PGA Farmers Insurance Open 2026 — Golf Picks, Tips & Analysis

• 22nd x SG: T2G
• 139th x SG: OTT
• 19th x SG: APG
• 5th x SG: ARG
• 110th x SG: PUT
• 65.7% GIR
• BTA- DA
• 86.9% made cuts in 2025 + 100% in 2026
• 52.2% top 25 in 2025
• 69.85 stroke avg
• 11 x PGA wins

The Stig & MJ selected HM in Hawaii and to be fair Hideki was ordinary with his putter when missing vital putts from inside 10 feet.

• 64th x SG: PUT losing -2.518 strokes

It is worth mentioning that HM remained in the hunt with a 65 (-5) after 54 holes to set himself up for a big push on day 4 but his putting was the weak link & his T13 with -9 was a pass considering how good he was when winning the PGA Hero World challenge in December.

What was on display in Hawaii was his strong driving accuracy, HM gained +8.4 strokes in T2G over 4 days @ Waialae, the 3rd-best in the field.

It is worth mentioning around Torrey Pines where he's gained an average of +3.13 strokes on approach over his last 6 appearances (2nd-best in the field) and lost strokes around the greens just once in 13 career starts, ranking 4th overall.
Hideki has one of the strongest career resumes @ Torrey Pines this week.

• 6 x top 16 finishes over 8 years
• 11 x straight cuts made
• at the 3 different tournaments that have called La Jolla home (Farmers Insurance Open, Genesis Invitational, U.S. Open).

At his current betfair odds around $32 we would expect him to remain firm in the market & can avenge our selection in Hawaii.

• 36th SG: T2G
• 9th x SG: OTT
• 105th x SG: APG
• 82nd x SG: ARG
• 101st x SG: PUT
• 70.33% GIR
• BTA x below PGA tour avg driving accuracy
• 67.8% made cuts in 2025 & 100% in 2026
• 46.4% top 25 in 2025
• 69.29 stroke avg
• 3 x PGA wins

CG resumed in 2026 with his first event back resulting in an incredible Win @ PGA Sony Open in Hawaii. What was incredible was his improved around the green play including an unusual 7th in strokes gained putting.

After an opening round of 63 (-7) CG followed it up with 69 & 68 before a strong final day of 64 (-6) for his -16 which thwarted the late chasers.

His usual strokes gained metrics from 2025 were shattered in Hawaii with-

• 5th x SG: ARG @ 3.553 strokes
• 7th x SG: PUT @ 5.089 strokes gained in putting

What did not change and remained strong was his strongest metric in Off the Tee where it was of no surprise-

• 1st x SG: OTT (Off the Tee) @ 4.352 strokes gained.

His reliable driving in both length (9th in Hawaii) & driving accuracy (61%) will ensure he can sit firmly in the Top 10 on the leaderboard. Currently $40 on betfair after opening up @ $30 he is a player that may firm in markets due to his strength being OTT.

• 66th x SG: T2G
• 84th x SG: OTT
• 125th x SG: APG
• 21st x SG: ARG
• 58th x SG: PUT
• 66.04% GIR
• 61.06% DA
• 82.4% made cuts in 2025
• 47.1% top 25 in 2025
• 70.03 stroke avg
• 13 x PGA Wins

Our player from last week @ the American Express was very good with rounds of 63, 71, 67 & 64 sees the Aussie going around at much less odds of $32 on betfair than his price of $140 to $150 last week.

The T2 result was outstanding as Day navigated the 3 courses and finished strongly with his -8 (64). Last week he was good in all strokes gained metrics-

• Driving Accuracy @ 69.64% (39/56) fairways found over 4 days
• 1st x SG: ARG @ 3.856 strokes gained
• 1st x SG: PUT @ 5.827 SG
• Greens in Regulation @ 77.78% (56/72)

Despite missing @ odds of $150 last week JD looked fit and his swing was smooth with no signs of neck issues so even though the course this week requires long drivers of the ball JD still sits in the Top 50 for driving length so it is his iron plays that can keep him in this & he does also sit low in Bogey avoidance with only 4 bogeys last week over 72 holes.

