The first round of the playoffs gets underway this week from TPC Southwind. The top 70 golfers in the FedEx Cup standings will be here looking to make a splash, and will need to make the top 50 to guarantee another week of golf. The golf course is a par 70, and can stretch just over 7,200 yards. The defending Champion will not be back, as Will Zalatoris is not back from injury yet, but all the games best will be teeing it up this week!
Player to Fade:
Now that the playoffs are here, I am looking for big names to rise to the top. Davis Riley comes in sitting 54th in the FedEx Cup standings, so he needs a solid week to advance. Unfortunately, I just don’t see it for him this week. He’s coming off two straight missed cuts, and doesn’t appear to be trending in the right direction. I look for him to be a non-factor this weekend.
Dark Horse:
Sam Burns is a young talent on the PGA Tour, and he comes in at 19th in the FedEx Cup standings. He’s got 5 top 10s this season, and he just finished 14th at the Wyndham Championship. He’s really been gaining strokes putting and around the green, and if that continues I look for him to be a sneaky pick this week!
Top 10:
This man always provides entertainment with his behavior on the golf course, but he’s quietly put together a really solid PGA Tour season this year. Tyrell Hatton has only missed one cut this season, and he has 7 top 10s. He’s been consistently gaining strokes in most categories, especially on approach his last couple of events. If he continues that theme, then you can book another top 10 this week.
Winner:
How can you not pick him here? Scottie Scheffler has made 20 starts on the PGA Tour this year, and he has 15 top 10s, as well as being number 2 in the FedEx Cup standings. The man has been number one in the world, and has been great all season long. He remains one of the best ball strikers on tour, but he keeps losing strokes putting on the green. If he is just an average putter, I believe he will win this week with how good his ball striking is right now!