Pga Tour Championship Golf

[Ken4155]

The final round of the PGA Championship begins today at Eastlake, Atlanta, and 30 of the world's top golfers will line up hoping to take home the first prize of $15M. For some, this will be a mammoth task as the players are handicapped according to their performances in the last round of the competition; Patrick Cantlay has a -10 to start, Tony Finau is on -8, and so on down to level par. The majority of the field (25) begin this final round 6 strokes or more behind Cantlay.
Some firms have, thankfully, opened two 'books'; one treating Eastlake as an ordinary 72 hole tournament, without the handicap starts, and the other book on the actual winner inclusive of the handicap marks.

£5 Free Bet; Jon Rahm to win 72 hole without handicaps @ 7/1 (Skybet)
£5; Tony Finau (-8) to win overall @ 7/1 (Bet365)
£1.50 e.w.; Abraham Ancer @ 33/1 to 5 places (Skybet)
£1.50 e.w.; Xander Schauffele @ 33/1 to 5 places (Willy Hill)

[Ken4155]

Patrick Cantlay began on -10 and, after the first day, continues to lead the field on -13. John Rahm began 4 shots behind Cantlay, but closed the gap to just 2 by shooting a five under 65. Tony Finau ended the day 2 over par to slip to tied-8th on -7. Both my e.w. picks improved their positions slightly; Abraham Ancer shot 69 to go -5 while Xander Schauffele went from -2 to -4 with a round of 68.

Today's 2 balls;

RAHM v Cantlay
De CHAMBEAU v English
HOVLAND v Smith
FINAU v Horschei
JOHNSON v Oosthuizen
GARCIA v Im

£5 @ just over 42/1 - Bet365

[Ken4155]

^
3 did, 3 didn't

After another round of 65 (-5), Jon Rahm continues to apply the pressure to leader Patrick Cantlay, who now leads just by a single stroke. Tony Finau vastly improved on his first day 2 over by shooting a 3 under round of 67, and is within striking distance should those above him falter. My two e.w. selections are tied on -5, some 5 shots off the top 4 positions. As there are only 30 players contesting this final, there is no half-way cut, and prize money is down to the last place.

[Ken4155]

Forgot to add; Though Cantlay leads the overall tournament by one stroke from Rahm (-17 to -16, 3rd placed De Chambeau on -11) Rahm actually leads the 72 hole tournament by 3 strokes after carding a 65 on days one and two for a 130 total. His nearest challenges are Patrick Cantlay, Kevin Na and Billy Horschel, all on 133.

[Ken4155]

Patrick Cantlay shot a 67 on the 3rd day's play, bettering by one Jon Rahm's round of 68. Thereby slightly strengthening his grip on the $15M first prize - now leads by 2 strokes on -18. However, Jon Rahm (-16) still maintains the lead the 72 hole tournament on a total score of 198. Kevin Na and Justin Thomas are close on his heels with 199, while Cantlay and Billy Horschel are on 200. Abraham Ancer had his best day, carding a 65 to sit in tied 5th place on -10.

[Ken4155]

Patrick Cantlay held onto that $15M, ending on -21, with Jon Rahm running him very, very close on -20. With a level start, Rahm would have won by 3 strokes. As it is, he had to share the 72 hole winner's podium with Kevin Na. Xander Schauffele had a good final day, shooting a 64 to drag himself up into tied 5th.
As for me, i staked £16 and won just over £30 - nothing to write home about but better than a slap in the face with a wet kipper:-)