Currently $40 after opening @ $29 on betfair, I could see patience being possibly rewarded as more money comes for the noted big hitters, $40 to $44 could be available.

• 9th x SG: T2G
• 16th x SG: OTT
• 28th x SG: APG
• 37th x SG: ARG
• 23rd x SG: PUT
• 79.17& GIR
• DA @ 69.64%
• 100% made cuts in 2026 & has a career of 72.7% cuts made
• 100% top 25 in 2026
• 69.85 stroke avg
• 1 x PGA wins

We at PGT were keen to see how WZ performed at his first event back after his 3rd back surgery for 2 herniated discs, his return was phenomenal finishing-

• T18 x rounds of 65, 70, 70, 64 for -19 (269)

This was impressive considering Will missed the majority of 2025 and in his rehab, there was plenty of video on how he had increased muscle mass to strengthen the lower back, his interviews watched displayed anew confidence in his health and it showed in California last week.

Although last week he averaged around 290 yards in driving (70th) which has never been his strength he did negate that stat with stronger driving accuracy @ 69.64% (35th) around La Jolla he can remain competitive with accurate drives off the tee and set up his good iron play.

A healthy WZ in 2026 can see him zoom up the rankings & around $46 currently after opening @ $40 gives us strong indicators the market has kept him very safe in the market & that of course is based solely on 1-week, last week.
We think that is short despite his latest good form with $55 to $60 our target.

• 92nd x SG: T2G
• 84th x SG: OTT
• 154th x SG: APG
• 22nd x SG: ARG
• 66th x SG: PUT
• 65.85% GIR
• BTA- below tour avg in 2025 driving accuracy
• 75% made cuts in 2025 & 100% in 2026
• 33.3% top 25 in 2025
• 70.13 stroke avg
• 3 x PGA Wins

It is very well worth mentioning that WC finally let his ego go and employed swing coach Pat Coyner in a bid to restore his terrific 2023 form which saw him win the MAJOR, US Open + another PGA win before going on and finishing 3rd at the end of year PGA TOUR Championships.

In 2024 we saw him win the AT & T Pebble Beach Pro Am before finishing with a few other 2nds in 2024, when 2025 started WC relied too much on his own mental fortitude & to be fair all athletes including Scott Scheffler have coaches for not only various clubs but performance coaches.

The results in 2025 showed he needed help, towards the end of 2025 we saw the PHOENIX Rising again with-

• 7 of 10 cuts made
• 5 of 10 results in T20
• 2 of the 5 were T10 results

At first glance it does not look impressive but consider he had risen to #10 in OWGR in 2023 and he now sits at #49 in OWGR that is not truly a good reflection of how the middle of 2025 was for him.

We gave WC a big push last week in California at considerable overs of $140 on average on offer and he was good with his T13 but to be honest he was looking a huge hope after 54 holes.

He started well with 66 & followed that up with a better 64 then 66 before a slight fade on day 4 with his 72 (par) courtesy of a double bogey on 5 & a bogey on 13 meant players like Scott Scheffler, Jason Day & Ryan Gerard shot past him on a day when it really mattered to finish strong.

Looking at WC he will probably beat himself up but again he was a big chance after 54 holes but his overall 72 hole result was sound-

• 42nd x SG: APG @ 0.678 strokes gained- a peak on Day 2 saw +2.798 better.
• 13th x SG: ARG @ 1.560 strokes gained
• 11th x SG: PUT @ 2.379 strokes gained
• 77.78% GIR (56/72)

You can read an incredibly detailed analysis from the week prior but we touted he will only get better as 2026 gets hot & if he keeps doing what we have seen in recent events his strength can shine this week as he is ranked a very high-

• 5th x Driving Distance on avg 321.80 yards

His long driving will help especially when you compare him to the tour avg of around 297 yards and players like Rory @ 320 yards or a player we like here who is 1st in driving distance, Aldrich Potgieter @ 331.8 yards.

