Saudi International & RSM Classic Preview | Golf Tips | SBK | Racing Post | The Sweet Spot

Welcome to the Sweet Spot, sponsored by SBK. Get the latest golf betting tips for the upcoming Saudi International and RSM Classic as Dave Clark returns with Steve Palmer to take a look at this week’s tournaments.
 
The team also take a look back at last week’s tournaments, which saw a playoff in the DP World Tour Championship.

Steve gives us his predictions for the Saudi International and RSM Classic, including his best value selections.

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00:00 – Intro
04:53 – DP World Tour Championship Review
13:43 – Bermuda Championship Review
17:20 – Saudi International Preview
33:30 – RCM Classic Preview
48:38 – Best Bets
50:21 – Outro

18+ Gamble Responsibly

#golfnews #golftips #stevepalmer #thesweetspot

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[Music] Welcome along to another episode of the sweet spot brought to you by the racing post. I’m Dave Clark. He is Steve Palmer. Steve, uh your man Luke Litler doing the business. Your man Rory Maroy not quite doing the business. But how’s the weekend for you? Yes, much rather talk about darts than uh than golf. Much rather talk about anything but golf, Dave. Um how’s Angry Ginge getting on? Can we devote 45 minutes to Angry Ging? Is he staying calm in the in the jungle? It’s a four and a place. Oh, there we go. There we go. That’s what we should be focusing on. Angry ginge. Um, this is a jungle podcast now. We we we hate golf. No. Uh, listen. Tough weekend. Uh, you the the PJ tour was tough. Uh, and you know, playoff agony uh on the European tour. Yes. Yes. I mean a challenging fortnite on the DP World Tour because um if Tommy Fleetwood had won the Abu Dhabi playoff then we would have had a a 25 to1 double with Luke Litler activated and then if Rory Mroy had won the Dubai Desert uh sorry the DP World Tour Championship we would have had a 13 to1 double activated. So we’ve been trying these doubles with Luke Litler in the Grand Slam darts. Loot Litler was imperious and and and won comfortably. Um but um unfortunately Fleetwood Fleetwood lost to Aaron Ry in the playoff and then uh yeah again we would have been favorite in the playoff with Rory Maroy and um defeated by Matt Fitzpatrick. I just thought it was such a shame that Rory couldn’t finish the drop the job after the the drama on the 18th green in in regulation. It was such a wonderful moment. It seemed like it was the Irish Open all over again, didn’t it? They um it looked like Eagle the last and then then win the playoff. But I think the key shot of the whole day was on the 16th hole. the T-shot the 16th hole. I don’t know whether you’re watching Dave. Um the he took 3-wood at the 16th hole and it it failed to carry the fairway bunker by literally like an inch. He was it was it was a tough decision for him whether to take 3-wood off the tea or driver. But if he takes driver then he has the potential to if he if he leaks it a bit he could go in the water because he’s he’s so long with the driver. So I actually think 3-wood was the right club. Um but the you know it was late in the day the air was getting a bit heavy and it just didn’t quite carry that bunker. If it does he’s in prime position it’s it’s it’s birdie or par from there. But when it caught the lip of the bunker he ended up making bogey and then um you know needed needed a fast finish. Lipped out at 17. um yeah agonizing lip out at 17 and then perfection at 18 uh to get in the playoff and then tried the same drive again in the playoff. Uh I don’t know if you were watching the playoff Dave but it was yeah it was this is safer gambling week which we must address and and and and the safe gamble for for Rory Mroy would have been to go to the left of the creek. You there’s a creek that runs up that uh that 18th fairway the par five Matt Fitzpatrick has gone left in the rough. So Matt Fitzpatrick’s going to have to lay up. So yeah, very attacking play from Rory to to go for the right of the creek as he did in the uh in in on the 72nd hole when he needed an eagle. He didn’t need an eagle to win the playoff. A birdie would have been enough. Um so it’s a very attacking play, but he’s a very attacking golfer and that’s why we love watching him. You know, he’s very entertaining. All guns, you know, he’s all guns blazing and he’s just made an eagle 20 minutes earlier on that hole from from an attacking drive down the down the right there. So, um, yeah, who are we to, uh, to challenge the, uh, the course management of Rory Maroy? Um, but he, yeah, he just didn’t quite catch it. Didn’t quite connect. And, yeah, the I keep going on about the heavy air. The air was heavier as the day went on and he just couldn’t get that carry over the creek and he just tugged it a little bit. Um, so yeah, we live and learn, Dave. We live and learn them. We do. You’ve got, you got carried away there. We’re sort of half into the review already. Uh but before we do before we get into all of that, there’ll be a little bit of jungle and darts chat as well, I’m sure, sprinkled in. You’re of course here on the Racing Post YouTube channel. Do get involved with us. We like reading through your comments, both positive and negative. Uh so jump into the comments, like, comment, and subscribe. And as Steve mentioned, uh this week is 2025 safer gambling week. Uh and this of course is a moment for the entire industry um to highlight and promote safer gambling. All the information that you need will be on your screen. Uh you can find plenty of guidance support at safergamblinguk.org. Uh and the message I’ll give you at the end of every sweet spot here is uh enjoy the golf and gamble responsibly because it’s meant to be fun and that’s what we’re here for to give hopefully or Steve will give you a bit of guidance on where you should be placing your money. Uh but it should be enjoyment for you as well. So all the information you need there on the website safegamblinguk.org. Right, you’ve already sort of drilled down into most of what happened at the end of the golf, Steve, but we will go to the DP World Tour Championship, the season finale, and it was Matt Fitzpatrick who um has had quite a decent three, four months, I suppose, in his career. He’s going to look back on uh 2025 very fondly. Absolutely. I mean, he’s now a three-time winner at the Earth Course. Um you know, really impressive record at the Earth Course. I thought it um I thought he was brilliant at the Ryder Cup. You remember at the Ryder Cup he he’s courageous at times in the RDER Cup. I I was so impressed with his his bravery in in New York. Um and he he just hasn’t looked sharp since the Ryder Cup until last week. He didn’t look sharp in Abu Dhabi the the previous week, which is why I thought it was Rory and the Hogards um which