World Golf Championships- Bridgestone Invitational: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

Firestone Country Club
Date: August 2nd - 5th
Course: Firestone Country Club
Purse: $10MM ($1.8MM to winner)
FedEx points: 500 to the winner
2017 Winner: Hideki Matsuyama

Course

Firestone Country Club. Established in 1929, this 7,400 yard par 70 was originally designed by Bert Way but later redesigned by Robert Jones. “The Monster” as Arnold Palmer explained the par 5 16th hole which measures 625 yards is one of the marquee holes on the course. Players need to learn the course which spouts blind spots, turns and a narrow long navigation. It behooves players who are accurate and tactful with their shots.

Starting 4
Rory McIlroy (4th start this year). 24th in FedEx points and 7th in OWGR. Three consecutive top 12 finishes. 13th in total stokes gained. He finished 5th here last year.

Rickie Fowler (4th start this year). 9th here last year, Top 20 finishes in six of his last seven tournaments. 27th in total strokes gained.

Thorbjorn Olesen (1st start this year). He finished 12th at the Open Championship and 31st at the last WGC event. He finished 10th here last year.

Hideki Matsuyama (3rd start this year). Last years winner has had some struggles this year. After a stretch in March and April with nursing an injury and having some missed cuts he is back on track with three top 20 finishes in his last four tournaments. Currently 6th in strokes gained around the green.

Bench 2
Adam Hadwin (2nd start this year). I’m doubling down here. I picked him last week and he missed the cut. Now he goes to Firestone where he finished 5th last year and I think he is going to rebound. 65th in Fedex rankings and 56th in OWGR.

Hudson Swafford (2nd start this year). A not so good year from Hudson came to a high point last week in Canada where he finished 12th. He comes to WGC Bridgestone where he was a top ten finisher last year.