Sanderson Farms Championship
Overview
Dates: September 29, 2022 to October 2, 2022
Location: Mississippi, USA
Course: Country Club of Jackson
Course Par: 72
Course Length: 7461
Prize Purse: $7900000
The Country Club of Jackson takes centre stage this week for the second event of the wraparound 2022/3 season and FormGolfer’s first preview following a short break for holidays. Fresh off his Presidents Cup debut, Sam Burns returns to defend his Sanderson Farms Championship, the first of his three wins last season.
Results
So nearly a great start to the new season. When two of your five selections make the top ten, but neither manages to make the placings, it’s tough to take. But that’s golf betting – sometimes you come out the right side of these close calls, sometimes you won’t. Fine margins. Thomas Detry got himself into a great position to win the event, but isn’t the most solid closer and that showed during round 3 before a recovery in the final round. Taylor Montgomery again showed why he’s top of my list to follow for the new season, although never quite got himself close enough to the lead to have a real shot at the title. Another good display though and I fully expect him to continue to improve as he gets used to life on the main tour.
Both Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Davis Thompson gave us some cause for optimism during the tournament, although ultimately ended up back in the pack, while JT Poston put in an uncharacteristically poor week. Perhaps his golden run from late last season is starting to fade out.
A disappointing week in terms of return, but good to see largely positive performances from our picks – if that trend continues the returns won’t be long in coming.
Preview
Sam Burns starts as a strong favourite this week at around the 10/1 mark. But having not looked to be quite on top of his game in the Presidents Cup, and potentially a little drained after the experience, we’ll be looking deeper into the field to uncover the value.
Putting is the key statistic we’ll be looking for this week, as a warm putter has often been the key to success in Jackson. Burns was a notable exception last year, but that appears to be the exception rather than the rule. At a shade over 7400 yards, distance off the tee is another attribute we’ll be looking for, with accuracy perhaps at less of a premium than usual.
Outrights
| Player | Points | Type | UK Odds | Places | Outright US Odds |
| Taylor Montgomery | 3 | each way | 28/1 | 7 | |
| JT Poston | 2 | each way | 25/1 | 8 | |
| Christiaan Bezuidenhout | 1.5 | each way | 40/1 | 8 | |
| Thomas Detry | 2 | each way | 40/1 | 8 | |
| Davis Thompson | 1.5 | each way | 80/1 | 8 |
Our first selection of the new season is a guy I’m expecting big things from this year in the shape of Taylor Montgomery (3pts each way, 28/1, 7 places). Having posted some good results and stats last season he appears to be one of the recent graduates with everything it takes to make a big impact. One of his biggest strengths is with the putter, and facing a slightly weaker field than usual, this could be a perfect opportunity for him to make an early breakthrough on the way to bigger and better things.
JT Poston (2pts each way, 25/1, 8 places) became something of a FormGolfer favourite in the latter part of last season and I still feel he’s a touch under-rated considering his recent form. His steady long game and solid putting should suit this test nicely. While I’d have Montgomery as the better long term prospect, Poston looks to be the most solid option this week.
Sticking with the them of solid putters, we’ll include Christiaan Bezuidenhout (1.5pts each way, 40/1, 8 places) in the staking plan. Arguably an under-achiever since joining the PGA Tour, on his day he can certainly play. He wouldn’t be in my thinking for most events we’ll be looking at this season, but this could just be a good week to catch him.
At a similar price, and with a similar profile, Thomas Detry (2pts each way, 40/1, 8 places) has the combination of explosive power and decent touch that could see him go very well. Often talked about as being hugely talented, he doesn’t quite have the results to back up that reputation, but I make him a touch of value in a field of this nature.
Our final selection is Davis Thompson (1.5pts each way, 80/1, 8 places). In common with our other picks, Thompson gains his ground off the tee and on the dance floor and the juicy price on offer makes me very happy to include him on the list this week.
Sam Burns is the obvious one after his win last year, but the price is nothing to get excited about and I’m happy enough to leave him out. Others that we closely considered including were Sahith Theegala, who surely must win this year, Wyndham Clark, Mark Hubbard and at a huge price, Callum Tarren.
So nearly a great start to the new season. When two of your five selections make the top ten, but neither manages to make the placings, it’s tough to take. But that’s golf betting – sometimes you come out the right side of these close calls, sometimes you won’t. Fine margins. Thomas Detry got himself into a great position to win the event, but isn’t the most solid closer and that showed during round 3 before a recovery in the final round. Taylor Montgomery again showed why he’s top of my list to follow for the new season, although never quite got himself close enough to the lead to have a real shot at the title. Another good display though and I fully expect him to continue to improve as he gets used to life on the main tour.
Both Christiaan Bezuidenhout and Davis Thompson gave us some cause for optimism during the tournament, although ultimately ended up back in the pack, while JT Poston put in an uncharacteristically poor week. Perhaps his golden run from late last season is starting to fade out.
A disappointing week in terms of return, but good to see largely positive performances from our picks – if that trend continues the returns won’t be long in coming.