PGA Zurich Classic of New Orleans 2026 — Golf Picks, Tips & Analysis

The Englishmen team up for a 2^nd year and last year they finished T18 @ -21 after 4 days

-9, -3, -8, -1. Both have had better ends to 2025 & starts in 2026 to consider seriously in this team format.

In teams it is the 2 players that can complement each other's skillset, as an example a good driver of the ball not necessary around here but if one player is a good iron & wedge player the other player may be better around the greens and a better putter.

Rai in 2026

• 117^th x SG: Total
• 82^nd x SG: T2G
• 74^th x SG: APG
• 84^th x SG: ARG
• 133^rd x SG: PUT

I was not a fan of RAI in early 2025 and often though he was very much like Tommy in that he could play well in Europe with 3 x DPWT Wins yet struggle in USA with only 1 x PGA Win.

AR was very good when he won the DPWT Abu Dhabi HSBC Championships in early Nov 2025, he then made 8 x straight cuts before failing to make it to the final 36 holes @ PGA The Players & PGA Valspar before bouncing back with a creditable finish at Masters (48^th).

We saw a very good RAI late last year & both the BMW PGA & DP Abu Dhabi he finished in positives strokes in all strokes gained metrics, he beat Tommy in a playoff.

AR will help his teammate with his generally good play off the tee, in 2026 he is-

• 8^th x 70% driving accuracy
• 15^th in greens in regulation @ 69.44%

Theegala in 2026

• 23^rd x SG: Total
• 36^th x SG: T2G
• 39^th x SG: APG
• 14^th x SG: ARG
• 36^th x SG: PUT

ST has been a hard player to catch in 2026 and we wrote about his injury woes in 2025 and we have seen glimpses of how good he can be with his best results-

• T25 X PGA RBC Heritage
• T10 x PGA Texas Children's Houston Open
• T6 x PGA Arnold Palmer Invitational
• T22 x PGA The Genesis Invitational
• T18 x PGA WM Phoenix Open
• T7 x PGA Farmers Insurance Open
• T8 x PGA American Express

In the times we have selected ST he is yet to win for us outright but he can bring the right combination of usually better putting but they do on paper look much better this time around.

They opened around $22 on betfair and have met with strong support, whilst money has come for teams like Thorbjornsen / Vilips, Yellamaraju / Gerard & to a lesser degree money for Fitzpatrick / Fitzpatrick who have been very firm which takes a lot of money as well.

All 3 teams we looked @ The Stig & MJ did have a conversation surrounding the Fitzy brothers, me personally I think they should be triple what they are with no real good results here with previous years @ T19-T11-MC & I am personally fans of the other 2 combinations but I like old heads around this course more than young guns who will make the pace on day 1.

Happy to take $22 on betfair.

The boys from Norway team up for the first time but have played lots of junior golf together & in 2025 & 2026 we have also tipped both plays from time to time but it is REITAN who we have big hopes for, you can go through previous Analysis for PGA Texas Children's Houston Open as KR can go low and in fact has gone 61 & 62 several times on the DPWT in Europe.

KR will bring his better all round game to the table as where KV will bring his very usually reliable putting to the fore here, he has been a bit off last few events but his replays have shown he sink some monster Putts, recently he lost 4 strokes on one hole but that was due to him over shooting from a bunker, he then went to chip and it went 3 feet instead of 15 feet, he tried correcting his next chip shot and it went miles past the hole.

Kristoffer Reitan

• 116th x SG: Total
• 24th x SG: OTT
• 102nd x SG: T2G
• 143rd x SG: APG
• 14th x SG: ARG
• 109th x SG: PUT

Kris Ventura

What we sent out for KV for the PGA Cognizant Classic in late Feb 2026, we also tipped KR on the same event. If you want to see full analysis from that event-

• 116th x SG: T2G
• 79th x SG: OTT
• 113th x SG: APG
• 142nd x SG: ARG
• 33rd x SG: PUT
• 58% GIR
• 69% DA
• 30% made cuts in 2025 + 50% in 2026 (1/2)
• 80% top 25 in 2025 + 50% in 2026 (1/2)
• 8 stroke avg
• 0 x PGA Wins + 2 KFT wins

Bear in mind this Norwegian player has been cutting his career on the Korn Ferry Tour up until 2025 where he played his way into an overall 7th @ KFT Tour Championship earning his card for the 2025 PGA.

