Walt Disney World Golf Tips: Steven Bowditch

Three weeks ago I tipped Steven Bowditch to win Justin Timberlake’s tournament in Vegas. He finished tied for 23rd but offered plenty of encouragement, with four rounds in the 60s.

Last week’s McGladrey Classic was never going to suit him and a missed cut wasn’t surprising considering the onus on accuracy off the tee. Bowditch is ranked 6th on Tour for driving distance but 168th for accuracy; it’s pretty obvious what his game is about.

Being a resort course Disney World is much more forgiving off the tee; it is one of the easier venues the pros visit. Fellow big hitter Robert Garrigus made his breakthrough here in 2010, he simply overpowered the course and drained some putts.

Bowditch is guaranteed to bomb it off the tee, but his putting is also heating up. He ranks 73rd for strokes gained putting and 27th for par breakers on Tour, which shows he can capitalise on his long drives. At TPC Summerlin he ranked T13 for putting, an encouraging display, as he will need the flat stick to be on song.

Lying 135th on the money list, he is ten places below where he needs to be to retain his tour card. That could work two ways; the motivation to play well is certainly there, as is the added pressure. There is a danger he might try to protect a position come Sunday rather than go for the win but at 300/1 we are compensated for the risk. Back him each way with Betfred and get ¼ odds for a top five finish.