Another breakdown is on the tee for the Honda Classic this week, but before we do let’s grade the scorecards from this past week at THE PLAYERS. The week before, at Bay Hill, we saw a little good and a little bad from the NLU guys. This past week, however, the scorecard was littered with the kind of trouble you can find at TPC Sawgrass, and it created a number of MIAs on the weekend tee sheet for a lot of the guys on the card.

does remain the Draft King even after his nuggies week made a quick exit stage left. The Morikawa win bet never really got going, and guys like Fleetwood and Simpson (who the Walk It In boys thought had a high floor last weekend) both missed the cut. Niemann never really sniffed Top 10 territory, but we saw zero Mav McNealy club twirls this weekend and zero time in the Top 30 with a +13 in two days.

 remains in green figures, and he picked up a nice win with Paul Casey’s top 10 (had 20 nuggies at +400) which helped soften the blow of Adam Scott, Hovland (damn that ball mark being moved in the wrong direction), Morikawa, and Na doing a whole lot of nothing throughout the week.

 is our next guy on the standings (albeit one in the red figures for the season) who had another sea of red scorecard at THE PLAYERS. DJ never figured it out all week and never flirted with the Top 20 let alone a win bet. Scottie Scheffler (much to Jeff’s win bet dismay as well) didn’t even get a chance at it with a missed cut and NeSmith followed suit. He did have a close encounter with a Keegan Bradley Top 20, but a poor round three sunk the charge on Sunday.

stayed out of the cellar even with a full miss on the scorecard (thanks to 

- more to come on that). All 5 win bets (DJ, Rahm, Morikawa, Berger, and Homa) found very little fortune over the weekend. You can argue Rahm and Berger thought about it, but neither guy had the stuff for four rounds.

 took a page out of DJ’s book, and went for a full on Pacific Life logo breach last week with another five win bets. He spread the nuggies equally and all five crushed him. Not only did they not win...all five failed to make the cut. You can argue that Hovland’s two-shot penalty was less about his form, but he didn’t get it together on Friday. Xander, Rory, Cantlay, and Fleetwood all cratered almost immediately in Jacksonville (image if Finau made this card - woof).

Both Mark and Jeff were slightly in the negative last week (Mark down .9 units and Jeff down 1.5 units), but are looking for some good swing thoughts in the final showdown on the Florida swing. Both guys were all over Corey Conners and Matt Fitzpatrick this past week for their Top 20 bets. While Mark eeked out the better weekend over Jeff by hitting Paul Casey as the Top former ASU player over Rahm. It was a week of what could have been with three of our top 20 picks (Reed, Zalatoris, Ancer) all finishing two shots outside the money.

If you’re going to putt for dough it helps when you’ve given yourself more putts inside the leather than double breakers so where are the guys looking this week on their approach? Jeff goes first for Honda after finishing furthest out after THE PLAYERS.

: Back to back weeks on courses with lots of history, and last week’s talk of the gambling town was find yourself a ball striker (good win, JT). It’s no different this week, but there is a bit of short game flavor here as well because the GIR % is much lower on a very tough course. This week’s card will pull together SG: Approach, GIR % leaders, and SG: Around the Green. As always, course history will be in the conversation given the difficulties of this course, but it won’t deter me from a saucy short game or pin seeking irons.

: PGA National is yet another difficult Florida course with tight fairways, hazards all over the place and small, Bermuda greens! I’m definitely going to favor golfers who have played well the last few weeks on similar courses and history shows you need to have a good week hitting the greens if you want to succeed here. The field is extremely weak and there’s a bunch of value out there if you look in the right places.

Kirk faded on Sunday at the Players with a nasty 78, but he was in red figures Thursday-Saturday. I like his overall game right now and the numbers look good long term and short term with his around the green strokes gained and strokes gained on approach. He’s 13th in the field in the last 24 rounds on approach and 3rd in Tee to Green in the same time span. Two missed cuts here don’t scare me because he’s played this event 9 straight years.

This guy’s driver is a laser and I want to avoid the rough this week off the tee. Yeah maybe he doesn’t have to pull driver as often on a shorter course, but it’s a Par 70 so I still think it’ll get plenty of action. I like that Steele is comfortable on a tough track with four of the last five appearances being top 15 or better (4th last year). He’s in the top half of the field in approach and 13th in SG: Around the Green in the last 24 rounds.

A missed cut last week isn’t too much to worry about with Russell because he enjoys PGA National. He’s got three straight 24th or better and win back in ‘14. He’s a ball striker, so say the stats, coming in at 11th in the field in the last 24 rounds and 3rd in the field in the last year. He’s cooled off after a torrid start to the 2021 season (which started in the fall of 2020), but I think he’ll show off with the irons.

I don’t care how gut wrenching his Sunday must have been. This is a young guy who got a taste of things last week (keep an eye on Brandon Wu this week in a similar spot), and I think he comes out ready to prove something. He’s got a great all around game and is catching more than 2-1 to place Top 20. His OTT game isn’t great (and that’s where the wheels fell off at The Players), but he won’t need it that much this week and can focus on his strong iron game.

Lee Westwood (+105) over Adam Scott - 1 unit

HEAT CHECK! The way Lee Westwood is playing the last few weeks, plus money against Adam Scott seems awfully enticing. Both these guys have very good history here, but Westwood’s is just a bit better and Scott only has one top 10 and two top 30’s this year.

The Irishman finished 8th last week at The PLAYERS with three rounds in the 60’s and has been in good form lately. He ranks 4th in the Honda field in SG: T2G over his last 16 rounds and finished T21 here last year. He’s also known for being a good player in windy conditions if he has to battle that this week.

Steele has been pretty consistent all year, making seven straight cuts and performing well in all areas. He ranks 23rd tee-to-green in his last 16 rounds, 33rd in putting and 16th total. Combine that with his record here at PGA National (8 made cuts in 9 trips, T4 last year) and he’s a good bet to play well.

My money always seems to find him on short courses that reward good iron players and this week is no different. He’s an extremely accurate golfer and ranks 9th in SG: T2G and 18th in SG: Approach in his last 16 rounds. For the entire season he is 17th in GIR%.

Ricky continues to dance around leaderboards this year with three top 25s since end of January at the American Express. He packs a solid approach game with a nice short game (top 30 in the field in both in the last 24 rounds. His GIR% is horrific at 187th in the PGA Tour this year, but did place 17th here last year. It’s a flier and I’m holding on tight.

Another guy in the flier category is two first names, Wesley Bryan. He has been injured for two years in row, but he’s getting back into the swing of things. He’s gone 1 for 2 here with made cuts and was 4th in ‘17. He put a solid four rounds together at Genesis and he put together a really nice stretch during this run on the calendar in ‘17. He’s young at 29 so maybe he’s getting healthy and we can get some nice odds.

Werenski over Huh / Gooch over Tringale / Reavie over Vegas (+675) - 1 unit

I covered Werenski, but Gooch comes in playing very well and is on a nice little heater (he’s 5th in the field in total strokes gained in the last 24 rounds). I like Chez’s irons much more than I like Vegas’ all around game. So what if Vegas made the cut last week at the Players? I’m getting plus money into the mix with Reavie over him, and I like this matchup parlay.