His best finish in PGA 2025 season was-

4th x PGA Farmers Insurance Open @ -5 (winner was -8) with rounds of 68, 73, 71, 71

Now to be fair Torrey Pines is one of the tougher courses on tour and of the 17 events after that good results KV did make 11 cuts (64.70%) which puts more than 50% of current PGA tour players to shame as some cannot even consistently make 50% of cuts each season.

Yes, he was cut in 3 straight events from the 3M Open to Procore Championships but bounced back in superb fashion with-

• T21 @ PGA Sanderson Farms
• T11 @ PGA Bank of Utah Championships
• T27 @ PGA Worldwide Technology
• T34 @ PGA Butterfield Championships
• T34 @ PGA RSM Classic

He is one of only a handful of players that has made it into our 115-player weekly database roster & HAS STAYED there since inception.

KV currently has the distinction of-

• 1st x SG: PUT amongst all PGA players on tour in 2026

Yes, his form has tapered but the pairing could bring out his best game as it looks good on paper.

There is no interest in the boys from Norway as they continue to drift, Reitan has been popping up here and there in bigger events so I'm interested to have 1 unit around the $44 on betfair currently available, I would suggest waiting as they could easily be matched for +$50.

Tony Finau

• 110th x SG: Total
• 110th x SG: T2G
• 114th x SG: APG
• 23^rd x SG: ARG
• 79th x SG: PUT

TF we did tip more recently in Texas and he was there to result in the final 18 holes before fading late he is however shooting for his 8^th straight cut which this event will see teams whittled down to 33 & ties so it is still important to get as many into the final 36 holes of play.

For deeper analysis into his game please go to website and look up past events (Texas).

His approach play is usually rocky steady as is his around the greens play, where MG comes in is his better putting prowess.

Max Greyserman

• 133rd x SG: Total
• 148th x SG: T2G
• 124th x SG: APG
• 96th x SG: ARG
• 50th x SG: PUT

We know Max well and his overall game is better than it reads, his iron & wedge play is-

• 6^th x Approach from >100 yards
• 4^th x Approach from > 275 yards
• 13^th x Approach from 225-275 yards

It does not reflect in his overall 2026 stats in SG: APG also he maybe ranked 5oth in putting overall but he is very slick from inside 6 feet-

• 21^st x Putting from 6 FT > @ 81.82%
• 15^th x Putting from 5 FT > @ 90.63%
• 17^th x Putting from 4-8 FT @ 74.73%
• 1^st x Putting from 3 FT > @ 100% from 221 attempts-let us hope all putts 3 feet.

On paper I like them yet again, they may not appear well suited but TF can bring his calmness in his 6x PGA wins to MG who is still chasing his 1^st, he has however come close many times over including when we thought he would win in Japan.

Around $44 on betfair is fair, I would however like to see $50-60 available as this event we need quick starts from players as it is fourball on day 1 so each player will play their own ball on each hole and the lowest score is recorded.

The experience can come together here and these 2 do not need 1 to pick up the slack like other teams, both have solid games but if they have to lean on Max and his putting as he can run very hot unlike 70% of players here.

Austin Smotherman

AS was hard to miss @ the PGA Cognizant as he hung around for a long time in the event won by our NICO, he was better than Taylor Morre and IMO better than tour veteran Shane Lowry (Who loves finding water).

He stuck to his guns with a T2 and he was a shock withdrawal from the PGA Arnold Palmer but any injury concerns were shot down as he was a strong T13 @ PGA The Players which is the 5^th Major (sort of) but it had depth to that line up he then fumbled at PGA Valspar before back to back finishes @ PGA Valero & PGA RBC Heritage.

A winner of 3 x KFT it will not be long before he wins his 1^st PGA title and he has been partnered with a very good greens player & putter on tour.

