Phil Mickelson, Henrik Stenson, Webb Simpson, Alex Noren, Matt Kuchar and Patrick Reed will be among the notables reviewed in Tuesday’s Fantasy Insider.
There may not be a fairer test than Firestone Country Club. Because of its predictability, it’s both the kind of track on which a returning participant can rely on finding his game as well as how it stacks up in real time against the best in the world. With no cut, the mindset is simplified to perform over 72 holes.
The stock par 70 tilts at 7,400 yards for the 12th consecutive edition. Large bentgrass greens will run as fast as 12-and-a-half feet on the Stimpmeter, although if the forecast for early-week rainfall holds true, surfaces could be a touch slower. Primary rough is allowed to grow to three inches. Last year’s field of 76 averaged 70.497 on the scorecard, which just about hits the historical bull’s-eye. Hideki Matsuyama equaled the course record of 61 in the final round for a come-from-behind, five-stroke runaway.
There’s a perception that Firestone is long even by today’s standards. However, the par-5 16th that tips at a TOUR-long 667 yards boosts the overall yardage disproportionately. The 10 par 4s average just shy of 449 yards. Furthermore, accuracy off the tee is more important than distance, but neither of those two components are as important as hitting the greens in regulation and putting.
Nine of the 12 who finished inside the top 10 here last year ranked inside the top 15 in GIR for the week. Seven slotted inside the top 15 in strokes gained: putting. Comparatively, only three who finished inside the top 15 in distance of all drives and just four inside the top 15 in fairways hit were among the top 10 on the leaderboard. This isn’t to say that length is irrelevant; rather, Firestone is a second-shot track where length is bonus at times.
Matsuyama finished outside the top 20 in both distance of all drives and accuracy off the tee, but he co-led in greens hit, ranked T2 in proximity and paced the field in strokes gained: tee-to-green (surprise, surprise).
The pursuit for the Gary Player Cup will occur in warm and humid conditions. Daytime highs will rise into the upper 80s on the weekend. There is a reasonable chance for rain and storms on Friday. Wind is likely to be a non-factor.
Once the last stroke is made, it’ll signify the end of an era for Firestone in its recurring role as host of a PGA TOUR stop. In April, it was announced that the tournament will be relocated to TPC Southwind in 2019. However, as part of a four-year agreement with the PGA TOUR Champions, Firestone will transition into host of the Bridgestone SENIOR PLAYERS Championship next year.
Just in case you were wondering, Woods becomes eligible for the 50-and-older circuit in 2026.
ROB BOLTON’S SCHEDULE
PGATOUR.COM’s Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton reviews and previews every tournament from numerous angles. Look for his following contributions as scheduled.
MONDAY: Rookie Ranking, Qualifiers, Reshuffle, Medical Extensions, Power Rankings (WGC-Bridgestone)
TUESDAY*: Power Rankings (Barracuda), Sleepers (WGC-Bridgestone), Facebook Live, Fantasy Insider
WEDNESDAY: One & Done (WGC-Bridgestone), One & Done (Barracuda)
THURSDAY: Champions One & Done
* – Rob is a member of the panel for PGATOUR.COM’s Expert Picks for PGA TOUR Fantasy Golf presented by SERVPRO, which also publishes on Tuesdays.
Be the first to comment