Another player the Stig & MJ found @ $140 last week gets a nice shave off his price this week & is currently around $50 on betfair after opening @ $40, a slight drift out to $65 to $70 would be welcomed as if he holds the form from last week he can really be sustainable, he did win Pebble Beach in 2024 which is not too far away so I am sure he will have his goals set to be in form leading into that leg.

• 43rd x SG: T2G
• 56th x SG: OTT
• 11th x SG: APG
• 166th x SG: ARG
• 53rd x SG: PUT
• 70.41% GIR
• 65% Driving Accuracy
• 64.7% made cuts in 2025 & 100% in 2026 on DPWT
• 42% top 25 in 2025
• 69.48 stroke avg
• 0 x PGA wins & 3 DPWT Wins

The Dane is one of our more favoured players on the DP World Tour and like many from that tour they are yet to Win on USA soil to claim their first PGA victory.

NH kicked off 2026 with a most recent T4 @ HERO Dubai Desert Classic at the end of January after an ordinary result of T52 @ Dubai Invitational.

Both courses very similar but it was 8 weeks in between events for the young Danish star when competing in Dubai after a busy 2025, so we considered that the main reason for his poor showing considering-

• -1.08 strokes lost x SG: OTT on avg each day
• -2.66 stokes lost x SG: Total

We have made that stat apparent as his driving is one of his stronger attributes and throughout 2025 had-

• 18 of 25 events in positive strokes gained Off the Tee (4 of those less than -0.50 strokes lost)

That could have easily improved from a very good 72% to 88% in SG: OTT & to be fair it is only a matter of time like we saw with Finnish player Sami Valimaki breaking through on the PGA tour.

What we can trust from NH is his strong driving stats & on DPWT he brings-

• 7th in SG: OTT in 2025
• 2nd in Driving Distance in 2025 with 323.14 yards (Rory was 323.18)

Both courses in San Diego will suit his long hitting & his Iron play never questionable as he can hit the ball sweetly onto the greens, it is however his hot & cold putting which we often find with big hitters the query.

When he finished T4 in Dubai we did see a more polished Nicolai around the greens-

• 30th x SG: ARG
• 10th in SG: PUT

Both Hojgaard Twins are in action this week (Rasmus) & although both play similarly, I always lean to Nicolai in America who seems to adapt better on the tighter greens than in Europe & both are very firm in the market around $60 on betfair.

If we were to base it Solely on PGA results, then a fairer price should be +$100 so see if you can get matched between $75 to $80 as it would be a large drift to get to $100 from the current price.

If NH brings his a game he is young so confidence will build from a good day 1 showing.

• 147th x SG: T2G
• 135th x SG: OTT
• 134th x SG: APG
• 95th x SG: ARG
• 138th x SG: PUT
• 65.56% GIR
• BTA x DA
• 73.9% made cuts in 2025
• 70.93 stroke avg
• 1 x PGA win

ST is our project player @ PGT & he was selected & he is showing tremendous form over on TGL as a member of Los Angeles GC and on watching every game so far in 2026 he looks very good indoors.

Another player The Stig & MJ have been following waiting for him to hit Gold/pay dirt he proved his mettle last week for his best result since returning from a lengthy injury (full detailed summary is in our past selections on website) & new mental approach to the game with-

T8 x PGA American Express with -21 (71, 64, 67, 65)

Most Analysts have been missing his slow & steady improvement, so it does bite a bit that he goes around this week around $70 when we @ PGT have been following between $120 to $200 in other events.

What has stuck is his ability Off the Tee which is favoured around the 2 courses @ Torrey Pines, His 2025 stats are to be ignored due to the long term injury but if we look closer into his past 7 events he did make the cut in 6.