AS in 2026  

• 68^th x SG: Total
• 21^st x SG: T2G
• 32^nd x SG: OTT
• 9^th x SG: APG
• 147^th x SG: ARG
• 139^th x SG: PUT
• 36^th x GIR @ 67.96

It is always a pleasant surprise when I am in the stats or updating to see a player fly up the rankings as has AS, not only is 9^th in SG: APG excellent to be 21^st in SG: T2G amongst all active PGA players is outstanding, from 10 events he has made the cut in 6 (60% SR) & usually I like to see this well above 70% he has done so well in only 6 events really.

The pairing with Putnam looks ideal for this event.

Andrew Putnam

For those that have been with us for a while I have often shared that with his elite putting he really should have won 3 or 4 by now & not the sole 1 x PGA Win on his resume.

He did however look super sharp recently at PGA Valero when 5^th to JJ Spaun & co and he was right in the thick of it with 9 holes to play.

• AP is shooting for his 7^th straight cut

With Austin able to position his 2^nd & 3^rd shots well then Putnam can be super slick around greens and if AS struggles sinking them then Putnam can birdie a few more on day 1, the lowest hole score is recorded on day 1 so elite putters can put a few strokes on the field.

AP in 2026 

• 49^th x SG: Total
• 48^th x SG" T2G
• 140^TH x SG: OTT
• 37^th x SG: APG
• 7^th x SG: ARG
• 75^th x SG: PUT

Currently you will see 75^th in putting, this is not the Putnam that is super slick, he was ranked in all of 2025-

• 6^th x SG: ARG
• 16^th x SG: PUT (there are some elite putters on PGA tour)

What is also super surprising as is his teammate is how well there tee to green play is overall.

I actually saw $85 when betfair markets opened very late on Monday nigh AEST and I said to myself I will wait till morning as the pool had something like $2'500 in it, it only took over night when $9k was in the betfair pool and $60 was available, next update into $50, that was a lost opportunity.

I think at the lower odds they are very good value even despite missing out, $50 could be very good after a low round score when play finishes on day 1.

The Canadian duo are very well suited in this event and a much better country pairing than we have seen recently with Taylor/Hadwin.

MH is far better around the greens & especially good at putting as where TP is far better driving off the tee, both players are very capable of bobbing up when least expected, remember this week we are trying to pick the teams that compliment each other.

Mackenzie Hughes

We have often had MH in our 100 player database that is now much larger but he would generally sit around 75^th as an example, after selecting him a few times through 2025 and maybe once in 2026 he is only resulting as a fringe player and finding it hard to find that 3^rd PGA Win.

• 84^th x SG: Total
• 103^rd x SG: T2G
• 122^nd x SG: OTT
• 120^th x SG: APG
• 40^th x SG: ARG
• 44^th x SG: PUT

MH does have the distinction of being ranked 1^st in-

• 1^st x Scrambling <10 yards where he is 100% for 29/29

Normally I look around the 10 to 20 yards but he still is #1 in a stat that does matter, MH does also improve his putting stats when closer to the hole, sounds easy right? It is not but putting inside >10 feet is his power-

• 9^th x Putting >10 feet @ 90.45% (426/471) that is very good!

Both players are veterans on PGA Tour & we included them as they can iron out each others faults, day 2 will matter & it really does separate the teams apart so all focus will be on how individuals play singularly.

For a indepth view of MH you can check out what we wrote when selected for the recent PGA Texas Houston Open.

Taylor Pendrith

Not a player we have entertained as a solo player in 2026, in saying that I have seen bits of his game look ready to improve, I have not seem many interviews but I do go to the PGA shot clock on each events and will take a look more deeply at video on certain players, I have started this here with TP.

• 112^th x SG: Total
• 67^th x SG: T2G
• 39^th x SG: OTT
• 112^th x SG: APG
• 70^th x SG: ARG
• 142^nd x SG: PUT

Most analysts will leave Pendrith alone until courses suit this long driver of the ball but his iron play is going very well presently with-

• 42^nd x GIR @ 67.34%

His teammate will not have to do all the heavy lifting as TP can find the greens as well but generally MH is better around the greens & has been in positive strokes gained in all of his last 5 events.

