The 2018 "I Think This Is It, This Is Finally His Week" BMW Championship Preview
Quick turnaround this week after a Monday finish has us feeling like the golf just never stops. Tiger skipped the pro-am today, the first time he’s done that I believe ever, to rest up before tomorrow joining 69 other dudes vying for just 30 spots at East Lake in two weeks. 70 left, 30 spots at East Lake, the top 5 going in are guaranteed to win the FedEx Cup and $10M with a win in Atlanta.
The Track
We’re in Philly this week at Aronimink Golf Club, host of the 1962 PGA Championship, the future 2027 PGA Championship, the future 2018 Women’s PGA Championship, the 1977 U.S. Amateur, and two other PGA TOUR events in 2010 and 2011. An original Donald Ross design, this thing becomes the third straight TOUR stop to be recently touched up by Gil Hanse.
Reminder, we had Gil on the show last fall. Meticulous insight from one of the world’s most renowned course architects.
Here are some looks from our guy Jon Cavalier aka Links Gems.
First tee.
Here it is in 1929.
Clubhouse
Oh my, sure would like to have a transfusion or 10 in there.
Clubhouse grade, 8.2.
Weather
Field
The 70 guys that’ve played the best from start to finish are here.
Here are your Fore Play guys in the field: Keegan Bradley, Austin Cook (Kip Henley), Bryson DeChambeau (kinda), Brian Harman, Kevin Kisner, Patton Kizzire, Ryan Palmer, Pat Perez.
Predictions
Winning Score
Most recently, Nick Watney won at 13-under here in 2011 and Justin Rose won at 10-under in 2010. There have been some changes, rumor has it it’s playing pretty soft, and we’re going to get some rain, but I don’t see the guys going crazy low this week. I think it’ll be similar to TPC Boston (-16 won it).
Winning score, -15.
Winner
This is it. This is the week. Tiger’s got the Scotty back in the bag, plenty of reps under his belt, and I just think he notches a win this year (and we’re running out of options).
Winner, Tiger Woods.
The Steven Bowditch + Smylie Kaufman Memorial DFL Award
Have to root for a Euro here right? I think Casey, Fleetwood, Hatton, Molinari, Noren, Poulter, Rahm, Rose, and Stenson all tie for last place. And wouldn’t hate Rafa Cabrera Bello winning.
DFL, Euros.
Dark Horse
Marc Leishman’s going off at 55/1 this week, and he’s the defending champ. Think that’s some great value.
Dark horse, Leish.
Notes
Shoutout Brice Garnett hovering around the lead for much of the week and finishing T12 after I picked him for DFL last week. Also shoutout to Billy Horschel WD’ing after I finally picked him for dark horse.
You suck, Billy Horschel.
Coverage
NBC.
Live streaming on PGA TOUR Live and GC and NBC.
Final Thoughts
We’re just over three weeks out from the Ryder Cup. Cherish it, folks.
Brand new Fore Play tomorrow featuring Brandel Chamblee and a full breakdown of the squads, the expectations, and much more. Keep your ears peeled.