PGA Tour Golf Tip: Chris Couch

We are off to Arnold Palmer’s home, Bay Hill for the next PGA Tour event and we have another quality field.

When looking at course form you have to remember that there was some serious remodelling of Bay Hill after 2009. The host, Arnold Palmer wanted to see more birdies and eagles and the track became a par 72 for the 2010 tournament.

As a result the premium on accuracy subsided. After leading the PGA Tour in most difficult greens to hit in 2009, it finished ninth last year. The course no longer puts a premium on one facet of the game, opening up the number of possible winners.

My selection is a name not well known outside of the USA – Chris Couch. He is actually one of the hottest players on the Tour right now with three top ten finishes from five events. He also boasts excellent current form after sharing the 36-hole lead at the Transitions Championship last week.

The man from Fort Lauderdale is having his breakthrough season but he has twice played Bay Hill. In 2010 he finished T-4 having been in contention until a scrappy back nine in his final round. His only other previous visit was in 2007 when he finished T-22, so the course clearly suits him.

Given that Chris Couch is a man on form and plays the course well it is surprising to see him chalked up at 50/1 in the betting.

I recommend backing him with Victor Chandler as any player who hits a hole in one is paid out as a winner on the outright part of a win or each way bet.