JT last week was 20-1 and that was too high for his caliber. In a weak field like this how is Scott 30-1 (update Tuesday night to 25-1)? I know his game isn’t what it used to be but he’s positive SG in all categories in the last 24 rounds. I won’t miss another disrespectful line situation like we saw with Koepka at WM and JT at THE PLAYERS. Knox is in a similar spot with his approach and around the green game, and he’s coming into a place he’s played well. 70-1 feels like it’s just a little long for the history + form combo with Knox.

The Vegas favorite this week is also my favorite and this nationality prop offered by Draftkings is probably my favorite play this week. Daniel Berger finished 9th last week, won at Pebble Beach last month and this is a home game for him! On top of that, the Honda competition is weak, especially his American counterparts. Russell Henley (60th), Talor Gooch (64th) and Cameron Tringale (92nd) are the next three best Americans in this field according to the odds and none of them are inside the top 60 in the OWGR.

I lost to Jeff in our inaugural bourbon bet with Percy in Puerto Rico (finished T7), but he did play well that week and had a very respectable T29 last week at The PLAYERS. He’s 4th (fourth!) this season in GIR% and 29th T2G in his last 16 rounds. I’m happy to back Cameron Percy again here.

This is purely a “gut” play. The former #1 player in the world and champion of this event in 2006, Donald doesn’t play all that often anymore and has missed his last six cuts. That said, he does have good history here and clearly likes playing PGA National. He finished T11 last year, T27 in 2017 and T7 in 2015. Another shorter player known more for his accuracy, a top 40 yields a nice payout here.

His last two Sunday rounds (81 at API and 79 at The PLAYERS) are concerning, but there’s no denying his talent and how well he’s playing Thursday through Saturday. In his last 16 rounds, he ranks 15 in SG: T2G, 19th in SG: Approach, 35th in putting and 10th overall. If he can keep it together on Sunday, 60/1 is crazy.

We’re back with our bourbon side bet between our cohosts. Another bottle of Breckenridge is on the line after Jeff won the first ever bourbon bet with the outright winner of Branden Grace in Puerto Rico. This time it’s Steve Stricker vs. Jim Furyk at Honda. Mark is a gentleman and is giving Jeff 2.5 strokes with Stricker. The official card is:

Stever Stricker +2.5 vs. Jim Furyk (at least one must make cut for action) - one bottle of Breckenridge Bourbon

Making Picks: Honda Classic

Editor's note: When it came time to roll out our (long overdue) new website we wanted to do something celebrating the people we've met through golf and the places that are still out there for us to explore. We've only scratched the surface on who we need to meet and where we need to go. Jim Hartsell embodies that spirit to the fullest. I met Jim through Sweetens Cove a few years ago and we became fast friends. He's spent the last two-and-a-half decades exploring Scotland and digging deeper than nearly any American I know, non-Tom Coyne division. As an Registered Building Architect, he brings a unique perspective to golf travel, both on and off the course. We're thrilled to roll this series out over the next few months and hope you enjoy. - Tron

A couple of days before embarking on a dream golf trip to Scotland with my son Jake in May of 2019, I had set the alarm for 4 am to enter the online ballot for a tee time at the Old Course. To my surprise, I found that the course was to be closed for visitor play for the duration of our visit to St Andrews. As it turned out, this was a blessing in disguise. On the day we had devoted to playing the most famous course in golf, we instead drove twenty minutes south to Anstruther Golf Club. We put our green fee in an honesty box and proceeded to spend the day on a wild Old Tom Morris nine hole layout by the ocean. It was the most fun I’ve ever had playing golf.

2nd Green at Anstruther Golf Club.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell


Golf is supposed to be fun. This concept has been lost for a long period of time, especially in the United States. For many years, courses were designed and promoted based on their length and difficulty. As part of this trend, courses that did not fit the standard of 7000 plus yards, 18 holes and par 72 were relegated to the semi-derogatory category of “short courses” or “holiday golf.”  With the increasing popularity of nine hole courses like Sweetens Cove Golf Club in South Pittsburg, Tennessee and Winter Park Golf Club in Florida, Americans are slowly starting to realize that the Scots had it right all along.

The somewhat arrogant implication by certain golf experts has often been that these non-standard, “quirky” layouts are not serious golf, or should even be played by serious golfers. If a golfer is going to the trouble of crossing an ocean to play, they must surely test themselves at championship venues like Carnoustie, Troon and Turnberry. The day we played Anstruther, I hit a full driver into the 7th, an uphill 145 yard par 3. This seems like serious golf to me. Each successive hole asked a new and exciting question. We could not wait to go back around.

Fun and challenging courses can come in all formats and lengths. Par really doesn’t matter at Anstruther Golf Club, other than as a vague frame of reference. The concept of playing golf simply  for the sheer enjoyment of it has never been lost in Scotland, a country that has the best collection of fun, “quirky” layouts in the entire world. Seemingly every small town you pass through has a golf course that serves as the social center of the community.

We arrived at Anstruther Golf Club around 8:30 am to find the clubhouse was locked, except for one door leading into a small vestibule outside of the locker rooms. Nobody was around, except for a local member about to go out alone. Perhaps sensing my confusion, he said, “Normally you pay in the bar, but they don’t get here until 10. Just put your money in the wee honesty box and go play.”  What followed was a collection of five par 3’s and four par 4’s (Par 31) that almost defy description. Every hole was memorable and fun. How often can you recall every hole in detail after only playing a course once? Anstruther is that kind of place. We played all day.  When we came in for lunch following our first 18 holes, I asked the helpful bar manager if I should give her additional money for a day ticket. She looked a bit confused and asked, “You want to play all day? Oh I don’t know, just give me 10 pounds to cover the both of you.” When I told her how much we loved the golf course, she immediately handed each of us an Anstruther ball marker. It would be difficult to find more generous and welcoming people than the Scots.

Yardage is also completely irrelevant when you are playing by the ocean in Scotland.  The downhill 238 yard par 3 9th at Anstruther, playing right back into the lovely fishing village, required anything from a 5 iron to driver and full 8 iron during our 45 holes that day. We did not want to leave the place. Matt Maclachlan, the friendly General Manager, met us in the clubhouse bar after we finally decided to stop playing. “I’ve been following your day on twitter, he said. I’m so pleased you’ve enjoyed the course.” We discussed strategy on the various holes with Matt and some older members who were in the bar for an evening pint. When I asked one elderly gentleman how to play the tee shot on “The Rockies” -  a blind 238 yard par three 5th played over a cliff and down to the rocky beach located precipitously below -  he shook his head slowly and said, “Hit it and pray.” At Anstruther, there is a sincere appreciation for the game and a genuine interest in how visitors feel about the course. A day playing golf at Anstruther, with the sun out and the sparkling ocean in full view, is a perfect day.

