Month: July 2024

2024 Men’s Olympic Golf

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Oui

Quatre!

2024 Men’s Olympic Golf

Le Golf National

Saint-Quentin-En-Yvelines, France

Head to Golfbet for all our content each week.

Quick Links:

Odds Outlook – DFS Report – Horses for Courses/Stats Suggest – Expert Picks

Mike Glasscott: Olympics Tips

Win: Xander Schauffele (6/1), Jon Rahm (9/1)

Top 3: Collin Morikawa (4/1)

Top 5: Tommy Fleetwood (15/4), Alex Noren (9/2), Guido Migliozzi (11/1)

Top 10: Ryan Fox (4/1), Thorbjorn Olesen (4/1), CT Pan (7/1)

Bet365: Top of the Board  

Scottie Scheffler (4/1): Don’t let the pictures on social media of the World Number 1 enjoying the events with his wife and child distract you. The Texan is always all business behind the scenes, but his only “struggles” this season have come on new courses to him. He posted T8, T41, and T7 during the three rotating majors, yet he posted all six wins on tracks he’s previously had success or reps. I’m running out of ways to express my disdain for playing the favorite!

Xander Schauffele (6/1): The reigning Olympics Men’s Golf champion, the Californian has plenty of winning stamps on his passport. The 2018 WGC-Champions winner in China has also won twice in Scotland, including the 2024 Open Championship. Other victories at The Sentry and East Lake against elite fields on difficult routings reinforce his class. If the lid is truly off, he will be the first player to win two gold medals in Men’s Golf.

Rory McIlroy (6/1): The only player from the top three choices to play this course in a tournament setting, the four-time major winner has unfinished business on this course and at this event. One of the seven men in the playoff for bronze in 2021, McIlroy has finished third and fourth in two visits to the Open de France and won the 2018 Ryder Cup.

Jon Rahm (9/1): Posting a top 10 in the final major of the season for the first time in 2024, the Spaniard is rounding into form. In two previous attempts at Le Golf National, the two-time major winner has cashed in the top 10 each visit. No longer bothered by a foot problem, he’s free to put the pedal to the metal and enjoy his first visit to the Olympic Games.

Collin Morikawa (11/1): One of the most demanding courses off the tee, the two-time major champion relishes the challenge. Not many hit it better off the peg, and his current form is of zero concern. Posting T16 or better in every event stretching back to the Masters, the only missing piece is a victory.

Ludvig Aberg (14/1): A season of firsts continues for the World Number 4. From The Sentry through THE PLAYERS and his first four major championships, I would not think another high-profile event would change his thought process or demeanor. All the players above him have more reps, but he has similar talent. Nobody will have an advantage on the greens this week; that won’t hurt his chances.

Players to consider for a medal or Top 10 action:

Tommy Fleetwood: Never having won in the USA or on the PGA TOUR, this would be the week for the breakthrough. A winner at the 2017 Open de France and 2018 Ryder Cup on this track, the Team Great Britain athlete is playing in his second Olympics.

Thorbjorn Olesen: One of five players from the victorious 2018 Ryder Cup team, the Dane has hit the top 10 four times in nine visits at Le Golf National, including T10 in 2023 and a runner-up payday on debut in 2010.

Alex Noren: Like Fleetwood, the Swede has not won on the PGA TOUR but has won in Europe and at this layout. The winner in 2018 returned two months later to help the European team win the Ryder Cup. Cashing T10 and T13 in his last two starts in Scotland, form isn’t an issue.

C.T. Pan: The Taiwanese star cashed T30 in Rio de Janeiro, fought off six others for bronze in Tokyo, and will make his third appearance.

Ryan Fox: One of four players to play in all three Olympics, the Kiwi has a pair of T18 or better paydays from five starts at Le Golf National in his memory bank. A big hitter, the putter covers this inaccuracy.

Guido Migliozzi: A winner seven weeks ago in Europe, he returns to the site of his 2022 victory. Cashing T4 and T14 in two visits to the U.S. Open suggests his game is designed for tough layouts.

NOW PLAYING: 2024 Men’s Olympic Golf

Host CourseLe Golf National
Yards (per official scorecard):7,174.
Par:71 (36-35).
Greens:Creeping Bentgrass, Poa annua.
Stimpmeter:“Olympic speed” per Kerry Haigh.
Rough:Ryegrass, Fescue cut at three levels.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play51/15/10
Architect(s):Hubert Chesneau and Robert von Hagge (1990).
Defending Champion (event):Xander Schauffele (2021, Tokyo Games).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None.
Course Record: 
72 Hole Tournament Record: 
Fact of the Week:Golf was not contested in the Olympics between 1904 and 2016.

Le Golf National

Designed in 1990 by architects Hubert Chesneau and Robert Von Hagge, the former pastureland in the southwest suburbs of Paris has served as the home of the Open de France since 1991.

The host of the 2018 Ryder Cup, the event will play 7,174 yards to Par-71 (36-35) for the Olympics.

The transformed farmland turned into rolling terrain with 10 water penalty areas. Trucked-in dirt from Paris created viewing areas, mounds, and slight elevation changes, especially around the greens. Narrow fairways are framed by three cuts of rough, the last layer of defense reaching four inches or better. Greens and fairways are protected by 51 bunkers plus water penalty areas spread over 10 holes.

Ball strikers who find the short grass off the tee will fire at flagsticks on the above-average green complexes. Creeping Bentgrass mixed with Poa annua is a familiar surface, and the greens average between 6,500 and 8,600 square feet. Those playing from off the fairways will have chances to recover. The greens will be rolling at “Olympic Speed” but I’ll remind you that the Women’s Olympic Golf tournament is slated to be played on this same course next week.

The powerful finish, a four-hole stretch featuring two island greens and two of the three longest Par-4 holes, Nos. 17 and 18 playing 480 and 471, respectively.

Since the 2016 renovation for the Ryder Cup, the winning score for the Open de France, the annual championship contested on the DP World Tour, has averaged just a shade over 12-under-par.

Guido Migliozzi, in the field this week, produced the lowest winning total, 16-under 268, during his 2022 victory.

Alex Noren, also in the field this week, produced the highest winning total, seven-under 277 when he won in 2018.

