One good thing about the Wyndham Championship is how the big priced runners can often get in the mix. Camilo Villegas would have been a price when he won last year and Arjun Atwal would have been even bigger when he won here five years ago so that makes it worth looking at those further down the field ahead of the start of the tournament on Thursday.
As I outlined in my tournament preview you have to be aware that there are almost three tournaments being played this week – the Wyndham itself, the race for the top 125 and the money list.
Personally I’m going to leave those needing big weeks to make it to next week alone. There is a lot of pressure on those players and while one or two might run deep this week there are so many who need big weeks that sifting through the best bets is a tricky task. Also they are outside the 125 for a reason – they’re either not very good or they’ve shown little form this season. Either way I’d rather be on elsewhere.
One man who doesn’t need a big week immediately but if he wants to play for the overall jackpot he will need one soon is Brendon Todd. I’ve been waiting for a few weeks for the right time to get on Todd because if you exclude the American majors and WGCs he has recorded top 20 finishes in his last four starts worldwide.
That is good form and it is probably no surprise because he is one of the best putters on the PGA Tour this season. He is fifth in total putting and in the top 10 in strokes gained putting so in a sort of weaker field this week and on a golf course much more suited to his tee to green game I’m expecting a decent showing from a man who will win tournaments in the years to come with the way he putts.
I’m also going to take a chance on an absolute long shot but perhaps not one without any chance and that is Kyle Reifers. Reifers has done enough in what you’d have to call a quiet year to be in the top 100 on the FedEx Cup list which gives him breathing space ahead of next week.
He actually heads to North Carolina with his chin up after a really good showing in the Barracuda Championship a couple of weeks ago. The scoring for that was different to usual but three eagles in the final round nearly stole the title from the leaders on Sunday but also showed us that this guy can score.
The playoff for that tournament showed us how well he is hitting the ball and had JJ Henry not holed from off the green in what turned out to be the final hole Reifers might have been the winner. Fairways here aren’t going to be as easy to find but Reifers had a nice relaxed swing in Reno and if his relaxed game is with him this week he might put himself in the mix again at a massive price even for this field.
Back B.Todd to win Wyndham Championship (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 67.00 with Paddy Power (1/4 1-6)
Back K.Reifers to win Wyndham Championship (e/w) for a 0.5/10 stake at 176.00 with Paddy Power (1/4 1-6)