is a a ruddy good band name. I think you’ll agree Dave, but was a ruddy awful DP World Tour Championship staking plan. Um and and Fitzpatrick that that up and down at the 72nd hole like you know that was a key moment that because um you know it you know it was a really tough up and down. I know he’s got that sort of quirky uh grip he uses for the pitches. Um you know, you know, left below, left below, right? You know, I I find it such an ugly chip in action, but it it worked really well on that 72nd hole and to to get up and down for birdie and get to 18 under par and eliminate a load of other players and then put the pressure on Rory Mroy behind him to make to make the Eagle up the last. Um yeah, really impressed really impressed with Fitzpatrick on that 72nd L. Not impressed with him in the playoff. I mean the both players really dipped in quality in the playoff. I mean you had Rory Mroy makes three uh on the 72nd hole and then 20 minutes later makes six. So I mean he’s three more shots than he needed in regulation on that. But then Fitzpatrick sort of hacked his way up the hole and and you know you couldn’t believe that he he he’d won the playoff against Rory Mroy, the great Rory Mackoy um with a five at um you know reachable par five. I mean the the drive he tugged left. The second shot Dave, my gosh, I thought we were going to get a reprieve there. Um the second Fitzpatrick’s second shot in the playoff nearly went in the water. He he floated it up and he was panicking in midair and um it would have been remarkable if they both got in the water at in the playoff hole. But yeah, Fitzpatrick, yeah, it was good for um yeah, it was good for European golf when you two Ryder Cup heroes. Um great banter before the playoff. Dave, did you see that? There was a incredible uh Let me ask you a question. Yeah. Yeah. I thought I ask you a question. Um do you think Maroy would have had a different mindset and maybe a different performance in the playoff if he’d needed to win the playoff to win the the race to the buyer? Yes, possibly. Possibly. Yeah, it was it was there was a carefree it was a carefree drive, wasn’t it, in in the playoff. Um it’s a good question, Dave. I I think I think the events of 20 minutes earlier really dictated the play um in the playoff because obviously he’s pumped to the nines. Um you know the the the emotion after the uh the eagle putt went in. You know, he clearly heavily desired DP World Tour Championship glory. You know, the the reaction to the Eagle putts said it all. Um yeah, it’s the highlight of my weekend for sure, the Eagle putt. But yeah, listen, I’m not suggesting he weren’t trying to win because I think he was desperate to win, but just different mindset. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Sure. Sure. And I I I just think when he saw Fitzpatrick go left in the in the rough there, he he he should have played left to the creek um just to a much safer shot. Um and as I say, he’d fancy himself to make birdie from left to the creek there. Um went for the you know, went for the the gung-ho approach and it didn’t pay off. But um yeah, he’s had he’s gone for the gung-ho approach plenty of times this year and it has come off. So he touched uh I think he touched three on in running, maybe a little bit shorter as well. also runs. They were both on 18 under par. Ludvig over big showing on his debut at the track. 17 under. Lorie Caner, big showing from him as well. Tommy Fleetwood again. Uh what a consistent dream of a golfer he has become. Near guy Peterson as well, all at 17 under par. Uh thoughts on all of the above? Well, thoughts on all the above is that um yeah, I don’t know how much room is in your bin, Dave, because I think you you’ve inspired a lot of commentators to throw people in the bin, haven’t you? Um, obviously you you you’ve got Michael Forbjönson’s head poking outside of your bin. I um and being urged in the comments section to throw Rasmus Nar Peterson in the bin before last week’s event. Um being urged to throw Ludvig Bear in the bin before last week’s event and then Nar Peterson and Oair both finished third on their DP World Tour Championship. Dou I mean yeah both incredible performances. Uh Ludvig was slow out the traps with a 72 his first round at the Earth Course then played brilliantly for the final three days and and [ __ ] Peterson I mean my word like he’s not getting a PJ tour card in the race to buy rankings with five holes to go. He needs an he needs an incredible last five to get a PJ tour card and he goes five under par for the final five holes. I mean, you playing alongside Rory Maroy, it was one of it was an unbelievable stretch of golf. And you know, this this is a 26 year old playing in his first full season on the DP World Tour. He’s won instant promotions to the PJ tour, yet he’s in some people’s bins. He’s got the he’s got he’s got the the lack of patience, Dave, is staggers me these days. The instant gratification is what the everyone talks about the younger generation needing, isn’t it? Yeah, Rasmus Peterson’s had one season on the DP World Tour. He’s now on the PJ tour. Ludvig Bear almost won the Masters on Dub, almost won the Masters this year, and he’s in people’s bins. He would have broke my heart. He was the one player that I I wanted to back this week, but last week, but because he hadn’t played there before, it just Yeah. Well, you you were right, Dave. You were right because he he opened with a 72. He needed to settle in and um but you know, to have him in your business, don’t you? No wonder the world’s got such a waste disposal crisis. We got significant waste crisis in this world. You know, people putting world-class golfers in their bins, Dave. So, yeah, I I I’ I’d be interested to know people’s thoughts on Nigar Peterson and Ludvig because I think they’re both excellent. I think I love Ludvig. I love Ludvig. Yeah. And I think they just need to improve their putting and they’ll win they’ll win all sorts. I mean Ludvig Alber will win a major soon in my opinion. Rasmus Nigar Peterson has played well in majors already. I think he’s got huge potential. I mean, the Hogar brothers, I know we we’ve got tournaments to preview, we’ve got two tournaments to preview, but the Hogar brothers, uh, again, like don’t lose faith in the Hogar brothers. I mean, the Hogar, you know, Nikolai Hogar was three shots clear after two rounds. Um, obviously delighted with his progress at that stage, but then he was he was three shots behind after six holes of Saturday. It was an amazingly bad start to Saturday. His putting his putter can go ice cold and then even after that Saturday 73, he’s still in contention. And on the Sunday, you you think he’s he could get back into it. When they finally showed him on the Sunday, Dave, I don’t know what you were doing on the Sunday. They finally showed him it in his second shot to the the fifth hole and you think, “Oh, right. This is going to go close. He’s back in it. He’s a perfect show. It’s clattered into the flag stick, spun off the green, and he’s made bogey.” So, um yeah, Nikolai had a really frustrating weekend. and his brother had the opposite weekend. Slow out the gates. And then bogey three over the weekend, 6569. Um, and yeah, I’m on I’m on sixth places. 