Recent Winners

2023 Season Winners

EventWinner
Sentry Tournament of ChampionsJon Rahm
Sony Open in HawaiiSi Woo Kim
The AMERICAN EXPRESSJon Rahm (2)
Farmers Insurance OpenMax Homa (2)
AT&T Pebble BeachJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenScottie Scheffler
The Genesis InvitationalJon Rahm (3)
The Honda ClassicChris Kirk
Arnold Palmer InvitationalKurt Kitayama (first TOUR win)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipTaylor Moore (first TOUR win)
Corales PuntacanaMatt Wallace (first TOUR win)
WGC – Dell Technologies MPSam Burns
Valero Texas OpenCorey Conners
MastersJon Rahm (4)
RBC HeritageMatt Fitzpatrick
Zurich Classic of New OrleansDavis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each)
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau (2)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipWyndham Clark (first TOUR win)
AT&T Byron NelsonJason Day
PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka
Charles Schwab ChallengeEmiliano Grillo
MemorialViktor Hovland
RBC Canadian OpenNick Taylor
U.S. OpenWyndham Clark (2)
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley (2)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicRickie Fowler
John Deere ClassicSepp Straka
Genesis Scottish OpenRory McIlroy (2)
The Open ChampionshipBrian Harman
3M OpenLee Hodges (first TOUR win)
Wyndham ChampionshipLucas Glover
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipLucas Glover (2)
BMW ChampionshipViktor Hovland (2)
TOUR ChampionshipViktor Hovland (3)
Fortinet ChampionshipSahith Theegala
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipLuke List
Shriners Children’s OpenTom Kim
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPCollin Morikawa
World Wide TechnologyErik van Rooyen
Butterfield BermudaCamilo Villegas
The RSM ClassicLudvig Aberg

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)
Genesis Scottish OpenRobert MacIntyre (2)
152nd Open ChampionshipXander Schauffele (2)
3M OpenJhonattan Vegas

Men’s Olympic Golf

Golf was abandoned after the 1904 edition in St. Lous but returned for the 2016 Games in Rio de Janeiro, won by Justin Rose (not entered).

The 2020 edition was postponed to 2021 to allow a safer environment in Tokyo. Xander Schauffele outlasted the field to win the gold medal at Kasumigaseki Country Club, and C.T. Pan won a seven-man playoff for the bronze medal.

Three former winners of the Open de France entered. Led by 2022 winner Guido Migliozzi, the field includes 2017 champion Tommy Fleetwood plus 2018 winner Alexander Noren.

The field consists of 60 players from 32 countries. The loaded event features the top seven players and ten of the top 15 in the Official World Golf Rankings.

All 60 players will play 72 holes of stroke play. There is no cut.

Schauffele and Pan are the only players in the field that have previously won a medal.

Any ties for medal consideration will be broken via playoff. From the International Golf Federation:

“If two athletes are tied for the lead after 72 holes, a hole-by-hole playoff will be conducted to determine the gold and silver medals, or if three or more athletes are tied for the first position, a playoff will be conducted to determine the gold, silver and bronze medals. If two or more athletes are tied for the second position, a playoff will be conducted to determine the silver and bronze medals. If two or more athletes are tied for the third position, a playoff will be conducted for the bronze medal. In any case, only one gold, one silver, and one bronze medal will be awarded.”

The gold medal winner will receive Official World Ranking Points, entry into all four major championships in 2025, and a spot in THE PLAYERS Championship. If a member of the PGA TOUR, the winner will be eligible for The Sentry in January.

Recent Winners – Men’s Olympic Golf

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2021Xander SchauffeleBecame the second gold medal winner of the modern era winning in the homeland of his mother in Japan.
2016Justin RoseThe Englishman held off Henrik Stenson and Matt Kuchar to win the first gold medal awarded in the sport since 1904.

One and Done

I’ll be joining Spotter’s game again this season. Now, where did I put my checkbook…

35 events.

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

Add up the total money and Spotter is yer uncle!

EventSelectionEarnings
The SentryCollin Morikawa690,500
Sony Open in HawaiiCorey Conners18,592
The American ExpressAdam Hadwin310,800
Farmers Insurance OpenJason Day0
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmJordan Spieth70,125
WM Phoenix OpenMatt Fitzpatrick156,200
The Genesis InvitationalMax Homa329,000
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau145,125
Cognizant ClassicRussell Henley32,850
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler4,000,000
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipWill Zalatoris0
Valspar ChampionshipSam Burns0
Texas Children’s Houston OpenWyndham Clark54,418
Valero Texas OpenC Bezuidenhout67,735
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy175,500
RBC HeritagePatrick Cantlay1,160,000
Zurich ClassicNick Taylor122,375
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonStephan Jaeger112,100
Myrtle Beach ClassicDaniel Berger20,350
Wells Fargo ChampionshipSahith Theegala47,000
106th PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka113,962
Charles Schwab ChallengeTaylor Moore0
RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
John Deere ClassicDenny McCarthy252,400
Genesis Scottish OpenLudvig Aberg330,750
152nd Open ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood0
3M OpenEmiliano Grillo61,695
   
Total Winnings: 10,542,682

His game has more fun stuff to it. Reach out @A340Spotter on Twitter or A340Spotter@frontier.com for more details and to join.

Recapping Last Week – 3M Open

Emiliano Grillo: Only Finau has more cache here. Vamos!

Others to consider:

Cam Davis, Taylor Pendrith, Luke Clanton (!), Tom Hoge, Mac Meissner.

Good luck and watch out for the mosquitos, the official state bird of Minnesota!

At some point, I will return to fading myself and guess better.

Cam Davis – T19

Taylor Pendrith – 5th

Luke Clanton – MC

Tom Hoge – MC

Mac Meissner – T59

This Week – The Olympics

A week of rest, reflection, and regrets for a miserable season!

Back at it next week for the Wyndham Championship!

3M Open Preview

/ mikeglasscott / Leave a comment

3M Open

TPC Twin Cities

Blaine, Minnesota

Head to Golfbet for all our content each week.

Quick Links:

Odds Outlook – DFS Report – Horses for Courses/Stats Suggest – Expert Picks

Mike Glasscott: 3M Open Tips

Win: Cam Davis (33/1), Emiliano Grillo (50/1)

Top 10: Tom Hoge (19/5), Taylor Pendrith (19/5)

Top 20: JT Poston (8/5), Chan Kim (13/5), Rico Hoey (11/4)

Top 40: Henrik Norlander (2/1), Troy Merritt (23/10)

NOW PLAYING: 3M Open

Host CourseTPC Twin Cities
Yards (per official scorecard):7,431
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:Bentgrass; 6,500 square feet.
Stimpmeter:12 feet plus.
Rough:Bluegrass and Fescue at 4 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play75/27/15
Architect(s):Arnold Palmer (2000); Steve Wenzloff (2018).
Defending Champion:Lee Hodges (-24).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None.
Course Record (last set):62; Beau Hossler, Round 4, 2023.
72 Hole Tournament Record:260; Lee Hodges, 2023.
Facts of the Week:All winners are American.

TPC Twin Cities

The Arnold Palmer design from 2000 was brought up to PGA TOUR standards by Steve Wenzloff in 2018 before the inaugural event in 2019.

The former home of a PGA TOUR Champions event, the 2019 edition played Par-71 to 7,468 yards before changing to 7,431 yards for the subsequent four editions.

The 35-36 layout is a stock Par-71 with three Par-5 and four Par-3 holes. The Par-3 holes ranked under par (2.99) in 2023 and were one of the easiest quartets on TOUR. The Par-5 holes ranked T38, and the Par-4 holes came in at 4.01, T31 on TOUR.

