Memorial Tournament golf form guide: other candidates

OTHER CANDIDATES

STEVE STRICKER Stricker returned satisfactorily from an injury break at Colonial without doing anything special. Perhaps there will be improvement to come now any rust has been shaken off, but it must be a concern that he has only one top-ten finish in eight tries at Muirfield Village.   ADAM SCOTT If Scott can retain the immeasurably improved putting stroke that inspired victory on his most recent start in the Texas Open, he will be a serious contender every time he tees it up. Having twice made the top five here early in his career, on a course that takes some learning, there is no reason why he can't win back to back.   ZACH JOHNSON On the basis of his form going in, I could never have picked Zach Johnson last week. However, what that result proved was something we already knew; that Zach is a true winner, always capable of taking advantage when a chance arises. He has finished runner-up here before in 2006, so can't be discounted.   HUNTER MAHAN 14th place last year was by far Mahan's best effort at Memorial to date; on a course where the emphasis on greens in regulation should be ideal. His recent form has been disappointing, though not entirely unpredictable as few venues have suited. Expect marked improvement this week.   RORY MCILROY Apart from that amazing 66/62 weekend performance to win at Quail Hollow, there is nothing in McIlroy's 2010 portfolio to recommend him. Furthermore, course debutants have a terrible record at Memorial.   CAMILO VILLEGAS While I remain as big a fan as ever of Villegas, the fact he's finished outside the top 30 on all three previous cracks at this title suggests it may be better to wait for more suitable summer prizes.   ROBERT ALLENBY Surprisingly given the emphasis on greens in regulation, Allenby has only twice made the Memorial top ten from 11 tries. Nevertheless, his form over the past six months has been outstanding, and it was impossible to fault his efforts when runner-up at Sawgrass last time out.   BO VAN PELT One of the most in-form players on the PGA Tour, with four top tens from his last five starts. Bo does have some Memorial form to his name too, making the top ten in 2005.   JEFF OVERTON Overton must warrant a mention after landing his third top-three finish in five events over the weekend. He is clearly an improved performer this year, and seems likely to demonstrate that on a course where his opening two efforts produced a moderate best of 36th.   JUSTIN ROSE Rose could be interesting at a big price, as he's already shown plenty of prowess at Muirfield Village. Five visits have yielded three top-15 finishes, twice inside the top four. One of those came when his long game was all over the place, whereas this term he's been very accurate off the tee.   RYAN MOORE Moore could prove to be the best outside bet. He's made the top ten twice from four visits, including as runner-up in 2007. Only a few months ago, Ryan was being tipped by all and sundry to make great strides this season. Perhaps the return to Memorial could provide the spark.   2010 STATS: -44pts

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