5th Hole at Anstruther Golf Club.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

After visiting the Golf House Club at Elie, we reluctantly left the Kingdom of Fife and headed north.  Following rounds at Cruden Bay and Fraserburgh, we reached Cullen Links. Cullen, which lies about 3 hours north of St. Andrews over the Firth of Tay and up the coast, is 18 holes. That is where the similarities to a standard 18 hole golf course end.  It is a par 63. It is 4800 yards. There is only one par 5.  Several shots are played over and around massive red rock formations that look like a scene from Frank Herbert’s Dune.

Many golfers in the USA were first introduced to Cullen through the popular YouTube travel series Tourist Sauce by the golf merchandise and multi-media group No Laying Up. In the video segment,  the NLU boys are seen playing with two time club champion and lifetime Cullen member, George Clark. We were able to arrange to play Cullen with George and he greeted us warmly in the clubhouse bar upon our arrival.  After a nice lunch - and requisite pint of Tennent’s - we paid the modest green fee at the bar and went out to play.

Cullen Golf Club.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

With a short and efficient Scottish swing, George was a joy to play with. He gave us the grand tour of the ethereal Cullen Links. You could sense his pride in the course and excitement in the fact that it was starting to receive some notice in the golf world due to the visit from NLU. “I had a man stop me on the street in Aberdeen and shake my hand.  He said, “You’re George from Cullen in the No Laying Up video!” It’s all been amazing. Our visitor play is up 30% just now.”  He hopes the time has come for more acceptance in the game for courses like Cullen. “I live in Aberdeen now and I’m a member at Murcar, but I drive up here as much as possible to play.” You cannot play Cullen Links without a smile on your face. You might even shoot around par. You may not lose any golf balls. You will play fast. You will hit shots on the ground and over towering red rock obelisks. These are all good things.

Jim with Mr. George Clark at Cullen.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

After saying goodbye to George in the small Cullen car park, we were off to Covesea Links, about a 45 minute drive up the coast on the A96. Despite having already played 36 holes, we reckoned there was just enough time to get in 9 more holes before dark. We didn’t know much at all about Covesea, save for a few random pictures on Instagram and twitter. Even most of the Scots that I had talked to on our trip were not familiar with it. Despite our growing weariness, the lure and excitement of another 9 relatively unknown holes of Scottish seaside golf was too strong to pass up.

Following a ¾ mile drive down a single lane gravel track off the B9040 just past Lossiemouth, we entered the hidden world of Covesea. Angela Burnett came out of her trailer to greet us - the lone car on site. She and her husband Andy, the course designer and builder, are the owners of Covesea and live on the property. The course is obviously a labor of love for both of them. She told us she was very happy that we had made it to their wee course and mentioned that the American author Tom Coyne had visited previously. Concerned that we might not be able to find a place to eat dinner after our round, she made us reservations at a nearby local restaurant in Lossiemouth. We were treated to these types of small kindnesses time and again at places like Covesea.

The course itself is nine holes, 2,000 yards, with a par of 31. There are five par 3’s and four par 4’s. I got the impression that very little, if any, earth was moved to create these natural golf holes in this almost mystical, secret cove. We played when the sun was low and the course was bathed in a golden hue, accentuating the vibrant yellow blooms on the gorse. The uphill par three 5th and the short downhill par three 9th are brilliant. It is a relatively new course and not that well known, but one of the most beautiful settings for golf that can be imagined. We left feeling that we had experienced something really special and unique in the world of golf.  Our dinner reservation in Lossiemouth ended a perfect day.

2nd Fairway at Covesea Golf Links.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

After a beautiful and leisurely drive through the Scottish Highlands, we based the remainder of our trip in Kintyre and Arran, a veritable treasure trove of hidden and generally unknown (to Americans) golf courses. I had heard of Carradale Golf Club, but had never made the sometimes harrowing drive from Campbeltown up the B842 to this beautiful spot on the headlands overlooking Kilbrannan Sound and the Isle of Arran. We were greeted warmly in the small car park next to the tidy clubhouse by the club secretary Rhona Elder. “We are so pleased you made it to Carradale,” she said formally. “The committee has met and decided that you can play off the medal tees today. We want you to get the full experience of the course. Robert, our Greenskeeper, is out there as well, if you have any questions.” We put our green fee in the honesty box and walked out to the first tee, all alone in the stunningly beautiful landscape of the Kintyre Peninsula. On a clear Tuesday morning, we had the course to ourselves, other than several people walking their dogs.

6th Hole at Carradale.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

The blind uphill par three 1st lets you know immediately that this is pure, thrilling Scottish golf. Robert Strang, the Greenskeeper, met us at the top of the hill by the 1st green. I asked him if the course was in good condition at the moment. “Oh aye, aye. It is indeed. Ken Brown was out here last week and was very complimentary.” I can confirm that the former European Ryder Cupper was correct in his positive assessment of the links. The downhill second, with an approach shot played over an old stone wall, was a particular standout.  When we reached the 4th, we understood why Rhona and the Committee had given us the wholly undeserved honor of playing off the medal tees. The 4th tee at Carradale commands a view of Scotland that may be unmatched in the world of golf. We stood in awed silence for 5 minutes, taking in the entire world of this underrated links, before hitting our tee shots. Carradale is a sheer joy to play.

We were based in the lovely town of Campbeltown - home of the legendary Springbank Distillery - for this part of the journey. Machrihanish Golf Club - 10 minutes from town on the B843 - is widely acknowledged as one of the greatest courses in the world, and rightfully so. I first played it in 1994 when it was virtually unknown to American golfers. It has remained the standard by which I judge all other true links courses. However, the ultimate revelation of our journey lay not at legendary Machrihanish, but in the penultimate round of our trip. Located some 15 minutes south of Campbeltown on the B842 in the village of Southend, Dunaverty Golf Club is 4799 yards with a par of 66. There is 1 par 5 on the course. The western side of the course is leased from a local farmer, who has grazing rights. I had played the course on previous trips as a much younger man, including a wonderful day in 1994 with my Dad. Yet somehow Dunaverty had not remained as prominent in my memories as Machrihanish.

Machrihanish Dunes.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

The magic of golf twitter had allowed us to join up at Southend with Robbie Wilson, a Machrihanish member and fine local golfer from Lochgilpead who plays the course frequently. Robbie looks after historical monuments in Kintyre and Argyll for Historic Environment Scotland, a job which fascinated me as an Architect. We had much to discuss as we walked this mighty golfing ground with our new friend. Scots play golf with remarkable and admirable speed, but we never felt rushed as Robbie gave us the grand tour of the world of Dunaverty. He pointed out the correct line on every shot and offered advice on strategy that we would have never known to employ. We laughed out loud at the sheer brilliance of hole after hole. Just when we thought we must’ve seen the unfathomable heights of the course, the next hole would somehow top it.

Dunaverty Golf Club.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

I cannot pick a favorite hole at Dunaverty. I love all of them. The punchbowl par three 4th, the thrilling par four 5th, alongside and above Brunerican Beach, the uphill par four 9th over a ridge and down to yet another fantastical punchbowl green. The downhill par four 11th, with all the mighty world of Dunaverty laid out below you. The brilliant par five 13th, with a blind second to a wonderfully sited green, played alongside a 5,000 year old standing stone. The unique 17th with the brilliant 2nd shot over the Coniegien Burn and back onto Machribeg Farm. All of these are great golf holes. The local cows, sensing our approach, joined us in the 18th fairway for a perfect finish on a perfect golf course. The great British golf writer Bernard Darwin wrote about the feeling of “pleasurable excitement” you have when playing a great links course. Dunaverty gives you much more than just that feeling. It is a fantasy world of true links golf.

