Wyndham Championship Preview: Webb's the Easy Pick

The PGA Tour heads to North Carolina as the annual one-week respite prior to the FedEx playoffs begins. As expected, many of those gearing up for the playoffs are taking a final break before what could be a three-week run, concluding with the Tour Championship. 

One player not in the field this week is Brooks Koepka, whose world domination tour continued last week in Memphis. The only thing left on the checklist is a FedEx Cup title. Oh, and a Green Jacket and a Claret Jug. But you get the point, the man just continues to amaze. 

As for this week, there are no confusing scenarios involving an event moving sites and two defending champs. We have a ton of course history to consider as Sedgefield Country Club has been host since 2008. A nice mix of young guns and proven veterans should lead to a fun weekend.            

This Week: Wyndham Championship – Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, N.C.  

Last Year: Brandt Snedeker shot a final-round 65 on his way to a three-stroke victory over Webb Simpson.  

FAVORITES

Webb Simpson (10-1) 

This looks like one of those "too good to be true" situations. Simpson has an outstanding track record at this event, he's in good form and there isn't a lot in his way. Simpson, who grew up in nearby Raleigh and went to Wake Forest, won this event in 2011 and has six top-10s in his last nine starts here. He's also coming off a runner-up in Memphis last week. And while there is some talent in the field, most of the big guns are taking the week off.         

Collin Morikawa (14-1)  

Morikawa has impressed in his short time on the PGA Tour, but the oddsmakers might be getting ahead of themselves. Morikawa picked up his first PGA Tour win last week and there's no telling how he'll respond. He's had a lot of success already on the PGA Tour and no one would blame him if he were to experience a hangover this week. It should be noted as well that his win was at an opposite-field event and his runner-up came on a course that was new to everyone in the field. He won't have either of those advantages this week. It's probably best to pass on him.        

Hideki Matsuyama (16-1) 

Matsuyama might be the biggest gun in the field this week. That doesn't mean he's going to win, but at least he won't have to worry about the likes of Koepka, Dustin Johnson and so on. He has  two missed cuts and two top-15s here, his best showing coming in 2016 when he finished T6. His form could be better, but he's shown the ability to play well here. All things considered, he's probably not the best value this week.             

MID-TIER GOLFERS                       

Brandt Snedeker (22-1) 

Snedeker's track record here is a bit scattered, but when he's on, he's been really good. Last year's win wasn't the first time he played well here. He posted a T3 in 2016 and a T5 in 2014. Snedeker has a pair of top-5s in his last five starts on the PGA Tour, which leads me to believe he's close enough to contend again this week.            

Patrick Reed (22-1) 

Reed has played some good golf the last couple months, but he hasn't been able to finish, and, therefore, he's a little under the radar. He posted a T12 against a strong field last week and  carded a top-10 at the Open Championship the week prior. Reed has made the cut in all four starts here and won this event in 2013.       

Viktor Hovland (25-1) 

Hovland joined the PGA Tour with more hype than Morikawa or Matthew Wolff, but entering this week, he's the only one of the bunch without a PGA Tour. No one could have expected two of these three guys to have wins already, so any perceived pressure on Hovland is overstated, but I have to imagine he feels like he has something to prove. It's not like he's played poorly since joining the PGA Tour, he's probably been the most consistent of the bunch, but wins gets the attention, not top-15s.            

LONGSHOTS

Cameron Smith (40-1)  

As of about a month ago, Smith was in the midst of a terrible season, but he started to turn things around three starts back and entering this week  appears to be on the cusp of something big. Smith is coming off a T12 last week in Memphis and has fared well in two of three starts at this event. Smith's best finish here was a T7 in 2017.         

Bill Haas (80-1)  

After posting a pair of top-11s in consecutive weeks a few weeks ago, Haas was a popular pick at the Barracuda Championship last week and while he didn't come through, I think he has something for us this week. Haas isn't the player he was when he won the FedEx playoffs, but he's capable of resembling that guy every once in a while. This could be one of those weeks, as he's carded five top-25s here in his last seven starts.       

ONE AND DONE GOLFER 

Highly Owned Pick: Webb Simpson - Since there was no obvious spot to use Simpson earlier in the season, he's probably available on most OAD teams. Unless you need to make up ground fast, he has to be the pick this week. Other players look appealing, but Simpson has everything going for him this week. If your league goes through the playoffs, I would just pull the trigger on Simpson this week and worry about making up ground the final three weeks.               

Moderately Owned Pick: Brandt Snedeker - For those who don't have Simpson available, and need to make up a lot of ground, there are two ways to go this week, old or young. Snedeker is the best "old" option on the board as he has a proven track record at this event. Careful, though — Snedeker is bound to be a pretty popular pick this week.          

Lightly Owned Pick: Viktor Hovland - Hovland is one of the "young" options in play this week. Wolff and Morikawa are in the field as well, but I'll side with the guy who is just a little hungrier. Since turning pro after the U.S. Open, Hovland has finished T16 or better in three of four starts. Hovland will look for a win this week, but he's also trying to get inside the top 125 to secure his card for next season. This week is his last chance to do so.                    

Buyer Beware: Collin Morikawa - I think I've sufficiently covered this already, but in case there's any ambiguity, I'm not high on Morikawa this week. This has nothing to do with how he's played to this point or even his future prospects, but everything to do with a young kid coming off a career-altering win. If he does manage to play well this week, then I'll give him all the credit in the world, because most young golfers would mentally check out in a situation like this.                   

Last Week: Adam Scott (T40) -$74,000; Season - $6,822,227  

This Week: Viktor Hovland - As you've probably surmised by now, I've already used Simpson and I'm going the "young" route in his stead. There are certainly safer picks on the board, but I like Hovland's upside. To this point in his short career, Hovland has been consistent, but he's managed to slip one poor round into each of his starts. Figuring out how to avoid that one bad round is part of the maturation process. It might take Hovland a while to figure out ... or he might just get it done this week like Morikawa and Wolff before him.                                             

FANDUEL PICKS  

High/Mid/Low: Webb Simpson ($11,900)/Cameron Smith ($10,400)/Bill Haas ($8,900) 

SURVIVOR PICK 

Last Week: no cut

This week: Webb Simpson - Unfortunately, I used Simpson in the OAD pool, but the good news is, it was during the Match Play event, which means I didn't double-up with him that week. Simpson is clearly the best OAD pick this week and is one of the best Survivor picks as well. Again, this pick will not get you any separation from the pack as he's bound to be an extremely popular pick in every format.