We’ve got the game’s 50 best, according to the FedEx Cup rankings, battling it out this week at Castle Pines Golf Club in Denver. The defending Champion is back in Viktor Hovland in a star studded field as they battle it out against the game’s best. It’s a par 72 and can be stretched to over 8,100 yards. The air out in Denver will certainly help the ball travel, so look for bombers and ball strikers to play well this week. There was plenty of drama last week down the stretch, and I look for more this weekend.
Everybody who made the final 50 has had a successful season up to this point. Stephen Jaeger comes in 35th in the FedEx Cup Standings with a chance to make the Tour Championship; however, I don’t see that happening this week. He lost strokes on approach last week, and if that happens again, I expect him to be heading home rather than catching a flight to the Tour Championship.
We may be going out on a limb this week, but Austin Eckroat’s had a very good season this year, and even has been in the winner’s circle. He’s coming off a top 20 last week, and seems to be in good form. He gained strokes in every major category last week, and if that continues in this limited field, then you can expect to see his name near the top of the leaderboard.
He’s one of my favorite players on tour, and when he gets himself into contention, he can be tough to beat. Viktor Hovland has no wins on the season, but he was extremely close last week where he finished 2nd behind Hideki Matsuyama. He always gains on approach, but according to Data Golf, he gained over a full stroke putting, and lost just 0.14 around the greens. If Viktor brings his short game this week, then LOOK OUT! I think he’s inside the top 10 this week, and threatening for that first win.
Give me the two-time major winner this week. All Xander Schauffele’s done is finish inside the top 10 13 times with two very big wins this season. He’s an excellent ball striker, and has one of the best putting strokes on tour. He’s coming off a T-2 last week where he gained over 1.30 strokes putting and over 1.56 strokes on approach, according to Data Golf. Those types of numbers will only set you up for success week in and week out. I look for Xander to take down this field of the game’s 50 best players right now.
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