Memorial

FINAL RESULT: 0-3; -4.50pts

Furyk 8th
Perry 24th
Olazabal 45th

The winning run comes to an end. It looked a lost cause as early as Friday, but Furyk gave some hope with a 64 on Saturday and being four-under-par after five holes of the final round to get within a couple of shots of the lead. But then a bogey rather than a birdie at the next par-five and it was all a lost cause again!

Further outright play (total stake: 1.5pts)

Jose Maria Olazabal to finish in the top-five 15/1 @ Centrebet and SuperOdds
Basing this play on the correlation between Memorial form and Masters form ... Before this year, Olazabal had finished outside the top-15 in the Masters only three times in his last fifteen visits and had been a winner in 1994 and 1999. He did miss the cut this year, but having missed two very short putts to win the BellSouth Classic – once on the 72^nd hole and once in the playoff the previous week, a reaction was to be expected. He has played in this event only once in recent years (2003) and on that occasion he was 3^rd with just one round to play before falling back to 10^th after a final round 75. He should contend again, though his experience in 2003 and again when faced with winning opportunities this year suggest the place-only play is the best value bet.

Outright plays (total stake per play: 1.5pts)

Jim Furyk to win 22/1 e.w. @ GolfingGods (20/1 generally available)
Every champion since 1994 bar one has been a major champion AND finished in the top-4 at the Masters, with most Memorial champions also being Masters champions as well. Furyk fits into that category having won this title in 2002, won the U.S. Open in 2003 and finished 4th in the Masters on two occasions. Jack Nicklaus built this course to resemble Augusta National and the roll call of winners shows that he achieved that aim. And given that Furyk has finished 2nd in two of his last four starts and broken 70 in nine of his last ten rounds, he is clearly playing well enough to contend here again and at least record his fourth top-5 finish here.

Kenny Perry to win 33/1 e.w. @ GolfingGods (28/1 available at Boyle Sports)
There is normally an exception to every rule and Kenny Perry is that exception for this tournament. He is not a major champion and he has a very poor record in the Masters, but he did win this event in 2003 and has further finishes of 6^th and 7^th in the last four years. For a player to have won twice in the first five months of the year and so rank in the top-5 of the Money List and have a very good record around the host course and be priced at 33/1 is very unusual. It should not last!