17th Apr 2012 | Golf
Texas Open Tips: Roberto Castro
Tee to green he is a top-10 player this season; he just needs a week when the putts drop.
My third pick is a leftfield selection - Roberto Castro. He earned his playing privileges after finishing 23rd on the Nationwide Tour last season and is making a decent fist of his rookie year.
He has made the cut in six of his seven PGA Tour events, with a best T14 at the Puerto Rico Open. Although he hasn’t threatened a win, something he couldn’t manage on the Nationwide Tour either, he is posting some impressive statistics.
In 2012, he ranks 8th for GIRs, 3rd for total driving and 3rd for ball striking. The last of these statistics is the most startling, he sits just ahead of Louis Oosthuizen, Hunter Mahan and Tiger Woods.
Unfortunately, he struggles to keep this rarefied company when it comes to results. He ranks 150th for strokes gained putting and the flat stick is the issue. At the Houston Open he was excellent from tee to green but ranked 65th for strokes gained putting and T64 for birdies.
All Roberto Castro needs is one hot week with the putter, the rest of the game is there. At TPC San Antonio he won’t need to go deep into the red to win and in a weaker field he might just be able to spring a surprise. At 150/1 (Bodog) he is worth an each-way bet with ¼ odds for a top six finish.
Odds correct at time of publishing: 15:00 17th Apr, 2012 but subject to change
