Find Me A 100 Winner: Jonathan Byrd

Find Me A 100 Winner / Paul Krishnamurty / 31 March 2009 / Leave a Comment

Consistent American is a three-time winner making odds of [120.0] to win the Shell Houston Open a value bet...

Though Jonathan Byrd has never quite made the step up from middle-ranking PGA Tour pro to regular contender or Ryder Cup candidate, he has proven that he knows how to get the job done. Whereas many characters of around the same standard have yet to win on the PGA Tour, Byrd has won three titles; the last of which came in the summer of 2007 at the John Deere Classic.

So as Byrd has shown distinct signs of running into form in his last two events, he could be worth a speculative wager at this week's Shell Houston Open at around [120.0]. The 31-year-old was right in the thick of things a fortnight ago at the Transitions Championship, until a disappointing final round sent him down to 12th place. Nevertheless, that was his second consecutive top-15 and no disgrace by any means.

This week's course, Redstone, should suit his talents better. Byrd nearly always ranks amongst the driving distance leaders, so it must be to his favour that this layout is over 7,400 yards. Furthermore, most of his best form in recent years has come on courses, (like Redstone) which have very fast greens, such as Quail Hollow and Sugarloaf. Byrd played well enough to finish in the top-20 on his only previous visit, which again bodes well for this second attempt.