50 odd sixth places. Finishes alone in seventh place. Um, Sarv. So, uh, yeah. Yeah, it was a challenging weekend, Dave. Um, yeah, it was a challenge for me trying to follow it on Sunday. Uh, I was actually on South MP. could have done with that delightful Wentworth woolly hat that you had on there. It’s absolutely freezing. But I knew I knew what had happened. Uh Pete Selby, uh who’s a broadcaster, top bloke, and he’s an avid watcher of the Sweet Spot. Uh he just sent me uh you know, Rory, that’s unbelievable. So I knew what had gone on. I’m trying to follow it on my phone while not trying to drop my phone into the sea as well. I’m on South Pier. And I knew like Pete’s message come through and I knew what had happened. I just thought, “Wow, like this is this is going to happen again.” Like the Irish Open. But yeah, it was it was drama. You know, this is what we love, sport, drama, you know, and the thrills and spills. And you know, we this is safe for gambling week, but if you you’ve got a wager on as well, I think it just makes it that little bit more exciting, but in moderation, right? But it’s it’s what we love, you know, it’s what keeps us entertained at the weekend. Exactly. It certainly wasn’t a boring weekend, that’s for sure, Dave. And uh yeah, your Aaron Markhamms, your Dugros, Zugros have been really encouraging again this week. I really appreciate their comments. Um Kevin Hassnip is another one who keeps his pecker up. Yeah, it’s important to keep Packers up and uh um yeah, I’m really appreciating the positivity from from those guys. Okay. Well, I I will warn everyone that Tom McKibben and Michael Thejöson are both playing this week as well. We will be previewing them. So, that is all to come. Uh but before we get to the preview, one more tournament to look back on. Uh listen, if anyone found uh the winner of the Buda Championship, then fair play to you. U we were rocking a driver from 2017, irons from 2018, and a putter from 2001, 243 PGA Tour starts in a first success uh for Adam Shank. And you know, just incredible. He was putting with a glove on, without a glove, changing his grip uh throughout the final round. Uh just carefree golf it felt like on the on the Sunday. Yeah. Named after the most destructive shot in golf, Mr. Mr. Shank. Um yeah, fascinating event. Yeah. Really fascinating. The wind blew all week. It was survival of the fittest, wasn’t it? And and and Shank handled it better than anyone playing, as you say, playing some really unconventional golf. I mean, putting one-handed on Saturday at times and was remarkable. Apparently, he’d been in his his hotel room between rounds and on the carpet. He’s practicing his putting on the carpet in the hotel room. You know, the lonely life of the PJ Tour star. Um, and he and the one-handed putting was working, so he took it to the course on Saturday and played some holes one-handed. And and on the Sunday, he said it was too windy to putt one-handed. Um, so he just sort of put his left hand on the grip just as a bit more security. But he said he was pulling putts two-handed. So, um, yeah, whether we’ll see that again in future, but some of the shot making as well. I mean, my favorite shot was the second shot on the the par five 17th on on Sunday. Um, it was essentially a a long iron chip. He just chipped it about 200 yards along the fairway as low as possible um to keep it out of the wind. You know, it was a it was a brilliant shot. He played the par five with a with a lead, iron off the tea, chipped to like a four or five iron down the fairway um and then wedged on. I I I I thought it was in incredible drama um for a player that’s under immense pressure like he’s on the verge of losing his PJ tourard needed a massive performance to to keep it and now he has done. Um yeah all credit to Mr. Mr. Shank. Yeah indeed. Um listen the the names in behind there’ll be plenty of people unaware of some of these golfers myself included. Runner up, uh, Cha Phillips. We got Frankie Kappen, Takuma Cana, Max McGrevy, Vince, why, Alex Smallley. Um, listen, it was a a different leaderboard on the Sunday for sure. Yeah. Yeah. Lots of players scrapping for their cards um for next season. I mean, Takumi Cana is the one that I like best of those. You know, he tied third. I think he’s good. You know, I like him. former world number one amateur Dave. You know, I’ve got my obsession with former world number one amateurs. Um he’s 27 years of age and I think he’s good enough to to win on the PJ tour. Uh I think it could happen fairly soon. Um he and he moved up to 99th in the in the FedEx Cup standings. So the top 100 keep their cards. So Kaya big effort last week and he’s playing this week hoping to stay in the top 100. I think he’ll achieve that. Um, and then just behind those ones you mentioned, uh, Pearson Cudy played well, Dave. Pearson Cudy finished 22nd. He was creeping into contention on Saturday until he took six at a par three, par three, 16th hole. Disaster on that hole, but generally he was excellent last week. Um, I think he’s clearly up for winning at this level. It may happen this week. He’s very tempting. There was a draw by us last week. He was on the wrong side of it. Um, looked like Hadwin was going to run away with it at one point. Yeah. Yeah. Hadwin Hadwin was the experienced player up there, wasn’t he? But um uh Yeah. Yeah. A really interesting tournament and and similar this week. Lots of players scrapping for their PJ tour. This is the final event of the of the PJ Tour 4 series, right? Should we get into it then? Should we uh preview now? We’re going to start with the Asian Tour. Uh we’re going for the Saudi International. Great field here, Steve. before. You know, people have been we previewed the Hong Kong event a couple of weeks ago that was on the Asian tour as well. I think that one was coach sanctioned. I’m not sure if this one is um but a great field. No, no, neither of them were. This is the this is this is essentially this is like all the live players that fancy it have come into this one and yeah, the Saudi international used to be a DP World Tour event uh and and now it’s only an Asian tour event, but yeah. Yeah. The points, right? We want the points. Yeah. a high class field and and and um yeah, it’s definitely got our interest. And we’re at Riyad Golf Club in Saudi Arabia, 7,411 yards, par 71, three par 5s. It hosted the Saudi Open on the Asian Tour in 2023. And