The McGladrey Classic
Robert Streb became yet another surprise winner on the PGA Tour in the recently concluded McGladrey Classic. Streb needed two extra holes to see off Brendon de Jonge and Will MacKenzie in a tight final day; Streb’s approach to four feet on the second playoff hole delivering him his first PGA Tour victory.
Much like Ben Martin’s debut win last week, Streb’s fast finishing final round 63 was the catalyst for a win that comes with a two year exemption on the PGA Tour and a likely invite to Augusta in April. The win betters Streb’s previous best result of a runner-up finish at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans last season. It also once again proves how difficult golf tipping can be; my predicted winner failed to make the cut for the second week in a row.
Of the others in last week’s field Brendon de Jonge had the best chance to overtake Streb’s clubhouse 14-under; de Jonge had four birdie putts inside 25 feet to take the lead but wasn’t able to capitalise. Ken Duke also had his chances until settling in a share of fourth with Russell Henley, Kevin Kisner and 2013 McGladrey winner Chris Kirk.
Streb’s win comes after making a double bogey on his first hole of the tournament, proving even the pro’s get the first tee woes.
CIMB Classic
Globetrotting golfers now travel to Malaysia to participate in the CIMB Classic; the PGA Tour’s fourth event of the wrap-around schedule. Hosting the event is the Kuala Lumpur G&CC (West), home of the European Tour’s Malaysian Open in 2006 for the past five years. The CIMB Classic sees a further 500 FedEx Cup points on offer to anyone that can withstand the heat (genuine atmospheric heat and leaderboard pressure heat). The field features a return to top golf for Sergio Garcia. He tends to travel very well and plays a lot of his best golf outside of America; whack him down as a favourite. Billy Horschel will give it a nudge; a slimmer Jason Dufner will look to soak it up; and similarly shaped Patrick Reed will be a force too.
Interestingly, Guan Tianlang is making his seventh PGA TOUR start this week. You may remember Guan as the 14 year old who made the at the Masters at age 14.
Top Predictions
Gary Woodland – $21 – bet365
Sergio Garcia – $10 – Sportsbet
Patrick Reed – $26 Ladbrokes
Lee Westwood – $17 – Tom Waterhouse
Charl Schwartzel – $17 – Unibet
Winner
I’ll play it safe and choose the best player in the field; Sergio to win.
