Opportunities for Australians in Reno
BY Bruce Young | US PGA Tour | 2011 Reno-Tahoe Open | Preview | 03 Aug 2011
The Reno Tahoe Open takes its regular place opposite the World Golf Championship Bridgestone Championship and while it suffers in terms of the availability of leading players it is nonetheless a crucial tournament for many of those involved.
The Jack Nicklaus designed Montreaux Golf and Country Club in Reno Nevada is again the venue.
Matt Bettencourt won last year and although his recent form is not encouraging he did win this event in 2010 after missing eight of his previous ten cuts.
Up until a few weeks ago John Merrick was playing well on the PGA Tour in 2011. He has been only average since but he does enjoy a good record in this event having finished top ten in his only three starts including when 3rd last year. He finished inside the top 15 in Memphis, Hartford and Philadelphia earlier this season which indicates he is up to the task this week.
Kyle Stanley has put together several good tournaments in recent weeks missing only one of his last nine cuts and finishing runner-up at the John Deere Classic. He is playing this event for the first occasion but he is a player on the way up and could do well.
Robert Garrigus was the leading American when 3rd at the US Open in June and although a little inconsistent this season does have a good record over this layout.
Brian Davis has not played this event for three years now but put together good finishes when he did. He is playing solidly enough to build on that record this week.
Chez Reavie is on a good run at present and plays this event for just the second occasion having finished 42nd here in 2009. He has been inside the top twenty in each of his last four starts and appears to be a good chance at longer odds.
Many Australians are in the field, several of them looking to take advantage of this weaker field to advance their money list positions. Marc Leishman, Rod Pampling, Nick O’Hern, Greg Chalmers, Steven Bowditch, Steve Elkington, Aron Price, Matthew Jones, Cameron Percy, Nathan Green, Jarrod Lyle and Mark Hensby make up a healthy list of Australian chances in the field. Hensby was the leading Australian in the tournament last year.
Several Australians are in precarious positions in regard to their ongoing status on the PGA Tour and will be keen to take advantage of this opportunity.
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