last year, it hosted the Saudi International for the first time last year. And it also staged the inaugural live Riyad in February. You might remember that one because it was uh played under flood lights. Do you remember that? um just for the fun of it to you know get get people more interested in it. Um they played the entire event under flood lights. This week’s event is not going to be under flood lights. It’s going to be under the light provided by the lord. Generous fairways. Uh he can really attack off the tea. Accurate iron play the key to success. We’ve got sunny, warm, calm weather coming. a field of 120 going a post and then yeah if you could sound the claxon Dave I’m not sure I’ve got the luster to sound a claxon today but if you could sound the claxon this is an important clax it’s not draw by claxon it’s is it’s the claxon to tell everyone that they need to get their bets on quickly right got one in there Dave uh yes Dave yes thank you very much you’ve really come to the party there uh this starts at 4:20 a.m. UK time on Wednesday morning. Okay. Um so get your bets on before you go to sleep tonight if you’re watching on Tuesday. Um yeah. Yeah. We got to be quick. Yeah. Finishes on Saturday, right? Not be I was just double checking if it is sort of Riad season because the golf’s in in town. The snooker is as well. Uh so what time to be alive if you’re in that part of the world of course uh if you’re able to knock in a 167 break and it is a million million dollars. The golden ball is it? the golden ball. Yeah. Yes, indeed. So, looking forward to all of that. Uh like the role of honor here um is is a very good one. Um Neman answer Dustin Johnson’s been a runner up and twice a winner as well. Uh Bubba Watson a runner up as well. We’re looking for length here, Steve. Well, Dustin Johnson was at Royal Greens. He was very successful at Royal Greens. live Riad now um which seems to have taken over as the Saudi international venue and as I say has hosted um lesser events on on the Asian tour. So yeah, we’ve got plenty of course for him to dig through. Um yeah, yeah, it remains to be seen what mood Dustin turns up in. Okay. Well, it is a who’s who of the livers Steve rightly mentioned. Let’s have a look at the market. Till Hatton uh leading with at single figures with Neman McKibben, David Pewig, Patrick Reed, Sebastian Munes, Abra. They’re all in there. Um looking all the way down. Dustin Johnson as big as 40 to1. Uh brilliant field. Um really looking forward to this one. It’s got a bit of a live feel to it. The top of the market as well. Uh how many selections? Three. Three selections. Okay. Who is the main pick then, Steve? David Pooge, who is a magnificent golfer. You’ll only really know he’s a magnificent golfer if you watch live golf, which which I do. This was a brilliant college golfer at Arizona State, uh the same university that um John Ram went to. Then from the start of the 2023 live season, Pooj was given a place on Sergio Gia’s Fireball side. Garcia, a pretty ruthless character as captain. He doesn’t uh he hasn’t got a lot of patience. He’s a bit like you and your bin men. He if he if he if someone underperforms, he gets rid of him. And Garcia acted a Spaniard from his from his side this year and replaced him with another Spaniard. There’s no way Garcia is going to want to get rid of David Pooj because he’ll be aware of how good he is. I mean, there’s more chance of David Pooge playing Ryder Cup golf in future than Sergio Gaia. You know, Sergio Gaia, Ryder Cupup legend, top point scorer, blahy blahy blah, but I think his Ry Cup days are numbered. Pooge is a 23-year-old Spaniard, bursting with talent, and I think he’ll find a way to get on future teams. This year, he’s played in 12 Live events. He’s finished in the top 20 in all of them. Dave, really consistent golfer now. He finished fourth three times. He finished sixth in Liv Riad at this week’s venue. He was seven under half of the final round last year. He finished fifth in the Saudi Open on the Asian Tour at this course. He won on the Asian Tour in 2023 in Singapore. He won on the Asian Tour last year in Malaysia. So, I think he’s going to keep this streak going of getting an Asian tour each year. And when he plays on the DP World Tour, he must be really impressing you. He’s been a massive threat every time he’s played on the DP World Tour. The last time we saw him on the DP World Tour is when he finished ninth in the Spanish Open. Last time out he was 14th in the Hong Kong Open which is not a suitable venue for him. This week he’s on a course that does suit him. He can get his favorite club out. He’s really attacking player is David Pooj. He can get the driver in his hands this week. He’s hungry for success. Fully focused. There’s some in this field you’d question their focus. Um but not David Pooj. You’d be looking to let the big dog eat. No John Ram. Could we might we have seen John Ram in this event? Why is there no John Ram? No. No. Remember he’s gone into hibernation. He’s having the longest spell on the sidelines he’s ever had. He is. Yeah, that’s it. No, he’s in his cave until um until the the resumption of the live season. So, you know, he’s having a really long break and um you know, good luck to him. No, criminal. We’re missing the best years of John Ram’s golf life. He should be out there battling away. He should have been playing last week, you know. So, anyway, that’s a whole another show. Uh right, three selections. Who else have we got? Next best is Thomas Peters. A forgotten man to many, an enormous talent who made a huge impact in the RDER Cup in 2016. He made a huge impact on his Masters debut in 2017. He won six times on the DP World Tour. Then he joined Live in 2023. This is a former world number 23, still only 33 years of age. And when he’s interested, Dave, he’s dangerous. And there are signs lately that he’s fully invested in his golf again. I wonder whether watching the rider cup at sparked, you know, lit a spark in Thomas Peters because he teamed up with Rory Maroy at Hazeltime nine years ago to devastating effect. Three wins alongside Rory Mroy. Then Peters won his singles match. Nobody on either side scored as many points as Peters. I mean Europe lost 1711 that year, Dave and Peters was the top scorer on either side. It was legendary stuff. He would love to get back on team Europe and and and show off again in in the RDER Cup. And on the evidence of his 2025 Liv campaign and his last two starts on the Asian Tour, he would be an asset to to team Europe. He’s posted eight top 20s on the live circuit this year. He twice finished fourth. He was 18th at Live Riad at the start of the year. He was ninth in the Saudi International at Riyad Golf Club last year. His only real weakness these days is he’s a bit loose off the tea. massive fairways at at Riyad Golf Club. He was ninth in the Hong Kong Open earlier this month at a venue which doesn’t suit him at all. He was ninth in the Singapore Open the week before last. So, Peter’s is keeping himself busy, Dave. He’s he’s he’s keeping himself sharp. He’s trying to improve his world ranking. I I think we got to take the hint. You know, he’s active. He’s up for it. And uh you know, I haven’t forgotten how good he is, Dave. I haven’t forgotten how good Thomas Peters is. I know you’ve got a place in your heart for for Thomas Peters, haven’t you? I have Dave. I have Dave. I knew you’d be I knew you’d be smirking when his name come up. But I think I think is he he’s a player that can be disinterested. But there are signs lately. The fact he’s teeing up in in the Singapore, there are signs that he’s got his game face back on. Kids getting a bit older. Maybe he’s ready to uh to show us the the real Thomas Peters again. I’m a little bit surprised at his age. Actually, I’d have been a buyer at 33. