Our golf writer previews the Fort Worth Invitational which forms part of the PGA Tour. The event is scheduled to run between 24 and 27 May.
The PGA Tour takes a short trip from the idiosyncratic Trinity Hills to the institution that is Colonial Country Club. The Fort Worth Invitational was first played in 1946 and is the second longest running tournament on the PGA Tour to be played on one course, with only the Masters exceeding it.
It is pleasing to see that the event will be staged this year in lieu of a sponsor; it was most recently under the umbrella of Dean&Deluca. Affectionately known as Hogan’s Alley- after five-time winner Ben Hogan- this event provides some much needed familiarity after last week’s tiptoe into the unknown.
Fort Worth Invitational | 24 May – 27 May | Fort Worth, Texas
Designed by John Bredemus and opened in 1936, Colonial is one for the classicists. The tight tree-lined course has twelve dog-legged holes and isn’t dependant on huge artillery off the tee. The small bentgrass greens require accuracy and a sure stroke. Over the last decade, only Phil Mickelson has ranked inside the top 10 for driving distance for winners. Accuracy and scrambling stats seem more suggestive of success here, as does familiarity with the course. This one also presents a chance for the sage campaigners. Prior to Jordan Spieth’s victory here two years back, you have to go way back to 2001 and Sergio Garcia to find the last champion under the age of thirty.
Defending champion Kevin Kisner heads into this event with little or no form to speak, tough he will no doubt be comforted by the familiar, tight surroundings. Jordan Spieth understandably leads the markets with the likes of Dustin Johnson and Justin Thomas opting to eschew this event. Jon Rahm and Justin Rose have opted to ditch the flagship European BMW PGA Championship for this event, while former champions such as Adam Scott and Zach Johnson will hope to add to their tree-lined reputations this week. And lest we forget the runaway Players champion Webb Simpson.
Past Winners
2017: Kevin Kisner (-10)
2016: Jordan Spieth (-17)
2015: Chris Kirk (-12)
2014: Adam Scott (-9)*playoff
2013: Boo Weekly (-14)
To Win Outright:
Jordan Spieth 9/1 | Jon Rahm 14/1 | Justin Rose 18/1 | Webb Simpson 18/1 | Ricky Fowler 20/1
Value Bets
Zach Johnson- To Win 35/1, To Place 15/2
Speaking of a course that suits wily old campaigners, there is no player who has earned more money in this event than 42 year-old Zach Johnson. The two-time Major Champion has made the cut here in all twelve attempts. This includes two spectacular victories and five top 10 finishes. Johnson certainly belongs to that retinue of players who have been short-changed somewhat by the evolution of technology and ‘Tiger Proofing’ of modern golf courses. This event allows him to showcase his wonderfully antiquated style to the hilt, and he may be a contender for his 13th PGA Tour title this week.
Xander Schauffele- To Win 40/1, To Place 17/2
Xander Schauffele is one of those that screams value this week. People tend to forget just how young he is to have already won two PGA Tour titles. He has played in 38 events and won twice, which is exactly the same as one Jon Rahm. His two victories last summer also included a win in the Tour Championship, which was also played on a tight, tree-lined course. He started the year fairly poorly, though that could have been down to an equipment change. He is also coming off his best finish of the season, a fantastic second on debut at Sawgrass.
Chez Reavie- To Win 80/1, To Place 17/1
Reavie started the year in phenomenal fashion, with back-to-back runner-up finishes at Phoenix and Pebble Beach underlining his real potential. But his year certainly slowed, though a pair of 69’s on the weekend at Sawgrass saw him tie for 30th at the Players. What draws him to Reavie this week is simple statistical analysis. Reavie’s statistics are made for this course: he ranks third for driving accuracy, ninth in Par 4 scoring, 13th in Scrambling and 21st in SG Approach. He has had some decent finishes here before, with a T5 in 2011 and T11 in 2013.
The Man to Beat- Kevin Kisner- To Win 45/1, To Place 19/2
Kevin Kisner looks like remarkable value defending at 45/1, despite poor recent form. If anything, two consecutive missed cuts make him all the more attractive this week. It’s not as if it has been all bad for Kisner, who did finish runner-up at the Match-Play not too long ago. He also had a seventh place finish at the RBC Heritage, and he will be glad to return to a course that was almost built to suit his eye. Kisner is a player who relies on accuracy and works that draw effectively on the twelve dog-legged holes.
Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets.net