He went from the PGA Procore in Mid-September of 2025 & steadily improved, his Driving stats were his staple, and we saw that on full display last week in California but surprisingly he featured high up in the rankings in putting-

• 3rd x SG: Putting @ +4.051 stroke gained

That has to have ST smiling from ear to ear, combine this with his consistent driving-

• T41 x Driving Accuracy @ 66.07% (37/56) fairways found
• 17th x Driving Distance @ 317.00 yds

His best driving accuracy came on Day 2 & 3-

• T5 x Driving Accuracy @ 85.71% (12/14)- day 2
• T16 x Driving Accuracy @ 78.57% (11/14)- day 3

It is one thing to hit the ball long which there are players this week that can but often they are around 50% in finding fairways which means that 2nd shot is likely going to be tough, in the rough on both the NC & SC this week the rough is 3 to 4 inches thick, you want accuracy as well this week.

Thanks to his T10 finish he also gets a free ride into a few of the PGA signature events coming up.

I think ST is firmly finding his feet now & he is currently around $80 after opening @ $65 so that is a drift of around 25% drift, I will be waiting until closer to tee off which is still a good 36 hours away so aiming for being matched around at least $90.

• 9th x SG: T2G
• 32nd x SG: OTT
• 39th x SG: APG
• 8th x SG: ARG
• 114th in SG: PUT
• 66.04% GIR
• 61.39% DA
• 90.5% made cuts in 2025 & 100% in 2026
• 52.4% top 25 in 2025
• 69.91 stroke avg
• 8 x PGA Wins

We made mention in Hawaii that KB had been super consistent in 2025 & I have watched him closely over in the TGL series and his game looks like it is in sync. He has proven he is a better putter than his current ranking of 114th and he showed this more recently @ Hero challenge with his strong closing 13th.

In Hawaii KB laboured with his 1st CUT in 5 events and previously he went on 8 straight events making it into 72-hole result.
What was different in Hawaii was the number of bogeys on day 2 which saw his day 1 overall score of 68 diminish when 4 x bogeys (holes 1, 2, 11 & 17) then a double bogey on 7th a par 3 meant +6 was difficult to rein in.

KB was strutting his better form again on the TGL when Boston Common GC won again this week. He is showing good form inside so maybe it's a distraction, but other players have been performing very well outside on the Big course.

When comparing players for courses it came down to KB or Harris English who did win here in 2025, I am not convinced HE is going as well leading into this & the Travelers Championship has left a strong memory when KB just played out of his skin.

He looks sharp in TGL he just needs to bring that outdoors so currently around $70 on betfair is fair considering his overall good record throughout 2025, it is rare for KB to go on a 2 events skid of missing the cut.

• 96^th x SG: T2G
• 86^th x SG: OTT
• 116^th x SG: APG
• 75^th x SG: ARG
• 17^th x SG: PUT
• 80% GIR
• 06% x DA
• 40% made cuts in 2025 & 100% in 2026 (2 from 3)
• 5 top 25 in 2025
• 67 stroke avg
• 1 x PGA Win

Firstly, the left-handed 28yr old from Scottsdale, Arizona has been on an incredible wave of 8 straight cuts-

• 4 x T10s in his last 8 events including a T2 last week.

The odds he goes around at for this event is strange, based on what he has done and then confirmed last week should have him closer to $60 not $90 IMO.

His 2025 stats he has made a mockery of as his strokes gained metrics are ticking well above the norm for him.

• 8 straight events in Positive SG: Total

The rise of MC has been rapid since the PGA Zurich Classic in New Orleans ( yes that 2 player format) but he now sits ranked 5^th in FedEx points so he has secured many signature events in the next few weeks so that would release any pressure off him so he can focus on his golf.

Last week with his -23 & T2 in California-

• Sat in T30 in all SG Metrics only yet carded rounds (63, 66, 68, 68)

In fact his highest ranking in SG metrics was T10 on APG other than that he was T30 in most others. I spent the time and went through all 72 holes of his shots on PGA Tour cast, he was much better than his stats would suggest, he missed a few putts that could have easily gone in his favour.