With where they both sit in their own singular games I have them rated around $75 and above so perhaps wait, I am happy to play them as 1 unit to see if they click as often they can, so they are in our mid hope ranging, meaning if they do click giddy up, they will need to come together on both day 1 & 2 as often you see teams explode on Day 1 but really struggle on day 2, that's where a team like Koepka/Lowry most likely does well on both days

Opened around $34 on betfair and currently plenty of +$55 available, wait or see if you get matched for higher. We love the combination and if it were fourball on all 4 days they would be much shorter, the only concern is day 2 & 4, of course they have to make it into 33^rd & ties.

Rico Hoey

RH gets a full copy of what we sent out because it details in full how good he actually should be, from the PGA Valero when he was $80 to Win outright-

Many including us @ PGT are waiting for the return of RICO.

We all know & we sent this out about his ball striking in 2025 was CRISP-

• 2nd x SG: T2G with +1.301 strokes gained on avg per round (76 measured)

The Player who was 1st of course is Scott Scheffler who was +2.361 SG (over 72 rounds) but what we must remind ourselves that Rico was ahead of Tommy, Morikawa, SWK, Rory & company.

Rico is still 0 x PGA wins which is so surprising, nearly shocking with those key stats, we do also know he was TERRIBLE putting so despite also sitting in-

• 2nd in BALL Striking in 2025
• 8th x SG: APG
• 2nd x GIR @ 73.11% nearly knocked off 1st

For all his good work through all of 2025 to sit as high as he did amongst the elite of the game but to then lose-

• Losing -0.997 strokes per round in 2025

He was ranked the 1st, the worst putter on PGA tour in 2025.

To put that into very clear prospective that is -4 strokes per event, he negates all the good so even if he were to go +2.56 SG in APG pre round, he could never win an event with such poor putting figures.

NOW

There was a massive change, a significant change in late 2025 when we started seeing Rico take to the "Broomstick Putter", thanks to golf.com-

"After losing 10.5 strokes putting over four rounds at the Wyndham Championship, Hoey, who says he has always been a "streaky" putter, opted to make a big change. Hoey started working with his putting coach, Marcus Potter, and his caddie, Bryan Martin, to find a solution."

The change SIGNIFICANT-

From the PGA Bank of Utah Championships "I ended up breaking two course records with it within the first two weeks. I'm like, all right, I think this is it."

So, what we saw from October 2025 to the end of November 2025, his last event for the season-

• T4 x PGA Baycurrent in Japan
• 2nd x PGA Bank of Utah Championships
• T21 x PGA Worldwide Technology
• T22 x PGA Butterfield Bermuda
• T7 x PGA RSM Classic

Those better results in the back end of 2025 saved his card for 2026 PGA as he finished 54th overall which he sat in 116th before those 5 events.

Now the "Broomstick Putter" did not turn him into an elite putter but it changed that monster deficit into a positive.

So far in 2026 he has been a bit hot & cold from 10 events, but what I have seen with my own eyes is that belief again and he backed it up in his last 2 events, We like back-to-back results-

• T28 x PGA Texas Children's Open with rounds of 67, 68, 68, 70 for -7
• T26 x PGA Valspar Championships with rounds of 71, 68, 70, 72 for -3

Last week in Houston, the difference he only lost over 76 holes –1.260 strokes, wow!

• 6th x SG: Off the Tee @ +3.525
• 37th x SG: Approach to Green @ +1.041
• 33rd x SG: Around the Green @ +0.745
• 56th x SG: Putting losing -1.260 strokes
• T28 x SG: Total @ +4.052
• T20 x Driving Accuracy @ 59.62% (31/52)
• T34 x Greens in Regulation @ 68.06% (49/72)

RH is a slow ominous burn presently and partnered with DL they could really ignite on day 1.

David Lipsky

Often DL appears as the 1^st round leader and when I say often his name is always up the top early, unfortunately he does fade and is still in search of his very 1^st PGA Win.

• 55^th x SG: Total
• 81^st x SG: T2G
• 136^th x SG: OTT
• 90^th x SG: APG
• 11^th x SG: ARG
• 38^th x SG: PUT

What does not shock me is his Off the Tee play but what really surprises me is how well he is going around the greens and even converting birdie opportunities sitting a decent 38^th in putting overall.

