Jonas Blixt one to watch at Frys.com Open
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Jonas Blixt is the defending champion at this week’s Frys.com Open and he could be the one to watch as the new season beings on the PGA Tour with a revamped autumn schedule.
In the past the post-FedEx Cup events were all about securing playing privileges for next season, but in the new format FedEx Cup points for 2014 and an invitation to the US Masters next April are on the table.
Blixt emerged as a genuine prospect at this level last year. The key to his game is putting and he converted plenty of birdie opportunities 12 months ago. The Swedish player has since added another PGA title to his tally and contended in the PGA Championship, alongside his compatriot Henrik Stenson. The latter claimed the headlines and 10 million dollar bonus by winning the FedEx Cup but Blixt is another great prospect for Sweden.
There is a theory in golf betting that players gain inspiration from colleagues with similar profiles and go on to achieve great things. This could be based on nationality or age. Blixt is eight years younger than Stenson and now it is his turn to fly the flag for Swedish golf.
The Frys.com Open is being played at the CordeValle Golf Club in California for the fourth year in succession. At just less than 7,400 yards the course is average in length by modern standards. The track was the third easiest par 71 on Tour last season but still presents a tough challenge in the context of driving accuracy and finding the greens in the correct number of shots.
Blixt’s no more than average stats for the accuracy disciplines is offset by his aptitude on the greens. He can hole enough putts to achieve the relatively rare feat of successfully defending a title on the PGA Tour and make Henrik very proud.
Follow our tipster Ian Hudson on Twitter at @RockIan62 or visit his website at: www.ianhudsonsport.co.uk.
