Find Me A 100 Winner / Paul Krishnamurty / 31 January 2012 /

Danny Lee is a massive [350.0] and Ryan Palmer a chunky [160.0] to win the Waste Management Phoenix Open at Scottsdale but this pair of birdie machines could kickstart their seasons on a course that looks to provide an ideal test, says Paul Krishnamurty

If there's a lesson to be learnt from recent weeks on the PGA Tour, it's to keep the faith. Three weeks ago, this column advised Kyle Stanley for the Sony Open at [120.0] and, while ultimately finishing way back, at least he managed to hit the first lay target.

Although that promising performance meant he was no longer within this column's price range for the following event, I stayed loyal for another week. Imagine my horror when, having abandoned him before the Farmers Insurance Open, Stanley opened up a seven-shot lead and traded down to [1.01] before arguably the unlikeliest final hole collapse of all-time.

Nevertheless, the original identification of Stanley as an under-rated rising star was vindicated, which stiffens my resolve to stick with Danny Lee despite a recent failure for this column.

To repeat the argument made before the Sony, Lee was rated one of the best youngsters around only a couple of years ago. It took a while, but last season's efforts on the Nationwide and, occasionally, European Tours, confirm he is beginning to fulfil that potential. At some stage this year, I expect Danny to get right in the thick of things at a crazy price, so why not this week at [350.0]? The conditions at this week's Waste Management Phoenix Open look ideal, given the strong emphasis on birdies around Scottsdale. Notably, Lee topped the birdie average stats on last year's Nationwide Tour.

Another birdie machine type at tasty odds is [160.0] chance Ryan Palmer. Never the most consistent player, Palmer has often come alive in events where frequent red numbers are an essential component of success, including when second here in 2006. Fourteenth place in 2010, beaten only six shots, was another decent effort that confirmed his liking for Scottsdale.

Palmer owes this week's dismissive quote to a pair of missed cuts so far this term, but as he finished last season pretty well with a couple of top-20s, it may pay not to over-react. After all, though he didn't win in 2011, Palmer's wider efforts, such as tenth in the Masters, suggest he's a better player than when previously thriving in this event.

Because the combined odds about our two selections is slightly bigger than usual, I'm adding a third lay order this week. Should either man hit the first target at [15.0], we'll more than triple the initial outlay.

Recommended bets
2u Ryan Palmer @ [160.0]
1u Danny Lee @ [350.0]

Place order to lay 10u @ [15.0]
Place order to lay 10u @ [8.0]
Place order to lay 20u @ [3.0]

Updated 2012 Stats: +52.5 units

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