After one last day in Campbeltown and an incredible tour of the Springbank Distillery, we left the Ardshiel Hotel early to catch the first ferry to Arran, from Claonaig to Lochranza. We were to cross the Kilbrannan Sound, which we had viewed previously from the unforgettable 4th tee at Carradale. Our trip to the fringes of Scottish golf could only end with 2 rounds at the mythical Shiskine Golf Club in Blackwaterfoot. The ferry foreman, seeing our golf caps, asked quickly, “Where are you going to play? Arran has more brilliant wee courses than any place in Scotland.”

When we mentioned the entire day was planned for Shiskine, he said, “Aye, indeed. You cannot go wrong there. Great golf course. If you have time, try to play Corrie on the other side of the island. You must play there too. 9 holes. Absolute stunner of a course.”  Our gears started turning and we called Caledonian MacBrayne to change our ferry reservation to the last one of the day. Maybe we could play Shiskine twice, and somehow get in 9 at Corrie Golf Club, before the 7:20 ferry departed for the mainland.

6th at Shiskine.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

How do you begin to explain heavenly Shiskine? It has 12 holes, a front six and a back six, with a par 21-21-42. There is a single par five, four par fours and seven par threes. It may be the perfect golf course. Every hole is memorable. The par three 3rd and 4th holes are brilliant and unmatched in the game. The par four 6th, the Shore Hole, is a potentially drivable hole to the most perfectly sited green I have ever seen. What you see in front of you almost does not seem real, as if you are in some wild fever dream of golf. The greens are fantastically sited in natural dells or on precarious plateaus. We lost 1 ball between us in 24 holes. Yet to consider this mere “holiday golf” is to do a disservice to the course. You must think about the correct line for your tee shots and the proper way to play your approach shots. The correct shot may be 40 yards off line from what appears before you. As you walk off the 12th hole, you immediately want to go back and start again.

7th at Shiskine.  Photograph by Jim Hartsell

We ate lunch in the lovely clubhouse and quickly headed back out to play another round. Checking in with Head Professional Douglas Bell, in his well-stocked golf shop by the first tee, (complete with Isle of Arran ice cream) we began to tell him how much we loved the course. “Aye, it’s a nice spot indeed,” he said simply. Scots are masters of understatement. I told him every hole was great and he nodded his head in agreement, “Aye, they are.”  When Jake informed him of our plan to try to quickly play 12 more at Shiskine and then rush over to Corrie to play before catching the last ferry to Ardrossan, his mood suddenly grew serious.  “Corrie is a fine course and not to be missed, but I urge you to take your time and enjoy your last 12 holes here at Shiskine,” he said while gesturing out to the links. “You don’t want to rush this. Look at what is out there in front of you. Enjoy the walk and remember your time here together.”

Heeding Mr. Bell’s wise advice, we savored each perfect hole that sunny afternoon at Shiskine Golf and Tennis Club. Corrie Golf Club would have to wait for another trip. The true soul of the game of golf resides in places like Anstruther, Cullen, Covesea, Carradale, Dunaverty and Shiskine. To dismiss these courses as mere “holiday golf” is a mistake that should not be made. Show up, put your money in the honesty box, and try to stop smiling for the next 3 hours. You might even take a trip where the green fees are not a major expense. There is a lesson to be learned from the Scottish game. Golf is supposed to be fun.

Hidden Scotland: The Fringes of Scottish Golf


There was a little good and mostly bad coming from the No Laying Up and Walk It In crews at the Arnold Palmer Invitational last week. Let’s walk that back and then get to our preview of THE PLAYERS!

 the Draft King increased his season lead a bit last week by hitting a juicy top 10 bet on Megan Khang in the LPGA Drive On Championship at +550. That was his only win of the week as he missed on three other plays on the ladies and a Will Zalatoris Top 5 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational.

 hitched his wagon to Matthew Fitzpatrick and although his win bet didn’t pan out, he did squeak out a top 10 winner thanks to a few bogeys on 18 from other golfers down the stretch. Soly was also on Zalatoris with TC, but played more conservative with a top 20 and it paid off for him. Adam Long top 40 and Marc Leishman top 20 bets did NOT pay off for him, however.

 is trying to remain positive despite early season struggles and it’s very commendable. At the Arnold Palmer Invitational he managed one win on Fitzpatrick to finish in the top 10, but lost all of his other plays - Leishman top 20, Knox top 20, Casey top 5 and Reed to win. The beluga will breach, we think!

, who both went 0-5 last week. Randy’s new found “institutional knowledge” of the LPGA Tour didn’t help him win bets as he missed a matchup parlay, Lexi Thompson to win and In Gee Chun group winner at the Drive On Championship. Francesco Molinari didn’t show up for him on the men’s side either and Lee Westwood was the top Englishman, NOT Paul Casey. DJ tried to bring Rickie Fowler back to life, but that didn’t go as planned and neither did his other bets. He lost a PGA and LPGA matchup parlay, Fitzpatrick top 5 and Tyrell Hatton to win.

For the Walk It In guys, Jeff squeaked out a positive week and it would have been better if he had more confidence in his guy Corey Conners! Mark had a Neil-esque week, losing almost everything he bet on, but man-O-man could it have been better with a little luck. Hatton and Lanto Griffin BOTH bogeyed their 72nd hole and finished T21 to lose the top 20 bets and Hovland over DeChambeau looked great after Friday and then, welp.

We now turn our attention to TPC Sawgrass and THE PLAYERS, one year to the week since COVID-19 forced a cancellation of this beautiful tournament after one round. As expected, almost every top player in the world is in this field and there are a lot of plays on our cards!

If you’re going to putt for dough it helps when you’ve given yourself more putts inside the leather than double breakers so where are the guys looking this week on their approach? Mark goes first for THE PLAYERS, being furthest from the hole last week.

: If my approach has sounded similar the last three weeks, that’s because The Concession, Bay Hill and TPC Sawgrass are all so similar in setup for the most part - at or longer than 7,200 yards with narrow fairways, longer rough and small Bermuda greens. I’ll be looking at approach/GIR stats as well as Bermuda-specific putting. Driving accuracy seems to be important when looking at the history here as well.

: The Florida swing hits the crescendo with the visit to TPC Sawgrass, and this is after golf went dark in 2020 after the first round here. We have so much course history to go off of here, but I’m going to focus on three things first. I want the best ball strikers I can get so SG: Approach is top priority for me this week combined with guys who have really good form in the last month. I’m also going to look for some accurate drivers thanks to the datagolf guys showing that on this Pete Dye course you need it. Course history certainly factors in, so I’ll try to eye guys with at least a little experience here.

