Children's Miracle Network: golf betting guide

Our tipster analyses the field and comes up with some top tips ahead of the PGA Tour's season-ending Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic at Disney World's Magnolia Golf Club

The last event of the PGA Tour season, the Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic, takes place this week at Disney World's Magnolia Golf Club.

Luke Donald staged a brilliant final-round comeback last season to win the tournament and become the first player to top both the PGA and European Tour money lists in the same season.

The event, as ever, is played over two courses: the host Magnolia course, and the Palm Course, which generally yields the lower scores.

Donald's 17-under-par winning total was relatively high for this tournament, widely regarded as one of the easiest events on the PGA Tour.

As such, I'd expect to see a barrage of birdies and eagles, and a series of strong performances from those outside the top 125 on the PGA Tour money list as they attempt to secure their 2013 playing privileges.

Robert Garrigus, at 14/1 with Ladbrokes, may be the favourite, but he simply can't be ignored this week. His recent form has been exceptional and he ticks all he right boxes. He finished second two weeks ago at the CIMB Classic and has four top-five finishes in his last ten events. He is 11th on the PGA Tour in Birdie Average, third in Driving Distance, first in Par 3 Birdie or Better Leaders and eighth in Total Eagles and Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders. Chris Kirk, at 25/1 with Ladbrokes, could well add to his maiden PGA Tour title this week. The young American often performs well in low-scoring events. Indeed, he finished tied fourth two weeks ago in Malaysia with a 19-under-par total, and shot 22-under-par to win last year's Viking Classic. He currently ranks 24th on tour in Birdie Average and fourth in Par 4 Birdie or Better Leaders.

JB Holmes, at 50/1 with Ladbrokes, is someone I expect to do well this week. He has recovered admirably from brain surgery and it wouldn't surprise me if he finished the season with aplomb. The two-time PGA Tour winner has the ability to overpower these golf courses, and has a decent record at the event. He is also 16th on the PGA Tour in Par 4 Birdie or Better Leaders and 20th in Birdie Conversion Percentage.
D.J. Trahan
, at 80/1 with Ladbrokes, looks well priced this week. He put in a strong performance at the McGladrey Classic to finish tied fourth and move up to 130th on the money list. He needs another good week to rise five more places and retain his card, and should be inspired by his memorable finish last year, when he birdied the 500-yard par-4 9th hole to finish the season on the number at 125th on the money list. James Driscoll, at 100/1 with Ladbrokes, has extremely positive memories from this tournament. Last year, he came from outside the top 125 on the money list to finish inside the top 12 and secure his card for 2012. This year, he has recorded two top tens and four top 25s but finds himself in 120th position, and comes into the tournament knowing his 2013 playing privileges are far from guaranteed. Good memories and desire to keep his card should translate to a good showing this week.

Children's Miracle Network Hospitals Classic advised bets:

3pts outright on Robert Garrigus at 14/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Chris Kirk at 25/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on J.B. Holmes at 50/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on D.J. Trahan at 80/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on James Driscoll at 100/1 with Ladbrokes  

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x