SBC Classic

FINAL RESULT: 1-2; -2.00pts

McNulty 2nd
Hatalsky 26th
Purtzer 14th

A frustrating end to a very frustrating day. McNulty was in a great position to win this with one round to play, but struggled in the final round. However, a birdie-four at the 3rd easiest hole of the day, the par-5 18th, would have earned him a playoff, but he failed.

Outright plays (total stake per play: 2pts)

Mark McNulty to win 12/1 e.w. @ SkyBet and BetInternet
The winner of the last two Tour events of 2004 has not yet won this year, but has still shown enough form to suggest that he will win soon. He finished 2nd in the rain-shortened Outback Steakhouse Pro-Am two weeks ago and the last time that he played in California, he won. With a year's course experience now under his belt, he could certainly repeat that feat this week.

Morris Hatalsky to win 25/1 e.w. @ SkyBet and BetInternet
Hatalsky also finished 2nd two weeks ago, but deserved better. Unlike Hale Irwin who had the luxury of playing his 2nd round scoring what score to beat to win the tournament, Hatalsky completed his 2nd round on the Saturday without being informed that the PGA Tour were considering reducing the length of the event. But add in his 8th place finish the week before and he is clearly a player in form. He improved to 25th place in his second year at Valencia and having secured a number of high finishes in California last year, he should certainly improve on last year's mark in this form.

Tom Purtzer to win 33/1 e.w. @ BetInternet
Purtzer is the course specialist of the three selections. In three visits to Valencia on the Champions Tour, he has finished 3rd, 1st and 6th and that last finish should have been a 2nd place, but he finished 5-3-5-5. He has not yet reached full form this season, but he is a player who tends to play particularly well in the early season and particularly well in California, so this should certainly be his best finish of the season.