Toshiba Senior Classic

The Senior Tour departs Mexico and move to California as the PGA Tour moves out. Let's hope they have better luck with the weather, last year it forced the event to be shortened to 36 holes. The event has an interesting history at Newport Beach beyond last year. In 1997 Bob Murphy took the title after a NINE-hole playoff, in 1999 Gary McCord took the title after a five-hole playoff, while in 1998 Hale Irwin won the event by a single shot having scored 62 in the final round.

The event sees the return of the Tour's star players - Nelson, Irwin, Watson, Kite, Fleisher and Morgan, so their odds are a little skinny and the rest are somewhat inflated, though it's never enough! Just one of these 'Big Six' is selected as an outright play: Gil Morgan. He finished 1st and 2nd in his last two events in Florida before skipping the Mexico leg last week, so there is no doubt that he has been able to maintain his form into the new season. He has played here three times and has shot every round under par. At just enough of a price for the insurance of an each-way play, he looks a very strong challenger again.

The second choice is Allen Doyle who must be considered a Newport Beach specialist. He has played here in the last two years and has recorded every round in the 60s on the way to finishing 2nd in 1999 and 1st last year. Combining that with a worst place finish of just 7th from four tournaments this season and he really should be much lower than the 16/1 on offer.

The 3rd choice is becoming a weekly favorite, Jose Maria Canizares. He almost made up enough ground after his poor 1st round to secure a place finish last week, but his 6th place finish continued his run of fine form that has netted him a 5th place and a 9th place finish as well in the past month. His two visits to Newport Beach have yielded five rounds under-par and two top-15 finishes and his odds do look very generous.

Outright plays:

Gil Morgan to win 10/1 e.w. @ Surrey

Allen Doyle to win 16/1 e.w. @ Surrey

Jose Maria Canizares to win 66/1 @ BetSmart

Final update: 3-0 and +43.50 units

The first sweep of the year and the picks finish 1-2-3   And best of all, the outsider of the three wins   Titanic, maybe even epic, playoff between Morgan and Canizares who prevails on the 8th extra hole! At 66/1, a very nice winner   Doyle had 3rd place to himself and was only one shot out of the playoff. A very good way to finish the week!