Stanley
08-03-2004, 10:05 AM
Outright plays (1.5pts):
Ernie Els to win 5/1 @ SIA
In a different class to the rest of this field. He is top-ranked in both current and course form and is backable at 5/1, but no lower. He has finished outside the top-10 just once in the last four months and has three wins already this season. He is a former winner of this event and very rarely has he finished outside the top-5. The only concern would be that he may lose concentration ahead of the PGA Championship next week, but is still a very worthy favourite.
Stewart Cink to win 25/1 e.w. available generally
In good form this year, particularly with the putter, and ranks in the top-20 in par breakers as a result. That should be important this week and while he has a mixed history around Castle Pines, the experience of playing at altitude will be beneficial and he has rarely played as well as he is doing this year. His three top-15 finishes coming into this event are good indicators of his form.
Stuart Appleby to win 33/1 e.w. @ SkyBet, BetInternet and Ladbrokes
Appleby hadn't looked like re-discovering his form of September 2003 to March 2004 until finishing 5th in the Western Open last month. He followed that with a solid showing at Royal Troon, particularly in the first two rounds and so could be coming into the form to mount a challenge both this week and next. He does tend to play better on easier courses and he has plenty of experience around Castle Pines, including two top-3 finishes in the last seven years. Not great odds, but this field does have the look of a pre-major tournament.
Ernie Els to win 5/1 @ SIA
In a different class to the rest of this field. He is top-ranked in both current and course form and is backable at 5/1, but no lower. He has finished outside the top-10 just once in the last four months and has three wins already this season. He is a former winner of this event and very rarely has he finished outside the top-5. The only concern would be that he may lose concentration ahead of the PGA Championship next week, but is still a very worthy favourite.
Stewart Cink to win 25/1 e.w. available generally
In good form this year, particularly with the putter, and ranks in the top-20 in par breakers as a result. That should be important this week and while he has a mixed history around Castle Pines, the experience of playing at altitude will be beneficial and he has rarely played as well as he is doing this year. His three top-15 finishes coming into this event are good indicators of his form.
Stuart Appleby to win 33/1 e.w. @ SkyBet, BetInternet and Ladbrokes
Appleby hadn't looked like re-discovering his form of September 2003 to March 2004 until finishing 5th in the Western Open last month. He followed that with a solid showing at Royal Troon, particularly in the first two rounds and so could be coming into the form to mount a challenge both this week and next. He does tend to play better on easier courses and he has plenty of experience around Castle Pines, including two top-3 finishes in the last seven years. Not great odds, but this field does have the look of a pre-major tournament.