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Still got plenty to offer. um just got a bit disgruntled with the the PJ tour. There was uh a few um sponsors exemptions that were going elsewhere and he yeah he had he had a little tiff with the PJ tour and um and and joined live and live suits him because he he likes a a lighter schedule but um as I say like yeah he when he’s got his head on he he’s got all the tools. He’s a phenomenal golfer. So um in this in this field yeah it is live heavy this field but there’s some stars as you alluded to like John Ram that are skipping it. It’s It’s Yeah, Thomas Peters will look around, look at this field, and fear nobody. He’ll feel he’s as good as anyone in this field. Okay. Right. So, Thomas Peters, uh, one more selection to come. Who else you got for us? It’s Peter Uline, who greatly impressed us the other day in the Hong Kong Open. You remember he gave Tom McKibben the uh, yeah, a bit of a fright in the in in the Hong Kong Open around. Tom McKibben playing perfect golf but Uline put him under pressure until a late a late snowman. Um he’s become a player to follow on the Asian tour as Peter Uline. He likes dipping into the Asian tour and he’s really effective when he when he does. He won twice on the Asian tour last year. Both in fatic victory, seven shot victory and a five shot victory. He was third in the Saudi Open last year at at Ried Golf Club. He closed with a 63. That was his course to boo. closed with a 63. Then on his return in the Saudi International, he opened up with rounds of 66 6566. Um and then had a disappointing Sunday, 74, finished 29th. Then he was 21st in in Liv Riyad uh uh on the on the lift circuit. So yeah, course proven in form, nice price. Uh what’s not to like about Peter Rubine? That is a selection that I absolutely love and I love how far we have to scroll down to find him in the betting as well. So, he’s a nice big price. Uh, right. The market principles. No rest for Till Hatton. He’s on the on the move and he’s he’s our market leader. You make a very good point though because of this the small gap between the events. You know, he’s playing in the DP World Tour Championship. He’s he’s looked a little bit jaded in the last few week. I mean, he he shot Sunday he shot Sunday 75 in Abu Dhabi. Um, so he was terrible in Abu Dhabi in the final round and then on on Sunday in the DP World Tour Championship, he shot 72. So he’d been wilting at the end of tournaments. Um, and he’s got little time to to gather himself before teeing off in in in Saudi Arabia. I mean, he has I don’t think he needs us to have a whip round for him either, does he? No, no, no, no. I mean, he has performed on this course. He’s got Riad form figures of 56, so you obviously have to respect him. But as favorite, short prize, looking lackluster, looking like he’s looking forward to Christmas. He’s probably got his Christmas tree up already. I know some some people get him up early. Um, so I um yeah, I can’t have Aton at the short prices and I can’t have Wackham Nean at the short prices because he was 33. He’s defending champion. So lots of people will be looking very and a win machine this year. Find me a golfer that’s had a a better year than him. Yeah, fair point. Fair point. Scotty Sheffller. Uh but he was 33rd of 54th in Liv Riad. So, I mean, so the last time he played the course, he was really quite poor. Maybe he didn’t like the flood lights. Maybe he only prefers playing the Riad in in in natural light. I don’t know. I mean, it did seem quite dark in places when I was watching that event. Um, but more importantly, he was rubbish last time out in the Spanish Open and he hasn’t played since then. So, yeah, Nean Rusty, not for me. Um, and then I suppose you want me to discuss Tom McKibben, you’re not going to let me know. If you can put a line through his most recent effort and he came here fresh off of what happened in Hong Kong, you’d be saying this is the man to beat. Well, he he played all right last week in the DP World Tour Championship. He closed with a 67 for 16th place. So, yeah, he was disappointed in Abu Dhabi, but he played he played well last week. Uh his last Asian Tour appearance, of course, Hong Kong Open won by off track. He actually made his live deboo in Riad at this golf course uh in February and he finished 15th. So there is lots to like about Tom McKimman this week but uh I prefer my three. Yeah, loving Uline at the prices uh for sure. Should we move on then Steve? Yes sir. Okay. Right. We are going to move on to the RSM classic and this is a twocourse setup. Right. So, just talk us through the the format, when to bet by um and more on the tracks. Yeah, the seaside course and the plantation course, Sea Island Resort, Georgia. The seaside course is 7,05 yards past 70, only two par fives. The plantation course, 7,60 yards, past 72, four par fives. The seaside course became a PJ tour venue for the first time in 2010. Plantation course added to the tournament in 2015. The seaside course short, fiddly. You need to scramble well, but scoring is always low unless the wind blows. The plantation courses is inland Parkland track, more scorable, full set of par fives. So, you need a low one at the plantation. The players get 18 holes on each course over the first two days than the final two rounds are at the seaside course. We got sunny, warm weather coming, light to moderate breezes, a field of 156 going to post. So, will they all play one course on Thursday and then all play one course on Friday or do they mix it up? No, mix it up. Mix it up. Why do that? It’s so annoying. I hate that. Well, to get them round, they they wouldn’t be able to fit them all on. It’s why they can have a big field. I know, but then you want Oh, you know, he’s played that course, which is the easier course to score, and you have to think