This week the TOUR heads to Akron, Ohio for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. The main thing to keep in mind this week is that this is a no cut event so all golfers will be guaranteed four rounds assuming there is no WD’s. This is going to be a small field but not short of talent as 27 of the top 30 golfers in the FedExCup standings will be teeing it up this week.
The WGC-Bridgestone Invitational is held at Firestone Country Club (South). This is a long par 70 course that measures right at 7,400 yards. Because of the smaller field and no cut, do not be afraid to take some deep shots at the cheaper options this week.
KEY STATS:
GIR %
SG:Around-The-Green
Par 4 Scoring
As always, SG:T2G, SG:Putting and Course History will all be sprinkled in to help us figure out which golfers to target from week to week.
$TUD PLAYS:
Jason Day $12,100 Odds To Win: 11/2 Expected Ownership: 25%
With DJ coming off the win at the Open and Spieth right below him, I could see Jason Day’s ownership staying just below 20% in this strong field. Day is still the number one golfer in the world and this will be considered a “home game” for him if you like that narrative. He is also ranked in the top 50 in GIR % and SG:Around-The-Green along with being in the top 5 in Par 4 Scoring and 1st on TOUR in SG:Putting.
Brooks Koepka $9,900 Odds To Win: 15-1 Expected Ownership: 22%
Brooks Koepka went hot fire on Sunday at the U.S. Open when he carded six birdies and an eagle in a span of just eight holes! That just goes to show you how DraftKings friendly a scorer like Brooks could be when he is on. He went on to finish T13 after back to back runner up finishes in his previous two starts. Brooks ranks 35th in SG:Putting this season and is top 5 in Par 4 Scoring. Look for him to keep his red hot form going this week.
Hideki Matsuyama $9,300 Odds To Win: 30-1 Expected Ownership: 10%
If ever there was a time to get on Hideki while his ownership should be lower than normal, the time is now. Matsuyama is coming off two straight missed cuts so what better time to use him than at a no-cut event? Matsuyama is still a very capable scorer and hits a ton of greens ranking in the top 25 this season in GIR %. He is also top 5 in SG:T2G and SG:Approach.
VALUE PLAYS:
Daniel Berger $8,200 Odds To Win: 50-1 Expected Ownership: 15%
Berger followed up his Win at the St. Jude with a T37 at the U.S. Open. He is coming into this week with some of the best form of any golfer not named DJ and Brooks. He has been making birdies in bunches and racking up the top 20 finishes this season. He is the scoring type that we want here at Firestone and ranks in the top 25 in Par 4 Scoring and SG:Approach. He is also 38th in SG:Putting this season.
Bill Haas $7,900 Odds To Win: 50-1 Expected Ownership: 20%
Haas form has been nothing special lately until a T3 last week at Quicken Loans. He sets up nicely this week and could be peaking at the right time. He is ranked in the top 40 in GIR %, SG:Approach and Par 4 Scoring. He is also 9th in SG:Around-The-Green. He has three top 25 finishes in his last four starts at Firestone.
JB Holmes $7,700 Odds To Win: 60-1 Expected Ownership: 12%
Holmes is another guy I like to use in no-cut events because he is sometimes the type of guy who either contends or misses the cut. He has been pretty consistent this season though with four top 10s and multiple top 25 finishes. His stats won’t pop for many people but he is a great scorer. He ranks 7th in Birdie Average this season and is 6th in Birdie or Better Conversion %.
MY WINNER: BROOOOOOK$
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