Farmers Insurance Open Tips: Gary Woodland

After a missed cut at the Phoenix Open I was hoping Gary Woodland would be ten points bigger but at 40/1 (Paddy Power) I cannot leave him unbacked.

Last year he threw away a winning position. He was the 54-hole leader but never got anything going on Sunday and a double-bogey on 17 finished him off.

The 30-year-old will have learnt from the experience and I doubt he’ll make the same mistake again.

One of the longest hitters on tour, he has the power to tame Torrey Pines but more importantly is the improvement in his short game under the tutelage of Butch Harmon.

Woodland ranked 50th for scrambling last season, a big improvement for a player who used to rank in the high 100s.

This finesse around the greens should see him add to his two tour titles and the early season signs are ominous; Woodland has three top-5 finishes in his last five starts.

There are plenty of exciting young American golfers on tour at the moment but Woodland could be the best of the lot.

A win at Torrey Pines could set up a big couple of months because I have a sneaky suspicion he will be the next Masters champion.

6 Places - Paddy Power
Paddy Power are paying 6 places at the Farmers Insurance Open . Each way 1/4 odds 1, 2, 3, 4, 5 & 6.