DL is sitting an incredibly high 49^th in FedEx points so his consistency in 2026 is paying off well. He went very close recently @ PGA Valspar, we were lucky to get Matthew Fitzpatrick up as Late Mail with 3 units but if this were horse racing then that is the best recent form line anyone can have with Fitzy winning last week.

That 2^nd @ Valspar he out stayed Sungae Im who dropped off and even he has been solid in his return, Behind DL were players like Xander Schauffele, Jordan Spieth & Gary Woodlawn to name just a few.

On paper these 2 look lethal, of course day 1 should be red hot and I will look at the 1^st round leader just as an interest, I think day 2 & 4 will be okay as long as they can stay in the mix on day 1 & 2 then they should make the cut.

No one in golf world likes them & that is okay with The Stig & MJ, it is when we do our best work, (lets hope) we find value, when betfair released markets they were as short as $42, they are around $75 currently, I would try & get matched for +$100, if they play up to potential (they have never won on PGA mind you) but their skill sets look perfect for this event.

We will either be right or wrong here in our thoughts on the pairing.

Jacob Skov Olesen

Most PGA enthusiasts will have no idea who JSO is, fortunately we watch most DP events or at worse always track each event weekly as there is only so many hours in a day.

The 26-yr old Dane can be very hot & cold but after winning many Junior titles he turned Pro in 2024 and has been very close in deep field across Europe.

His last 25 events on DPWT-

• Made cut in 17 of 25 for 68%
• 5 x T10 from the 17
• 2 x T3 from those 17
• 8 x T25 from 17

His weakness is OTT and he can lean on his better skill with the putter but he is no stranger to big events either as he did qualify for both the Open Championships in consecutive years.

• 68^th x 2025 Open Championship @ Royal Portrush
• T60 x 2024 Open Championship

He can get loose in the early rounds & with his fellow countryman assisting he can negate the different PGA courses than what they face on DP World Tour. This is not a tricky course either around TPC Louisiana. If he plays with nothing to lose then many PGA fans will be aware of who he is.

Rasmus Neergard Petersen

Many will know RNP from his win in Australia @ DPWT Crown Australian Open @ Royal Melbourne.

He beat players of the calibre of SWK, Cam Smith, Adam Scott & MWL along with a tired Rory McILroy (after seeing him at press conferences you DID NOT want to be on him) so he was a wide berth.

The Dane broke through for his 1^st Win on DP World Tour after 3 x wins in the feeder organisation, Challenge Tour.

For those that do not know he did compete very well late in 2025 in Europe with-

• T3 @ DPWT Championship
• T5 @ DPWT Spanish Open
• T8 @ Omega European Masters

He was building into the Australian Win & from memory he was only around $25 to Win.

Fast forward into 2026 he has now played in 7 PGA events and has made the cut in 5 for a handy 71.43% SR.

• 80^th x SG: Total
• 64^th x SG: T2G
• 35^th x SG: OTT
• 77^th x SG: APG
• 120^th x SG: ARG
• 94^th x SG: PUT

His iron & wedge play is what we will be watching as he sits inside the top 20 in most approach metrics measured by the PGA, an example of this is-

• 4^th x Approaches from > 200 yards

If both Danes can play like they have nothing to lose then they can stay in touch with the leaders, both can play on any given day, they must combine and from the 10 teams we have selected these is our least favoured only because of the unknown.

Punters have kept them very safe, after opening on betfair around the $70 they have only slightly drifted to $80, there is not a lot of money to be matched around this so I would suggest aim towards $100, if they were individuals, I would expect $150.

Beau Hossler

BH was cut after 36 holes with Andrew Putnam last year in 2025 & his teammate was not any better as Sam Ryder/Rico Hoey were cut after 36 holes as well so it is good to see both have new teammates in 2026.

BH has been around what seems forever on PGA tour, I had to look it up (since 2016) & his game is good considering he has never Won yet has amassed $14 Million in prizemoney.

He has however in his 241 career events-

• 4 x 2nds
• 2 x 3rds
• 9 x T5
• 18 x T10
• 62 X T25 (25.73% SR)

Of the 4 x 2nds he came awfully close in 2, a playoff loss to Kevin Yu @ 2024 PGA Sanderson Farms & playoff loss to Ian Poulter @ 2018 PGA Houston Open.

