This week we will concentrate on the World Golf Championships with the WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational at TPC Southwind, Memphis, Tennessee.
The WGC takes priority over the PGA Tour event this week, the Barracuda Championship, which has a much depleted field but I’ll include a few selections for the Barracuda at the bottom of this preview. I’ll also post a preview on Wednesday for the Hero Open at St Andrew's on the European Tour.
So let’s get on with the WGC FedEx St Jude where the 66 field consisting most of the world's golfing elite will be contending at this stunning par 70 parkland layout for the title and $10.5M prize pot with the winner collecting a cool $1.82M.
Previous course winners taking part include Dustin Johnson, Lee Westwood, Harris English, Brooks Koepka, Justin Thomas and Daniel Berger.
Justin Thomas will return to defend his title when winning this event fairly comfortably last year with three shots to spare over the field.
The weather is forecast to be sunny with very hot conditions throughout, expect temperatures to reach above 35c with light to moderate breezes.
This event will be screened on Sky Sports Golf with live coverage starting at 5.30pm GMT on Thursday.
Dustin Johnson
For my first and main selection this week in Memphis, Tennessee I’m going to single out the world No.2, Dustin Johnson 20/1 EW Betfair.
DJ will be aiming to win his No.1 crown back anytime soon after seeing Jon Rahm overtake him in the rankings. The 37 yrs old humble giant from California just simply adores playing at TPC Southwind where he won as a debutant in 2012 then triumphed here again in 2018 with six shots to spare.
It’s fair to say, and I’m sure DJ would be the first to agree, that he hasn’t been firing on all cylinders the past few months but he will almost certainly get a boost from his T8th finish at Royal St George’s at The Open Championship.
His recent form, although not up to DJ's standards, still reads not too bad in my form book with four Top 25 finishes in his last five events. He is yet to win in his homeland this year but did win on the European Tour when claiming the Saudi International where I tipped him to prevail to the delight of the MFT community who follow my selections.
I think it’s probably wise to jump on DJ again this week especially with these generous odds on offer. It’s not so long ago you could only get single digits for almost every tournament DJ entered so there is definitely some value to be had on Dustin Johnson to win the WGC FedEx St Jude this weekend.
Brooks Koepka
For my next selection I’m going to advise Brooks Koepka 12/1 EW Bet365.
The 31 yrs old from West Palm Beach, Florida was my main selection for The Open Championship and gave us all a run for our money finishing 6th, it could have been much better if his putter was hotter.
Brooks definitely seems to be over the knee surgery that troubled him for months and is back to being a danger wherever he plays and not just majors where he is a machine.
Since winning the Waste Management Phoenix Open in February, he was runner up at the last WGC event, the WGC Workday Championship at The Concession, again he was 2nd and runner-up at The PGA Championship, 4th at The US Open Championship and as mentioned 6th at The Open Championship at Royal St George’s where he carded a final round 65.
If he brings that form here with him this week then he will be the one they all have to beat.
Just check his record here at TPC Southwind, it’s absolutely outstanding, 19th-3rd-2nd-37th-30th-Winner in 2019 and runner-up in 2020. Do you think Brooks enjoys playing around this track ? The figures say it all so no answers on a post card thank you.
I don’t usually like to pick favourites at any tournaments but it just wouldn’t be a wise move to discount him this week and after all my job is to pick winners so get on Brooksy at what is still a decent price.
Sam Burns
For my next pick I’m going to look for some good old value and for that reason I’m liking the look of Sam Burns 80/1 EW Ladbrokes.
The young, talented 25 yrs old from Louisiana is overpriced at this event in my book. I’m always on the look out for when this happens and if you ask me the firms may have overlooked Sam Burns chances this week.
He is currently ranked 32nd in the world and comes here after recently winning the Valspar Championship, his maiden PGA Tour victory, and then went on to finish runner-up the week after at the AT&T Byron Nelson.
He can back that form up with T13th at the Travelers Championship and 18th at the Scottish Open. This suggests to me that this youngster is a superstar in the making and has plenty time on his side to prove just that.
He can keep on track with another victory in Memphis this week, remember at this price then if not winning outright then just a place represents amazing value and with most firms offering eight places then you’ll get a tidy return for just a place.
Another option to consider is a Top 20 finish at 11/4 Bet365.
Jordan Speith v Xander Schauffele
For my final selection it’s the customary matchbet and I’m going to advise Jordan Speith 11/10 Nap Betfair to get the better of Xander Schauffele who must be feeling it after winning gold at the Olympics in Japan last weekend.
WGC FedEx St Jude Invitational
- Dustin Johnson 20/1 EW Betfair
- Brooks Koepka 12/1 EW Bet365
- Sam Burns 80/1 EW Ladbrokes & 11/4 Top 20 finish bet365
- Jordan Speith to beat Xander Schauffele 11/10 Nap , 72 hole matchbet Betfair
Barracuda Championship
- Chez Reavie 40/1 EW Bet365
- Maverick McNealy 20/1 EW Ladbrokes
- Mito Pereira 20/1 EW Bet365
