Previous win makes Slocum a likely contender in Malaysia
Published:Heath Slocum may not be the biggest name among the 40 players to receive an invite to the inaugural CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia, but a number of factors make him a serious contender to take the title.
Slocum has already taken one PGA Tour title this year at the McGladrey Classic earlier this month and it is this success that stands him in good stead.
Not only will the victory ensure that Slocum is high on confidence, but there are strong similarities between the two courses.
Undulating greens are one of the big elements awaiting players at the Jones’ MINES Resort and Golf Club, while accuracy will prove far more valuable to the players than distance.
Challenging greens were also present for Slocum’s win at Sea Island three weeks ago, with Slocum ranking 13th for the tournament in the putting stakes and seventh in finding greens in regulation.
His accuracy of the tee in Georgia was also impressive and when on song there are few better ball strikers in the game than the 36-year-old.
A repeat of these figures in Malaysia will surely see him featuring towards the head of the leaderboard again and he can be backed at 33/1 to win the CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia event.
With no money list points on offer, many of the game’s biggest names have swerved the event, leaving Luke Donald, Rickie Fowler and Ernie Els to lead the betting market at 10/1.
Robert Allenby also performed strongly at the McGladrey Classic and is a solid bet in Malaysia at 16/1, while Bill Haas is another at 16/1 after failing to finish outside of the top two in his last two tournaments.
John Senden has been in good form recently and is 25/1 to win the tournament alongside Thongchai Jaidee and Ryan Moore. See the complete CIMB Asia Pacific Classic Malaysia betting odds market.
