The 44th and final chance to break into the top 70 for the FedExCup Playoffs will be at Sedgefield Country Club for the 16th consecutive season.
Wyndham Championship
Sedgefield County Club
Greensboro, North Carolina
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NOW PLAYING:
The regular season finale on the PGA TOUR provides the final chance to compete for the FedExCup Playoffs championship. Since 2007, the Wyndham Championship has been the last-chance saloon to punch a golden ticket for the riches of the post-season.
Moving to Sedgefield Country Club, a Donald Ross design from 1926 renovated for the 2008 edition, Greensboro, North Carolina, continues its rich tradition on the PGA TOUR. The 82nd event in town will now determine the final SEVENTY players eligible for the FedExCup Playoffs. The previous 15 editions sorted out the top 125 who were eligible. For the 2023 edition, only the top 70 will qualify for the FedExCup bonus pool.
It’s back to Bermudagrass tee-to-green for the first time since Quail Hollow Club in Charlotte in early May. Making money this week will be a direct result of finding and putting on the Champion Bermuda greens. The winning formula here includes plenty of rounds, if not all, in the 60s. It’s hard to go low two-putting every green.
Playing 7,131 yards to a Par-70, the classic Sedgefield Country Club has crowned winners young, old, and everything in between. Defending champion Tom Kim, the second youngest winner at 20 years old on TOUR since World War II, will not defend his title this week after injuring his ankle at The Open Championship two weeks ago. The return to wall-to-wall Bermudagrass has produced winning scores on average of 20-under over the last seven years.
The field of 156, if not already in the top 70 in the FedExCup standings, will need to throw caution to the win, make a pile of birdies, and hope that’s good enough. The previous 43 events provided plenty of chances. The 44th and final event is just that.
The bubble entering this final week:
65. Matt NeSmith
66. Vincent Norrman
67. JJ Spaun
68. Ben Griffin
69. Cam Davis
70. Austin Eckroat
71. Ben Taylor
72. Garrick Higgo
73. KH Lee
74. David Lingmerth
75. Davis Thompson
Everyone on the list above is playing this week, plus Shane Lowry (No. 76), Justin Thomas (No. 79), and Adam Scott (No.81).
- Davis Love III won this tournament in his 50s in 2015.
- Tom Kim won this event as a 20-year-old last year.
- Jim Herman picked up his third win on TOUR in 2020.
- Kevin Kisner won a six-man playoff in 2021.
- JT Poston tied the course record in 2019 and didn’t make a bogey.
- Brandt Snedeker opened with 59 here on his way to victory in 2018.
- Arjun Atwal was victorious in 2010 as a sponsor’s exemption.
If it can happen, it will happen on this course.
The winner takes home $1.368 million of the $7.6 million purse, plus 500 extremely important FedExCup points.
Good luck.
| Host Course | Sedgefield Country Club |
| Yards (per official scorecard): | 7,131 |
| Par: | 70 (35-35). |
| Greens: | Champion Bermudagrass; 6,000 square feet on average. |
| Stimpmeter: | 12.5 feet. |
| Rough: | Bermudagrass at 2.5 inches. |
| Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play | 52/5/6 |
| Architect(s): | Donald Ross (1926); Kris Spence (2007). |
| Defending Champion (event): | Tom Kim (-20; not entered). |
| Multiple Champion(s) Entered: | Brandt Snedeker (two different courses). |
| Course Record (last): | 59; Brandt Snedeker, 2018. |
| 72 Hole Tournament Record: | 258 (-22); JT Poston, 2019; Henrik Stenson (not entered), 2017. |
| Oldest Winner: | 51; Davis Love III, 2015. |
| Youngest Winner: | 20; Tom Kim, 2022. |
| Fact of the Week: | Average winning score the last seven years is 20-under. |
| Fact of the Week II: | First week on tee-to-green Bermuda since Quail Hollow Club in early May. |
Notes:
- Field of 156 players
- From the OWGR top 50, 14 players are entered this week.
- Top 65 and ties will play the final 36 holes.
- Final regular season event.