of it’s hard enough trying to follow it all anyway. So, just it’s not it’s a dodle compared to the Daniel Lynx. I mean the Daniel Links Championship should come with a blooming warning because um you know this year’s Daniel Lynx Championship really was exceptionally volatile with the tea times. Yeah, this one won’t be as anywhere near as bad because uh the weather forecast is okay. Dave, this is not Bermuda Championship weather. The winds are lighter. There’s still some breeze there. Have a siren or clap. Good. No. Yeah, I I don’t think we need to this time. Um because the wind actually picks up as the week goes on. I think Sunday’s the breeziest day. So yeah, I don’t think we need a Claxton. Okay. Where are we in the world as well here? Georgia. Georgia. Yeah. Beautiful. Okay. So, when are we getting bets on by? About 1 1 p.m. 100 p.m. on Thursday. Good. Right at the role of honor. Maverick McNeely uh defending champion Ludvig Gays Fenson Gu some when going through some of the winners here, Steve, there are some huge prices. Uh, so I do did wonder to myself if he was going to dip your toe into the the bottom of the market here and try and find one at a huge huge price, but it’s been some, you know, 300 400 to one winners at this event in the past. Yeah, I haven’t got any of the market leaders. Uh, you’ll be delighted to know was Michael Thorj Bjönson is residing in that section. Thank God. So, yeah, I have gone fairly deep on the board. Okay. Right. So, what sort of player are we looking for? Uh well it’s an all round test over the first two days. You know you’re playing a coastal track and at the seaside course. You’re playing a a Parkland track at the plantation course. I think over the over the weekend um scrambling is a very very key key stat. Very tricky greens. Uh windswept greens. Um I think um yeah. Yeah. You really need a smart short game at the seaside course and uh you know accurate iron play as well. So yeah. Yeah. The weather will play a big part in this if the wind does get really up. uh it becomes really fiddly, but when it when it when it’s down, you remember Ludvig goar destroying this track in in decent weather um a couple of years ago. Um Ludvig go birdie in virtually every hole. Um so yeah, we’re going to see plenty of birdies this week, Dave. Yeah, you need need smart putters. You need you need a smart putter. I think you’d be left behind if you’re if you’re not holding putts. Okay. Well, the market then uh Harris English generally favorite with most bookmakers. Some bloke called Michael Theor Bjönson’s next in. Brian Harmon, Sew Kim, Jay Poston, Rico Hoey, Denny McCarthy, Thor, Bjorn, Olison, Chris Kirk. How many players are we attacking this golf tournament with? Four selections, Dave. Okay, three and a four. So, 12 eachway doubles if you want to play that way. Who’s the main pick? Eric Cole, who’s been threatening a PJ tour breakthrough for a while now. This was a late bloomer. He lost a playoff for the Honda Classic at the start of 2023 and then he’s been knocking on the door of the winning closure ever since. Later that year, he was fifth in the Mexico Open. He was sixth in Canada, fourth in the Forinet Championship, third in the Shriners, second in the Zo, third in the RSM Classic. His full RSM Classic form figures are 39315. This tournament suits him really well. A lack of driving distance is his main weakness. He’s not a serious handicap in the RSM. Both short courses. Last year he was on leaderboards regularly. This year he’s he was fifth in the Sony Open in January. Similar assignment short course. Fifth in the Byron Nelson in May. And more recently ninth in the Sanderson Farms, 10th in the Worldwide Technology Championship the week before last. This is a 37y old ready to win. Short game wizard and I can forgive last week’s miscut in Bermuda. Dave, loose driving has been the the main issue lately for for Cole. It was howling last week. You know, borderline unplayable conditions at times. Cole got a really bad set of tea times. There was a there was a draw by us over the first two days. Cole’s on the wrong side of it. He suffered a snowman at the 17th hole in in round one. Triple bogey eight. Um so and I I feel like getting the weekend off is a blessing in disguise really. Another two rounds getting blown all over the place. Um I think he was best to have the weekend off and then prepare for a tournament which um which suits him better because there, as I say, there’s not as much win forecast in Georgia this week. So if he can keep it in play off the tea, his iron play has been great lately. His short game is exceptional. I think we’re going to get an overdue PJ tour breakthrough. Okay. Well, it is the season for that sort of thing. We had a made a winner last week as well. Here’s the main pick. Who’s the uh next best? Next best is Vincent Whe, a 30-year-old who I feel is at the peak of his powers. My top two tips for this event. Both really good putters. Why only needed one season to get promoted from the Korn Ferry Tour in in 2019. He was second in the Bahamas that year, so he showed an early liking for for teeing up by the coast. The best finish of his PJ tour rookie campaign came in Puerto Rico. Further evidence of his liking for coastal golf. And the reason that he stayed on the PJ tour since is how well he’s performed at this stage of the season. He loves playing in the Bermuda Championship and he loves playing in the RSM Classic. His last four starts in Bermuda have yielded form figures of 7853. He was third in in the Bermuda Championship on Sunday. and his last two starts in the RSM Classic resulted in 13th place and eighth place. His last two Saturday rounds at the Seaside course have been 64 and 63. He’s up to 73rd in the FedEx standings now, Dave. So that effort last week taking all the pressure off him. He can have a lovely relaxing week in Georgia. Uh playing one of his favorite events with the with the pressure off. He was too overpower through seven holes last week. Dave, it felt like he was feeling the pressure, the weight of expectation to to make another big check at his his favorite event. Um, I thought it was really gutsy that he he overcame that bad start and then set a new personal best in Bermuda. He was bogey free on Friday, Dave. I mean, can you imagine playing a round of golf in strong wins and going bogey free? I mean, there were hardly any bogey free rounds last week and, you know, great effort on on the Friday and then, you know, hung in there at the weekend. So I I think I think Vincent Why will spend another week floating around the leaderboard. He’s obviously a maid and um I’m hoping Cole and why can as you say take inspiration from from Adam Shank and and and and and get their first win. I’m glad you’ve picked someone um with that kind of reasoning and rationale as well because one