Jason Day will be looking to repeat as champion this week
I would like to say, “I told you so,” in reference to David Toms. I would like to say I knew it from the get go that he was going to bounce back so well after finishing second at THE PLAYERS Championship. I would like to say that the stats I quoted were the reason he won. But then I’d have to take credit for recommending Tiger Woods at THE PLAYERS Championship, where he withdrew half way through his first round. So instead, lets leave the past in the past and focus on this week in the Weekly Approach Shot.
Tournament: HP Byron Nelson Championship
Date: May 19th to the 22nd
Location: TPC Four Seasons Resort Las Colinas, Irving, Texas
Defending Champion: Jason Day (-10)
About the course: In a state that likes things big (and that I lived in for 11 years) they sure seem to keep their courses small. Like last weeks course, the TPC Four Seasons is a Par 70. The course was renovated from 2007 to 2008 to “develop a more challenging and classic layout for professional and amateur golfers” (Four Seasons Sports Club Site). Yet after the renovations, Rory Sabbatini came in and shot a tournament record 261 aggregate score, so there is some question how effective those renovations were at increasing the difficulty. In case you’re curious, Sam Snead holds the tournament record to par from 1957 when he shot a –20, but the Glen Lake Country Club where the tournament was played that year was a par 71, so Snead’s aggregate score was 264. This year’s winning share of 1.17 million would leave Snead green with envy, seeing as he walked away with only $8,000 for his victory.
Golfers to watch: Last year’s winner, Jason Day, was victorious by having the lowest average round score (obviously) and by averaging 25.25 putts per round. He currently ranks 13th in the PGA this year, so he should have a good shot to repeat. There is a stat that takes the composite of eight different golfing stats to create a category called “All-Around Ranking. Nick Watney is second. Start Watney. As was mentioned earlier, Rory Sabbatini holds the aggregate tournament record from two years ago. Also, the South African resides in Fort Worth, so he has home course advantage. Greg Chalmers has been averaging one three put every four rounds, fewest on the tour this year, which should help him stay low this weekend. Jeff Overton tied for second at this event last year, and he’s only missed one cut all year so he is likely to be in the hunt come Sunday. Given that putting will play a big role on the shorter course, John Merrick’s third overall ranking in strokes gained – putting make him a great sleeper. If you’re looking for bust potential, Dustin Johnson is your guy. He’s third in driving distance, but with only two par-5s on the course, his driver won’t give him the advantage. On the flip side, he’s 170th on the tour in strokes gained through putting, which is what will burn him in the end.