I’m backing Jeff’s favorite Canadian this week after a 3rd place finish at the API. He has eight top 25’s in his last 11 events and in his last 16 rounds he ranks 2nd in this field in SG: T2G and 6th in SG: Approach. He’s also a much better putter on Bermuda and finished last week 13th in the field in putting.

Paul Casey Top Former Arizona State Player (+250) - 1 unit

This will sound like a fade of Jon Rahm, but I actually think both can/will play well this week - I’m just betting on Casey to play a little better. He doesn’t have the best history here, but he’s playing extremely well a T10 last week and five straight top 12’s. In his last 16 rounds, he ranks 9th in T2G and 13th in approach. The other players in this prop are Phil Mickelson, Matt Jones, Chez Reavie and Pat Perez.

“Top 5 Tony” has one finish outside the top 20 since November’s Masters so the odds for a top 20 seem like stealing to me. I’d like to think he took last week off to get in the zone the way I used to listen to Lil’ Wayne on the team bus in high school.

Matthew Fitzpatrick Top 20 (+200) - 1 unit

Another guy, like Casey, who doesn’t have the best history at TPC Sawgrass, but he’s playing too well and is too good to pass on this line. T11 and T10 the last two weeks on similar Florida courses and the second best putter in the field on Bermuda greens.

Missed cuts aren’t really something to bother too much with. If he misses again this week then you can start asking questions. In a setup with a lot of water and trouble abound I’m trusting crafty Pat Reed to find a way to get it done with his complete game. Amongst this field he’s positive in all SG categories in the last 6 weeks, and packs an accurate driver (47th in the PGA this year). He’s bounced back well from missed cuts in his history.

Give me another guy with a great all around game. In one and dones this week Webb is going to be so popular. He’s the perfect fit for the “I want to save the big guns but still want a potential winner” mentality. He packs the 4th most accurate ball off the tee in the PGA this year with positive approach play amongst the field in the last six weeks. That is a good combo to have, and makes a ton of sense when you’ve got five top 15s in your last nine events.

Matthew Fitzpatrick Top 20 (+200) - 2 units

Thanks again to all those that bogeyed #18 on Sunday to bring Fitz back into Top 10 territory. I think he stays in the mix this week even if his iron game isn’t spectacular. He’s 91st in the field in the last 6 weeks on SG: Approach, but he’s 60th this season in the entire PGA so I bet he has a good week. I think that’s likely since he has four straight outings with T17 or better. If the sweet spot on those irons arrives on contact, watch out.

Simply put, why not? He’s a tremendously accurate driver with a sweet set of irons. All the reasons we liked him last week are reasons we like him again this week. He backed that up with a shoe in top 20 so let’s go to the well again.

Up to 50th in the world after another solid week at Bay Hill; T7-T26-T22-T21 his last four starts. He’s 15th in the field over his last 16 rounds in SG: Approach and 19th in putting. Was in contention at the API until Sunday, he’s got the goods to keep it going.

It’s actually remarkable how good this guy’s been considering how bad he is at putting, but that’s how good he is tee to green. Willy Z ranks 6th this season T2G and 8th in approach and finished T10 last week. He has nine top 25’s in 12 starts this year.

I was one of the people who expected him to drop off a little when he left the comfy confines of California, but he’s still getting it done! T22 at the WGC and T10 last week to kick off the Florida swing. His ranks the last 16 rounds are pretty strong across the board, especially in putting where he places 6th.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout Top 20 (+335) - 1 unit

This guy is the only golfer in the entire field gaining more than a stroke per round on Bermuda greens so that’s exciting. A T7 last week at Bay Hill is also exciting! Let’s see if he can keep it rolling at THE PLAYERS.

Why isn’t anyone talking about this guy? He finished 4th last week and has three top 7’s since the Waste Management five weeks ago. Might have to change his name to PUTTnam too because he’s a stud on the greens, ranking 4th in this loaded field the last 16 rounds in SG: putting.

Matthew Fitzpatrick to Win (+5000) - .25 unit

A three-pack of win bets I feel good about, considering their odds. Jeff and I talked on the podcast about Webb’s floor being so high and he’s won this tournament before. He is 4th in driving accuracy, 29th in GIR% and 21st in putting this year with two top 10’s in his last three starts. Let’s just throw out Hovland’s last two rounds at Bay Hill as that’s not who he’s been lately. Who he’s been is a top 10 machine with elite stats off the tee and with his approach. It’s a matter of time before he starts winning the big ones. Lastly, Matthew Fitzpatrick is playing too well to be 50/1. T11 and T10 the last two weeks like I mentioned earlier and his putting is stellar.

I’m excited about Ancer this week even if his form of late has been a mix of peaks and valleys. He followed up a missed cut with a T5 at AmEx, cut the next week, and went T18 at Genesis. I hope his accurate driver (1st in the PGA in driving accuracy) and irons (57th in SG: Approach amongst the field in the last 6 weeks) can create a ball striking weapon this week.

Christiaan Bezuidenhout top 20 (+335) - 1 unit

He finished 7th last week on another important ball striking course (I mean, they all are), and I think he can continue it this week with his irons. He’s 67th in the field in the last six weeks in SG: Approach, but I think the complete game is there. Who knows what would have happened last year, but maybe he’s licking his chops after a 65 last year on day one before it was cancelled.

Mark sold me on this pick live on the podcast. Everyone loves a good referral so let him sell you too and check out his breakdown.

Scottie Scheffler to win (+5000) - .25 units

Joaquin Niemann to win (+6600) - .25 units

Loading up the money cannon with some win bets this week. In theory all of these guys are great candidates for Top 10 or Top 20 plays, but I want to really sweat a win bet (unlike the passive win I got in Puerto Rico with Branden Grace). Cantlay and Hatton don’t have a real weakness in their game and Cantaly is so level headed that he can get it back on the rails unlike others (*cough* Rahm *cough*) on a course that will bite you at times. Scheffler is also playing so well in every category and 50/1 is just too high. Niemann’s irons have let him down in the last 6 weeks or so, but he nearly beat many of the big guns in Hawaii so why not again?

Making Picks: THE PLAYERS 

We’re back after an action-packed week across the PGA and LPGA Tour. Before we turn the full page to the Arnold Palmer Invitational this weekend let’s check out how the NLU guys did last week across the scorecard.

In Puerto Rico the nuggies went up in flames for 

 due to the enacting of the Trainer Act for his math misgivings on his Heinz play in a previous week (Trainer finished DFL in Puerto Rico). It was the only exposure to the Puerto Rico Open on the cards for any of the guys, and 

 only exposure for the week due to the aforementioned Trainer Act which required all of his nuggies this week on Trainer to win. Ball don’t lie.

 combined forces on a few guys last week, and it looks like 

 as he went 0fer on his picks this weekend. 

 had Leishman, JT, Bryson, and Hatton who all showed signs of life at different points on the weekend, but never had their best stuff to place where 

 being all over the yard, and hit on Scheffler top 20 with 30 nuggies on the line.

