Bradley, whose first PGA Tour title came in the Byron Nelson, has shown time and time again that he comes alive when faced with a challenge he knows he can overcome. Already this season his best effort has come at Riviera, where he lost a play-off three years ago, so this horses-for-courses type is worth following.
Russell Henley makes his debut in the event and I’ve a strong feeling it will suit him, particularly as he ranks 11th for total driving this year, while his best form on the PGA Tour has come on par-70 layouts such as this one.
Henley has started to strike the ball really well in recent weeks, remains a great putter and was fifth on his last start in Texas, so at 50/1 he’s a fine each-way bet.
Complete your staking plan with Jim Herman, a brilliant ball-striker whose putting has taken a big step in the right direction over the last three weeks.
Herman has adopted the AimPoint method you’ll have seen Justin Rose, Lydia Ko and Ian Poulter use, and it’s generated a string of positive results including a tie for fourth in the Zurich Classic.
He’s done nothing in this event so far but you can ignore Herman’s old form and focus now on a player whose career is finally taking off.
