The PGA Tour heads south this week — well, south from Canada — to Akron, Ohio, for the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational. The tournament that, as a kid, I honestly believed was called “Tiger’s Tournament” returns this week to Firestone Country Club and, once again, Woods is among the favorites.
With time running out for Tiger to qualify for not only the Ryder Cup team, but for the FedExCup Playoffs, all eyes will be on the No. 10-ranked player in the world this week at Firestone. That being said, there are a bunch of players at the top of their games coming into this week, looking to claim their first big-time win and create momentum headed into the year’s last major. Get your pencils ready — here are the can’t-miss, surefire picks this week in Ohio.
WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
Firestone Country Club (South Course), Akron, Ohio
July 31 – Aug. 3, 2014
|
ODDS to Win:
|
|
| Rory McIlroy | 7/1 |
| Adam Scott | 10/1 |
| Tiger Woods | 12/1 |
| Justin Rose | 15/1 |
| Henrik Stenson | 20/1 |
| Jim Furyk | 20/1 |
| Rickie Fowler | 20/1 |
| Sergio Garcia | 25/1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 25/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 25/1 |
| Keegan Bradley | 25/1 |
| Phil Mickelson | 30/1 |
| Martin Kaymer | 30/1 |
| Dustin Johnson | WD |
| Jason Day | 40/1 |
| Bubba Watson | 40/1 |
| Graeme McDowell | 40/1 |
| Steve Stricker | 40/1 |
| Zach Johnson | 40/1 |
| Jason Dufner | 40/1 |
| Charl Schwartzel | 50/1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 50/1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 50/1 |
| Ryan Moore | 50/1 |
| Angel Cabrera | 50/1 |
| Graham DeLaet | 60/1 |
| Luke Donald | 60/1 |
| Hunter Mahan | 60/1 |
| Webb Simpson | 60/1 |
| Brandt Snedeker | 60/1 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 60/1 |
| Victor Dubuisson | 60/1 |
| Brendon Todd | 60/1 |
| Marc Leishman | 60/1 |
| Bill Haas | 60/1 |
| Lee Westwood | 80/1 |
| Francesco Molinari | 80/1 |
| Patrick Reed | 80/1 |
| Harris English | 80/1 |
| Tim Clark | 80/1 |
| Ian Poulter | 100/1 |
| Jamie Donaldson | 100/1 |
| Stephen Gallacher | 100/1 |
| Gary Woodland | 100/1 |
| Miguel Angel Jimenez | 100/1 |
| Ernie Els | 125/1 |
| Kevin Na | 125/1 |
| Chris Kirk | 125/1 |
| Thomas Bjorn | 125/1 |
| Field (all others) | 8/1 |
I don’t really want to take Tiger Woods this week, but I kind of think I have to. In 14 career starts at Firestone Country Club, Woods has an inconceivable 8-6 record. That’s right, eight times he’s won this event to six times he’s finished somewhere else. He’s also the defending champion. Last year, he shot a single-round career-low 61 en route to the 79th win of his PGA Tour career. Since then, Woods has struggled, had back surgery, missed the Masters and U.S. Open and struggled some more. A trip to one of his favorite courses could be just what the doctor ordered for Woods, and at 12/1, you’ll be glad you picked him.
Name No. 2 this week is Jim Furyk. I know I picked him last week and he didn’t come through, but I can’t say he lost the RBC Canadian Open — Tim Clark just out-played him on Sunday. Furyk wants, nay, needs a win this week at Firestone. He almost won this tournament in 2012 but stumbled late, opening the door for Keegan Bradley. It was one of the six times Furyk has been a runner-up since his three-win campaign in 2010. This week, Furyk is getting 20/1, offering you an excellent return on investment on a guy who will win in the very near future.
I hate to take the favorite, but it’s hard to ignore Rory McIlroy at Firestone. Obviously, he’s coming off a win at the Open Championship, but that’s not the only reason everyone should be watching Rors very closely this week. He’s playing great golf lately. Like, out-of-this-world-type golf. Except for his T-76 showing at the Irish Open, McIlroy hasn’t finished outside the top 25 in any event. He’s played well here in the past and should again this week. As mentioned before, at 7/1, he is the favorite so you’ll have to bet heavy to turn a major profit.
The next name has already won this year and has been one of the most pleasant surprises on tour in 2014. Brendon Todd has been on fire since winning the HP Byron Nelson earlier this year. Since then, his only two finishes worse than T-8 have come at the U.S. Open (T-17) and the Open Championship (T-39). Todd may just be due for career win No. 2, and despite facing off against the star-studded field, he has just as good a shot at winning this week as anyone. He’s proven he’s one of the best on tour this year — that’s why he’s here and not in Reno — and at 60/1, a win would reward you handsomely.
Finally, I want you all to take a long, hard look at Keegan Bradley. The 2011 PGA Champion hasn’t had the greatest 2014, but he does play very well in Akron. He took down Jim Furyk in 2012 and finished T-2 here last year. A spin around Firestone Country Club could be just what Bradley needs to get his 2014 on track before it’s too late. He’s getting 25/1 this week, providing an excellent return on your investment. It’s hard to imagine Bradley doesn’t contend this week — hopefully you’re smart enough to pick him.
There you have it, kids. Once again, I can only make suggestions. Make the picks you feel you must, but don’t say I didn’t tell you so. Until next time, friends and degenerate wagerers …
– Golfstradamaus
Past Prophecies: Golfstradamaus Archive
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