Twenty four year old Daniel Berger aims to defend his title (Photo courtesy of Golf Channel).
TPC Southwind, Memphis, 7,244 yards, par 70.
Defending champion, Daniel Berger, -13. Phil Mickelson and Brooks Koepka tied for 2nd at -10.
TV: Thursday-Friday, Golf Channel, 3-6 PM CT; Saturday-Sunday, Golf Channel, 12-1:30 PM CT; CBS 2-5 PM CT.
Weather: Really nice this week. Thursday, 82, sunny, wind 12-18; Friday, 83, sunny, wind 5-8 MPH; Saturday, 88, sunny, wind 6-8 MPH; Sunday, 88, sunny, wind 9-12 MPH. Excellent scoring conditions. Could see -18 to -20 winning this tournament. John Cook’s 1996 record -22 could be in jeopardy.
The 18th, as on most PGA courses, is the crunch time hole on Sunday. It’s a 457 yard, par 4 that doglegs from right to left with water in play on the players’ first 2 shots. If a player overcooks his tee shot, he will be in the water. A wayward left second shot will have the player swimming as well. There are fairway bunkers on the right, so it’s a difficult drive. The green is medium sized and is surrounded by some spectacular mounds. There have been a lot of dramatic birdies on the 72nd hole at TPC Southwind on Sundays, but also some costly miscues. Should provide some classic theater as the players gear up for Erin Hills and the U.S. Open next week.
Winner
Going with the 27 year old from West Palm Beach, Florida by way of Florida State University. Interestingly, that’s defending champion Daniel Berger’s alma mater as well. I like the way this young stud came back last year and made it interesting against Berger, and how he plays well most of the time. He’s been in the hunt many times the last two years and won the Waste Management Phoenix Open in 2015. I see this maverick from Florida, who has a tremendous long game, and a solid short game, to get it done at TPC Southwind and become an instant contender for the 117th United States Open next week at Erin Hills, Wisconsin.
Brooks Koepka
Like Brooks to capture the title at TPC Southwind (Photo courtesy of PGA.com).
6 Responses
I like the way Ricky Fowler has been playing so I will pick him. My dark horse to break through is Scott Brown. We also have a MBHS graduate playing this week in Garrett Osborne. Garrett also qualified for the US Open.
Since Phil is out next week it would be typical for him to win.
Thanks Bama. That’s pretty funny Brownie.
I like your Koepka pick DW and I am going with him also.
What-a-berger in good place to repeat in Memphis, but my eye is on one of the Italian touring brothers, Francesco Molinari. I look for him to keep the "others" off his scorecard unlike Fowler and Michelson. Triple bogeys have appeared in both their games frequently this season while keeping them out of the winner circle. My dark horse is Cabrera-Bello. I am certain you saw that one floating up in a gondola ! Ciao!
Thanks Walter. Spike like your Italian flair here.