Grillo should make a bold defence

Palmer’s top tip
Emiliano Grillo 22-1
Tiger Woods appears to have turned into a pussycat. He made a late withdrawal from the Safeway Open due to a lack of confidence in his game and it remains to be seen if the world number 786 will make his next scheduled appearance in the Turkish Airlines Open.

Many players get the putting yips, Sergio Garcia and Robert Karlsson have suffered the long-game yips, but Woods could be the first to be struck down with entry-form yips.

The Silverado course is probably a reason why Woods has got stage fright and is not yet prepared to put himself in the spotlight. The track is tight and fiddly and an uncomfortable place to shed 14 months of competition rust. Tee-to-green control is required on this terrain, which is why improving 24-year-old Emiliano Grillo can be fancied for a successful title defence.