Xander Schauffele
After leading the field in fairways and greens last time out, XANDER SCHAUFFELE looks worth following not just this week but probably next, too.
The Californian will be licking his lips at heading to Harding Park, which hosts the PGA Championship, but before that could well pick up his second WGC.
Schauffele loves these no-cut events in elite fields and his long-game is in excellent shape. The only negative is a modest record at Southwind, but he’s had excuses on both previous visits. There are none this time and he’s a solid each-way player.
Brooks Koepka
There are risks attached to backing BROOKS KOEPKA right now, but they’re reflected in the price of the defending champion and worth taking on board.
He simply loves it here at Southwind, where he always drives it well, and there were signs last Friday that his long-game had turned a corner just in time for a massive fortnight.
He desperately needs momentum – not to mention FedEx Cup points – ahead of the PGA Championship and if he’s going to put it together it could well be here.
Sung-jae Im
Given his form in the spring and impressive Presidents Cup debut late in 2019, SUNG-JAE IM has dropped off the radar somewhat and there’s no doubt his progress was halted by the enforced hiatus.
However, Southwind does look a good course for this arrow-straight hitter, and certainly he tends to improve once putting on Bermuda greens.
With some better ball-striking numbers when last we saw him, that could make for a jolt of improvement and he looks made for the big stage. Back him to underline that fact with a title bid at big odds.
Louis Oosthuizen
LOUIS OOSTHUIZEN is always one to be interested in at big prices in elite fields, by virtue of the fact he’s won an Open Championship and finished runner-up in all four majors.
Somehow he remains winless in the USA, but he’s gone close on multiple occasions and it’d be just like him to pop up when nobody is expecting it.
Oosthuizen was third for greens hit last time out and started well in both previous appearances, so there are signs he’s returning to form. He’s worth a dart to hit the frame at a course he’s suited to.
- Read Ben Coley’s full preview at sportinglife.com
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