The 18th at the Old White Course is interesting and should be thrilling on Sunday. (Photo courtesy of Getty Images).
The Old White Course TPC, White Sulphur Springs, West VA., 7,287 yards, Par 70
Defending champion: Danny Lee, 2015, -13. Won in a 4 way playoff over David Hearn, Robert Streb and Kevin Kisner.
18 hole record: Stuart Appleby, 59 in 2010 to come from behind and win the inaugural tournament.
Weather: Thursday-Saturday, 80-82, scattered t-storms each day, around 50% each day. Sunday, perfect, sunny, 79. Winds, 6-12 MPH Thursday-Saturday, and 5-7 MPH Sunday, so good scoring conditions for the final round.
TV: Thursday-Friday, 2-5 PM CT, Golf Channel. Saturday-Sunday, 12-1:30 PM CT, Golf, 2-5 PM CT, CBS.
The course was flooded last year on June 23rd when catastrophic flooding hit the area and 23 people were tragically killed. Architect Kevin Foster oversaw the restoration of the flooded course and 6 time major winner Lee Trevino, who has a house on the course, says the course is better than ever. The area residents rebuilt the community. Really a super comeback story for an area devastated by the 2016 flooding.
Key Holes
No. 15, 217 yards, Par 3
Fashioned after the 11th hole on the Old Course, St. Andrews, the player should keep his tee shot under the hole as the green slopes aggressively from back to front. There is a deep pot bunker in front and there’s an equally deep bunker on the left. A shot going long may find one of the 2 bunkers in back.
No.16, 444 yards, Par 4
Many of the players will take an aggressive line and attempt to carry Swan Lake to have an obstacle free shot to the green. Players who take the safer shot away from the water will leave themselves a demanding approach over the left greenside bunker.
No. 17, 616 yards, Par 5
This hole can possibly be reached in 2 by the longer hitters, Bubba’s in it, so certainly him. There are bunkers lining the fairway. This hole is patterned after the “Road Hole”, the 17th at the Old Course, St. Andrews, with a road running along the right side. The green is surrounded by three bunkers. A challenge, but certainly a birdie possibility, which will probably be necessary for contenders on Sunday.
No.18, 175 yards, Par 3
This is a very interesting finishing hole as a par 3, which there aren’t too many of on tour. There is water that really isn’t a factor, as the green is clear by 15 yards of it. The green is surrounded by 4 traps, and it is horseshoe shaped with a slope in the middle separating the front half of the green from the back. Will make for some interesting putts for a contender who is long on Sunday, or a leader trying to close the deal. Pretty classic course here.
Winner
Going with the 26 year old from San Antonio Texas, a 5 time PGA tour champion already. He shot 66 on Sunday 2 weeks ago to finish tied for 5th at the Travelers, and shot 67 last Sunday to finish tied for 17th at the Quicken Loans National. Like the trending and I always like this player.
Patrick Reed
Like one of the ultimate competitors on tour, Reed, to emerge victorious Sunday (Photo courtesy of LGBTQ Nation).
Winner at The Irish Open
Like the 28 year old Irishman to defend his title and get his game tuned up for the 146th Open Championship in 2 weeks at Royal Birkdale in Southport, England. He won the Open Championship in 2014 at Royal Liverpool, one of his 4 majors, along with a U.S.Open at Congressional in 2011, and 2 PGA Championships, in 2012 and 2014 at Kiawah Island and Valhalla respectively.
Rory McIlory
Like Rory to defend his title at the Irish (Photo courtesy of the Sporting News).
5 Responses
Also like Reed but strong challenge from Kisner. Looking for Pieters and Uihlein to break through in Europe soon.
Good choices CT. Pieters is really a phenomenal young player.
Nice preview DW. I was not aware of the St. Andrews influence at the Greenbriar. Patrick Reed never plays well when I pick him but, he seems to be the cream of this crop. I am going with Reed also.
Thanks my man. Will be in touch with you tomorrow.
Firm believer in horses for courses. Danny Lee won here in 2015 after a four person playoff. Kevin Kizner was one of the participants Look for these two as well as D. Lingmerth and Billy Hurley. I named a few here. Expect a low number here perhaps something like Stuart Appleby’s 59 there a few years ago. Several former Alabama players in West Virginia this week. Trey Mullinax, Wyatt and Love.