My only concern is there are some big hitters we have even selected so he did prove he can result without having dazzling stats to so we are mindful of that along with his current red hot form. Currently @ $70 after opening @ $60, we do have a few ahead of him at bigger odds so I would want to see closer to $100 to declare fair odds, He is very in form however so perhaps not much movement to come.

• 40^th x SG: T2G
• 29^th x SG: OTT
• 66 x SG: APG
• 81^st x SG: ARG
• 122^nd x SG: PUT
• 08% GIR
• BTA- below PGA tour avg driving accuracy
• 3% made cuts in 2025
• 7% top 25 in 2025
• 56 stroke avg
• 14 x PGA Wins

Always a fan/follower of our Australian players but we did leave AS mostly alone when in Australia in QLD & Victoria as players like himself and Min Woo Lee were under heavy media obligations which is generally not a goof ingredient for playing an event in our opinion.

Since Australia he has been improving into each event with good results in-

• T40 x PGA SONY Open in Hawaii with -5
• T24 x PGA American Express in California with -18

Last week being the most current form, we have AS was very good and his last 4 events have showed a very consistent stroke avg.

• QLD x 68, 68, 66, 69
• Victoria x 69, 66, 68, 70
• Sony x 67, 70, 70, 68
• Amex x 65, 69, 68, 68

Now shooting for a 5^th straight event we know he makes better than 8-% of cuts, so he is a good play to have especially as both QLD, Melbourne, Hawaii & Amex last week really did not suit his best skill, his Off the Tee play.

Last week on 3 tricky layouts he was excellent Off the Tee-

• 9^th x SG: OTT @ 1.924 per day avg
• T16 x Driving Accuracy @ 71.43% (40/56) fairways found
• 15 x Driving Distance @ 317.50 yds on avg
• 3^rd x Longest Drive @ 367.00 yds

The Aussie veteran of 14 x PGA Wins will let the young blood know he is not washed up yet at the ago of 45, he can thrive around a course that really suits his play set better than what we have seen recently.

His current odds of $80 is attractive seeing he will play even better than the American Express event last week, he will feel very bullish with that excellent showing under his belt.

• 100th x SG: T2G
• 110^th x SG: OTT
• 75^th x SG: APG
• 70^th x SG: ARG
• 70^th x SG: PUT
• 05% GIR
• 65% DA
• 65% made cuts in 2025 +100% made cuts (3 XDPWT) in 2026
• 50% top 25 in 2025
• 70 stroke avg
• 0 x PGA wins + 4 DPWT Wins

The 30-yr old from China is no stranger to us @ PGT as he has provided us with a winner @ $65 & he has been so solid over on the DPWT for several years and we have seen with good results-

• 10 x T10 results in 2025 with 1 x Win on DPWT

He has mixed it up with the elite T10 & T20M players in the OWGR often and he has proven he can mix it up with-

• T4 x Open Championships @ Royal Portrush

He has such a lovely swing and that was on display last week when he again proved he can mix it up on the PGA tour (earnt a playing card for his T10 in R2D on DP World Tour) but last week-

• T8 x PGA American Express with -21 (68, 67, 64, 68)

He finished along side Sahith Theegala & Russell Henley, noting that Henley is a 5 x PGA winner so one could say in good company.

He only showed the world what we already know-

• T12 x Driving Accuracy @ 73.21% (41/56) 0ver 4 days
• 3^rd x SG: OTT @ +3.318 SG
• 5^th x SG: APG @ +4.143 SG

HL also sat T30 in both ARG & Putting stats so another player that will take plenty from the Amex into this week, more know players like Adam Scott are known for their swing, HL has a beautiful swing as well & what many probably do not know is over on the DPWT he stood tall in many SG metrics-

• 5th x SG: T2G in all of 2025
• 18^th x SG: OTT in all of 2025
• 4^th x Greens in regulation @ 72.71%
• 1^st x Par 4 scoring

I am a big fan of players who sit T10 in par 4 & par 5 scoring for the simple reason a birdie on a par 4 is more possible for better players on approach and putting so when I see a player bogey a par 5 when they should really be at least a par on those holes, it speaks volumes for scoring averages.

