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While the big names contest this week’s WGC-FedEx St. Jude Championship in Tennessee, we also have a PGA Tour action in Nevada. This opposite event takes place at Montreux Golf and Country Club, a Jack Nicklaus par 72 set at altitude so the yardage of 7,472 is realistically much less than the bare numbers suggest. In other words, short hitters can prevail as we’ve seen with Andrew Putnam (2018) and Chris Stroud (2016) the last two years. Rather than it being played 5,500 feet above sea level, the event’s USP is that it uses a Modified Stableford scoring system. That was introduced eight years ago so course form before 2012 may not be deemed as useful although it’s still worth looking at. Scoring system: +8 Albatross
+5 Eagle
+2 Birdie
0 Par
-1 Bogey
-3 Double bogey Clearly, that’s weighted towards attacking play. The weather forecast suggests warm conditions although it could get a little windy too so players will have to be wary of racking up those expensive doubles. Angles to consider 1/ Par Breakers The scoring system clearly rewards aggressiveness with birdies counting +2 but bogeys just -1. Therefore, looking at the PGA Tour’s Par Breakers stats (a measure of birdies, eagles and even albatrosses) makes plenty of sense. 2/ Course form The quirky format and altitude aren’t for everyone but others love the combination. Therefore, it is an event that promotes course specialists so that’s worth a close look. 3/ Location form The Shriners Hospitals for Children Open is also held in Nevada so form from that tournament stands up well. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Ryan Palmer Palmer ranks 7th in Birdie Average and 11th in Par Breakers this season so it’s no surprise that this event suits him. He took T9 in 2017 and was T26 last year while he showed his obvious liking for the course with back-to-back top fives (2008/2009) in its regular strokeplay days. Top 20 at recent John Deere Classic. Sam Saunders A leaderboard regular in this event the last three years with finishes of seventh, eighth and ninth from 2016. Poured in 23 birdies and an eagle in the John Deere Classic which bodes well. Chris Stroud A big fan of the course and format. Finished fast to win in a play-off in 2017 and made a bold defence when tied seventh last year. After a lull, hit the birdie trail again with a top four in the John Deere Classic. Tips: 1-2; -4.35pts 1pt e.w. Ryan Palmer at 28/1 (Betfair 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 7th 1pt e.w. Sam Saunders at 50/1 (Betfair, Coral, Paddy Power 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 59th 1pt e.w. Chris Stroud at 45/1 (Coral 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 15th
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