Another week and another Finau winner bet for 

, but this time he wasn’t alone because 

 hitched his wagon with a full 100 nuggie play on Finau to win. There were points where it looked possible, but a triple on the 2nd hole on Sunday took the wind out of the sails for the SS Finau which remains adrift after his Puerto Rico win in 2016.

scorecard where he sprinkled his nuggies across four players this weekend. At the WGC he took a Koepka win ticket and Hovland top 5. His Hovland top 5 winner joins 

Scheffler top 20 as the only winning tickets this weekend because both Carlota Ciganda and Sung Hyun Park both were never really in it for an outright victory at LPGA’s Gainbridge this past weekend.

It was a mixed scorecard for the Walk It In guys this weekend as well, but Jeff did hit on the Puerto Rico Bourbon Bet with a winner on Branden Grace. Maybe we should start betting in shots of bourbon versus nuggies and dollars going forward? Not as profitable, but we’ll forget our losses faster!

If you’re going to putt for dough it helps when you’ve given yourself more putts inside the leather than double breakers so where are the guys looking this week on their approach? Jeff is “away” this week having tied Mark last week, but having a worse showing the week before at Riviera so he’ll go first on the reads.

: The Florida swing continues and we’re on back to back “long” courses measuring in at 7,400+ yards. That means another week where a premium will be placed on approach. The Par 4s are an average of 430 which is the same as Concession, and the Par 5s average out to a very manageable 560 yards. This course doesn’t have the same green undulation we saw last week, and that is backed up because historically there has been less weight in SG: Putting than the average PGA event. Guys like Keegan Bradley and Leishman playing well here over multiple visits is evidence that putting prowess may not matter. So I’m going to look at tee to green this week along with my approach numbers to get a few guys that can strike it.

: Bay Hill seems like a very similar course to The Concession last week; very long with scorable par 5’s and very fast Bermuda greens so I may target some of the same players as last week and others that performed well with their iron games and work on/around the green. Course history is also back in the fold for me considering the difficulty of the course and variables like wind, where experience might be a huge advantage.

Matthew Fitzpatrick Top 10  (+225) - 1 unit

If we see the wind that they are projecting for Saturday and Sunday then I expect Fitzpatrick to shine. He says he loves the tougher conditions, and he’s done well here in the past. His form has impressed and while he’s only 37th in SG: Approach amongst the field in the last 36 rounds, he’s 17th SG: Tee to Green and positive in all categories. Give me his complete game contending in a potentially windy setup.

Double Euro! Another guy who has played very well of late, but doesn’t have the pedigree on this course that Fitzpatrick has. Even so, I like Casey’s form and iron play (he’s 9th in approach amongst the field in the last 36 rounds) and has a sneaky good driver in the bag in terms of accuracy and distance. Lots of international guys play well at this course and I think Casey is primed to contend.

Did you all see the wood that Zalatoris took into the final hole at Torrey Pines a few weeks again and stuck his 2nd shot to 8 feet? Yeah, me too. This guy strikes it from anywhere on the map and the stats show that. I’m going to take his approach game (5th in the field) along with the form of 4 of the last 5 finishes inside the top 25. Zalatoris proves week after week that he can figure a course out even with a lack of history.

Mark reminded me that just because the roulette table is red five times in a row doesn’t mean you should put it all on red again, but I’m doing it. We’ve seen five straight international winners and the odds table shows a lot of love for international guys again. I’m worried about Bryson and Burns and that’s the list.


Viktor Hovland (-112) over Bryson DeChambeau - 1 unit

Hovland could have very well won last week without that snowman at the end of round two, still finishing T2 to go with all of his other top 5’s and 10’s recently. In his last 16 rounds, he ranks 1st in the field in SG: T2G and 3rd in SG: Approach. People may not realize Hovland is only 2 spots behind Bryson in the OWGR as they seem to be going in opposite directions recently.

Has two third place finishes at Bay Hill in as many appearances. Didn’t play up to expectations last week, but generally putts much better on Bermuda, is great off the tee and has the approach game (27th in GIR%) to be in contention again.

He’s the defending champ and the 6th best player in the world, and I can have a top 20 for -110? T22 last week at The Concession, but would have placed much higher if not for some hiccups around the green. 4th in the field in SG: Approach and 9th in putting among this week’s entrants over his last 16 rounds.

In his last three events, he has gone T7, T26 and a T22 last week at the WGC. He gained strokes on the field during all four rounds in T2G and approach and is a much better putter than he showed last week. If he turns that around at Bay Hill, I expect him to be in contention this weekend.

Francesco Molinari Top 10 (+275) - 1 unit

He’s made the cut in all seven tries here with four top 10’s and a win in 2019. T8 at the Genesis two weeks ago is his third top 10 in his last 4 events and he’s been brilliant tee to green, around the green and with his approach.

Was I a week early on the Leishman love last week? Maybe. But he finished second here last year, is second all time on the tournament money list and the T2G/Approach/Putting stats that led me to pick him last week have me going back to the well.

Matthew Fitzpatrick Top 10 (+225) - 1 unit

Riding with Jeff here; Fitzpatrick’s numbers last week were very strong and his history at Bay Hill is good enough to back him (three top 15’s and a runner-up). He’s “pretty good” in just about every measurable stat over the last 16 rounds and says he likes playing in wind so why not?!

I think they’re asleep at the wheel on this one with Nesmith’s latest form (three straight top 20s including a T20 at Riviera) and his great iron game. He’s another young guy where I think he’s really finding some magic lately, and ranking 4th in approach in this field would show that. He also missed the cut on the number last year with a 36th hole bogey so I think he’ll be hungry

Let’s get some more international exposure! Henrik (not Stenson) has been good lately aside from his missed cut at Genesis and fade on Sunday at Pebble. His irons are strong (11th in approach amongst the field) and his putting woes won’t be exacerbated on a tough course.

Just like Nesmith and Norlander, Conners can pack a punch with the irons. Even though he’s been cut here twice I like that his overall game is in great shape from the tee (9th in driving accuracy) to the green. His putter is his downfall just like Norlander, but I’m hoping one of the two can find some Morikawa like magic.

He has the shortest top 20 odds amongst my picks in this segment and that is warranted. He’s made 5 straight cuts and his iron and tee game is very strong. He’s 2nd in the field tee to green in the last twelve rounds so I’m going for it with Davis to show up.

I know I have the no US winner bet on Inside the Leather, but if Burns or Reed want to spoil the fun then I’m all for it. Sungjae has a great history here and got his tune up after a couple weeks off last week at Concession. I think Burns is still ascending and I want 40-1 before we start seeing him in the 20s and 30s soon. Reed is just Reed. His stats don’t wow, but he’s solid everywhere and is a gamer. He was in the mix again last week and that’s just what you expect with him. Finally, Nesmith was profiled already but 100-1 for the 4th best ball striker in this field?! Don’t have to ask me twice.

Hopefully still in good spirits after letting a win slip away at Riviera two weeks ago. One of the best putters on TOUR and that’s multiplied on Bermuda as he gains over .5 strokes per round more on that surface. He’s 16th this season in GIR% and 25th in par 5 scoring, two big time stats for me this week.

Poults lives in Orlando and obviously loves this course as he’s made 10 straight cuts here with six top 25’s. He’s not in the best form, but I’m putting my trust in his course history here.