HL can feature here, He has good resilience and unlike 50% of the current PGA roster his smart approach to the game along with his mental toughness can ensure he finds a win in 2026 on the PGA circuit.

Looking at his betfair odds of $110 after opening at $80 then $90 I can understand why he would drift slightly as he is not well known to USA market, I will aim for +$140 as I am fully aware of his capabilities.

• 12^th x SG: T2G
• 22^nd x SG: OTT
• 21^st x SG: APG
• 68^th x SG: ARG
• 132^nd x SG: PUT
• 52% GIR
• 85% Driving Accuracy
• 9% made cuts in 2025
• 6 top 25 in 2025
• 97 stroke avg
• 1 x PGA Win

This Englishman will chance his arm more often now in the USA after defeating a good line up @ the DPWT Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships, he had a shootout in  a playoff against Tommy Fleetwood in mid November.

He arrives fresh after his last event being in December @ the PGA HERO World challenge where he finished 18^th (behind him Chris Gotterup) already a PGA winner in 2026.

Known for his driving prowess he can go on runs with both iron & putter so do not discount him as I once thought he was a Tommy but that was 12 months ago and I have spent many hours watching his play.

He opened @ $95 & there was $180 on offer on betfair at the time of summary, crazy odds for a player known for his long game off the tee.

• 98^th x SG: T2G
• 8^th x SG: OTT
• 137^th x SG: APG
• 173rd x SG: ARG
• 71^st x SG: PUT
• 55% GIR
• BTA- below tour avg for driving distance
• 40% made cuts in 2025
• 20% top 25 in 2025
• 68 stroke avg
• 1 x PGA Win

The south African became the youngest player from his country to win on the PGA tour when he won @ PGA Rocket classic at the end of June 2025.

He flipped the script as he was 1^st in many strokes gained metrics which he never is in the Top 50 such as APG, ARG & even led putting.

Fast forward since that victory he struggled mostly for the rest of 2025 before finding some form back in Europe. I am happy to ignore his effort last week as the 3 courses called for very good placement and it really is a thinking/strategy event.

This is longer fairways and more a bombers course. That suits the-

• 1^st x PGA Distance amongst all players in 2025.

That is significant and it may give him that boost he needs, he is currently around $180 which I though perhaps around $140 is fair but in saying that I was matched at time of type up @ $200. This could be one of those events the winner is an absolute bomber as we have learnt that nay player can surprise and run hot with their putter.

Smith does not currently sit within our Top 115 players in out database but he was very good last week in California.

• 50^th x SG: OTT @ -0.135
• 32^nd x SG: APG @ +1.229 avg per day
• 41^st x SG: ARG
• 42^nd x SG: PUT
• T45 x SG: Total @ +0.582 avg per day
• T34 x Driving Accuracy @ 67.86% (38/56)
• 43^rd x Driving Distance @ 307.40 yds
• Longest Drive @ 330.00 yds
• T18 x Greens in Regulation @ 79.17% (57/72)

He finished last week over the 3 courses which is not something the English are used to as they have several Links courses here and there but I thought he was one of the better performers from the beaten brigade-

• T27 @ -17 rounds of 64, 70, 68. 69

Another DPWT player who has his card stamped for all of 2026 PGA events so expect to see more of him as he has won 6 events in total, 2 of them on the DPWT.

Looking around at odds not many give him a chance but he is IMO one of the Top 20 long iron players in this line up & around $210 seems acceptable IMO.

