Crowne Plaza Invitational Preview

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We are this week assessing the golf betting opportunities in the field for the Crowne Plaza Invitational, taking place at Colonial Country Club, Texas.

Colonial Country Club is a 7,204 yard par 70 and ranked as the 13^th most difficult course out of 49 on the PGA Tour in 2012. The course offers a similar test to last week at TPC Four Seasons in that it is something of an all-around test. A course that poses an all-around challenge usually suits consistent performers who rank well for driving accuracy & GIR, and this is no exception.

Players to watch...

Henrik Stenson (35/1) has had a few years in the golfing wilderness but looks like he has found his game again. If you take out the blip at Wells Fargo, then Stenson’s recent form reads T8-T2-T18-T5 and that is probably better than anyone else competing this week. He has the game to go well here, ranking 1^st for driving accuracy and GIR in 2013, plus 14^th all-around.

Justin Hicks (200/1) is not a name that we have ever tipped before, and not a name that has ever finished in a top 10 position on the PGA Tour (10 top 10’s on web.com tour in 2012). Hicks recorded a T21 finish at Byron Nelson last week with all 4 rounds par or better. With the course similarities this week we think that he could have an each-way chance of registering his best ever finish on tour. Ranking 8^th for GIR and 20^th for driving accuracy we think he is worth a punt at a big price.

Ben Crane (40/1) tends to be the inconsistent sort but when he plays well he plays very well. He has a bunch of top 5 finishes at this event and that will give him confidence coming into this week. In 2012 Crane ranked 15^th all-around and that is the standard he will be aiming to recapture this week. His success will depend on his driving, as that is where he has been faltering in 2013 – we think he is a good each-way shot.

Boo Weekley  (100/1) has recorded 3 top 10’s this year, with a best finish of 2^nd at Tampa Bay thanks to a magical final round 63. Weekley finished 9^th here in 2010 and his game is looking on-form for another good showing this week. Weekley ranks 10^th for GIR and 18^th for driving accuracy plus 34^th all-around, so we give him an each-way chance this week.

Carl Pettersson  (100/1) has recorded 5 PGA Tour victories during his career. Pettersson has not made a great start to 2013 though, with only 2 of his last 27 rounds in the 60’s. He ranked 29^th all-around last year and seems a huge price, as surely it’s only a matter of time before he comes good again.

Jonas Blixt  (200/1) had a magic rookie season in 2012, including recording a maiden victory at the Frys.com Open. So far this year his form has fallen short, with nothing better than a T18 finish, largely due to his loss of form with the putter (127^th in 2013 vs 2^nd in 2012). Blixt finished T10 here last year and if he can rediscover his putting touch then he may have an each-way chance.