The greenside bunkers and closely mown areas provide a worthy challenge for approach shots that miss the generous targets. TPC Twin Cities ranked 6th in Proximity From the Sand and 9th in Scrambling. Large Bentgrass greens averaging over 6,500 feet and running at 12 feet and beyond will test the matchup of line and speed with the flat stick.

Finding Fairways and GIR is the starting point to racking up circles on the card. The five winners have all posted four rounds in the 60s, and not many rounds above par end up in the top 10 after Sunday’s round is over. Warm and humid air makes the ball fly further and should put attacking clubs in the hands of the contenders.

2023 champion Lee Hodges set the tournament scoring record on 24-under 260. His seven-shot win produced the biggest margin of victory in history.

 Beau Hossler posted 62 in Round 4 in 2023 to become the latest player to match the course record. Scott Piercy, also in the field this week, posted 62 in the first round of the first event in 2019.

Recent Winners

2023 Season Winners

EventWinner
Sentry Tournament of ChampionsJon Rahm
Sony Open in HawaiiSi Woo Kim
The AMERICAN EXPRESSJon Rahm (2)
Farmers Insurance OpenMax Homa (2)
AT&T Pebble BeachJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenScottie Scheffler
The Genesis InvitationalJon Rahm (3)
The Honda ClassicChris Kirk
Arnold Palmer InvitationalKurt Kitayama (first TOUR win)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipTaylor Moore (first TOUR win)
Corales PuntacanaMatt Wallace (first TOUR win)
WGC – Dell Technologies MPSam Burns
Valero Texas OpenCorey Conners
MastersJon Rahm (4)
RBC HeritageMatt Fitzpatrick
Zurich Classic of New OrleansDavis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each)
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau (2)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipWyndham Clark (first TOUR win)
AT&T Byron NelsonJason Day
PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka
Charles Schwab ChallengeEmiliano Grillo
MemorialViktor Hovland
RBC Canadian OpenNick Taylor
U.S. OpenWyndham Clark (2)
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley (2)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicRickie Fowler
John Deere ClassicSepp Straka
Genesis Scottish OpenRory McIlroy (2)
The Open ChampionshipBrian Harman
3M OpenLee Hodges (first TOUR win)
Wyndham ChampionshipLucas Glover
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipLucas Glover (2)
BMW ChampionshipViktor Hovland (2)
TOUR ChampionshipViktor Hovland (3)
Fortinet ChampionshipSahith Theegala
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipLuke List
Shriners Children’s OpenTom Kim
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPCollin Morikawa
World Wide TechnologyErik van Rooyen
Butterfield BermudaCamilo Villegas
The RSM ClassicLudvig Aberg

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)
Genesis Scottish OpenRobert MacIntyre (2)
152nd Open ChampionshipXander Schauffele (2)

The 3M Open

Breaking on to the scene over the 4th of July weekend in 2019, this will be the sixth edition at TPC Twin Cities, the only host of the event.

The field of 156 players includes nine of the top 50 from the Official World Golf Rankings.  

Cutting the field to the top 65 and ties after 36 holes, the 2023 edition set the mark for the lowest cut at 4-under 138. The 2022 tournament is the only event with an over-par cut line(1-over).

Americans have won all five tournaments. The next international champion will be the first.

Hodges, Tony Finau, and Cameron Champ are the three previous winners in the field this week.

The previous five winners registered in the top 3 in Par-4 Scoring.

Three of the five winners led the event in SG: Tee to Green.

The winner will take home 500 FedExCup points plus $1.458 million from the $8.1 million purse.

The top 70 players at the end of play in two weeks (Wyndham Championship) will qualify for the 2024 FedExCup Playoffs.

Recent Winners – 3M Open

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2023Lee Hodges (-24)Set the tournament scoring record and margin of victory mark. First TOUR victory.
2022Tony Finau (-17)Won by two shots over Emiliano Grillo.
2021Cameron Champ    (-15)Posted the highest winning score in tournament history.
2020Michael Thompson  (-19)Won by two shots over Adam Long and three over Tony Finau and Emiliano Grillo.
2019Matthew Wolff (-21)At 20, he’s the youngest champion in history.

One and Done

I’ll be joining Spotter’s game again this season. Now, where did I put my checkbook…

35 events.

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

Add up the total money and Spotter is yer uncle!

EventSelectionEarnings
The SentryCollin Morikawa690,500
Sony Open in HawaiiCorey Conners18,592
The American ExpressAdam Hadwin310,800
Farmers Insurance OpenJason Day0
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmJordan Spieth70,125
WM Phoenix OpenMatt Fitzpatrick156,200
The Genesis InvitationalMax Homa329,000
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau145,125
Cognizant ClassicRussell Henley32,850
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler4,000,000
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipWill Zalatoris0
Valspar ChampionshipSam Burns0
Texas Children’s Houston OpenWyndham Clark54,418
Valero Texas OpenC Bezuidenhout67,735
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy175,500
RBC HeritagePatrick Cantlay1,160,000
Zurich ClassicNick Taylor122,375
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonStephan Jaeger112,100
Myrtle Beach ClassicDaniel Berger20,350
Wells Fargo ChampionshipSahith Theegala47,000
106th PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka113,962
Charles Schwab ChallengeTaylor Moore0
RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
John Deere ClassicDenny McCarthy252,400
Genesis Scottish OpenLudvig Aberg330,750
   
Total Winnings: 10,480,987

His game has more fun stuff to it. Reach out @A340Spotter on Twitter or A340Spotter@frontier.com for more details and to join.

Recapping Last Week – Genesis Scottish Open

Another bad beat. Aberg was cruising along until the SUNDAY SCARIES knocked him back, again, this time to T4.

Guess I should have used MacIntyre!

Sad!

I have cashed $200k or more over the last *SEVEN WEEKS and have gone nowhere.

RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
John Deere ClassicDenny McCarthy252,400
Genesis Scottish OpenLudvig Aberg330,750

What a format!

Last Week – The Open Championship

The weather, the links, the wind, the bad breaks, the pot bunkers, the draw, the haggis, what a show!

I have it down to Bryson DeChambeau, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton. I can make the case for all easily so this will come down to preference.

MY CHOICE: Tommy Fleetwood – MC

The pain. The suffering. The shouts of “C’mon Tommy lad”. I’m here for it.

Oh, and he’s on the wrong side of the draw as of this writing.

CAUTION IS THROWN TO THE WIND.

And the wind blew Tommy and my pick away.

Others to Consider (from who I have available):

Rose? After Rob Bolton telling me a top 5 here would not surprise him in the least bit… Nah

Horschel? Never fires in the majors. T2.

Rahm? Nah. Why do that! T7.

Lowry? Because I’m an absolute moron? T7.

Sungjae Im? Only his 403840834803rd top 12 finish in the last 3 months.

Adam Scott? Another oldie but goodie!

Thankfully I played Schauffele at the U.S. Open, the only major of the season’s final three HE DIDN’T WIN.

ARE YOU NOT ENTERTAINED???