• 45th x SG: T2G
• 40^th x SG: OTT
• 60^th x SG: APG
• 50^th x SG: ARG
• 75^th x SG: PUT
• 83% GIR
• 65% DA
• 70% made cuts in 2025- was on a tear in 2025 over on the DPWT
• 50% top 25 in 2025 on DPWT
• 8 stroke avg adjusted to PGA- he is 67.75 stroke avg in Europe
• 0 x PGA Wins + 2 DPWT Wins

Often in our summary/analysis you will read us talking how low the Norwegian can shoot and how often is the scary part.

He was 4^th overall in DPWT for stroke Avg @ 67.75, to compare a player like Ryan Gerard who is 66.50 stroke avg in Europe over far less rounds seeing that KR plays in Europe all year.

Also include the fact he did sit 14^th in Driving distance in all of 2025 so he can hold his own off the tee.

This is his 2026 PGA debut so we will see more of him this year, currently around $240 which is way overs considering he has carded 60 & 62 with many 63s thrown in there for fun. Yes it is always tough bring the Europe form but this event really looks to us to be won by a roughie.

I like him @ +$200.

• 102^nd x SG: T2G
• 157^th x SG: OTT
• 18^th x SG: APG
• 147^th x SG: ARG
• 10^th x SG: PUT
• 62% GIR
• 39% DA
• 40% made cuts in 2025
• 36% top 25 in 2025 in PGA events
• 68 stroke avg
• 1 x PGA win

We would normally like to see closer to 80% to making Cuts but another European player we discovered and to be honest we missed him when he won @ RSM Classic in late November but were on the young likeable Finnish player when T2 @ Omega European Masters & again T2 @ PGA WWT in early November, 2025.

He has a nice touch and before he won on PGA he had won 6 other events, with 2 being good DPWT events & to be fair had a host of 2nds over 3 years even finishing 2^nd @ PGA Mexico Open to Jake Knapp & they both streeted the field, behind them were Robert Macintyre, Maverick McNealy to name a few that sit in the Top 30 in the OWGR.

SV is not a big bomber but he has climbed to 13^th in SG: OTT for 2026 and he has such a nice touch on Approach and once on the greens he is one of the better putters so if he can hang with the bombers this week then you never know at his current odds of $240, I rate the English ahead of him slightly but this week has upset written all over it.

Yes, another player that was not in our 115 player rotation until Hawaii, I had a watch on him for early 2026 and now have to make room & he most likely will swap over with Johnny Keefer who is one of those KFT players with hype yet to do anything major in the PGA (yawn).

So SP our little leprechaun breaks into the database.

His last 5 events have had him in positive strokes gained total.

• 9 of his last 11 had him all +SG: OTT
• Before Hawaii & last week he was 9 straight events in SG: OTT

After his Hip injury he struggled for 2 seasons, he was quoted in the Irish golf monthly recently-

The 2025 season "I finished it really nicely, which was great," he said after finishing seventh at the season-ending RSM Classic, his first top-10 since the Valspar Championship last March and one which earned him a spot in the field this week at Waialae Country Club.

"With injuries, it was a struggle early in the season, so it was nice to get some healthy golf there in the Fall and get some momentum and a bit of confidence going. So hopefully I can bring that into 2026."

He looked good in Hawaii finishing T31 @ -6 for the event but that -6 came on Day 4 (64) after-

• 55^th x SG: OTT @ -0.960
• 8^th x SG: APG @ +4.382
• 67^th x SG: ARG @ -1.885
• 34^th x SG: PUT @ +1.333
• T31 x SG: Total @ +2.871
• T14 x Driving Accuracy @ 66.07% (37/56)
• 37 x Driving Distance @ 308.40 yds
• 22 x Longest Drive @ 363.00 yds
• 16^th x Greens in Regulation @ 76.39% (55/72)

Despite winning 2 x PGA which were in 2021 (Barbasol) & 2022 (Bermuda) that hip injury took him +2 years to get healthy, similar to Billy Horschel but I must have watched 100s of hours on SP and his healthy run I feel started @ PGA Bank of Utah, that was one tough course to keep straight (ask Taylor Montgomery 6 x bogeys + 3 x double bogeys + a quadruple bogey on hole 16) incredible run that cost TM +20 over 36 holes- ouch) that is why he will never win on the PGA.

