TD Waterhouse Championship

It's the week before the 2nd major of the year, the Senior PGA Championship, and several of the top players have taken the week off. There is no Fleisher, Kite or Nelson and maybe there should be no long-term automatic pick, Canizares! He seems to be trying to match Quigley's "iron man" title and with finishes of 61st and 72nd in the last two weeks, he could use the rest if he is to be selected again.

This is the third year that the event has been staged at Tiffany Greens and last year marked Watson's first competitive event in his hometown since 1971. Against deafening support for Watson and his last day charge, Quigley managed to hold his nerve and secure a memorable one-shot win. He may not be in the best of form at the moment, but this week marks a memorable return to former glory for the original "iron man" of Senior golf.

With very shorts odds on Irwin and Morgan and maybe with next week on their mind as well, it could open the door for Tom Watson to win. He will not be short of motivation or support this week and while his form has not been spectacular this year, this is the sort of event that should life his game and, despite last year, intimidate his rivals if it became a head-to-head battle. Short odds, but more likely than Irwin and Morgan to win this week.

The second outright pick is Doug Tewell. Already a winner this year and a major at that, the Countrywide Tradition, Tewell can capitalize on a weak field to make a return to the leaderboard. Unlike so many of the other competitors, he comes into this event rested and can build on his 15th place finish last year.

The third outright pick is Jim Thorpe who has finished 5th and 6th on this course in the last two years. He is also improved his form considerably over the past month with top-10 finishes in each of the last three weeks and while he completes a trio of reasonably short-priced picks, each is more than capable of lifting the title this week.

Outright plays:

Tom Watson to win 13/2 @ BetSmart

Doug Tewell to win 14/1 e.w. @ Surrey

Jim Thorpe to win 20/1 e.w. @ Surrey

Update:

Tewell represents the only hope of a return from the outrights this week. He lies 18th and four shots outs of a place finish. Both Thorpe and Watson had over-par days and are well out of contention.

3rd round play:

Graham Marsh to beat Joe Inman -105 @ Five Dimes

Final update: 0-1-0 and -1.05 units

Blank for the week as Marsh loses by three shots to Inman. It's great that Five Dimes are offering matchups for Senior Tour events, but it has become somewhat obvious that they are also using our ratings to determine the matchups for the Senior and LPGA Tours! Means it gets quite difficult to find value in them

Update on outright plays: 0-3 and -3.00 units

Thorpe closed with a 66 to finish 12th and be the best-placed of the selections. Tewell was 21st and Watson 38th. Should be a busier week next week at the Senior PGA Championship.