This Week – 3M Open

Emiliano Grillo: Only Finau has more cache here. Vamos!

Others to consider:

Cam Davis, Taylor Pendrith, Luke Clanton (!), Tom Hoge, Mac Meissner.

Good luck and watch out for the mosquitos, the official state bird of Minnesota!

152nd Open Championship

/ mikeglasscott / Leave a comment

Buckle up, have fun, and good luck!

152nd Open Championship

Royal Troon Golf Club

Troon, South Ayrshire, Scotland

Head to Golfbet for all our content each week.

Quick Links:

Odds Outlook – DFS Report – Horses for Courses/Stats Suggest – Expert Picks

Head-to-Head Matchups

(projected winner in bold)

Cameron Young (even) v Sungjae Im

With three cuts made in the first three major championships of the season and top-ten paydays in his last two TOUR starts, I’ll gladly accept even money in this match-up. Young is making his third start in the last three years at golf’s oldest major championship and never cashed outside a share of eighth place. While the Korean, Im, is on fire, his heat has not translated to the three majors (0-3) this season or The Open (T20, best finish in 2023). This environment favors big players tee-to-green, especially if the weather joins the party.

Xander Schauffele (4/5) v Ludvig Aberg

Playing the favorite in this match-up is an easy decision for me. Cashing 26 times from 29 starts, the 2024 PGA Championship winner has cashed in the top 25 in 22 events with seven finishes in the top five. The Swedish star is playing in his fourth major in his career. Leading after 54 holes at the Genesis Scottish Open last week, the World Number 4 faded on Sunday. Schauffele, cashing T15, only made one bogey for the week.

Brian Harman (5/6) v Jordan Spieth

The immovable object versus the irresistible force! After missing the cut in four straight events, the left-handed Georgian played his T21-T6 trend into a victory at Royal Liverpool last year and joined the Texan as a Champion Golfer. Spieth has never missed the weekend in ten previous attempts, yet he has not fired on his favorite tracks in 2024. Harman’s steely determination and newly found links mastery should carry on after T21 last week and cashing in eight consecutive weekends. In his previous 11 rounds, the Texan, father of now two, has not posted anything better than T26.

Rory McIlroy (6/5) v Scottie Scheffler

Making his 15th start on the links of the United Kingdom, the Northern Irishman owns the experience advantage. The 2014 winner at Royal Liverpool, the four-time major winner getting plus-money on his home continent resonates. Scheffler, making his third appearance at The Open, has a major championship under his belt already this season, a new baby, and an insurmountable lead in the FedExCup Playoffs. I know which of the two has the motivation and the crowd support.

NOW PLAYING: 152nd Open Championship

Host CourseRoyal Troon
Yards (per official scorecard):7,385
Par:71 (36-35).
Greens:Fine Fescue.
Stimpmeter:11 feet.
Rough:Tall Fescue, Gorse.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-PlayPenal pot bunkers. Links course.
Architect(s):James Braid (1922).
Defending Champion (course):Henrik Stenson (-20; 264), 2016.
Defending Champion (event):Brian Harman Royal Liverpool.
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Tiger Woods (3), Ernie Els (2), Padraig Harrington (2).
Course Record:63; Henrik Stenson (Round 4, 2016) and Phil Mickelson (Round 1, 2016).
72 Hole Tournament Record:264; Henrik Stenson (lowest Open total; T-lowest in relation to par).
Facts of the Week:Two of the last three Opens set scoring records at the host course. Cam Smith -20 at St Andrews (2022) and Collin Morikawa -15 at St George’s (2021).

Royal Troon

George Strath and Willie Fernie expanded the original five holes to 18 holes in 1888. The five-time Open Champion, James Braid, redesigned the holes of the “old course” to prepare it for the 1923 Open Championship.

Royal Troon is hosting The Open for the 10th edition and for the first time since 2016. The track has added 195 yards to the scorecard and will play as the third-longest track in event history. The course features the longest Par-5 hole (No. 6, 623 yards) and shortest Par-3 hole (No. 8, 123 yards) in the Open Rota.

After ranking in the top five of most difficult courses played in 2004 (2nd) and 2016 (4th), the Par-71 (36-35) now extends to 7,385 yards.

The outward nine, with seven holes overlooking the Firth of Clyde, provides the scoring chances. The inward nine, nestled between the inland dunes and mounds, usually plays into the teeth of the northerly breeze and requires players to execute in difficult conditions.

The winners in 2016 (Henrik Stenson) and 2004 (Todd Hamilton – not entered) registered at the top of the standings in Fairways, GIR, and Bogey Avoidance.

Shaping shots in the weather and wind while avoiding pot bunkers and gorse, which frame the links, will be the key to success this week.

The last time The Open was at Royal Troon, Henrik Stenson posted 20-under-par 264 to set the tournament scoring record. Closing with a course-record tying-63 (10 birdies, two bogeys), he won by three shots over Phil Mickelson, who set the course record in Round 1. Remarkably, third place was 11 shots adrift of second, and there were only 17 players who broke par.

Recent Winners

2023 Season Winners

EventWinner
Sentry Tournament of ChampionsJon Rahm
Sony Open in HawaiiSi Woo Kim
The AMERICAN EXPRESSJon Rahm (2)
Farmers Insurance OpenMax Homa (2)
AT&T Pebble BeachJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenScottie Scheffler
The Genesis InvitationalJon Rahm (3)
The Honda ClassicChris Kirk
Arnold Palmer InvitationalKurt Kitayama (first TOUR win)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipTaylor Moore (first TOUR win)
Corales PuntacanaMatt Wallace (first TOUR win)
WGC – Dell Technologies MPSam Burns
Valero Texas OpenCorey Conners
MastersJon Rahm (4)
RBC HeritageMatt Fitzpatrick
Zurich Classic of New OrleansDavis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each)
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau (2)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipWyndham Clark (first TOUR win)
AT&T Byron NelsonJason Day
PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka
Charles Schwab ChallengeEmiliano Grillo
MemorialViktor Hovland
RBC Canadian OpenNick Taylor
U.S. OpenWyndham Clark (2)
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley (2)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicRickie Fowler
John Deere ClassicSepp Straka
Genesis Scottish OpenRory McIlroy (2)
The Open ChampionshipBrian Harman
3M OpenLee Hodges (first TOUR win)
Wyndham ChampionshipLucas Glover
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipLucas Glover (2)
BMW ChampionshipViktor Hovland (2)
TOUR ChampionshipViktor Hovland (3)
Fortinet ChampionshipSahith Theegala
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipLuke List
Shriners Children’s OpenTom Kim
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPCollin Morikawa
World Wide TechnologyErik van Rooyen
Butterfield BermudaCamilo Villegas
The RSM ClassicLudvig Aberg

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)
Genesis Scottish OpenRobert MacIntyre (2)

The 152nd Open Championship

Dating back to 1860, Prestwick’s 12-hole course and a field of eight golfers began the journey to establish the oldest major championship in history.

