There’s still about another month left before the U.S. Open tees off, but the PGA Tour is never lacking in top-class golfing action.
This week, the Tour resumes play in Texas for the 80th-year anniversary of the Colonial Country Club and another installment of the Dean & DeLuca Invitational. Jordan Spieth will be present once again in front of his hometown fans for the second event in as many weeks, but who else will give the Dallas native a run for his money?
Let’s find out the PGA stars worth keeping an eye on at Fort Worth this week. And for more insights on this tournament, check out more of own very own sleeper and long-shot picks right after this.
After merely finishing tied for 18th at Byron Nelson, Jordan Spieth (+650) is still hungry for a win on his home state. The World No. 2 golfer took no days off in between this past week’s tournament as he continues to search for his first win since the beginning of the year.
The D&D Invitational is one event that Spieth looks forward to annually, and not just because it’s held in Texas. Of his three career starts at Colonial, all of them have been top-15 finishes, including his sensational T2 finish last season.
And in general, the 22-year-old standout hasn’t really suffered a significant downfall to his game at all of late, which still puts him in prime position for a win this weekend. Spieth still has six top 20s over his last seven starts, counting finishing tied for second at famed Augusta.
Adam Scott
Strangely enough, a certain Aussie golfer rules the Lone Star State and not a full-fledged Texan like Spieth. Adelaide-born Adam Scott is the only player on the PGA Tour to have completed the “Texas Grand Slam” (wins at Colonial, Byron Nelson, Houston and San Antonio), and will look to add to his statewide domination even further.
Scott (+900) last won this week’s invitational just a couple of years ago, and he’s also in terrific shape this season to prove that his lost 2015 campaign is well behind him. A win at Fort Worth this week will move him to a tie with Jason Day for the most wins in this season, so you know that the World No. 7 will give it all he’s got this week indeed.
Sleepers
Zach Johnson
It’s been two months since Zach Johnson (+1,600) ended up in the top 10 of a PGA Tour event, but perhaps his return trip to Colonial will cure his recent woes.
We really shouldn’t overlook the fact that Johnson is a two-time champ at this week’s tournament, albeit that his last victory was back in 2012. The 40-year-old Tour stalwart even has three other top-10 finishes at the D&D beyond his two wins.
If not for his subpar play the past couple of months, Johnson could’ve easily earned one of our two slots as a favorite pick for this week. Nevertheless, if you’re gunning for a golfer with great history on a course for your own weekly golfing wager, there’s no one better than ZJ himself.
Kevin Na
Save from being cut at THE PLAYERS this May, the Korean veteran has seen a slight resurgence after cooling off from his hot start this season, securing three top-25 finishes in his last four starts – including a sweet T4 finish at the RBC Heritage mid-April.
Na (+2,800) is that one golfer this week that has the sleeper stereotype written all over him. He’s not overtly dominant heading into the tournament, and has just enough credentials from his past performances in this week’s course. The Las Vegas resident has three career top 10s from Colonial and six top 25s overall, thus making him a trendy and viable pick at Fort Worth.
Long Shot
Steve Stricker
Another former D&D Invitational champion set to take the greens this week is Steve Stricker (+6,000). The two-time PGA Tour Comeback Player of the Year won at Colonial back in 2009, but that was also back when he was still a relevant contender on the Tour. In fact, Stricker hasn’t won a tournament in nearly five years.
And even though he has three top-11 finishes this season, Stricker was also cut from four of the nine tournaments he took part in. The Wisconsin native’s heydays are well behind him, and his chances at winning another Dean & DeLuca title this week are virtually slim to none.
Writer’s Prediction
Adam Scott (+900) further solidifies his smashing 2016 campaign with a win at Colonial.
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