After the successful return to pairs action at the Zurich Classic last week the PGA Tour goes back to singles competition this week for one of the better tournaments on the tour – the Wells Fargo Championship.
Although the Players Championship is only a week away a decent field has been assembled for this tournament which should provide an entertaining week of golf leading up to the supposed fifth major next week.
Recent Winners
2016 – James Hahn
2015 – Rory McIlroy
2014 – J B Holmes
2013 – Derek Ernst
2012 – Rickie Fowler
2011 – Lucas Glover
2010 – Rory McIlroy
2009 – Sean O’Hair
2008 – Anthony Kim
2007 – Tiger Woods
The Course
With Quail Hollow hosting the USPGA Championship this year the tournament has moved for the first time in its existence. It has moved to the Eagle Point Golf Club so the 156 man field will need to get used to a new course this week.
Everywhere you read you see references that this course has similarities to Augusta in its undulations, greens and run off areas but unlike Augusta the rough is said to be three inches deep here so we’re looking for players who keep it straight off the tee and who have good touch in or around the greens.
The course is a par 72 which stretches to 7,396 yards but it won’t necessarily suit the bombers because of strategically placed hazards around the place. There is a drivable par four and a couple of risk and reward holes so this should be a good fit for this year while Quail Hollow is out of use.
The Field
The world number one Dustin Johnson headlines the field this week. He is making his first start since limping out of The Masters before his tee off. There are a host of big names opposing him to add to the profile of the week.
Jon Rahm is in the field as are former Masters champions Adam Scott and Phil Mickelson. Paul Casey, Kevin Kisner, local lad Webb Simpson, Bill Haas and Patrick Reed are all big names teeing it up this week.
Market Leaders
Dustin Johnson is a 9/2 favourite to win his first tournament back since his injury but that price isn’t for me even allowing for how good he is right now. Not only is this a new course for all but we don’t know for sure how he is physically so I’ll pass him over.
Jon Rahm is 12/1 to see off the world number one and win the title this week and if this course does have similarities to Augusta then he is entitled to be a leading runner as he was our main bet in last month’s tournament. He’s a little short for me though.
Adam Scott is 18/1 to win this tournament but I sense he isn’t completely happy with his game at the minute and the deeper into contention he got in The Masters the weaker his putting got which isn’t a good thing. I’m happy to pass him over too.
Paul Casey is a 20/1 shot. He will win a tournament on the Tour soon and it could be this one but if I’m honest the value in the Englishman is a little on the cramped side. It is 25/1 bar those four named.
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Main Bets
I’m going with three main bets this week. Solid drivers of the ball with a nice touch on the greens is my line of thinking and I’ve come up with these three to get us going.
Daniel Berger is often my port of call when an all-round game is required. We need to put last week behind him but I always thought his pairing with Thomas Pieters wasn’t going to suit the foursomes format so I’m fine to do that. Berger drives the ball well and hits irons as true as anyone and given that few have an advantage on the greens his underrated putting should serve him well. At 33/1 he looks an obvious starting point.
Webb Simpson is a member of this course so with that advantage he is another obvious pick. He will know how to make it around this course while others are still working out the best formulas and he’ll know the subtleties of the greens too which others will need to work out. He is improving in form which is a bonus and he’s set for a good go this week.
Wesley Bryan has already got his first win on the PGA Tour this year and being from around the area he is likely to know something about this course. He has the ideal game for here too. He drives it well and he has all the necessary shots after that as we saw when he landed the Heritage and so I’m happy to have him on my side this week.
Outsiders
There are two at big prices that I think it is worth taking a chance on this week. The first is Nick Watney who has shown much improved form this season. If he can get back to his very best then he will be contending in tournaments deeply again and the signs are that he is getting there. Putting has long since been his Achilles heel but with most seeing these greens for the first time this week that disadvantage may not be as prominent here. At 90/1 his ball striking could see him get very dangerous.
If this course is like Augusta as many say that it is then it makes sense to have Angel Cabrera on our side. He has a wonderful record around there and having had a good week with his Argentine partner in New Orleans last week he is arriving here in good spirits. If he can figure out these greens quickly enough then he might give us a deep run at a huge price.
Tips
Back D.Berger to win Wells Fargo Championship (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 34.00 with Paddy Power (1/5 1-7)
Back W.Bryan to win Wells Fargo Championship (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 36.00 with Paddy Power (1/5 1-7)
Back N.Watney to win Wells Fargo Championship (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 91.00 with Paddy Power (1/5 1-7)
Back them here:
Back W.Simpson to win Wells Fargo Championship (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 31.00 with Skybet (1/4 1-6)
Back him here:
Back A.Cabrera to win Wells Fargo Championship (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 251.00 with Ladbrokes (1/5 1-7)
Back him here:
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