MKF shifts to the HSBC this weekend – and here’s a few good odds to consider:

GET JAMES PICKS FOR THE WEEK

MONKEYKNIFEFIGHT.com

or

PLAYDRAFT.com

JUSTIN ROSE +0.5 to TONY FINAU MORE BIRDIE OR BETTER

Justin Rose has a lot of reasons to be the favorite in this matchup. Finau is coming off a very poor performance last week and his scores have been much more shaky through 2 rounds here. Rose was very steady with 69-70 and lurks not far from the leaders. I think Finau will back track a little. This course demands a high level of accuracy off the tee and if he’s a little off, this will be over before the front nine.

RORY MCILROY to MATTHEW FITZPATRICK (+0.5) to less total strokes

I’m taking Rory here – I think he deserves more shots for this performance. He’s coming off a hot finish last week and he’s clearly in the driver’s seat. He started with very cool rounds of 67 and I think he’s going to take this one home for a victory. Judging by his experience, I think Rory takes control here.

HAO TONG LI (+0.5) vs. COREY CONNERS MORE PAR OR BETTER

I like Li here – for just a couple very simple reasons. His scorecard has been much cleaner than Corey’s (3 bogeys versus 5 in 2 rounds), Li will be more confident playing on this type of grass (native, from China originally), and most importantly in my mind: he’s in better position on the leaderboard (-8 to -4) and he got through the pressure of his early lead and struggled just enough to maintain his position through round 2. It’s always hard to follow up a low round – and that shows me he’s got some character.

Bermuda Championship weekend picks:

My top 5 still hold true well here and I’m sticking with them: Scheffler (T1), Weekley (T4), Knox (7th), Griffin (T27), McNealy (T27).

For the HSBC – I made a couple early adds to the field that didn’t make the final list – so please forgive me for adding J. Thomas and Gary Woodland. Since the Presidents Cup picks will be finalized at the end of the week, I’m assuming those guys got the phone call from Tiger to get started and that made them late WD’s.

For the weekend – I wouldn’t be surprised if 2 of my picks from last week were thrown off by the weather delays. Adam Scott is in the top 5 and Bubba Watson is a few under par. For my main 3 picks for the weekend – I’ll take Rory – as he was one of my first picks and he stands one off the lead in prime position (2), I think Kevin Kisner is in great position after a 67 in round 2 so I’ll take him for a solid finish (currently T11), Matt Fitzpatrick (1), with Scott (T3) and Bubba Watson (T11). I think Fitzpatrick will be there for the long haul, but this is now Rory’s to win or lose and the other guys are playing for second place. I think the other 4 picks of mine have one thing in common – they are very accomplished players and they know how low they need to go to catch up. That should take all the pressure off of them to put together a good weekend. Those guys are the cream of the crop. Have a good weekend and enjoy watching the events.

GET JAMES PICKS FOR THE WEEK

MONKEYKNIFEFIGHT.com

or

PLAYDRAFT.com