With one round to go in the Quicken Loans National we have unfancied leaders who could be sitting ducks for the strong challengers queuing up in behind them.
Kevin Chappell and Troy Merritt are leading the tournament on 14 under after three rounds and they are one clear of Rickie Fowler who is sitting menacingly as he chases a third win in the space of as many months. There is a sizable group on 12 under with another winner this year David Lingmerth chasing another win. Charles Howell III, Jason Bohn and Whee Kim complete that group.
Although he’s one shot behind Rickie Fowler begins the final day as the 5/2 favourite to win again. Chappell is rated his biggest danger with the bookies at 9/2 while Troy Merritt is an 8/1 chance to follow up Saturday’s 61 with another good round to pick up a first Tour win. Behind them everyone else is double figures to win now.
Lingmerth enters the final round as a 12/1 shot to win from here, the same price as Bohn while Howell III is slightly bigger at 18/1 and Whee Kim is bigger still at 22/1. The defending champion Justin Rose starts the final day three back and he’s no bigger than 10/1 to retain the title from that position.
Apart from Rickie Fowler there aren’t many regular tournament winners among those 12 under or better so you’ve got to think he is a solid favourite but one man who is enjoying a good year is David Lingmerth and he could be the best value going into the final day.
Lingmerth knows how to get over the line having won The Memorial earlier in the season and he held off a charging Jordan Spieth before holding his nerve in a playoff against Justin Rose so if things get tight we shouldn’t necessarily expect him to fall away like some on this leaderboard will.
Had it not been for a clumsy double bogey on the short ninth hole on Saturday the Swede would be tied for the lead going into the final round but having hit well over 70% of fairways and greens he’s often playing this course from the right places and if he can keep getting the putts to drop he could be the best bet on this intriguing concluding day.
Back D.Lingmerth to win Quicken Loans National (e/w) for a 1/10 stake at 13.00 with Boylesports (1/4 1-3)
Blog golf YTD: -6.59pts
