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Northern Trust: Expert Picks

What a way to start the playoffs, right off the coast of Long Island!

By Mark Abell
THE NORTHERN TRUST - Round 2 Photo by Keyur Khamar/PGA TOUR via Getty Images

Tournament Information:

Northern Trust
Date: August 19th – 22nd
Course: Liberty National Golf Course
Purse: $9.5MM ($1.7MM to winner)
2020 Winner: Dustin Johnson (-30)

Course

Liberty National Golf Course. Established in 2006, this 7,350 yard, par 71 course has a course rating of 77.7 and a slope rating of 155. It took north of $250 million to turn this from an oil wasteland into the country club it is now. It runs along the Hudson River and the view is amazing. It features bentgrass on both fairways and greens. There is a fair amount of water and hitting the greens in regulation is important.

THE NORTHERN TRUST - Final Round Photo by Ben Jared/PGA TOUR

My Starting 4

Abraham Ancer (fifth selection this year) – He was 2nd at Liberty two years ago, he comes into this tournament having won the WGC FedEx two weeks ago. He’s currently 16th in total strokes gained.

Jordan Spieth (fourth selection this year) — Jordan was 6th here two years ago. He’s 2nd in FedEx Cup ranking and he has top 20 finishes in his last five straight tournaments.

Patrick Cantlay (third selection this year) – Jordan finished 12th here two years ago. He has top 25 finishes in five of his last six tournaments. He’s currently 4th in total strokes gained.

Jon Rahm (fourth selection this year) — #1 in OWGR, he was 3rd here two years ago and now he comes into the tournament with three consecutive top 10’s (if you back off the withdrawal at Memorial due to Covid).

My Bench 2

Cameron Champ (second selection this year) — Cameron was 21st here two years ago. He has two top 12 finishes in his last three tournaments, including a win at the 3M Open. He’s 7th in strokes gained off the tee but his putting and short game are holding him back.

Harold Varner III (second selection this year) – Harold Varner is currently 72nd in points. That means he’s likely safe for the Northern Trust, but the BMW Championship takes the top 70 in points. This tournament is a chance for him to get a head start, as he was 3rd here two years ago and he has two top 15 finishes in the last four tournaments.

Fun Fact: This tournament can generate over $1.5MM for local NY and NJ charities on a given year.

2020-2021 Stats

(1st percent would be the top golfer picked every week)

Starting 4: average finish 40th (30th percent)
Bench 2: average finish 51st (37th percent)