Francesco Molinari GROUP C Winner (+350) - 1 unit

Offered on Draftkings, Molinari’s group includes Horschel, Spieth, Kokrak and Day. I already mentioned Frankie’s history here as well as his recent form and think he’s poised for a big week. Draftkings has him at 30/1 this week with Spieth and Horschel. Day and Kokrak are both 35/1.

Matthew Fitzpatrick To Win (+2500) - .5 unit

Grouping these plays together since they’re right next to each other on the odds board this week and I’m already on both of them to finish in the top 10. They both love the course, they both putt extremely well and they’re even better on Bermuda. It wouldn’t surprise me to see one of these two win this week.

For even more content from the Walk It In boys, please check out their links below.  Cheers!


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Making Picks:  API Presented by Mastercard

In an effort to stick to our #yearoftheprocess, we have decided to enhance our weekly gambling content to include a written feature.  NLU is proud to introduce Mark & Jeff from the Walk It In Podcast.  Mark & Jeff are good friends, hack golfers, and fans of the game that love gambling and talking sports.  We could not be more excited to have them onboard and see what type of "experts" they actually are.  Cheers - 

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It was a monumental week at Riviera as friend of the program and all-world guy Max Homa won the Genesis Invitational in exciting fashion over Tony Finau and the rest of a loaded field. Homa (70/1) overcame a missed birdie putt on the 72nd hole to beat Finau on the second playoff hole and cash big money for his supporters (of which there were many).

, is the new Draft King this week after betting on Homa to win outright at a massive 70/1. He missed all his other bets last week, but it doesn’t matter as he’ll be playing with house money (nuggets) for a while. 

 has escaped the Pouch of Misery after going 1-4, his first win in five weeks - progress! Homa’s three foot birdie miss at the end of regulation single handedly passed the Pouch to 

 as Randy had a prop that the winner birdie the 72nd hole. He finished the week 0-5 with his other misses on Morikawa and Scott top 10’s, Bubba Watson to win and a winning margin of two strokes. 

hit a Max Homa top 20 (+200), but missed on Cantlay to win, Niemann top 10, Norlander top 20 and a matchup parlay. 

 had a good week at the book, also supporting Homa with a top 20. If only he and DJ were as confident in their friend as Tron was, amirite?! Soly also hit on a Tony Finau top 10 and a matchup parlay with Rory and Morikawa. His two losses were Jordan Spieth top 10 and Cam Tringale top 20.

The Walk It In guys had mixed results last week as Mark was up almost four units and Jeff was down almost six. Viktor Hovland (top 10 and top Oklahoma State player) came up huge for Mark as well as Tony Finau (top 10). Swings and misses included a Carlos Ortiz top 20 and a matchup with Tringale as well as Joaquin Niemann top 10 and win bets. Add Jeff to the Homa supporters section as he had him in a matchup over Jason Kokrak. He also won Morikawa over Matsuyama, but his finishing position bets didn’t fare as well. He lost on Cantlay to win and finish top 10, Ortiz to win and finish top 20, HVIII to finish top 40 and Justin Thomas to win.

The TOUR puts a new course in play this week at the WGC-Workday Championship and we each also have a bonus play on the Puerto Rico Open…

How do the pros put themselves in the best position to score? A great approach! Here’s how the Walk It In guys are looking at this week’s tournament, followed by our best bets. Our safer picks are dubbed “Inside the Leather”, like a short putt that your friend might give you at the country club. Longshot plays are “Double Breaker” bets; difficult, but makeable putts that require great reads and execution. Mark leads it off this week after a better showing at Riviera.

 The Concession Golf Club looks awesome, but that doesn’t help bettors handicap a tournament much, does it? Without course history, I’m putting my chips mostly into approach and putting (specifically on Bermuda) considering how long this course is and how small the greens are. Of course I’m also looking at recent form. There may be some value in players down the board for me, but I typically favor better players in WGC’s as the cream often rises to the top.

 The approach was errant last week. Very errant. You could say that I had some trouble even finding the green with the direction some of my picks went. Need a big rebound week (looking at you too, Justin Thomas) down in Florida where a longer course at 7,400 yards should put a premium on approach. The par 3s are long (180+ yards) and a couple Par 4s have some teeth at 470+ yards. With little to no course history this week (except for NCAAs in 2015) I’m looking for guys who play Florida well, flush irons, and have fantastic form.

Back to the well with Hovland after he came through huge for me at Riviera. He is currently doing everything well, led last week’s field in SG: Off The Tee, is 9th this season in SG: T2G and 11th in GIR percentage. I love this kid!

Hatton (+106) over Justin Thomas - 1 unit

I hope people keep sleeping on Hatton because I’ll try and take advantage of the prices every time. Hasn’t played in America in a few months so he’s flying under the radar, but he’s 5th in the world, won in Abu Dhabi last month and won last year at the Arnold Palmer Invitational  in Orlando. Fantastic iron player and fantastic putter, especially on Bermuda. Neil is on Hatton this week too and he’s kinda sorta turning a corner with his picks so let’s go!

Xander Schauffele Top 10 (+138) - 2 units

Doing EVERYTHING well right now and has the results to prove it. Over his last 16 rounds, Xander ranks 6th in the field in SG: T2G, 6th in Approach and 5th in putting. He has 16 straight top 25’s and he’s going to win again very soon.

Jeff’s weekly system play tries to identify a golfer who missed the cut the previous week but showed positive indicators in strokes gained approach and off the tee. To date we’re 3-2 in the system with wins on Sam Burns, Abraham Ancer, and Jason Day but loses on Cameron Champ and last week with Harold Varner. Sergio Garcia showed well last week despite the MC at Riviera and that can be chalked up to a bad putter. This guy crushes in Florida and before the missed cut had three top 15s out of the previous 4 events he played. Vamos!

Soly and I are all aboard the Scottie train this weekend. He’s rounding into form with his irons (20th in approach in the last month amongst the field) and has booked a T7 and T20 in his last two (amongst strong fields) after back to back missed cuts. Remember he had new clubs to start the season so I think he’s finding the right groove.

Xander Schauffele Top 10 (+138) - 1.5 units

Xander has 5 straight T17 or better and three of those were top 5s. He’s got a complete game and is gaining strokes in every category in the last 30 days. He’s an elite player that should contend this weekend. These greens won’t give anyone a break and he’s bringing a hot putter to compliment an approach game that ranks 8th in the field. Xander Finau final group on Sunday?! One can hope.

Patrick Cantlay Top 10 (+138) - 1.5 units

Patrick just missed the top 10 last week with a really lackluster performance on Sunday. He had to wake up and finish on Sunday and with a guy with that kind of injury history and the effort he has to put in to get ready I think it was just too much for him on Sunday. I like the bounce back here for another guy who is so good in every category just like Xander, and especially with the irons placing 5th in the field in the last 30 days.

Xander Schauffele to Win (+1200) - 1 unit

Jeff and I told you all the reasons why we love Xander for a top 10 this week and he’s my pick to win the tournament as well. He’s crushing just about every metric out there right now and is real close to collecting another trophy.

