The Punter / Steven Rawlings / 09 June 2009 /

There's no event in Europe this week but will there be a big priced winner in Memphis? And will Steve manage to find him?

The layers won't know what to do with themselves this week, with no Race to Dubai event. Following the three massive priced winners in the last four weeks, I guess they could always go shopping with their winnings.

Personally, I welcome the break and have enjoyed taking my time pondering the outcome of the St Jude Classic from Memphis, Tennessee.

After a break of three weeks, following the news that his wife Amy has breast cancer, Phil Mickelson returns to the tour as favourite. Apparently Mrs M will undergo surgery after the US Open and the diagnosis is a lot better than it could've been - which really is fantastic news.

I'm not surprised Amy's given her husband the green light for the US Open, a title he wants more than any other, and I'm not surprised that he's teeing it up here this week either. Not necessarily to brush up his golf game, but to get the quite understandable hullaballoo that will surround his return, nicely out of the way.

I can't see him contending for that reason and besides, on his only other appearance here he missed the cut and if circumstances had been different he probably wouldn't have been here at all.

Justin Leonard, on the other hand, was always going to attend. He's the defending champion and has an outstanding record here but I think he's too short now. Those who availed themselves of [34.0] and even [23.0] on Sunday night, while all eyes were on Tiger, will be pretty happy with themselves but I can't take [16.00], not after seeing him drop away tamely at both the Texas Open and Crowne Plaza Invitational recently.

Woody Austin, Stephen Ames, and the perennial bridesmaid, Tim Clark, were considered but passed over, and I'm even letting my old mate Ben Crane go un-backed! I feel like I'm letting him down (it's usually the other way round) but enough is enough.

Only three pre-event picks this week and the one I'm most keen on is Brian Gay. After pulverising the field at the Verizon, winning by a remarkable 10 shots, Gay was struck down with flu and has taken a while to get back in the groove. He didn't play last week but his final round 64 at the Crowne Plaza Invitational, two weeks ago, shows he hasn't lost his touch. He's had two top five finishes here in the last five years and they would have been better but for weak finishes. He's clearly not so flaky at the business end of events now and if he gives himself another chance he might just see it through this time.

There was a dramatic return to form from Will MacKenzie at the Memorial last week and he finished eighth here on his last visit in '07, so I've taken a chance on him.

Brandt Snedeker is returning to action in his home state, following a couple of months off with a rib injury and he's keen to get going again.

He said: "I'm looking forward to getting back out there. I have been practicing and playing at Golf Club of Tennessee and feel good. I can't wait to play again." Having finished 5th here in '07, he looks a fair price.

Selections:

Brian Gay @ [48.00]
Will MacKenzie @ [120.00]
Brandt Snedeker @ [210.00]

I'll post an update after the cut on Saturday morning.

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