Of note he does own a low 60 @ Wyndham Championship @ 2024 so his game can go low.

More recently and why I like BH in a shootout style of format is he can putt.

• 44^th x SG: Total
• 105^th x SG: T2G
• 114th x SG: OTT
• 134^th x SG: APG
• 29^th x SG: ARG
• 9^th x SG: PUT

Of late I have seen BH creeping up on day 2 or 3 on leaderboards and his last 4 of 5 events has now seen 2 x T25 results along with 2 x T50 results.

It honestly would not surprise me if its  a maiden Win in this event despite history pointing to mostly favourite teams winning, that said nothing over $100 really.

His best is good enough & along with-

Sam Ryder

He like Hossler is reliable in his iron & wedge play and can putt as well, he is much more reliable than Hossler Off the Tee and after starting 2026 very well he laboured to miss 3 x straight cuts, he has bounce back like a veteran does and has had 2 x T60 results and his latest-

• T21 @ PGA Valero Open

It was the shot of confidence he needed as he currently sits in 128^th in FedEx points and the new cut off is T100 so all players are very aware of where they sit each event.

Despite being a teams event there is still valuable points on offer for each player.

SR in 2026 

• 48^th x SG: Total
• 89^th x SG: T2G
• 120^th x SG: OTT
• 19^th x SG: APG
• 144^th x SG: ARG
• 21^st x SG: PUT

I think both will be looking for a positive start and on paper not much is expected of them either, they are the ones with no pressure here, I highlight the Kopeka/Lowry combination, incredible players but we have also seen from both recently they can be vulnerable and let frustration creep in, this is a shootout.

Another combination that should be well above +$100 but firmly sit around $90, which is strange as both players start between $80 to $150 in previous starts on PGA tour, the only factor I can see is the betfair pool is only $123k which is very low at this time before this close to tee off.

+$100 to $120 or more is the right price they did open @ $60 on Monday night.

JL is like the modern era PGA fringe players & to explain that to the newer members it is like players that are more like to T40 to T50.

JL is the weak link to CR unfortunately in that he has only made 2/7 cuts in 2026 in fact he has usually less than a 50% career in making cuts, if he was an individual and possibly why you have not seen us tip him.

JL in 2026 to date-

• 156^th x SG: Total
• 154^th x SG: T2G
• 74^th x SG: OTT
• 161^st x SG: APG
• 81^st x SG: ARG
• 143^rd x SG: PUT

As advised he is the weak link in this team, sometimes however other players can elevate others, this will need to be the case here, it's a shame as CR is ready to fly.

Chad Ramey-

Some of what we sent out in summary for CR @ PGA Valero Open.

After kicking off his 2026 in Hawaii @ Sony Open, he looked rusty when finishing T71 but from then on, he had good finishes in the next 7 of 8 events, the best of those-

• T22 x PGA Farmers Insurance Open @ -10
• T17 x PGA Cognizant Beach Classic @ -8
• T27 x PGA The Players Championships @ -3
• T28 x PGA Texas Children's Open @ -7

Last week in Houston-

• 52nd x SG: Off the Tee losing -0.904 strokes
• 35th x SG: Approach to Green @ +1.273
• 67th x SG: Around the Green losing -1.784 strokes
• 8th x SG: Putting @ +5.466
• T28 x SG: Total @ 4.052
• T34 x Driving Accuracy @ 53.85% (28/52)
• T38 x Greens in Regulation @ 65.28% (47/72)

I am not overly concerned that CR lost -2.60 strokes as he gained +5.466 in putting as Ramey sits very high in putting from all PGA tour players-

For the rest of PGA 2026 I did ay it previously CR is flying under the radar despite good results of late and he will win one soon, more likely in the middle of the year by himself, I mean. I would love if he won this.

After opening @ $80 they find themselves around $95 now on betfair- if there was some other better positioned player with CR then this team would easily be under $40, JL is similar to David Lipsky is he can run fast but fade quick, Lipsky has maintained far better form.

I would suggest +$150 to even as high as $200 only because of JL, hope he has his best weekend but CR will carry him for a long way, hope I am wrong but I am an optimist.

Obviously with weaknesses apparent they are one of our least favoured teams but this is a different format so never expect the normal.

