Find Me A 100 Winner / Steven Rawlings / 26 May 2009 / Leave a Comment

This lefty plays well when he likes the track and he loves the Colonial Country Club, says Steve Rawlings.

Ben Hogan won the Colonial Invitational (now known as the Crowne Plaza Invitational) five times, including the first two stagings in 1946 and '47, helping to establish the tournament and determining the Colonial Country Clubs nickname of Hogan's Alley.

Since its inception the event has thrown up plenty of multiple winners, only last year Phil Mickelson became another. When his miracle approach shot on the last hole was converted for birdie he became the tournaments 11th multiple winner - so backing players already successful here may well be a pretty good system.

I'm not sure that I'd recommend putting too much cash on 1989 winner and TV commentator Ian Baker-Finch, who's putting the microphone down and playing again for the first time in eight years, but it may well be worth risking a few bob on 2004 winner Steve Flesch at [180.0].

Hitting his last three rounds in the 60s last week was encouraging, in particular his final round 66, which equalled his best of the year so far. He was tied sixth at this year's Masters, having finished tied fifth there in 2008, so although not in scintillating form so far this season, he has shown that he can blossom on tracks he likes. His record at the Reno-Tahoe Open for example, with four top-10s in five starts, including a win in 2007, is incredibly consistent.

Although he hasn't been too hot here since 2004 he'd had some decent efforts prior to that success and as experienced players fare well at Hogan's Alley - having just turned 42 he fits the bill there also.

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