The 2024 edition features a field of 158 players, thanks to the return of Justin Leonard (1997 winner) and Todd Hamilton (2004 winner at Royal Troon).

There are 19 previous winners competing this week, tied for the most since 2015 at St. Andrews.

All 50 players from the Official World Golf Ranking are entered and are joined by 12 amateurs, the most from the ranks of the non-professionals since 1987.

The field will be cut to the top SEVENTY and ties after 36 holes. The cut for the 2016 event was 4-over 146 while the cut for the 2004 edition was 3-over 145.

Since Ernie Els won his second Open title in 2012, all the winners to follow have won The Open for the first time.

Phil Mickelson won the 2013 Scottish Open and is the last winner to be victorious the following week at The Open Championship. Robert MacIntyre, the winner last week at the Genesis Scottish Open, will look to join this club.

The Last Time:

  • To win the week before a major championship and go on to win: Rory McIlroy at the 2014 WGC-Bridgestone Invitational followed by the 2014 PGA Championship.
  • To win consecutive majors in the same season: Jordan Spieth at the 2015 Masters followed by the U.S. Open.
  • To win The Open plus another major championship in the same season: McIlroy in 2014.
  • To win two majors in the same season: Brooks Koepka in 2018.
  • Bobby Jones is the last amateur to win The Open, 1930.

The winner will take home 750 FedExCup points plus $3.1 million from the $17 million purse.

Recent Winners – The Open

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2023Brian Harman (-13)Won his first major championship cruising home by six shots.
2022Cameron Smith (-20)Won his first major championship by setting the tournament record at St Andrews.
2021Collin Morikawa (-15)For the second time in his career, he won a major championship on his first attempt. Also set the tournament scoring record at St George’s.
2020No Event 
2019Shane Lowry (-15)Won his first major championship by six shots at Royal Portrush in terrible weather.
2018Francesco Molinari   (-8)Won his first major championship by two shots over Xander Schauffele, Justin Rose, and Rory McIlroy at Carnoustie.
2017Jordan Spieth (-12)Won his THIRD major and first Open at Royal Birkdale.

One and Done

I’ll be joining Spotter’s game again this season. Now, where did I put my checkbook…

35 events.

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

Add up the total money and Spotter is yer uncle!

EventSelectionEarnings
The SentryCollin Morikawa690,500
Sony Open in HawaiiCorey Conners18,592
The American ExpressAdam Hadwin310,800
Farmers Insurance OpenJason Day0
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmJordan Spieth70,125
WM Phoenix OpenMatt Fitzpatrick156,200
The Genesis InvitationalMax Homa329,000
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau145,125
Cognizant ClassicRussell Henley32,850
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler4,000,000
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipWill Zalatoris0
Valspar ChampionshipSam Burns0
Texas Children’s Houston OpenWyndham Clark54,418
Valero Texas OpenC Bezuidenhout67,735
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy175,500
RBC HeritagePatrick Cantlay1,160,000
Zurich ClassicNick Taylor122,375
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonStephan Jaeger112,100
Myrtle Beach ClassicDaniel Berger20,350
Wells Fargo ChampionshipSahith Theegala47,000
106th PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka113,962
Charles Schwab ChallengeTaylor Moore0
RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
John Deere ClassicDenny McCarthy252,400
Genesis Scottish OpenLudvig Aberg330,750
   
Total Winnings: 10,480,987

His game has more fun stuff to it. Reach out @A340Spotter on Twitter or A340Spotter@frontier.com for more details and to join.

Recapping Last Week – Genesis Scottish Open

Another bad beat. Aberg was cruising along until the SUNDAY SCARIES knocked him back, again this time, to T4.

Guess I should have used MacIntyre!

Sad!

I have cashed $200k or more over the last *SEVEN WEEKS and have gone nowhere.

RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
John Deere ClassicDenny McCarthy252,400
Genesis Scottish OpenLudvig Aberg330,750

What a format!

MY CHOICE: Ludvig Aberg – T4

Not many hit it better tee-to-green and not many are in the field. One of the very few at the top of the tops who does not have anything to prove, I’m hoping his natural ability to knock the cover off the ball overwhelms this seaside track at only 7,237 yards.

Others to Consider (from who I have available):

Tommy Fleetwood: Nice record around here, tough laydown, but he is probably in the top spot next week. It could have been worse. I could have rostered T34!

Viktor Hovland: Or maybe it will be him next week. T46 with all four rounds under par.

Tom Kim: In two trips to East Gullane, he’s played in the final group, cashed T6, and was solo third in 2022 on debut. T15 doesn’t stink. He’s hot and hopefully is in the field at Sedgefield.

Hideki Matsuyama: If he wasn’t making his tournament debut, I’d be more inclined. I really hope he’s in the field on the way back at 3M in Minneapolis. MC.

Justin Thomas: He could be the TPC Southwind savior. T62. I’ll remind you his best finish at The Open is T11 with nothing else inside T40.

Aaron Rai: A wonderful backdoor top 10 with 63 in the final round. T4.

Robert MacIntyre: Maybe it will HIM next week! Well, shit, it was THIS week! WINNER

Sungjae Im: No wonder why I suck! Oh, wait, my last six weeks have all hit the top 15. NOT. GOOD. ENOUGH. Another week, another T12 or better, this time T4. He’s missed the cut at every major this season and has nothing better than T20 from three previous Opens.

Wyndham Clark: I guess I should have struck while the iron was hotter earlier in the season. I’ll save the home game in Denver for him. Speaking of backdoor top-10 paydays, Clark went one better than Rai, 62, to sneak into T10.

This Week – The Open Championship

The weather, the links, the wind, the bad breaks, the pot bunkers, the draw, the haggis, what a show!

I have it down to Bryson DeChambeau, Tommy Fleetwood, and Tyrrell Hatton. I can make the case for all easily so this will come down to preference.

MY CHOICE: Tommy Fleetwood

The pain. The suffering. The shouts of “C’mon Tommy lad”. I’m here for it.

Oh, and he’s on the wrong side of the draw as of this writing.

CAUTION IS THROWN TO THE WIND.

Others to Consider (from who I have available):

The list from above didn’t change.

I’d point out that the prize pools for the FedExCup Playoffs are bigger than the $17 million on offer this week.

The unpredictability of this event and its penchant for interesting winners makes it the most difficult to handicap.

Have fun, good luck, and set your alarm!

42nd Genesis Scottish Open

/ mikeglasscott / Leave a comment

Genesis Scottish Open

The Renaissance Club

North Berwick, Scotland

Head to Golfbet for all our content each week.

