Administaff Small Business Classic

FINAL RESULT: 1-1; +23.00pts

Hatalsky 18th
McNulty 1st

Very impressive performance from McNulty who had two eagles in his final round and fended off some very impressive golf from Bryant, Irwin and then Morgan. Just a shame that Hatalsky didn't contribute as he had been joint leader after the 1st round and had been clear of the field with Bryant after 17 holes of the penultimate round, but hit his second shot into the water and took seven. And just when there was still a hope that he would finish in the top-five, he four-putted. Just as McNulty was impressive when the pressure was on, Hatalsky was not.

Outright plays (total stake per play: 2pts)

Morris Hatalsky to win 16/1 e.w. @ BetInternet
The Tour leaves North Carolina and starts the last three weeks of the season with two events in Texas and this is particularly good new for Hatalsky. He has played in Texas five times since the start of the 2003 season and has yet to finish outside the top-10. In this inaugural event last year, he finished 5th. So with two runners-up finishes in his last three starts, there is good reason to expect his fine form in Texas to continue this week.

Mark McNulty to win 20/1 e.w. @ SkyBet
McNulty's record in Texas is not as impressive, but he did win the SBC Championship in Texas the week after this event last year. He had returned from injury after an eight-week layoff in the Constellation Energy Classic the week before this event last year and there was presumably some rustiness in his two top-25 finishes in those two weeks, but not only did he win in Texas the following week, but he won the Charles Schwab Cup Championship in the week after that as well. At this stage of the season, a break, even if enforced, can be a great help and he has had a relatively light schedule since August: just two events in September and October so far. He has finished 8th in the First Tee Open and 14th last week and looks now poised to finish the year in the same form as last year. But considering that he is currently ranked 1st in Scoring Average on this Tour, a continuation of this year's form should be enough to earn at least a place finish.