of my questions after you’ve given me your selections were is there anyone in this field who’s kind of now safe and is almost on a free roll this week because that’s the sort of golfer that I want to be with. Yeah. Yeah. I mean the the relief will be palpable for for the likes of Vince. Just go out and enjoy yourself now. Try and win a golf tournament. That’s it. That’s it. So yeah, my next tip’s a maiden as well. um who’s pressure free um uh so yeah I’ll come to him now if I may you you might for a while tip tip number three is Adrienne Don de Shasser I apologize for lacking my usual luster Dave it’s not the week for jolity but I’m delighted to see Adlan de Shasser back on the PJ tour he was amazing on the corn ferry tour in 2023 you might remember he won his very first cornferry tour and we started backing him during his PJ tour rookie campaign in 2024. His two best performances of his PJ tour rookie campaign came at coastal tracks. He was sixth in the Puerto Rico Open. He was third in the Bermuda Championship. Those performances weren’t enough to to keep his card. He started this year playing on the DP World Tour. He um he did okay. He finished eighth in in the Katar Masters. Then he switched his focus back to the Kfrey Tour. And from May onwards he’s been a leaderboard regular on the corn ferry tour. He shot a round of 59 in June Dave in the in the Wittita Open. Then he won his second corner Tour title last month. Rounds of 61 61 64 65 sevenot victory. I mean incredible golf. Then he was 18th in the Cornferry Tour Championship. Took a month off to reset prepare for life back on the PJ tour. So here he comes. the new improved Alan Dond de Shasser a 25year-old ready to rumble he was 25th on his RSM debut last year I expect him to go to go better this time really exciting times for a demand chasser I’m trying to keep a lid on excitement this week for for obvious reasons um yeah I thought the DP World Tour Championship staking plan was unbeatable um but yeah we uh yeah we we are excited to see Admasser back on the PJ Well, I’ve just scrolled down the market and he’s a long way down. So, um I like the sound of that. Cool. I can see a Dassa Ulion double uh coming up here. Each way player. Big prices. That’s what we like. Big prices. Uh right, those at the head of the market then. Uh let’s start with Harris English. This is a a great great market to get stuck into. 22s sort of 25s in a place to field here. Uh lovely shaped golf market uh for eachway bullets. Harris English tops it. He does and we’ll come to the market leaders after our final selection if I may. Dave to come. Yeah, we got one more to go in this one and we are three and a four. Apologies. Three and a four. That’s okay though. That’s okay. And we’re keeping the excited. So I’m assuming player number four is an even bigger price. Well, player number four is a bigger price than I expected him to be. And I feel like the bookmakers are reacting to a perceived poor performance last week. And the final selection is Nikicoeia. We are keeping the faith. We’re keeping the faith with Nicola because I think um you know he’s opened up 50 to1 in the market. And I think it’s an overreaction because it was just a little spell on Saturday where he lost his head. He he dropped five shots in seven holes. He finished 46th in the tournament. His putter was unusually cold all week and he didn’t seem fully focused at times. There was a a crazy moment uh in round one when he he just he hooked a drive off the cliff and then two minutes later he’s having an onc course interview. I couldn’t believe he accepted the the encourse interview um in in those circumstances. He kept a brave face in the encourse interview. Um he was typically uh he’s an amiable character but then as soon as the uh soon as the encourse reporter had left then he started shouting at this cameraman in front of him. There was this crazy cameraman. I think Robert Lee the uh who was commentating at that stage was making suggestions that the cameraman would had been drinking too much. He was um the cameraman was just sort of wandering around in front of Etchavaria. So Etchavaria had a horrific hole made a double bogey the encourse commentator and the and the and the crazy cameraman. Um and yeah that hole that 15th hole was the key to all his downfall last week. He was five over par for the 15th hole last week. Um and yeah, he was going into the weekend he’s on the fringes of contention. Then as I say had that crazy hour when he threw away, you know, five shots very very quickly. Um so yeah, I think it was just a short spell of of bad golf. Um a few um a few difficult circumstances and you know, we know how much Etvaria loves coastal golf, Dave. We we were talking about it last week. His maiden win came in his maiden win came in Puerto Rico. We know his short game is usually fantastic. He tied second in this last year, Dave. He he tied second in the RSM Classic. He’s course proven. So, I think he’ll I think he’ll get in contention this week and stay interested. It was just on Saturday when he just he did a fast start on Saturday, didn’t get it, and then he seemed to just just check out of the tournament, which is easy. Yeah, understandable, isn’t it? The winds are howling. You’re now feeling like you you’ve got a mountain to climb and you sort of mentally checked out. He played all right on Sunday and I’ve certainly got no concerns about the state of his game. Yeah, big price is as well. He’s uh just one of them players that he’s he can be quite streaky, can’t he? And just like all of a sudden just put a run together and just put the lights out. Yeah, he’s he’s playing well in his two tournaments prior to to last week. Really well suited to this assignment. So, um yeah, I I think he must remain in the staking plan. Okay. Right now, we have covered all of the tips. We can tap to the top of the market. That’s getting far too excited. Uh right, Harris English, then talk to me. not in the team. Well, he hasn’t played since the RDER Cup. Uh he hasn’t played since the Saturday of the Ryder Cup because you remember Victor Hovland had his uh his neck problems here. So Harris English didn’t even get to play in the singles. Um so loads of rust in Harris English’s system. He lives locally. He lives locally. It’s why he’s playing in this. Um obviously a quality player. Obviously if he was sharp, you’d give him every chance, but there there has to be a good chance he’s he’s not not sharp. Okay. Um, as I mentioned, some bloke called Michael Theorson, who with some of the firms, he’s actually the favorite to win this event. Yeah, I mean, he’s got he’s got a great chance. He’s got a great chance. I mean, yeah, you could have the Thor Bjönson McKibben double. I mean, I think Tom McKibben can win uh the Saudi International. I think Michael Thorjson can win the