Quick Links:

Odds Outlook – DFS Report – Horses for Courses/Stats Suggest – Expert Picks

Mike Glasscott: Genesis Scottish Open Tips

Win: Aaron Rai (45/1), Ludvig Aberg (18/1)

Top 10: Tom Kim (3/1), Tommy Fleetwood (12/5)

Top 20: Jordan Smith (4/1), Tom McKibbin (3/1)

Top 40: Grant Forrest (33/10), Victor Perez (7/4)

NOW PLAYING: 42nd Genesis Scottish Open

Host CourseThe Renaissance Club
Yards (per official scorecard):7,237
Par:70 (35-35).
Greens:Fine Fescue
Stimpmeter:11 feet.
Rough:Tall Fescue.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-PlayLinks course.
Architect(s):Tom Doak (2008).
Defending Champion:Rory McIlroy (-15).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None at The Renaissance Club.
Course Record61; Byeong Hun An (Round 1, 2023; not entered 2024).
72 Hole Tournament Record:262; Bernd Wiesberger (2019, -22 as Par-71).
Facts of the Week:The Par-70 routing has five Par-3 holes and three Par-5 holes yet still plays 35-35.

The Renaissance Club

Built by Tom Doak in 2008, The Renaissance Club took over hosting duties for the 2019 tournament.

The links adjacent to the famous Muirfield on the Firth of Forth, originally played as a Par-71 at 7,138 yards. The 2024 tournament will play 7,237 yards for the third straight event.

The 35-35 layout features five Par-3 holes and three Par-5 holes. The inward nine contains three Par-3 holes and two Par-5 holes but still plays to 35 on the card.

With slightly over 61 feet of putts made per round, The Renaissance Club ranked No. 1 on TOUR in 2023.

Only Torrey Pines was stingier from inside 10 feet on the greens.

Large, fine fescue putting surfaces make it difficult to get approach shots close. Averaging just over 44 feet in regulation, The Renaissance Club ranked No. 1 on TOUR in 2023 in Proximity and was No. 2 in Proximity from the Fairway and Proximity from the rough.

The key to any links course is keeping the ball out of the tall fescue and bunkers. With large landing areas off the tee, and massive green complexes, errant shots will be punished, and bogeys will accumulate.

If the wind does not howl and the rain stays away, the Par-70 can be had. Last year, Byeong Hun An matched the course record of 61 in the first round. Bernd Wiesberger was the first to achieve 61 on his way to victory in the first edition at The Renaissance Club in 2019. The Austrian also holds the tournament scoring record (-22; 262).

Recent Winners

2023 Season Winners

EventWinner
Sentry Tournament of ChampionsJon Rahm
Sony Open in HawaiiSi Woo Kim
The AMERICAN EXPRESSJon Rahm (2)
Farmers Insurance OpenMax Homa (2)
AT&T Pebble BeachJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenScottie Scheffler
The Genesis InvitationalJon Rahm (3)
The Honda ClassicChris Kirk
Arnold Palmer InvitationalKurt Kitayama (first TOUR win)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipTaylor Moore (first TOUR win)
Corales PuntacanaMatt Wallace (first TOUR win)
WGC – Dell Technologies MPSam Burns
Valero Texas OpenCorey Conners
MastersJon Rahm (4)
RBC HeritageMatt Fitzpatrick
Zurich Classic of New OrleansDavis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each)
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau (2)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipWyndham Clark (first TOUR win)
AT&T Byron NelsonJason Day
PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka
Charles Schwab ChallengeEmiliano Grillo
MemorialViktor Hovland
RBC Canadian OpenNick Taylor
U.S. OpenWyndham Clark (2)
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley (2)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicRickie Fowler
John Deere ClassicSepp Straka
Genesis Scottish OpenRory McIlroy (2)
The Open ChampionshipBrian Harman
3M OpenLee Hodges (first TOUR win)
Wyndham ChampionshipLucas Glover
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipLucas Glover (2)
BMW ChampionshipViktor Hovland (2)
TOUR ChampionshipViktor Hovland (3)
Fortinet ChampionshipSahith Theegala
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipLuke List
Shriners Children’s OpenTom Kim
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPCollin Morikawa
World Wide TechnologyErik van Rooyen
Butterfield BermudaCamilo Villegas
The RSM ClassicLudvig Aberg

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis
John Deere ClassicDavis Thompson (first time)

The 42nd Genesis Scottish Open

The event, dating back to the early 1970s, has provided a tune-up before The Open Championship since 1997. Since 2022 the tournament has featured a partnership with the DP World Tour and PGA TOUR.

The field of 156 players included 75 from the DP World Tour, three players from the KPGA, and six sponsor’s exemptions. The rest of the places are filled by the PGA TOUR.

Entered this week from the Official World Golf Ranking are six of the top seven players and 13 of the top 20.

The field will be cut to the top 65 and ties after 36 holes. The highest cut in the previous five events was five-under-par 139 in the first playing at The Renaissance Club in 2019.

The five previous winners have represented five different countries. None of the champions are from Scotland and all have previously won a professional event.

There are eight past champions in the field, including all five from The Renaissance Club.

The previous five winners registered in the top four of SG: Tee to Green.

Phil Mickelson won the 2013 Scottish Open and is the last winner to be victorious the following week at The Open Championship.

The winner will take home 500 FedExCup points plus $1.62 million from the $9 million purse.

The top THREE players not already qualified will qualify for the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.

Recent Winners – Genesis Scottish Open

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2023Rory McIlroy (-15)Led by two after 54 holes but needed a 2-iron to 11 feet, plus the birdie putt, to avoid a playoff with Scotsman Robert MacIntyre.
2022Xander Schauffele   (-7)Posting 65-66 in the middle two rounds, the Californian posted 70 in the final round to win by a shot over Kurt Kitayama.
2021Min Woo Lee (-18)Knocked out Thomas Detry and Matt Fitzpatrick in a playoff to win for the first time outside his native Australia.
2020Aaron Rai (-11)Defeated Tommy Fleetwood in a playoff in the only October event.
2019Bernd Wiesberger     (-22)Opening with 61, the Austrian set the tournament scoring record on 22-under and won by a shot.

One and Done

I’ll be joining Spotter’s game again this season. Now, where did I put my checkbook…

35 events.

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

Add up the total money and Spotter is yer uncle!

EventSelectionEarnings
The SentryCollin Morikawa690,500
Sony Open in HawaiiCorey Conners18,592
The American ExpressAdam Hadwin310,800
Farmers Insurance OpenJason Day0
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmJordan Spieth70,125
WM Phoenix OpenMatt Fitzpatrick156,200
The Genesis InvitationalMax Homa329,000
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau145,125
Cognizant ClassicRussell Henley32,850
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler4,000,000
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipWill Zalatoris0
Valspar ChampionshipSam Burns0
Texas Children’s Houston OpenWyndham Clark54,418
Valero Texas OpenC Bezuidenhout67,735
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy175,500
RBC HeritagePatrick Cantlay1,160,000
Zurich ClassicNick Taylor122,375
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonStephan Jaeger112,100
Myrtle Beach ClassicDaniel Berger20,350
Wells Fargo ChampionshipSahith Theegala47,000
106th PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka113,962
Charles Schwab ChallengeTaylor Moore0
RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
John Deere ClassicDenny McCarthy252,400
   
Total Winnings: 9,897,837

His game has more fun stuff to it. Reach out @A340Spotter on Twitter or A340Spotter@frontier.com for more details and to join.

