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A new event and a new course this week, although the title covers them both – the Palmetto Championship at Congaree. The layout is a Tom Fazio design and he was charged with bringing a little bit (or rather a lot) of Scotland and the Melbourne Sandbelt to Ridgeland, South Carolina. We’re talking fast turf, wide open spaces, flowing shaping to the fairways and greens. But, this being a modern layout, this effect was not the consequence of folk seeking out the perfect plot of land almost ready-made for golf (which is what happened when linksland, heathland and sandbelt courses were created). Instead, a lot of earth-moving recreated the situation. Indeed, in a line sure to prompt raised eyebrows among the course cognoscenti, one Golf Digest panelist has said of the course: “One of the most natural-looking settings for a golf course I’ve played—which is a sign of Fazio’s genius here, as he moved so much earth.” Balls will roll fast and firm, the greens will be swift too, there are also vast areas of sandy waste, and it’s largely flat. The sense that the ball will keep moving after it has hit terra firma explains why the par-4 eighth hole can stretch to 540-yards. From photos available online it does look very sandbelt-like and links pedigree will also be handy. It is far from tree-less however – but then many links fans (especially those who enjoy linksland through the dunes rather than on very flat plots of land) are also attracted by tree-lined courses – both the dunes and the trees frame shot for them. There’s no doubt, however, that we will be playing it a little by ear and eye this week. Angles to consider 1/ Links experience The obvious call. 2/ Sandbelt experience Ditto. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Brooks Koepka A little risk in playing a man who is not shy about letting folk know that he takes aim at the majors above all else, but he could easily have the bit between his teeth and feel the need to make an effort this week folllowing a limp performance in the final round of the PGA Championship. He was a winner of a Challenge Tour event at Spey Valley – a modern heathland course in Scotland - and the next day flew down to Sunningdale and won the 36-hole Open Qualifier. Both those efforts, while at a low level, show he likes heathland golf. Also worth a play based on the notion that Dustin Johnson is favourite but hasn’t made a top 10 in six starts – and not looked like making one either. Alex Noren He’s contended the Open at Carnoustie, Royal Birkdale and Royal Portrush, plus finished third and first at Castle Stuart, and second in the Alfred Dunhill Links Championship. He’s played four rounds in 10 of his last 12 starts and looked sharp when T13th at Muirfield Village last weekend. Erik Van Rooyen The first time the South African threatened to win on the Sunshine Tour was at St Francis Links, a lovely links track on the Eastern Cape, and the first time he teed it up in Europe he made the cut at the Dunhill Links – which doesn’t always happen with the South Africans plunged into Scotland in October for that event. He grafted his way onto the Challenge Tour and the first place he genuinely contended? That heathland track at Spey Valley. His first 54-hole lead on the European Tour was at Ballyliffin in the Irish Open (four shot advanatge, he finished second). Two weeks later he spent a lot of time in the top 10 at Carnoustie and he loved it there – he’d spent three days at the course a month earlier getting himself ready. His first win was in Scandinavia and the European Tour are there this week – might it prompt memories? Could do. The obvious flipside to all of this is his form: four straight missed cuts. But if conditions are ever ripe to take on current form it is when heading to traditional golf – the need to play differently fires the brain of those who appreciate it and needing to play different shots, rather than aim for perfect swings, is a help too.
Tips: 0-3; -6.00pts 2pt win Brooks Koepka at 9/1 (Bet365, Unibet, Sport Nation) mc 1pt e.w. Alex Noren at 40/1 (William Hill 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) mc 1pt e.w. Erik Van Rooyen at 100/1 (Skybet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7,8) 10th
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