Roebuck’s OHL Classic preview: Matt Every has trophy claims
Published:The OHL Classic on the PGA Tour is the last counting event in the calendar year as far as the 2013/14 FedEx Cup is concerned.
Previously, this event has been staged opposite the WGC-Accenture Match Play Championship and has been bereft of top names, but with a boost in prize money, not to mention a place at Augusta to the winner, there is much more quality teeing up at El Camaleon golf club at Riviera Maya in Mexico.
Ladbrokes’ market makers have struggled to find a favourite, though Ryan Moore (16/1) leads the way, with Harris English (20/1), Charles Howell (20/1) and Matt Every (25/1) all close behind.
My preference is for Every, who looked as if he has returned to the sort of form that secured back to back top-10 finishes in late summer when seventh at Sea Island on Sunday.
Hitting greens in regulation will be key this week – El Camaleon is a short course that puts a premium on accurate driving and iron play – and Every ranked 10th in DA and 15th in GIR in the McGladrey Classic.
In the 2012 renewal of this tournament, Every finished third, and he seems to enjoy the Mexican air as his only other completed finish south of the border was seventh in the 2009 Mexico Open on the web.comtour.
Kevin Stadler at 40/1 has been a regular attendee at El Camaleon over the years and usually gives followers something to shout about – even though he hasn’t yet rewarded each-way backers.
In six starts he can boast four top-20 finishes, while in both of the last two renewals he has been bang in contention at half way (fifth last year and second in 2011) before fading.
Tenth in Georgia on Sunday, when he ranked second in greens hit, suggests he is limbering up for another tilt at the title, hopefully this time he can hang on if he makes the leaderboard early on.
Brendon Todd (66/1) is the last pick. The web.com tour graduate has picked up where he left off with positive displays (26-12-16) in three starts on the main tour this term.
His iron play has kept him competitive and his lack of length will not be a hindrance this week.
He only just failed to grab what would have been just his second ever top-10 finish on the PGA Tour on Sunday, but is taken to go low in Mexico.
My three to follow – Every (25/1), Stadler (40/1) and Todd (66/1).
All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing.
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