Recapping Last Week – John Deere Classic

Bit of a dog’s breakfast this week with only six players from the top 50 OWGR in the event.

If you’re taking a risk, you will have plenty of choices!

Eight of the last ten winners were 30 or younger, but veterans Lucas Glover and Ryan Moore also regained form.

MY CHOICE: Denny McCarthy – T7

For the first time in three years, he did not finish T6 on 16-under-par!

This time, he signed for 21-under and finished WORSE!

Oh John Deere Classic, you rascal, NEVER CHANGE!

Others to Consider (from who I have available):

Davis Thompson – If I had a dollar for every time I’ve guessed wrong, I’d have at least two dollars. Smoked the field by four and set a new tournament record (-28) after cashing T2 in Detroit. Nice fortnight!

Adam Schenk – Adds another “nothing” to his all-or-nothing at TPC Deere Run. MC

Aaron Rai – The former champion at The Renaissance Club comes in hot after T2 at Detroit was followed by T7 at JDC. CONVERGING TRENDS!

Eric Cole – I wrote two weeks ago I thought he was heating up. He followed T6 at Detroit with T7 at JDC.

Sam Stevens – Cashing in nine of his last 10, I couldn’t find another T10 to add (T34).

Patrick Rodgers – Another Midwesterner who didn’t fire in his own backyard. T34.

This Week – Genesis Scottish Open

The OWGR Top 50 has 33 players represented. This game only has six more weeks remaining. Time to start shooting off the big fireworks!

With two enormous names winning the previous two editions, I’ll remind you that The Open and the two FedExCup Playoff events provide the biggest three paydays.

Insightful, I know.

With no chance of winning or even hitting the money, I am throwing caution AND rationale to the wind.

Some might say, “what’s the difference from the last 28 weeks?”

I have cashed $200k or more over the last SIX WEEKS and have gone nowhere.

RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
John Deere ClassicDenny McCarthy252,400

What a format!

MY CHOICE: Ludvig Aberg

Not many hit it better tee-to-green and not many are in the field. One of the few at the top of the tops who does not have anything to prove, I’m hoping his natural ability to knock the cover off the ball overwhelms this seaside track at only 7,237 yards.

Others to Consider (from who I have available):

Tommy Fleetwood: A nice record around here, he’s a tough laydown, but he is probably in the top spot next week. Maybe.

Viktor Hovland: Or maybe it will be him next week.

Tom Kim: In two trips to East Gullane, he’s played in the final group, cashed T6, and was solo third in 2022 on debut.

Hideki Matsuyama: I would be more inclined if he was not debuting this week. I hope he’s in the field on the way to the USA at 3M Open in Minneapolis.

Justin Thomas: He could be the TPC Southwind savior.

Aaron Rai: See above.

Robert MacIntyre: Maybe it will HIM next week!

Sungjae Im: No wonder why I suck! Oh, wait, my last six weeks have all hit the top 15. NOT. GOOD. ENOUGH.

Wyndham Clark: I should have struck while the iron was hotter earlier in the season. I’ll save the home game in Denver for him.

John Deere Classic Preview

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John Deere Classic

TPC Deere Run

Silvis, Illinois

Head to Golfbet for all our content each week.

Quick Links:

Odds Outlook – DFS Report – Horses for Courses/Stats Suggest – Expert Picks

Mike Glasscott: John Deere Classic Tips

Win: Denny McCarthy (20/1), Davis Thompson (25/1)

Top 10: Adam Schenk (25/4), Seamus Power (47/10), Maverick McNealy (3/1)

Top 20: Sam Stevens (9/4), Patton Kizzire (10/3)

Top 40: Zach Johnson (9/5)

NOW PLAYING: John Deere Classic

Host CourseTPC Deere Run
Yards (per official scorecard):7,289
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:L93 Bentgrass; 5,500 square feet.
Stimpmeter:12 feet and up.
Rough:Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue at four inches and growing.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play78/3/3
Architect(s):D.A. Weibring (1999).
Defending Champion:Sepp Straka.
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Jordan Spieth (2013, 2015).
Course Record59; Paul Goydos (Round 1, 2010).
72 Hole Tournament Record:257; Michael Kim (27-under).
Facts of the Week:The winning score has been 16-under or lower in the previous 23 editions.

TPC Deere Run

TPC Deere Run assumed hosting duties for the 2000 edition of the John Deere Classic. Designed by three-time winner and Illinois native D.A. Weibring, the Par-71 will play 7,289 yards for the third consecutive season.

The 35-36 layout features two Par-5 holes on the inward nine.

The Par-3 holes, four in total, played under par (2.99) for the 2023 edition.

The Par-4 holes also played under par (3.99) last season.

The winning score over the last 14 editions has been 18-under-par or lower.

Defending the wide fairways are four inches of Kentucky Bluegrass and Fescue. The 5,500 square foot greens are L-93 Bentgrass and are some of the most receptive and true-rolling on TOUR. Plenty of birdie putts will be holed this week.

Avoiding the 78 bunkers, ravines, and three water penalty areas will make for a successful week if the putter is hot.

Paul Goydos set the course record with an opening round 59 in 2010. Plenty of low rounds, weather permitting, could be in play again this week. The last three winners have all shared or owned the lowest round of the week.

Recent Winners

2023 Season Winners

EventWinner
Sentry Tournament of ChampionsJon Rahm
Sony Open in HawaiiSi Woo Kim
The AMERICAN EXPRESSJon Rahm (2)
Farmers Insurance OpenMax Homa (2)
AT&T Pebble BeachJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenScottie Scheffler
The Genesis InvitationalJon Rahm (3)
The Honda ClassicChris Kirk
Arnold Palmer InvitationalKurt Kitayama (first TOUR win)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipTaylor Moore (first TOUR win)
Corales PuntacanaMatt Wallace (first TOUR win)
WGC – Dell Technologies MPSam Burns
Valero Texas OpenCorey Conners
MastersJon Rahm (4)
RBC HeritageMatt Fitzpatrick
Zurich Classic of New OrleansDavis Riley & Nick Hardy (first TOUR win for each)
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau (2)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipWyndham Clark (first TOUR win)
AT&T Byron NelsonJason Day
PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka
Charles Schwab ChallengeEmiliano Grillo
MemorialViktor Hovland
RBC Canadian OpenNick Taylor
U.S. OpenWyndham Clark (2)
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley (2)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicRickie Fowler
John Deere ClassicSepp Straka
Genesis Scottish OpenRory McIlroy (2)
The Open ChampionshipBrian Harman
3M OpenLee Hodges (first TOUR win)
Wyndham ChampionshipLucas Glover
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipLucas Glover (2)
BMW ChampionshipViktor Hovland (2)
TOUR ChampionshipViktor Hovland (3)
Fortinet ChampionshipSahith Theegala
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipLuke List
Shriners Children’s OpenTom Kim
ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIPCollin Morikawa
World Wide TechnologyErik van Rooyen
Butterfield BermudaCamilo Villegas
The RSM ClassicLudvig Aberg

