PGA Pin Seeker 8-15-16

The Wyndam Championship Preview

This weeks stop on the tour is in Greensboro, NC for the Wyndam Championship. The par 70 Donald Ross design is a tricky layout that rewards smart course management and accuracy, but yields a ton of birdies as well. It will be a very fun week fantasy wise, where I think GPP scores will be some of the highest we've seen this year. The field is pretty stacked as well, which isn't the norm for this event. I think that is due in large part to the Ryder Cup being on the horizon,and this being the last week to accumulate Fed Ex Cup points. Eleven of the top thirty in Fed Ex cup points are in attendance, including Patrick Reed, Brandt Snedeker and Justin Thomas. Both of the par 5's are under 550 yards, so scoring on those holes will be crucial this week, expect to see your fair share of eagles. You'll notice in the picks I'm using the Ryder Cup and Fed Ex Cup points narrative a lot, as I really believe there is extra motivation for many players in the field.

Key Stats for Sedgefield Country Club

Par 4 Scoring (P4S) turned out to be a key stat I looked at, not surprising on a par 70 layout. The top 5 has been littered in the last few years with players who have finished inside the top 50 in P4S. Over the past eight years at Sedgefield CC, Bill Haas and Webb Simpson have crushed the par 4's here, both playing them under par. Next, par 3 scoring (P3S) makes an unusual appearance, but has shown to be very crucial here to success in the past. in 2014, Camilo Villegas, Bill Haas and Freddie Jacobson were the top three golfers here and also finished that season inside the top 45 in P3S. Finally, birdie or better percentage (BoB%) makes another weekly appearance in the key stats, as this week is expected to be a birdie fest. In three starts here, Freddie Jacobson has the highest BoB% of anyone in the field at 27.6%. William McGirt, Danny Lee and Harris English also have very impressive BoB% at Sedgefield CC of over 25%.

Top Pin Seekers

Patrick Reed

His nine top 10's are second to only Dustin Johnson this year, and he's a former winner here in 2011. He'll be playing to keep his 8th position in Ryder Cup points, the last automatic spot on the team. $3 GPP Ownership Guess: 12-17%

Rickie Fowler

I don't expect many people to be on Rickie this week at this price, but he's 12th in Ryder Cup points, and a win here would earn him a spot. Most players will drop down in the 10K and 9K range, and I have a sneaky feeling about him this week. $3 GPP Ownership Guess: 5-10%

Webb Simpson

Webb will be the mega-chalk this week, but for good reason, as the local boy has many factors working in his favor. In his last six trips here, he hasn't finished worse than 22nd and has a win. Has gained a remarkable 8.682 strokes tee to green on the field in his last six events (via FGM

Middle Tee Plays

Brandt Snedeker - DK Salary $9,800 - 9th in Ryder Cup points, plays well on Donald Ross designs - good form and three top 8's here - 1st in P4S

Bill Haas - DK Salary $9,600 - good form and superb course history - good on easy tracks and less than driver courses - top 51 in P4S & P3S

Kevin Na - DK Salary $9,100 - in good form, nice price and should be low owned - top 35 in P4S & BoB%

Rafa Cabrera-Bello - DK Salary $8,900 - great price and in great form - will likely be a popular play

William McGirt - DK Salary $8,700 - 16th in Ryder Cup points, in good form, and good course history - 20th P4S

Justin Thomas - DK Salary $8,600 - won an amateur event here a few years ago, in good form - 45th in BoB%

Scott Piercy - DK Salary $8,500 - 13th in Ryder Cup points, good success on shorter, easier courses, good course history

Kevin Kisner - DK Salary $8,300 - five straight made cuts, 8th here in 2014 - top 35 in P4S & BoB%

JB Holmes - DK Salary $8,100 - trying to hang onto his 7th spot on the Ryder Cup team, great price - top 40 P3S & BoB%

Ben Martin - DK Salary $8,000 - great form, great on Bermuda grass and Carolina courses - top 50 P4S & BoB%

Jason Dufner - DK Salary $7,900 - cash game lock of the week, seven straight made cuts, good course history - top 35 P4S & BoB%

GPP Dart Board Dreams

Jerry Kelly - DK Salary $7,300 - good form and great course history, 4th in 2011 - 27th P3S

Freddie Jacobson - DK Salary $6,700 - great on Donald Ross designs and shorter courses, 2nd in 2014 - top 50 in all three key stats

Camilo Villegas - DK Salary $6,400 - another Donald Ross design beast, won here in 2014 - 27th P3S

Chez Reavie - DK Salary $6,300 - four straight made cuts, two top 10's here - top 30 in P4S & P3S

David Toms - DK Salary $5,800 - egregiously low price, good course history - good on Donald Ross designs - top 50 P4S & P3S