Season Winners
2022-2023 Season Winners
| Event | Winner |
| Fortinet Championship | Max Homa |
| Sanderson Farms Championship | Mackenzie Holmes |
| Shriners Children’s Open | Tom Kim |
| ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP | Keegan Bradley |
| CJ CUP at CONGAREE | Rory McIlroy |
| Butterfield Bermuda Championship | Seamus Power |
| Mayakoba Championship | Russell Henley |
| Cadence Bank Houston Open | Tony Finau |
| The RSM Classic | Adam Svensson (first TOUR win) |
| Sentry Tournament of Champions | Jon Rahm |
| Sony Open in Hawaii | Si Woo Kim |
| The AMERICAN EXPRESS | Jon Rahm (2) |
| Farmers Insurance Open | Max Homa (2) |
| AT&T Pebble Beach | Justin Rose |
| WM Phoenix Open | Scottie Scheffler |
| The Genesis Invitational | Jon Rahm (3) |
| The Honda Classic | Chris Kirk |
| Arnold Palmer Invitational | Kurt Kitayama (first TOUR win) |
| THE PLAYERS Championship | Scottie Scheffler (2) |
| Valspar Championship | Taylor Moore (first TOUR win) |
| Corales Puntacana | Matt Wallace (first TOUR win) |
| WGC – Dell Technologies MP | Sam Burns |
| Valero Texas Open | Corey Conners |
| Masters | Jon Rahm (4) |
| RBC Heritage | Matt Fitzpatrick |
| Zurich Classic of New Orleans | Davis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each) |
| Mexico Open at Vidanta | Tony Finau (2) |
| Wells Fargo Championship | Wyndham Clark (first TOUR win) |
| AT&T Byron Nelson | Jason Day |
| PGA Championship | Brooks Koepka |
| Charles Schwab Challenge | Emiliano Grillo |
| Memorial | Viktor Hovland |
| RBC Canadian Open | Nick Taylor |
| U.S. Open | Wyndham Clark (2) |
| Travelers Championship | Keegan Bradley (2) |
| Rocket Mortgage Classic | Rickie Fowler |
| John Deere Classic | Sepp Straka |
| Genesis Scottish Open | Rory McIlroy (2) |
| The Open Championship | Brian Harman |
| 3M Open | Lee Hodges (first TOUR win) |
Recent Winners – Wyndham Championship
Italics – not entered this week.
| Year | Winner | Notes |
| 2022 | Tom Kim (-20) | Closed with 61 to win by five shots and pick up his first TOUR win. |
| 2021 | Kevin Kisner (-15) | Won a six-man playoff. |
| 2020 | Jim Herman (-21) | Closed 61-63 to win by a shot. |
| 2019 | JT Poston (-22) | First winner on TOUR since 1974 to win an event not making a bogey or worse. |
| 2018 | Brandt Snedeker (-20) | Set the course record of 59 in Round 1 before winning by three. |
| 2017 | Henrik Stenson (-22) | Set the tournament record on 22-under par. |
This Week – Wyndham Championship
Chalk (via Bet365.com)
Hideki Matsuyama (18/1) is the co-favorite this week though he hasn’t produced a top-10 payday since THE PLAYERS Championship in May. Currently No. 56 in the FedExCup standings, he’s signed for three top-15 paydays from seven tries in Greensboro. The highlights include T3 in 2016 and T11 in 2018.
The 2016 winner, Si Woo Kim (18/1), joins Matsuyama at the top of the board. The Korean held a two-shot lead after 54 holes in 2021 before he was left behind for T3 by Jim Herman on Sunday. The 28-year-old Korean, who has posted rounds of 60 and 62 in his four top-five finishes here, has already won a shoot-out this season at the Sony Open in Hawaii and posted 22-under to share second at the AT&T Byron Nelson in May.
Sungjae Im (20/1) resides in this column weekly outside of the major championships. Sadly, for bettors, his recent run of form should scare off any takers again this week.
BUT.
After missing the cut in four of his last eight appearances on TOUR, the return to Bermudagrass is my angle this week. Last spring, he rattled off T6 at THE PLAYERS, T7 at RBC Heritage, solo sixth at TPC Louisiana, and T8 at Wells Fargo, all on Bermudagrass. His previous four visits to Sedgefield have included three top-10 paydays, including T2 last year. Putting him in play this week makes sense.
Russell Henley (20/1) should have won this event in 2021. He led by three entering the final round, but a closing 71 saw him miss the six-man playoff by a shot. Missing a putt for par on the final hole saw him miss out on the six-man playoff. With three consecutive trips inside the top 10 at Sedgefield, the Georgia native has proven his worth in Greensboro. The last time he played in this part of the world, he cashed T4 at Augusta National and followed it up with T19 at RBC Heritage. His only missed cuts in the last three months are the PGA Championship and The Open Championship. I’m not sure he makes enough birdies to contend, but his recent results at this event tell a different story.
