The Fedex St Jude Preview

This is held at the Southwind Course in Memphis, Tennessee and the event has always had a second division feel to it. The big stars tend to miss the event out, and as such the field is a very open one. But it doesn't make it any the less interesting. This year at Stan James has two clear favourites in David Toms at 7/1 and last week's winner Kenny Perry at 8/1. We then go 25/1 bar the field. One thing for certain in the Fedex is that the scoring will be low. It's just one of those courses that seems to attract low scoring. In a measure to address this, the course has been rehashed this year. It is now a par 70 (from 72) and it has also been lengthened to 7244 yards to counter the big hitters. The greens have also been changed to Bermuda grass from bentgrass. Course form is a plus at Southwind although the changes made might catch a few out. This is partly the reason for David Toms being favourite. He won the event easily last year, and has had 2 top tens in the two years before that. Bob Estes at 33's, came second last year and he also invariably plays well here. Others with good course figures are Nick Price at 25's and Freddie Jacobsen at 33/1. Price can be frustrating now but it is time Jacobsen started to regain some form and he might just look at the field and think that he'll have a sneak this week. One significant feature though is that the winner is almost always over thirty years of age. Have a look at Justin Leonard at 25's as well. He's increasing his length of the tee and the only time he has played here, he came 9th. He could well be a runner. Of the seasoned Pro's, Lehman (25's), Roberts (40's), Funk (40's) and Herron (40's) have all had their moments here over the years and could spring into life. In the other markets Tim Clark to be Top International player at 8/1 looks a good bet. He'll enjoy the fairways here as they suit his style and if he can get the putter working, he can shot very low scores. He is a much under rated golfer. The 72 hole match bet between KJ Choi and Bob Estes is priced at 10/11 each of two. Estes does play well here and with neither player in particularly good form of late, this might just sway it for the Texan. He is after all a previous champion.