As advised he is our little leprechaun, sure everything must align to win but comebacks are a funny thing in sport, his current odds of $250 seem fair, remember he is much healthier now.

Another player who does not make our 115 player rotation but this Englishman has been going very good without winning over in Europe with-

• 9 x cuts from his last 10 events worldwide
• 8 x T30 results with 3 in the T10 & 3 in the T20

He was making ground on the leader @ DPWT Mauritius in which Schaper & Gerard were in a playoff, This Englishman can be up and down over 4 days but his last 5 events have seen  a major shift in +SG: Totals.

He got lost around the 3 courses last week but was sound in Hawaii-

• 22^nd x SG: Off The Tee @ +1.846 strokes
• 61^st x SG: APG @ -1.652
• 51^st x SG: Around The Green @ -0.153
• 8^th x SG: Putting @ +5.051
• T19 x SG: Total @ +4.871
• Driving Accuracy @ 66.07% (37/56)
• Driving Distance @ 292.20 yds
• Longest Drive @ 354.00 yds
• T5 x Greens in Regulation @ 79.17% (57/72)

Its an English invasion as we have gone for 3 this week + 5 other Internationals but JP will be looking to cement his PGA 2026 with a good showing here, this is not beyond him & is currently on a drift with betfair @ $350, he was $240 when I last looked. Write your own ticket.

The winner here in 2024 defeating Nicolai Hojgaard by 1 stroke @ -13 to break his PGA tour duck after winning 1 x DPWT Spain Open in late 2023.

The Stig & MJ have selected him only a few times over the last couple of years, but we like our horses for courses usually so whilst deep in stats for other players we stumbled across the Frenchman last week who-

• T3 X Eagles with x 2 (day 1 & 4) on different holes

He was very good also in scrambling, which I have noted down the bottom of the stats, He has looked much smoother than I have seen for over 12 months.

• 57^th x SG: OTT @ -0.446
• SG: APG @ -1.211
• 24^th x SG: ARG @ +0.738
• 24^th x SG: PUT @ +1.501
• 45 x SG: Total @ +0.582
• Driving Accuracy @ 69.64% (39/56)
• Driving Distance @ 302.00 yds
• 31^st x Longest Drive @ 338.00 yds
• 40^th x Greens in Regulation @ 75.00% (54/72)
• T9 x Scrambling x 83.33% (15/18) *** normally not a stat I put in but 100% look at every event.

Currently odds available of +$500 on betfair after drifting from $350 to $430 to now $530 at time of summary, which is approx 38 hours before tee off. Try for +$600 as many have seen to have missed he WON THIS EVENT in 2024, there is also debate as to the 2025 winner as it was weather affected greatly which can throw up big priced winners.

This PGA stalwart often bobs up on our selections, usually down in Mexico when the courses have big fairways on the resort courses but because we look at a lot of stats from each event JD really attracted me.

• 13^th x SG: OTT @ +1.582
• 57^TH x SG: APG @ -0.757
• 19^th x SG: ARG @ +0.952
• 50^th x SG: PUT @ -0.715
• T39 X SG: Total @ +1.062
• 1^st x Driving Accuracy @ 80.36% (45/56)
• 51^st x Driving Distance @ 304.60 yds
• T57 x Longest Drive @ 329.00 yds
• Greens in Regulation @ 76.39% (55/72)

1^st in DRIVING ACCURACY (DA) is impressive & I know he can hit them well OTT but usually I would never consider him at an event like this but the class was deep last week so for him to be 1^st against some very good drivers then he has the Stig & MJ take notice.

Of course, his green play could be an anomaly & I am reminded of the fact he does not sit in our 115-player rotation but @ $600 then you only have to have a little to make some money. He has stats better than 50% of the field if he can back it up from last week.