Writing this on the one year anniversary of his win in Puerto Rico, it’s fitting that that tournament is also being played this week. Hovland is stepping up in class to the WGC-Workday this year and has what it takes to win this one as well.

It may not seem like it sometimes, but I swear I’m rooting for Tony Finau. “Always a bridesmaid, never a bride”, he’s also always gracious in defeat and always bounces back with another top performance. Maybe he wins this week and maybe he doesn’t, but he’s playing great golf and hopefully keeps charging ahead. Top 5 Tony, let’s dance.

Can someone explain to me how the 32nd ranked player in the world is 125/1 to win a golf tournament? In his last five events, he’s gone T8-T24-T4-T18-T32 and he always tends to creep up the leaderboard in big tournaments. 4th in the field over his last 16 rounds in SG: Approach and 16th T2G. He’s also a much better putter on Bermuda greens. I mentioned Hatton’s win last year at the API - Leishman was the runner up in that tournament.

Christian Bezeuidenhout Top 20 (+300) - 1 unit

Shout out to my co-host for allowing me to properly pronounce the South African’s last name. Not a lot of folks probably pay close attention to a guy that only comes over to the PGA Tour a few times a year. He’s been showing up on leaderboards over in Europe this season and has 4 T22s or better in his last 5 and won a European Tour event in December. His putting is a bitttt volatile, but he brings the 11th ranked iron game on strokes gained approach. Let’s hit 'em close, Christian!

Soly and DJ are all over this and I’m along for the roller coaster ride that this could be. I’ll protect the downside of a duel on Sunday with the Top 5, but I was sold on this pick watching him react to losing the playoff on Sunday. Gracious, positive, and calm describe his comments even after shooting a 64 on Sunday and still losing. He’s a complete player (2nd in approach amongst the field in the last 30 days) and will break his own Puerto Rico curse the same weekend as the Puerto Rico Open is played. It’s just too perfect.

Much like Bez, Tyrell is back over in the states and resides in Florida during these swings. He won the Arnold Palmer Invitational last year and showed some amazing golf after the restart. He’s legit and has 5 straight top 25s including a win at HSBC in December in a very solid field. He also gains in all categories amongst this field and packs a sweet set of irons on contact.

This is a boom or bust play. With Finau why not protect the downside of a close finish, but with Sungjae he brings an all or nothing attack every week. Surprisingly (and good for my bet) he took a week off last week to rest up because this guy has played a lot. His putter has been a little shaky and his irons haven’t been what we expect, but I bet he figured it out in the off week in his new home in Atlanta. If he has a silky set of irons this week I think he’s right there, and he’s been comfortable during the Florida swing.

I picked Berger at Phoenix he goes missed cut and then victory at Pebble. I take Molinari at Pebble and he cold tops to open the weekend and fades outside the top 45. Then comes back to finish T8 at Genesis. Now last week, where I take Justin Thomas and he folds for one of the worst performances in recent memory. The form and iron numbers do not back this up, but my ability to be a week early sure does. Let’s do it.

With a bottle of bourbon on the line, we have a special H2H matchup between co-hosts to make the Puerto Rico Open more interesting! In one corner, Jeff and Branden Grace (20/1). In the other corner, Mark and Cameron Percy (45/1). Who you got?!

Making Picks: WGC Workday at The Concession

We have glossed this “The Year of the Process” for No Laying Up, so let’s begin. Those that listened to the “2021 Goals” episode of the TrapDraw podcast heard me talk about an itch to build on last year’s movie goal. The idea I settled on was to take some time each month and write about a film for this increasingly-golf-adjacent website. For better or worse, here is installment, No. 1.

“They’ll never catch me, man… Because I’m fuckin’ innocent.” – Dignan, mid-robbery

If you have any questions about Dignan’s dedication to The Process, please look no further than his bulletproof 75-year plan.


Yes, the finer points of his proposal get a little off the rails throughout “Bottle Rocket,” the first film by Wes Anderson. But you can’t tell me it’s due to a lack of planning and process.


I have a tough time thinking of a character that can make me mood-swing harder between joy and immense heartbreak than Dignan can. It’s a character so good that it has never even bothered me that Owen Wilson (or Owen C. Wilson as he was known in his debut role) has seemed to dust it off for just about every role he’s played since. 

Borrowing from Scott Tobias (A.V. Club) here

, but Wilson’s role in “Armageddon” feels a lot like “Dignan in Space.” Eli Cash in “The Royal Tenenbaums” and Hansel in “Zoolander” both have shades of what it would look like if the world placed a little more value on Dignan’s specific set of skills. If your old pal Dignan finally got a little recognition for his painstaking work.

And to be clear, I love all these roles. I love watching Owen Wilson in anything. All of those characters – but none more than Dignan – are earnest, sweet, loyal, delusional and cripplingly insecure. Each of the three main characters in “Bottle Rocket” possess all of these traits as well and I think seeing them in contrast with each other is what I’ve grown to love so much about the movie.

They might all have different names for it, and different plans of action, but all three main characters in the film seem to be trying their best to stave off some level of depression and aimlessness. “Bottle Rocket” is framed through the journey of Anthony (Luke Wilson), who begins the film by “escaping” from a high-end mental rehabilitation facility. He spends the rest of the movie pondering the meaning of his existence and finding it in – among other things – a motel housekeeper from Paraguay, his “program” of daily routine and coaching youth soccer. This is Anthony’s Process.

It all stems from a “what is the point of talking about watersports?” feeling that young, bookish, handsome stars have been dealing with for ages.  In fact, we get a nod to the godfather of the Aimless Boys with a swimming pool shot straight out of “The Graduate” when Anthony first arrives at the motel.


And like Benjamin Braddock before him, Anthony goes straight from the swimming pool into a very... 

 relationship. There’s no shortage of heartwarming or peculiar thoughts or interpretations to have about the Anthony-Inez relationship – a relationship where the participants barely speak each other’s language. But what is more interesting to me is the fact that no matter how many times Anthony tries to re-wire his life – to try to force some semblance of connection or place or meaning – the one thing he can’t stop doing is trying to make Dignan feel just a little less alone.

“Did it ever occur to you that your old pal Dignan might enjoy a great stay at some mental hospital out in the middle of nowhere?” – Dignan

While Bob, Dignan and Anthony all seem to be going through somewhat similar internal crises, I think what’s most interesting is that they’re all doing it from drastically different circumstances.

Articles

Making Picks: Honda Classic

Hidden Scotland: The Fringes of Scottish Golf

Making Picks: THE PLAYERS

Making Picks: API Presented by Mastercard

Making Picks: WGC Workday at The Concession

Dignan and The Process

Young Hitters: Welcoming Madelene Sagström

NLU Picks and Preview - BMW

NLU Picks and Preview - Northern Trust

NLU Picks and Preview - Wyndham

2020 US Open @ Winged Foot Picks & Preview

NLU picks for the 2020 PGA Championship

NLU Odds Preview - Rocket Mortgage Classic

NLU Odds Preview - Travelers Championship

Selection #18: December 2019

Selection #17: October 2019

Selection #16: September 2019

NLU Summit Photos