This week we are in Australia for the Perth International which is being played at the Lake Karrinyup Country Club in Western Australia.
The tournament is the richest golf event in Australia with US$2 million in prize money. It is co-sanctioned by the PGA Tour of Australasia and the European Tour.
Lake Karrinyup Country Club is a Par 72 course measuring 7,142 yards. It is an undulating course with plenty of native trees and indigenous vegetation.
Last year the event was won by American Bo Van Pelt who finished at -16, two shots in front of fellow countryman Jason Dufner. The Top 3 was rounded off by Spaniard Alejandro Canizares on -11. The Top Aussie was Greg Chalmers -7, just one shot in front of Steve Jones.
The bookies this year have the Top 5 as 15/2 Dustin Johnson, 9/1 Paul Casey, 12/1 Bo Van Pelt, 14/1 Ross Fisher and 20/1 Brett Rumford.
It is good to see Bo Van Pelt back defending his title. The cream rose to the top last year and it is hard to see it not happening again this year.
The two players to follow are-
Paul Casey 9/1 www.sportsbet.com.au
Casey has played in 22 events this year and made 17 cuts. His highlight of the year was winning the Irish Open (-14) by three shots from Joost Luiten and Robert Rock. He was also T8th at the Volvo China Open.
Last year he finished T5th here which included a second round 75. If he can put four rounds together this year we can expect to see him challenge for the title.
He is ranked 18th in stroke average and 5th in greens in regulation this season. Those stats should help him here.
The odds might not be that flash however at 9/1 he can be backed each way with confidence.
Matthew Griffin 50/1 www.sportsbet.com.au
If you are looking for a player at higher odds you can not look past Matthew Griffin. His current form is what stands him out this week.
From a limited number of starts this year (13) he has only missed the one cut. September was his stand out month this season. He won the SK Telecom Open on the OneAsia Tour beating players like KJ Choi. And he was 3rd at the South Pacific Open Championship on the ANZ Tour.
When I guy is in form there is no better confidence boost heading into a tournament.
Matthew should be watched closely this week.
Good luck and good punting.