William Mouw

Some of we sent out for MW also @ the Valero Open- you can go into the event on the website for the full analysis from Valero.

I will include what we sent out last week then summarise on "what could have been"

From his T24 @ The Players Championships-

• 7th x SG: OTT @ +3.815
• 30th x SG: APG @ +1.891
• 59th x SG: ARG losing -1.487 strokes
• 32nd x SG: PUT @ +1.434 strokes gained
• T24 x SG: Total @ +5.653
• T20 x Driving Accuracy @ 66.07% (37/56)
• 7th x Driving Distance @ 306.40 yds
• T21 x Longest Drive @ 345.00 yds
• T33 x GIR @ 62.50% (45/72)

WM was even better the previous fortnight when he strutted his new form for a-

• T6 x PGA Cognizant Classic with 68, 70, 68, 67 for -11

WM is no stranger to us as we have selected him a few times in 2025 and he does own a few low rounds such as the 61 when winning the ISCO in 2025 along with a few 63s at various events since.

On a course that should set up rather nicely The Stig & I only had a conversation regarding him on Tuesday when there was as much as $230 available, not sure if someone tipped him publicly, but you can only get around $110 on betfair, very possible he drifts after then market settles.

This week @ PGA Valero Open

Perhaps I was expecting so much but once Gary Woodland took control & his stats backed it up as much as I watched most players, I did feel as though WM could have had a better weekend.

• T44 x PGA Texas Children's Open with rounds of 69, 68, 70, 68 for -5

Of WM we are fans here @ PGT & every now and then, not often enough we have seen the best version of him appear in 2026.

If WM can get his putter even warm then the rest from his early drive to approach play will come into greater effect, I do like the teaming up with Japanese gun, Takumi Kanaya.

**We want to see the William that won the ISCO with his incredible 61 (-9) on day 4.

Takumi Kanaya

A highly touted player from Japan who we are not seeing the best of since focusing on PGA events.

A winner of 9 events overall @ JGA & (the former #1 World Amateur for 55 weeks, you know how we love Keita Nakajima, well Takumi based on stats is right up there so again now he is focusing on PGA we will slowly see what the world has seen.

If you want to see a player hit the ball straight as a dye, this is the man to watch, his driving accuracy very good (usually).

In 2026 

• 103^rd x SG: Total
• 138^th x SG: T2G
• 81^st x SG: OTT
• 154^th x SG: APG
• 54^th x SG: ARG
• 20^th x SG: PUT
• 40^th x Driving Accuracy @ 62.03%

Shooting for his 5^th straight in making cut his game is slowly improving and the Japanese players are always disadvantaged as most do not attend Universities in USA like many Europeans & Australians do.

Perhaps it is too early in 2026 and perhaps we should look at the back end of 2026 but his golf game has always been good @ home, yes, he now competes in the toughest competition, that should elevate your game, we saw it with Ryo Hisatsune who did his time over in the grinding DPWT, maybe Takumi trying to short cut that process but we saw him finish-

• T4 @ PGA Baycurrent in Japan- (absolutely flew late)
• T3 @ PGA Butterfield Bermuda

The best since was his-

• T17 @ PGA Cognizant Classic

A deeper stat analysis is available on the website when selected for the Cognizant Classic when $210.

His very best which we are waiting for would see him challenge in this, perhaps William is the player to bring it out in him, we will find out soon.

2 players who really are good with giant upside in this game opened around $75 on betfair you can easily find $120 now,  Unlike the past few combinations who have some questions about the pairings these 2 IMO could easily be as short as $60, halt their current quote, if you compare with Springer/Smalley who are around $60, I would personally back theses 2 over them, I know both games of Springer & Smalley both are yet to win on PGA, William has impressively and Takumi better than both, Smalley can go on runs so I do get that, this week is not like any other so expect crazy to appear.

We have deliberately only selected 10 teams, we may provide 2 teams as early as the 36-hole cut to play out the last 36 holes when only 33 teams & ties make it.

It is that kind of weekend. We have had some stellar SR % for players making cuts, see facebook page, if we can get 50 to 70% of teams that would be excellent, hence possibly making 2 more teams chime in for the final 36 holes, we follow players so we shall see what eventuates.