We preview the Wyndham Championship set to take place from 17 – 20 August at the Sedgefield Country Club.
A decimated field was to be expected this week in the aftermath of Justin Thomas’ glorious maiden major title victory at Quail Hollow. That has been exacerbated by the fact that this is the last event before the tour shifts focus to the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs. So there is definitely a less exciting aura about the line-up this week. Of all the elite players in world golf, only Swedish Open Champion Henrik Stenson has decided to grace North Carolina with his presence. He perhaps sees this as an opportunity to tune his game following a series of uncharacteristically poor performances of late.
The Wyndham Championship | 17 August – 20 August | Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro
The first Wyndham Championship was played in 1938, with Sam Snead winning his first of what would end up as eight titles- still the most by any played at an individual event. While Sedgefield was the original host, Forrest Oaks Country Club hosted the event from 1977 till 2007, whereupon the event moved back to its spiritual home: Sedgefield Country Club. The event was located The Donald Ross-designed course has typically small greens that are undulating and run at around 12 on the stimp. Additionally, the greens have changed from bentgrass to Bermuda, much like the transformation witnessed at Quail Hollow.
Both Carl Pettersson and Arjun Atwal have shot 61’s en route to winning this event, and the chances are that a low score will be on the cards this week. While Stenson is clearly the favorite, the likes of Kevin Kisner and Jason Dufner will feel quietly confident of upsetting the Swede. Kisner may still be smarting from the final round events of Quail Hollow, but nonetheless he has been the bastion of consistency this season and will no doubt be in contention should he play anywhere near his best.
Past Winners
2016: Kim Si-Woo (-21)
2015: Davis Love III (-17)
2014: Camilo Villegas (-17)
2013: Patrick Reed (-14)*playoff
2012: Sergio Garcia (-18)
To Win Outright: Henrik Stenson 12/1 | Kevin Kisner 18/1 | Webb Simpson 25/1 | Jason Dufner 25/1 | Bill Haas 25/1
Value Bets
Lucas Glover- To Win (50/1), To Place (11/1)
It has been some time since Glover has really been in contention for a tournament. Glover has a hugely encouraging tie for 6th at the Players, but apart from that he has not cracked a top 20 finish in any of his last 11 starts. But the 37-year old has good form at Greensboro, finishing T18 and T22 in the last two editions. He may not be the most captivating pick, but he has the ability to shoot low rounds on receptive courses and is well suited to the demands of this Donald Ross layout.
Chez Reavie- To Win (60/1), To Place (13/1)
The American has just rounded off his best year at the majors, with a tie for 22nd at the PGA Championship coming off the back of a tie for 16th at Birkdale. He has been in consistent form without being fantastic. He came in a tie for 4th at the St Jude Classic, but more importantly hasn’t missed a cut in three months. He currently ranks t27th in par 4 performance and total birdies, while he has also had two top 10 finishes on this very course. I think that the young Reavie will draw on the confidence he has engendered at the recent majors and he should be a threat this week.
Graeme McDowell- To Win (70/1), To Place (15/1)
McDowell certainly has the scent for the big occasion. The former US Open Champion and Ryder Cup hero may need something special this week with the Fed Ex Cup Playoffs coming up. He currently sits 131st in the rankings and needs a performance to crack the top 125. His last really impressive performance was a tie for 19th at the Scottish Open. Yet he does return to a course where he had one of his best finishes last year: T5th. He currently enjoys excellent putting stats: he is 7th in one putt percentage and 9th in stroked gained putting. This should stand him in good stead on these tricky greens should his iron play give him opportunities.
The Man To Beat- Henrik Stenson- To Win (12/1), To Place (26/10)
I know that his price seems ridiculous when you take into consideration recent form. He has missed 5 out of 12 cuts this year, but has finished inside the top 25 in 6 of those events. Quite the riddle, then. I have a feeling he will thrive on this Donald Ross course. Stenson is second to none when it comes to playing these courses. He has finished 1st and 2nd from both visits to East Lake, 2nd at Plainfield, 3rd at Oak hill, and 4th at both Oakland Hills and Pinehurst. These were all up against extremely high caliber fields. So I think that his recent mercurial form may find some parity this week in familiar surrounds.
Written by Damien Kayat for @Hollywoodbets
