Guess what, small undulating greens, additional length, and no indent into the modern pro with the modern ball. 20 under or better has won the last 5 years so it's more of the same and I'll only be watching Sunday as it gets a bit samey. 7,131 Par 70, the Sedgefield Country Club couldn't be closer to Detroit's challenge (or lack of) from last weekend.
I've seen players win easy in the past, players go back to back and players on hot streaks, but not since Tiger have I ever seen one man control a tournament from start to finish like Finau did last week, it was a procession and he was absolutely awesome. Another 2nd for Cam Young helping me break even, but it was never close, was never in doubt. I do feel a bit for Cam who had winds on a Thursday afternoon that made the course 4 shots harder so he was the one player who could say he could have got close, but Finau did seem to have more in the tank as and when.
So onto this week, the last PGA tour event before the play offs, so some attention ahs to be paid to players in the 50-150 bracket in rankings, at this stage some are looking for 125th or better and some are looking to get higher. Zalatoris is the highest ranked player in the field this week, but like last week, despite being the best player on tour tee to green, birdie fests don't suit him like majors do. I'm waiting for the players to pile into Will, and his odds won't have any juice in them until he plays a Pebble in the wind, or Riviera, Bear Trap, Bayhill when it's dry.
Season SG stats aren't of interest now, it's about moments and sparks of form for me. Players trending at the right time, Cantlay looked like he was timing a FEDEX defence perfectly so he's one for the BMW, Young is a winner sooner rather than later, and this week I really like Scott Stallings. Not only has he got rid of that 70s porn tache, but he struck the ball beautifully last week, he's already qualified for the play offs and in a field of this quality, he is definitely one of the better players so 4pts ew 50/1 Hills Top 8.
Next up is another player who after a quiet few months looks like he is striking it nicely. THE streakiest putter on tour and a previous multiple winner Russell Henley is mental odds, he was leading after 54 holes last year and finished T7th. He had a strong start to the season and had dropped off in form up until his 10th place finish last week. He sits 2nd on tour in approach play, he's 42nd in the Fedex so carries no pressure and at 122nd in Putting he just has to have an average week on the greens to not only contend but to win, so he's 4pts e/w 25/1 top 8 with Hills.
3rd pick this week is John Deere winner and in form J.T Poston. Poston sits 22nd in the Fedex and with a recent record of 2, 1, MC (Open), and 11th he is loving life playing easier courses. Nothing in his game stands out, his Stats are quite poor, but in recent weeks he's shot 5 rounds of 65 or lower, so when it all comes together he has the game for wide fairways and throwing darts at small greens. Given his recent successes I would have expected him to be below Henley's odds, but at 40/1 top 8 with Hills he's getting 2.5ew of my money.
Last pick, but by no means the least, on the PGA tour this week is a big one and proper value. Charley Hoffman has played like a drain this season but in his last 3 starts he has made cuts and found his accuracy, something that has made him many millions over the years. An average putter, Charley Hoffman has built a career hitting fairways and greens and last week in Detroit it looked like he found his best swing. He made the cut at the Scottish Open and when pushing for an Open spot over the weekend made too many errors, but he has placed 31st and 10th in his last 2 starts and at he needs a big week to jump 27 places into the play off picture. It could be boom or bust, but if he stays patient (and at 45 years old he should have developed that) the 2pts 175/1 ew top 8 with Hills is lip smackingly good.
In summary (all William Hill top 8 1/5 odds place)
Stallings 4pts e/w 50/1
Henley 4pts e/w 25/1
Poston 2.5pts e/w 40/1
Hoffman 2pts e/w 175/1
