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BMW Championship: Picks and Preview

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After a week off, the FedExCup Playoffs continue this week at the BMW Championship. For the first time, Conway Farms Golf Club on Chicago’s North Shore plays host to a PGA Tour event.

The much-buzzed about Tom Fazio design is sure to command a great deal of attention this week, as are players’ reactions to the 7,216-yard track. The par-71 layout opened in August 1991. The venue was built on the farmland around Conway Road and has hosted numerous USGA and NCAA events.

A few of the many storylines entering the third playoff event: How will new points leader Henrik Stenson perform after his win at the Deutsche Bank Championship? Who used the off week to their advantage? How will the Tour’s best receive the new venue? How will Conway Farms member Luke Donald (currently 54th in points) fair? And, of course, will Tiger Woods rebound after an uninspired performance at TPC Boston.

Click here to see our inside-the-ropes photos from the BMW Championship.

You can catch the BMW Championship

  • Thursday-Friday, 3-6 p.m. ET (Golf Channel)
  • Saturday, 1-3 p.m. (GC), 3-6 p.m. (NBC)
  • Sunday, noon-1:30 p.m. (GC), 1:30-6 p.m. (NBC)

Here’s a look at who the punters favor this week.

Tiger Woods: 11-2 odds*

Tiger-Woods-Deutsche-Bank-Championship

After finishing tied for second at the first playoff event, The Barclays Championship, Tiger Woods took a step backward at the Deutsche Bank Championship, where he finished tied for 65th. Woods failed to shoot a round better than 72 after the cut, dropping him from his top spot in the FedExCup standings. Maybe more important was that Tiger was among the worst putters for the week statistically.

If we know anything about Tiger, we know that he was unhappy with his performance and that he spent the week off practicing. If you’re of the Brandel Chamblee mindset regarding the world No. 1, the fact that he spent the last week toiling away on the nuances of his swing (i.e. digging himself a deeper hole) isn’t encouraging. Neither does it portend a strong showing at Conway Farms this week. Regardless, what Woods does at the BMW this week depends more on his putter than any club in the bag.

Adam Scott: 12-1 odds

Adam+Scott+Deutsche+Bank+Championship+Round+70afXG4vd9Pl

At a course he’s historically played well, Adam Scott struggled. The Australian finished tied for 53rd at the Deutsche Bank Championship. However, prior to that, he hadn’t finished outside the top 15 since the Open Championship and he won the first playoff event.

At a course that necessitates precise ball striking, and where the wind could blow, Scott, who hits better than 62 percent of fairways and 68 percent of greens, should have an advantage. It’s just as likely though that the No. 11 player in FedExCup points coasts into next week with a respectable, albeit not spectacular, showing this week.

Henrik Stenson: 12-1 odds

Henrik-Stenson-Wins-Deutsche-Bank-Championship

Convincing victor of the Deutsche Bank Championship, Henrik Stenson is the hottest golfer in the game right now. Prior to the win, Stenson finished no worse than third in three of his four previous starts. He hits more greens in regulation than anyone on tour, and also ranks sixth in driving accuracy.

Putting, of course, is the only weakness in the Swede’s game (presently, he’s 117th in Strokes Gained-putting). This shouldn’t be too much of a deterrent, though, as Stenson is, in the abstract, the player most likely to win the next PGA Tour event, regardless of where it’s held.

Justin Rose: 20-1 odds

Justin+Rose+Deutsche+Bank+Championship+Round+JcHFTHaA4GCl

Justin Rose has quietly been having himself a very good FedExCup playoffs thus far. Rose finished tied for second at The Barclays and tied for 16th at the Deutsche Bank Championship, which included a second-round 63.

At a windy course that suggests links golf, who better to win than an Englishman? Additionally, Rose will surely be reminded this week of his 2011 BMW Championship win (albeit at a different course, obviously), which should inspire his performance.

Steve Stricker: 20-1 odds

Steve Stricker

There would be a poetry to Midwesterner Steve Stricker winning in an essential Midwestern state. Further, Stricker is reportedly a Chicago Bears fan and attended college at the University of Illinois. All this by way of saying, he should be at home at Conway Farms this week.

He’s also likely to be going for broke outside of Chicago this week, attempting to put himself in a position to win the FedExCup at the Tour Championship, or skip the event (as he said he would do if he didn’t have a chance to win the cup) and head off on his buddies’ hunting trip with no regrets.

*odds according to Bovada

Ben Alberstadt is the Editor-in-Chief at GolfWRX, where he’s led editorial direction and gear coverage since 2018. He first joined the site as a freelance writer in 2012 after years spent working in pro shops and bag rooms at both public and private golf courses, experiences that laid the foundation for his deep knowledge of equipment and all facets of this maddening game. Based in Philadelphia, Ben’s byline has also appeared on PGATour.com, Bleacher Report...and across numerous PGA DFS and fantasy golf platforms. Off the course, Ben is a committed cat rescuer and, of course, a passionate Philadelphia sports fan. Follow him on Instagram @benalberstadt.

1 Comment

1 Comment

  1. Martin

    Sep 10, 2013 at 6:56 pm

    What about Canuck Grahame LeLaet breaking through after finishing 2nd and 3rd in the first two events.

    If the wind blows the Prairie boy will feel like he’s home, plus the playoff beard is good mojo.

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