It\u2019s too bad we won\u2019t see Tiger Woods at the St. Jude Classic this week. <\/p>\n
He could use another tune-up before the U.S. Open next week and the St. Jude at TPC Southwind makes for excellent practice. <\/p>\n
Date<\/strong>: Thursday June 10 – June 13 TPC Southwind was the most difficult non-major course in all of 2009 and its short, narrow design, which rewards accuracy, will mimic the U.S. Open conditions, as Pebble Beach will play short and tight this year.<\/p>\n With Southwind\u2019s makeup in mind, we\u2019ll watch for ball strikers and strong scramblers this week.<\/p>\n Lee Westwood<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +1215<\/p>\n Westwood makes his first trip to Memphis but you can bet he\u2019ll be focused as he prepares for another major championship try. He was fourth at the Players and he\u2019s an accurate ball striker, so a victory from him wouldn\u2019t surprise anyone.<\/p>\n Rory McIlroy<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +1415<\/p>\n He cracks the elite only because the books think he does. In reality, the youngster is a trap pick this week. He\u2019s a bomber off the tee but that won\u2019t help him this week and all his accuracy ranks are average at best on Tour this year. Avoid him.<\/p>\n Ben Crane<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +1850<\/p>\n Educated bettors may pick Crane this week. He leads the Tour in all-around ranking and hasn\u2019t finished worse than seventh over his last three starts. All his accuracy stats \u2013 scrambling, greens, fairways hit \u2013 are elite.<\/p>\n David Toms<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +1850<\/p>\n Toms has better history on his side than anyone else at the St. Jude Classic. How good has he been? Try two wins, a runner-up last year and the most career earnings by anyone at this tournament. Anyone who bases picks primarily on past performance at a specific tournament should pounce on him.<\/p>\n Zach Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +2050<\/p>\n I\u2019m still kicking myself for not picking him at Colonial two weeks back. He\u2019s a pure ball striker and one of the game\u2019s best at conquering the tight little tracks. The only reason I didn\u2019t choose him two weeks ago was that he didn\u2019t have a win under his belt. Now, he does. So…. Camilo Villegas<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +2850<\/p>\n He\u2019s cooled down after a hot start but he\u2019s comfortable at TPC Southwind, four-for-four in cuts made with two top-20 finishes. Given his ball striking and willingness to attack the pin in what are expected to be muddy conditions, he could sneak up on this field.<\/p>\n Padraig Harrington<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +1850<\/p>\n The books are trying to squeeze bettors by giving him the same value as some of the elite picks. Paddy is an excellent scrambler and putter, so his makeup is right for TPC Southwind, but he\u2019s coming off knee surgery. It\u2019s generally not a good idea to throw money down on a guy who just went under the knife.<\/p>\n Heath Slocum<\/strong><\/p>\n St. Jude Classic odds: +3250<\/p>\n He\u2019s cracked the top 20 in four of six starts. The peripherals are also there \u2013 he\u2019s fourth in fairways hit, seven in GIR and 18th<\/sup> in ball striking on Tour. He even has five top-25 finishes in seven tries at the St. Jude Classic. That\u2019s a lot going for him considering his betting value versus the other golfers.<\/p>\n THE PICK<\/strong><\/p>\n On one hand, I\u2019m determined not to let Johnson sting me again. On the other, Slocum\u2019s breakdown reminds me a bit of what Johnson was two weeks ago. We also can\u2019t rule out Toms\u2019 dominance at this tournament. In the end, Toms is due to regress for a change and, while Slocum is playing well, he\u2019s it\u2019s not like he\u2019s been challenging with runner-up finishes left and right. I\u2019ll ride the poised and accurate Johnson.<\/p>\n
\nEvent<\/strong>: St. Jude Classic presented by Smith & Nephew
\nCourse<\/strong>: TPC Southwind \u00b7 Memphis, Tenn.
\nPurse<\/strong>: $5,600,000
\nDefending Champ<\/strong>: Brian Gay
\nFedEX Cup Points Up For Grabs<\/strong>: 500<\/p>\nTHE ELITE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
THE CONTENDERS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/golf\/sportsbook_golf_250x250_mybanner.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSOLID PICKS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
THE SLEEPER<\/strong><\/h3>\n