AUSTRALIAN PGA CHAMPIONSHIP
Location: Gold Coast, Queensland, Australia
Course: RACV Royal Pines Resort
Yardage: 7,364
Par: 72
Tournament Preview
This week the European Tour heads to Australia for the second event of the season. The Australian PGA Championship is at RACV Royal Pines Resort once again this year. The flat resort course is tree-lined and long with many bunkers and water hazards throughout. Leaderboards have been filled with locals in the past, and this year will probably prove no different. Distance off the tee and solid putting will go along way toward winning this week. Recent form and course history will be considered, as always in making picks.
Key Stats to Winning at RACV Royal Pines Resort
• Greens in Regulation
• Driving Distance
• SG:Tee to Green
• SG:Putting
Past Champions
2017 - Cameron Smith
2016 - Harold Varner III
2015 - Nathan Holman
2014 - Greg Chalmers
2013 - Adam Scott
DRAFTINGS PICKS
Marc Leishman $12,000 (5/1)
Leishman is the clear favorite this week along with Cameron Smith. Both golfers are great choices at the top, I prefer Leishman more than the defending champ this week. Leishman comes to Australia in hot form, having already won this fall. He is arguably the best golfer in the field and could win even if he doesn't have his "A" game.
Jason Scrivener $10,300 (18/1)
Another name I really like in the top tier is Scrivener. He has been playing great golf for months. This Aussie has been close to breaking out, maybe home soil is exactly what he needs. Scrivener had his highest showing during this solid run last week with a T3. He is ranked 13th on tour in SG: tee to green, and although he isn't the longest hitter on tour his accuracy off the tee will keep him in contention.
Ricardo Gouveia $7,700 (40/1)
Gouveia comes to Australia with some good form for this price range. He finished T20 last week, prior to that was T16 in Spain and T9 at Sky Sports British Masters. He is a great driver of the golf ball, both long and accurate. His iron game is middle of the road, but is ranked 58th in SG: putting. Gouveia is still looking for his first win on tour.
Scott Hend $7,400 (50/1)
I am going back to a local for my final pick in the bottom price tier. Hend had a nice tournament last week finishing T9, with all four rounds in the 60s. He has experience at RACV Royal Pines Resort, he finished T10 in 2016. Hend averages 307 yards off the tee and is ranked 69th on tour in SG: putting. His approach game can be spotty at times, but his distance with driver will give him plenty of scoring opportunities.
