The Punter's In-Play Blog: It's time for a Zach Attack

Bud Cauley, off to a flier at the McGladrey Classic

There's a surprise leader Down Under and a packed leaderboard in Georgia. Steve's leaving things alone in Perth but he's looking to back Zach stateside. Read his early thoughts here...

14:45 - October 19, 2012

The morning starters are stuttering somewhat at the McGladrey Classic so I've decided to take the plunge with Zach Johnson already. And I've also just backed D.J Trahan at 65.064/1 - he's two under-par for the day through just four holes and is just one off the lead.

12:05 - October 19, 2012

The second round of the Perth International has just drawn to a close Down Under and the cream is slowly rising to the top. Charl Schwartzel has been appalling and he's missed the cut and I've had a close shave there, as I'd have backed him had he been slightly bigger before the off, but the other two pre-event favourites are bang there.

After rounds of 66 and 67, the surprise four-shot leader is 20 year-old Argentine, Emiliano Grillo, but Bo Van Pelt and Jason Dufner are certainly lurking. Van Pelt is alongside Australian, Jason Scrivener, in second on -7, and Dufner is in the pack of players a further stroke back tied for 4th.

Logic suggests that either Van Pelt or Dufner will overhaul the youngster but with my two pre-event picks out of contention I've decided to leave the event alone and move on.

I knew next to nothing about Grillo before the tournament started but having researched him this morning, he's made sacrifices and worked very hard to have gotten this far and he may well have a big future ahead of him. This short video, made at the Sicily Open earlier in the year, is quite informative if you want to know a bit more yourself.

I can't see the winner coming from outside the front three in the betting and if Grillo were to shoot anything under-par tomorrow he could have a healthy lead on Sunday but that's a big if. If I were forced to make a play at this stage it would be on Dufner but backing anyone at less than 5.04/1 when they're five off the lead with two rounds to go isn't my idea of fun. I'd like to see the youngster kick on so I'll be watching tomorrow and cheering him on but for betting purposes, at this stage, the event's a done deal.

Away from the leaders, Paul Casey's sad demise was the story of day two. At one point he got to -3 for his round and -8 for the tournament but he came home in an ambulance after that and he still has much to do to get back to his best.

At the McGladrey Classic, with no wind to speak of, scoring was very good on day one. All of my picks shot under-par rounds but only two, and possibly three, have any sort of chance. After opening 65's, Davis Love III and Brian Gay, are three off the lead and Chad Campbell 's 66 sees him four back.

Promising youngster, Bud Cauley, and veteran, Marco Dawson, who's desperately trying to secure his card for next season, have set the early pace with matching eight under-par 62's but they'll have to keep the pedal down when they return to the fray today. With benign weather again forecast, low scores are going to be prevalent for a second time.

I'll obviously be hoping my three fast starters can improve on their already good positions today but I'm certainly not getting excited. The first two winners of this event shot 66 on day one and were positioned in the top-seven, so a fast start looks essential and those alongside Campbell on -4 may already be too far back!

There are 14 players on -5 or better this year, an indication of how easy the conditions are, and if the only two results we have to analyse are anything to go by, it may already concern this front group. A lot will depend on how young Bud responds when he tees it up in round two at 13.15pm UK time. If he continues the hot streak the whole field could be in trouble but if he doesn't, I have my beady eyes on Zach Johnson...

This is Zach's third appearance at the McGladrey but it's the first time he's broken 70 on day one. Like many in the field this week, he lives in Sea Island and this course is made for him. He shot a five under-par 65 yesterday playing in the morning alongside my man Davis Love and that was a very fair effort. Unusually, the better scores were made in the afternoon yesterday and that could be the case again today with the wind forecast to drop.

Zach's a fair enough price now at 8.07/1 but should the likes of Cauley play well in the morning that price can't shorten, so my plan is to hold off until later. Zach tees off at 17.35pm UK time and with coverage starting at 19.00pm, I should get to see plenty of his play and find a chance to back him, should I choose to do so, at a reasonable price.

I'll also be keeping tabs on David Toms and Michael Thompson. Both were fancied before the off but were un-backed. They're also on -5 after day one.

Perth International Pre-Event Selections:
Brett Rumford @ 30.029/1
Terry Pilkadaris @ 130.0129/1

McGladrey Classic Selections:
Chez Reavie @ 140.0139/1
Garth Mulroy @ 140.0139/1
Chad Campbell @ 160.0159/1
Brian Gay @ 170.0169/1
Rory Sabbatini @ 180.0179/1
Mark Wilson @ 180.0179/1
Davis Love @ 190.0189/1
Ted Potter Jr @ an average of 270.0269/1

In-Play Bets
Zach Johnson @ 7.413/2
D.J Trahan @ 65.064/1