2024 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryChris Kirk
Sony Open in HawaiiGrayson Murray
The American ExpressNick Dunlap (a)
Farmers Insurance OpenMatthieu Pavon (rookie)
AT&T Pebble BeachWyndham Clark (54 holes)
WM Phoenix OpenNick Taylor
The Genesis InvitationalHideki Matsuyama
Mexico Open at VidantaJake Knapp (rookie)
Cognizant ClassicAustin Eckroat (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Valspar ChampionshipPeter Malnati
Texas Children’s Houston OpenStephan Jaeger (first time)
Valero Texas OpenAkshay Bhatia
88th Masters TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC HeritageScottie Scheffler (4)
Zurich ClassicRory McIlroy & Shane Lowry
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonTaylor Pendrith (first time)
Wells Fargo ChampionshipRory McIlroy (2)
106th PGA ChampionshipXander Schauffele
Charles Schwab ChallengeDavis Riley
RBC Canadian OpenRobert MacIntyre (first time)
The 49th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (5)
124th United States OpenBryson DeChambeau
Travelers ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Rocket Mortgage ClassicCam Davis

John Deere Classic

The PGA TOUR remains in the Midwest for the 53rd edition of the John Deere Classic.

Over the last decade, eight of the last ten winners have been 30 years old or younger, including five of the previous six.

After three consecutive weeks of Signature Event-Major Championship-Signature Event, the field of 156 players includes just six of the 50 in the Official World Golf rankings, led by No. 24 and defending champion Sepp Straka.

The field will be cut to the top 65 and ties after 36 holes. The highest cut in the previous five events is three-under par 139.

Sepp Straka was just the fifth international champion to be crowned in 23 previous events.

Frittelli and 2018 tournament record-setter Michael Kim are the last two players to break their maiden at this event on the PGA TOUR.

JT Poston, the champion in 2022, was the first player in 30 years to go wire-to-wire.

There are nine past champions in the field.

In the last decade, eight winners have ranked in the top six in Ball Striking, and seven have ranked in the top seven in Putting: Birdie or Better Conversion Percentage. The more fairways and greens, the more birdies or better!

Jordan Spieth (2015, 2013) joins Steve Stricker (not entered; 2009-2011) as the only multiple winners at TPC Deere Run. Playing this week, he has not entered since winning the 2015 event.

The winner will take home 500 FedExCup points plus $1.454 million from the $8 million purse.

The top two players not already qualified will qualify for the 152nd Open Championship at Royal Troon.

There are only five weeks left to qualify for the FedExCup Playoffs!

Recent Winners – John Deere Classic

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2023Sepp Straka (-21)Posted 62 in the final round with a double bogey on the final hole to win by two.
2022J.T. Poston (-21)Opened 62-65 and was never bothered.
2021Lucas Glover (-19)Began the final round T12 and four shots back. Posted 64 on Sunday and won by two.
2020No event 
2019Dylan Frittelli (-21)Signed for one bogey in his first TOUR victory.
2018Michael Kim (-27)Led the field in Ball Striking and SG: Putting to set the tournament scoring record in his first TOUR victory.

One and Done

I’ll be joining Spotter’s game again this season. Now, where did I put my checkbook…

35 events.

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy gets kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

Add up the total money and Spotter is yer uncle!

EventSelectionEarnings
The SentryCollin Morikawa690,500
Sony Open in HawaiiCorey Conners18,592
The American ExpressAdam Hadwin310,800
Farmers Insurance OpenJason Day0
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmJordan Spieth70,125
WM Phoenix OpenMatt Fitzpatrick156,200
The Genesis InvitationalMax Homa329,000
Mexico Open at VidantaTony Finau145,125
Cognizant ClassicRussell Henley32,850
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie Scheffler4,000,000
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipWill Zalatoris0
Valspar ChampionshipSam Burns0
Texas Children’s Houston OpenWyndham Clark54,418
Valero Texas OpenC Bezuidenhout67,735
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy175,500
RBC HeritagePatrick Cantlay1,160,000
Zurich ClassicNick Taylor122,375
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonStephan Jaeger112,100
Myrtle Beach ClassicDaniel Berger20,350
Wells Fargo ChampionshipSahith Theegala47,000
106th PGA ChampionshipBrooks Koepka113,962
Charles Schwab ChallengeTaylor Moore0
RBC Canadian OpenMackenzie Hughes295,316
49th Memorial TournamentBen An200,200
124th United States OpenXander Schauffele639,289
Travelers ChampionshipBrian Harman520,000
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAkshay Bhatia616,400
   
Total Winnings: 9,897,837

His game has more fun stuff to it. Reach out @A340Spotter on Twitter or A340Spotter@frontier.com for more details and to join.

Recapping Last Week – Rocket Mortgage Classic

MY CHOICE: Akshay Bhatia – T2

Trending perfectly upon arrival, the winner at Valero is probably playing his last event until The Open Championship. Posting three rounds or better of 65 at the Travelers, he’s ready for another shoot-out this week. Banging fairways and greens is his foundation and that always plays in a low-scoring affair. Circling 22 birdies and an eagle last week, that is the recipe again for the RMC.

The first-round leader had the best of it for most of the first 63 holes. Needing a birdie from less than 10 feet on the penultimate hole would have given him the lead. Needing a par from fewer than six feet on the final hole would have forced a playoff. Picking the wrong time to three-putt for the first time all week, none of the above happened.

Adding insult to injury, he shared second place with THREE OTHERS, reducing the podium return.

I hate this game.

Others to Consider (from who I have available):

Tom Kim: The Korean did everything but win last week. Splitting hairs, but I’ll take the additional power this week with 500 more yards of golf course. MC

Cameron Young: In his only appearance in 2022 he finished tied for second and posted 63 in Round 2. Firing 59 last week and holing putts should have plenty of attention on him this time. Let’s see, he broke his shaft on his driver on the back nine, missed five putts inside 10 feet, and still finished T6.

Stephan Jaeger: The German is the safest play on the board this week. With a pair of top-10 paydays over the last two seasons, I won’t talk you out of him. Steady spaghetti. Another who missed the cut, opening with 75 was a quick, painless death.

Taylor Pendrith/Davis Thompson: Big sticks and solid putters. The Canadian didn’t break 70, but the Georgia man posted the lowest score on the weekend (134) and shared second.

This Week – John Deere Classic

Bit of a dog’s breakfast this week with only six players from the top 50 OWGR in the event.

Plenty of choices for the risk-takers this week!

Eight of the last ten winners were 30 or younger, but veterans Lucas Glover and Ryan Moore also regained form.

MY CHOICE: Denny McCarthy

Others to Consider (from who I have available):

Davis Thompson

Adam Schenk

Aaron Rai

Eric Cole

Sam Stevens

Patrick Rodgers