There will be no Adam Scott. No Rory McIlroy. Not even a shadow of Phil Mickelson in the next PGA Tour event. But here’s the thing: Tiger Woods is back. From June 26 to 29, Woods, along with some of the world’s highest-ranked golfers, will compete for the 2014 Quicken Loans National Tournament, which is to be held at one of Woods’ favorite courses, the Congressional Country Club in Maryland.
Can Woods make a successful return after months of absence? Or will long shots like Brendan Steele steal the show? Read more about this tournament’s favorites, high-value contenders and long shots below, and check out all our World Cup 2014 previews and predictions for more on the other even bigger tournament in the sports world this weekend.
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2014 Quicken Loans National Tournament Preview and Prediction
Favorites – Tiger Woods and Jason Day
The Tiger is back on the prowl. And there are few courses out there that Tiger Woods would prefer to return to than the Congressional Country Club. Woods has won the tournament twice in his career. The first was in 2009 and the other was in 2012.
[sc:Other240banner ]Though Woods admitted that he would be a little bit “rusty” after months of absence from competitive golf because of his back issues, him being included in the field surely means that the 39-year old thinks he’s healthy enough to at least manage a respectable finish in the tournament. Anything less, and the highly-competitive Woods wouldn’t be playing it.
Another favorite in the 2014 Quicken Loans National Tournament who’s had to deal with an injury this past few months is Jason Day. A T4 finish at the U.S. Open followed by a T18 at the Travelers Championship, in which he fired a 65 in the last round, proved that the Australian is now healthy and back in his fine form.
High Value – Brandt Snedeker and Bill Haas
Gaining momentum in the field is Brandt Snedeker, who is coming off back-to-back top-15 finishes at the U.S. Open (T9) and Travelers Championship (T11). These came on the heels of a six PGA Tour events stretch in which Snedekr finished T37 or worse, so if anything, Snedeker’s latest feats suggests that he has finally found his stroke again.
Defending champion Bill Haas hasn’t won a PGA Tour event yet this season, but he appears to be rounding into form to win once again at the Congressional. The 10-year pro has shot under par in four of his last five tournaments and has finished inside the top 10 three times in 18 events this season.
Long Shots – Carl Petterson and Brendan Steele
Carl Pettersson is one entry in the field that is definitely worth looking at given his long odds to win the 2014 Quicken Loans National Tournament. The Swedish golfer has a T3 finish at the St. Jude Classic and a T7 at the Travelers Championship.
Brendan Steele, meanwhile, has been cut seven times in 19 tournaments this season, but his season-best T5 finish at the Travelers Championship augurs a better performance at the Congressional. Last year, Steele finished T16 at the 2013 Quicken Loans. Moreover, the nine-year pro has six top-25 finishes on the season.
Prediction
Tiger Woods announces his return with a win at the 2014 Quicken Loans Tournament. Bet on the Tiger, or any other player you believe will win the tournament by creating a betting account now.
