Last Week: We managed to pick the winners . . . except we picked them for a top-10 finish rather than the victory. We selected the Fitzpatrick brothers at +125 so at least the week wasn’t a total failure.
This Week: For the first time in more than a decade the PGA Tour is returning to Doral, sorry, Trump Doral, for the Cadillac Championship. The event is being contested over the Blue Course, which has a long history of challenging the PGA Tour’s best. This week is almost no exception for a signature event. Five of the top 15 golfers in the world have taken a pass during a crazy-busy stretch on the calendar, headed up by Rory McIlroy. The course is a beast, stretching out more than 7,700 yards. It received an alteration back in 2014 when Gil Hanse brought it up to standards.
To Win
Scottie Scheffler +310
As much as it pains me to pick a player with such low odds, they are there for a reason. Scheffler is the best player in the game right now and is due for a win – his last one was in his first start of the year. The only red flags are his Driving Distance, which is just a little above mediocre, and his Proximity, which is among the worst on the PGA Tour. Still, he was runner-up at Augusta and lost in a playoff at the RBC Heritage.
Cam Young +1200
Ever since taking top spot at the Players, Young has shown his talent with a great run at the Masters where he was tied for third. This week should fit his game as he has the power to get it around one of the tour’s longer tracks. He has also been good with his iron play of late, sitting 15th in Greens in Regulation and second in Proximity.
Top 10
Sam Burns +200
Has had a solid season with his last four starts inside the top 21. Known as a long hitter, he averages just over 312 yards off the tee. But he is also one of the tour’s top putters, sitting 11th in Strokes Gained: Putting. That combination would seem to make him a good fit for the Blue Monster.
Jake Knapp +210
Prior to the RBC Heritage, Knapp had been enjoying a stellar season with seven finishes inside the top 11. He slipped up in Harbour Town, ending up in 74th spot, but we’ll chalk that up to Masters burn out. He’s sixth in driving distance and seventh in putting, a good combination for a course such as the Blue Monster.
Top 20
Gary Woodland +120
Not only his Woodland a great story after coming back from brain surgery and admitting to PTSD, but he’s played some strong golf the last month, including his win in Texas. In his last start, he finished tied for eighth at the RBC Heritage, highlighted by his hole-out eagle on the 18th hole. Since the Players, his putter has been red-hot which never hurts.
Si Woo Kim -135
Kim leads the PGA Tour in Driving Accuracy, which should help on a long course such as Doral. He’s also 21st in Greens in Regulation and first in Proximity. Wrap all that up and it’s easy to see why he’s had five top-10 finishes this season including a third-place finish in his last event, the RBC Heritage.
Extras
Top Canadian
Taylor Pendrith +300
Long hitter needs a solid finish
72-hole match
Rose +100 Vs. Scott -125
Rose should win the battle of the seniors