Sam Burns (25/1) has produced just one top-10 paycheck since winning in March at the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play. The Louisiana native has won on Bermudagrass in four of his five wins on TOUR. Changing grass may sound mundane, but players who grew up on Bermudagrass simply prefer Bermudagrass. In his only appearance in 2020, he closed 65-65 for T13 and posted all four rounds in the 60s. His return this season tells me all I need to know. Sitting No. 19th in the FEC standings, it’s obvious he doesn’t need the points. Heavy lean.
Denny McCarthy (25/1) is a better putter, statistically, than Burns, but doesn’t have the four wins, or any wins, to match. Knocking on the door with T11 or better payoffs in five of his last nine on TOUR, he posted 60 at the Travelers and posted 18-under. Before missing the cut at The Open, he signed for more birdies posting 16-under at the John Deere Classic. Bouncing back to Bermuda won’t bother him! Nice 25/1 exacta with these last two.
Top 10/Top 20/Top 40
JT Poston (28/1), the 2019 winner, will look to become the only two-time winner at Sedgefield since 2008. He was inches away from making the 3M Open more interesting than expected last Sunday before finishing T2. His response after the tournament was great. He’s playing to win and doesn’t care about anything else standing in the middle of the fairway late on Sunday.
Alex Smalley (35/1) is no stranger to this part of the world. The Duke alum has not missed in his two previous starts the last two seasons and has cashed twice in the top 30.
Byeong Hun An (40/1) hit the podium here in 2019 and has been playing well recently. Made a hole-in-one yesterday!
Eric Cole (66/1) or Ben Griffin (70/1) could fit in this spot. Both are excellent putters, but Griffin was solo fourth last year closing 64-64. Nobody has more rounds in the 60s than Cole this season as he can really roll the rock as well.
Andrew Putnam (70/1)
Garrick Higgo (75/1)
Longer Shots
Use ’em wherever you see fit!
If Webb Simpson (80/1) is going to factor, this is the week. I’m not headlining my card with him, but his record here (2011 win; 9 top 10s) from 12 weekends in 14 starts is ridiculous. Sprinkles on the top 10, top 20, and top 40 markets, just in case.
Brandt Snedeker (175/1) flashed just enough signs of life last week at TPC Twin Cities for me to take a nibble this week. Playing himself back into tournament shape after sternum surgery, finishing his season on a familiar track should have his full attention.
Chesson Hadley (100/1) is from Raleigh and has produced his best two paychecks (T8, T15) in his last two visits. Picking up his first top-10 payday of the season two weeks ago at Barracuda, I’m not worried about his current form. Cashing T27 last week at the 3M Open will not hurt his confidence.
Last Week – 3M Open
Chalk (via Bet365.com)
Cameron Young (14/1) shares the top spot this week after another fantastic week at The Open Championship. Tying for eighth place, the power player from New York will look to turn his recent momentum into his first victory on TOUR. History suggests he should fit right in at TPC Twin Cities after Tony Finau and Cameron Champ, two of the longest guys around, have won the last two editions. Young will have to navigate 27 water penalty areas scattered through 15 holes. A putter that cooperates this week will also go a long way to securing that first title. I usually do not ride chalk, but this week I’ll make an exception. I should listen to myself more often. MC.
Sungjae Im (14/1) joins Young at the top of the board. The Korean ran T2 here last season and picked up a share of 15th place on debut in 2019. Earning his keep with the driver, he should excel this week playing from the fairway. Making 38 birdies in two visits and posting 14-under par each trip suggests this track fits his eye. His last top 10 on TOUR was in the first week of May at Wells Fargo at Quail Hollow, nine events ago. Not very often when the top two choices don’t play the weekend! MC.
Tony Finau (16/1) returns this week for the fifth consecutive season. After winning here last year, his first victory on TOUR since 2016, the big hitter went on to win the Rocket Mortgage Championship the following week. The momentum carried him to a third win, this time in Houston, in November 2022. Comfortably sitting 10th in the current FedExCup standings, he will look to add another podium finish at TPC Twin Cities (T3, 2020) and break a personal drought of seven straight events without a top 20 payday. T5 affirms his love in The Land of 10,000 Lakes. Drought busted.
A healthy Hideki Matsuyama (16/1) slides next to Finau as co-second choice this week. Posting T13 at The Open Championship equaled his best finish in 10 since cashing T5 at THE PLAYERS Championship. The Japanese tee-to-green stalwart cashed T7 on debut here in 2019 but withdrew after Round 1 (77). Sitting at No. 54 in the FEC standings, his focus will be on a big finish this week to push him into the top 50 or, even better, with a win, into the top 30. Opened with 64 and that was that. T30.