RSM Classic, but um I knew I’d be hung drawn and caught if I if I’d put him up again. I mean, Thjöson Thornson finished eighth last year in this Dave. He he opened with a 64 at the Plantation course. I think the Plantation course really suits him and I expect him to go well at the Plantation Course. I just wonder whether his short game will will let him down at the seaside course. I mean, he’s a he’s 151 places higher in the world rankings than he was coming into this event last year and he finished eighth. So, um yeah, there are grounds for thinking Bjönson will will go well. Um but yeah, yeah, I I I I prefer mine. I prefer mine at the prices because as you say, Fjöson is still being shown great respect in the in the market. The bookmakers haven’t thrown him in the bin, Dave. That’s that’s for sure. Okay. Right. Two players that I notic have been very well back that I want to ask you about. Brian Harmon um who’s third in the market. Yeah. Brian Harmon lives locally, you know, every chance, well suited to the assignment. He was fourth in 2017. He was second in 2022. um you dearly love to win this event and uh you know in front of family and friends. So yeah, Brian Harmon I respect I mean yeah I respect all the three players you’ve mentioned there um but yeah prefer mine you know mine are deeper in the betting and uh better value in my opinion. Okay and then just selfishly I want to ask you about one who’s been well backed Sahath Faggala. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Talking a good game last week. Um yeah yeah seems seems to have gained a little bit of confidence. I mean, he was so close close to missing the cut last week. Favorites. Yeah. Yeah. Terrible, terrible first round. Um and then um yeah, played really well on the Friday to get into the weekend. Um so yeah. Yeah, he he feels like he’s getting back to his best, but um uh yeah. Yeah, I want to see a bit more evidence first. Okay. Listen, do you uh do we need to have a whip round, Steve, to buy you a radiator in the cabin there? We’re rocking the Wworth apparel. Bit chilly. Yeah. I mean, the temperature has dipped, isn’t it? This week, you really feel that that winter’s coming. Uh the car was frozen this morning for the the school run. Frozen. Oh, really? Really? Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. No, I’m very fortunate we can walk to the school from our house. So, um all we got to worry about is you slipping on the ice and uh yeah, Tommy Tiger came off his scooter the other day actually. Um that’s a rather rather nasty incident. Yeah, I live about live about 2 minute walk from the school and yet we’re still the last last people to arrive when I’m when I’m in charge. Um, so yeah, if you come off your scooter, you’re going to be late, I’m afraid. But uh Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. This time of the year you just want to hibernate like John Ram. I want to play golf, Steve. I want to get out there. Yeah. Do you do you not get cold hands, Dave? Yeah. But I just I want to get out there. I just No, I like your attitude, Dave. I like your uh I like your get up and go. Um Yeah. I I feel like I just want to sit in and eat carbohydrates next to a warm fire, starchy food. I just want to eat cheesy chips 24 hours a day, but um you know, different structure. What about eat kebabs and uh and such with your man Luke Litler who did the business? Oh yeah, yeah, yeah. I loved I mean I love Luke Litler. He was a hero on on Sunday. I’m sorry the double didn’t come in. I mean he was so close to the double in two weeks running anyway, but I mean yeah I did have a single as well. Um, you know, he’s a phenomenal sportsman. He’s got a very tricky draw in the in the one this weekend though, Dave. It’s the players championship finals this weekend. It’s not the world championship next. You got the players championship finals in Minehead Butlings. Um, so yeah, I I think Litler’s draw is a little bit tricky in that one. I think Gwen Price is the is the value in that one. Uh, I like Guru Price’s quarter and I think come the semis, Luke Litler might have um been knocked out. They’re very short matches. Yeah. The reason we loved him so much for the last one, massive matches and yeah, the best player typically wins the longer matches, but you got some best of 11s to negotiate in the players championship finals, Dave. So, yeah, I wouldn’t put Litler in your doubles for this one. Um, if you’re going to have doubles, but is that one? How long’s that? Is that a shorter format? Short is that over the weekend? What we Yeah. Yeah. Yeah. Starts starts Friday. So, Friday, Saturday, Sunday, and then on Sunday you got to play three matches. Quarterfinals, semi-finals, and finals. So, it’s a test of stamina like that by then the matches get longer. Um, yeah, I was toying with James Wade in the in the bottom half, but I think it will test him to play three matches on on the Sunday. So, I think a fit fell like Gwen Price who’s lost a lot of weight, he’s never felt better. Um, yeah, I think Gwen Price is stamina will come into play on Sunday and I think he’s the better. If you can get double figures, it’s it’s a great bet in my opinion. But yeah, I apologize to to to golf fans going on about the darts again. But um we need all the help we can get at the moment and I think the dance is uh we can talk sport. It’s it’s a great weekend of sport. Uh one of my favorite fighters is fighting in the early hours of Sunday morning. Anthony Yard um takes on David Benvdas. That that some someone’s going to sleep in that fight. So if you’re up in the early hours on Sunday, that one’s worth watching. That is uh I think that’s in Riad as well. I’m pretty sure that’s uh that’s overseas. So Yardi is he a yard? I mean, everything is in Riad these days, isn’t it? I mean, yeah, there’s lots going on over there. You think they get Anthony Joshua and and Tyson Fury to fight over there? There’s lots of talk about that being if he gets through Jake Paul first. Yeah. You think that’s a banana skin, do you? I don’t know. No, I don’t. I don’t. Right. Okay. Let’s have a round up then of the tips this week. It is a three and a four, not a three and a three. Three and a four. So, 12 each way doubles if you want to play that way. Uh on the Asian tour, who are we going with? David Pooj, Thomas Peters, Peter Rooline and the RSM Classic PJ tour, Eric Cole, Vincent Why, Adrian Dumour, De Shasser, and Nikicoe. Nicoaria completing the team. Wonderful stuff. Uh just a reminder that is of course safer gambling week 2025. This week we gave you the uh website a little bit earlier on safergamblinguk.org for all your guidance and support there. So across the industry we’re highlighting it is safer gambling week 2025. And as ever, you out there, enjoy the golf and gamble responsibly. And we’ll see you next week. [Music]