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A new era for the PGA and DP World Tours – and this time it’s got nothing to do with LIV Golf. Instead, this week marks the first genuine change to the schedule of both circuits as a consequence of their Strategic Alliance. What that means is that the Scottish Open is significantly ramped up in stature which is great news for the event and the quality of the field. A spin off is that there are fewer spots for DP World Tour journeymen. Their pay off? A chance to play two events in the States – this week and also next week in the Barracuda Championship. Wins always change careers, but this one offers something a little extra for those European travellers. Keene Trace GC in Kentucky has hosted the last three editions of the event, won by Troy Merritt, Jim Herman and Seamus Power. The latter, especially, will fuel the dreams and motivation of the field: he’s a long-time slogger who kept the faith in his game and has reaped the rewards since a run of good form last summer included this win. He’s now played major championships and has returned home to Ireland as something of a hero. He plays in Scotland and will play the Open next week. The layout is an Arthur Hills creation at around 7,300 yards playing to a par of 72 with bent grass on the greens. Jason Dufner said ahead of last year: “The golf course is pretty straightforward, it's not real tricky. More than likely it will be pretty soft, scores will be pretty low, so you kind of know what you're in for the week. Low scores will probably be pretty plentiful out here this week. There's going to be a lot of scoring opportunities.” Merritt won on 23-under, Herman with 28-under, Power 21-under which kind of back up his point. The latter said, ahead his final round: “It's one of those courses you're going to try to make as many birdies as you can.”
Angles to consider 1/ Going low Remember that need to keep the foot to the floor. Both Merritt and Power dropped a hint the week before at the John Deere Classic by posting 20+ par breakers. (Jim Herman didn’t, but he was a real winner from nowhere – he’d made just two cuts all year.) 2/ Stats Those three winners all ranked top six for Strokes Gained Tee to Green, with Off the Tee and Approach their strongest suits (ranking top 20 in both). Solid but nothing too spectacular. In traditional stats the trio all ranked top eight for hitting Greens in Regulation and top five for Scrambling. Last year's play-off loser Poston was first and 12th in those categories. 3/ Detroit GC Detroit GC, host of the Rocket Mortgage Classic, is another par-72 at around 7,300 yards with bent grass greens. Merritt’s record there is MC, 8th and play-off defeat. Power’s is MC, 12th and 8th. Poston’s is 11th (second after 54 holes) and MC. Herman has played once and missed the cut.
Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Hank Lebioda He's only played the tournament once, but made the cut landing plenty of greens (13th) and also thrashed a 64 in the second round. Last year he finished fourth at Detroit, when one back of the lead after 54 holes and only one shot outside the play-off. In solid form, making six of his last seven cuts. 17 par breakers last week when he played well for three laps (69-65-67) until a ropey final round (75). Kelly Kraft He’s made the cut in five of his last six starts with three of those results top 25s and all against better fields than this week. His Scrambling numbers have been solid in that run, too. He’s played the course once, finishing second in 2019, when he had really good stats (first for Putting Average, 13th GIR, 10th Scrambling). And he had 23 par breakers last week at Deere Run. Michael Gligic T10th last week at Deere Run when recording 21 par breakers and that was a sixth cut made in a row. Made his course debut last year and was T19th recording good GIR and Scrambling stats (11th and 12th).
Tips: 0-3; -6.00pts 1pt e.w. Hank Lebioda at 40/1 (Unibet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6) 41st 1pt e.w. Kelly Kraft at 50/1 (Unibet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6) mc 1pt e.w. Michael Gligic at 66/1 (SkyBet, William Hill 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6) 21st
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