Sticking With Lefty in Boston
Best Bets
1 Pt EW (1-5) Phil Mickelson (35/1 Boylesports)
0.5 Pts EW (1-5) Steve Stricker (100/1 Sky Bet)
0.25 Pts EW (1-5) Patton Kizzire (400/1 Bet 365)
The Fed Ex Cup race continues this week at TPC Boston with 99 golfers looking to make their move. The only player who is eligible but won’t tee it up this week is Danny Willett who continues to focus on the European Tour. This one starts on Friday due to the Labor Day bank holiday in the US and will culminate on the Monday night.
The course itself is a Par 71 design measuring out at nearly 7,300 yards. TPC Boston presents players with a fair chance of a low score. There are plenty of birdie opportunities available, which makes for a nice change coming off a week at Bethpage. Bethpage does provide us with a strong indicator though, and players who went well last week will likely set themselves up with many birdie opportunities this week.
As we previously said 99 of the top 100 in the Fed Ex standings tee it up this week so all the big names will be there. The only slight concern is Henrik Stenson who is again having knee trouble and can be best listed as probable. In the past big names have done well at this course and last year Rickie Fowler managed to get the job done with a solid Monday back 9.
In all likelihood the winner this week will have to do a good job both on and around the greens. Scrambling and putting statistics seem to be the most important indicators in predicting a winner. As usual we will consider both course and current form when getting to our selections.
1 Pt EW (1-5) Phil Mickelson (35/1 Boylesports)
We were on him last week and we really like lefty again this week. Firstly he gave us a good ride for our money at Bethpage despite not having his ‘A’ game. He managed a top 15 finish and particularly impressed with a closing 68. Phil is a past winner at this event, winning back in 2007 where he was able to hold off Tiger Woods. As well as his strong current and past course form he really has the tools to succeed at TPC Boston. He ranks in the top five in both strokes gained putting and scrambling and we are happy to go with him again this week in Boston.
0.5 Pts EW (1-5) Steve Stricker (100/1 Sky Bet)
The ever reliable Stricker has managed to claw his way into this one at TPC Boston, where he will be feeling a lot more confident than he was last week. Simply put Bethpage is just too long for Stricker, but TPC Boston is his kind of challenge. Stricker is a master around the greens and will be able to use this to the maximum this week. Like Mickelson, Stricker ranks inside the top five in both strokes gained putting and scrambling making him an ideal fit. He has hit two places in his last six events which doesn’t fit with his large price on offer. Finally Stricker is also a past champion here winning back in 2009.
0.25 Pts EW (1-5) Patton Kizzire (400/1 Bet 365)
Our last tip represents a small play on a rookie that has been quiet of late. The much hyped Kizzire hasn’t lived up to his early season form, but we have reason to believe that he might go well this week. This course really should suit his eye and when asked he is a superb putter. He showed a bit of promise with a second round 69 at The Barclays and we are happy to take him on with a small play this week.