Emiliano Grillo (22/1) rolls into Minnesota in form and with proper course history. The intersection of both angles is always an eye-catcher. The Argentine ended his drought from 2015 with a playoff victory at the Charles Schwab Challenge in May. Returning from Royal Liverpool with T6 money, he will look to add his third podium finish in four tries after T2 last year and T3 in 2020. Playing from the final group last year, he should be ready to take the next step on his fourth visit. T10 adds another big finish at this event.
It is impossible not to consider Sepp Straka (25/1). Winner of the John Deere Classic in early July on the back of rounds of 63 and a closing round of 62, the Austrian decided that was all the prep he needed for The Open Championship. Showing up fresh at Royal Liverpool, he battled the elements, but not his swing, as he posted four rounds of par or better, including both weekend rounds in wet, rainy conditions to share second. Making his fourth start at TPC Twin Cities, he’s cashed once, closing with 63 for T18 in 2020. MC. Didn’t break 71.
Top 10/Top 20/Top 40
Justin Thomas (28/1) missed the cut last week at The Open after posting 82 in Round 1. Rebounding to post 71 in Round 2 wasn’t enough to play the weekend, but it does grab my attention. So does his commitment, as of now, to play Wyndham next weekend. He’s earned his price this week, and I’m curious to see what he can transfer from Round 2 to his first visit to the 3M Open. Posting 2-under for 36 holes wasn’t bad; it just wasn’t good enough to make the cut. MC.
Lucas Glover (35/1) took last week off after racking out three consecutive top-10 paydays. The veteran has a top-10 result on his ledger here, T7 in 2019, but hasn’t broken 72 in his last two visits. I’ll ride a hot, experienced, rested veteran in breezy conditions. Beat JT by a shot and that wasn’t good enough for 36 more holes! MC.
Patrick Rodgers (50/1) was knocked out in a playoff last week by Akshay Bhatia. Looking for his first TOUR win, Rodgers lost for the second time in extra holes in his career. His fifth top-10 of the season pushed him comfortably inside the top 40 (No. 38). The focus this week can be on the trophy.
Adam Hadwin, Mark Hubbard, Andrew Putnam, and Aaron Rai deserve a look as well. Posted 9-under par with all four rounds 70 or better. That’s only good enough for T37 at this event.
Longer Shots
Use ’em wherever you see fit!
Chesson Hadley (+12500): Top 10 last week at Barracuda suggests he’s found something. T27.
MJ Daffue (+16000): Five straight, all T38 or better. T43
SY Noh (+30000): Cashed in nine of his last 10. 69th. Nice. 10 of last 11.
Local Sleepers
Tom Hoge (75/1): The North Dakota native ran T4 here last year and smokes it on approach. He won the Minnesota Amateur twice as a kid. T20.
Erik van Rooyen (175/1): He played his collegiate golf at the University of Minnesota and will be paired with his caddy for the first two rounds. That’s right, his bagman was a Monday Qualifier! MC.
Troy Merritt (200/1): As a kid, he moved to Minnesota and played high school golf outside the Twin Cities. On his last two visits to the Midwest, he’s cashed T17 in Detroit and T17 at the John Deere Classic in Illinois. MC.
OAD – 2023 Spotter’s Game
| Already Burned |
| Sungjae Im – Maui |
| Tom Kim – Sony |
| Tom Hoge – AMEX |
| Viktor Hovland – Pebble |
| Xander Schauffele – WMPO |
| Max Homa – Riviera |
| Shane Lowry – Honda |
| Tyrrell Hatton – API |
| Akshay Bhatia – PRO |
| Jason Day – THE PLAYERS |
| Justin Rose – Valspar |
| Cam Percy – Corales |
| Scottie Scheffler – WGC MP |
| Rickie Fowler – Valero |
| Jordan Spieth – Masters |
| Collin Morikawa – RBC Heritage |
| Billy Horschel – Zurich |
| Nicolai Hojgaard – Mexico |
| Rory McIlroy – WFC |
| Adam Scott – ATTBN |
| Brooks Koepka – PGA Championship |
| Chris Kirk – Colonial |
| Patrick Cantlay – Memorial |
| Matt Fitzpatrick – RBC CO |
| Jon Rahm – US Open |
| Harris English – Travelers |
| Davis Riley – RMC |
| Adam Schenk – JDC |
| Tommy Fleetwood – Scottish Open |
| Cameron Smith – The Open |
| Cameron Young – 3M Open |
This Week – Wyndham Championship
Denny McCarthy
Just missed: Russell Henley, Si Woo Kim, Eric Cole
Last Week – 3M Open
Cameron Young – MC
Just missed: Justin Thomas, Sepp Straka, Hideki Matsuyama, Emiliano Grillo
Glass Houses 