2016 PGA: WGC Bridgestone Invitational Preview & Betting Tips

2016 PGA: WGC Bridgestone Invitational

Where: Akron, Ohio (Firestone Country Club)
When: Thursday 30^th June (9:00pm first tee)
Purse: $9,500,000

Akron, Ohio is most likely in party mode after LeBron James and the Cleveland Cavaliers secured their first ever NBA championship. However, they will have to turn the music down this weekend as the PGA tour stops by for the WGC – Bridgestone Invitational.

Firestone Country Club has been the host of the Bridgestone Invitational since 1962. The south course, is also known as “the monster” after Arnold Palmer made a triple bogey on the 16^th hole during the first PGA Championship and called it a “monster”. It’s a par 70 golf course that measures about 7400 yards. It’s one of the tougher courses on tour due to the small (fast) greens. Previous course experience and greens-in-regulation are my two focus points this week.

Please note that the Greenbrier Classic has been cancelled next week due to extreme flooding in West Virginia. That means the next PGA tour event will be the Open Championship at Royal Troon in Scotland on July 14^th.

Justin Rose

Ignore Justin Rose’s FedEx Cup ranking. In the limited events on the PGA tour (12) Rose has played very well. Including 5 Top 10’s and a 3^rd place at Wells Fargo. His game is very suited to Firestone. Currently ranked 5^th in GIR% at 70.47%. Not to mention his previous course results. Rose finished 5^th in 2012, 4^th in 2014 and 3^rd last year. He is tremendous value.
Tip: Justin Rose to win outright - $21 at CrownBet

Jim Furyk

After a small break due to wrist surgery. Jim Furyk is starting to return to form and a win at Firestone would not shock me at all. He is hitting almost 69% of greens and has been oh-so close several times at this event. Furyk finished T3rd last year, T9 in 2013 and 2^nd in 2012.
Tip: Jim Furyk to win outright - $29 at CrownBet

Patrick Reed

After missing the cut in the U.S. Open Patrick Reed will be eager to prove he is still a top player. Currently ranked 7^th in the FedEx Cup race. With two second place finishes and nine Top 10’s. Reed is the number 1 ranked player on tour (around the greens) and we all know how important the short game is!
Tip: Patrick Reed to win outright - $34 at CrownBet

Steven Bowditch

Following the theme of last week’s winner (ranked 607^th) in the world. Bowditch is currently ranked 124^th in world golf rankings. Make no mistake he is having a shocking season (only one top 10 finish) that being said his last round of 73 at the U.S Open was solid and he has lots of course experience here. He actually shot a 63 in the third round last year and finished 12^th. He is known as a “pure” ball striker who hits it super high (and there will be no wind this weekend).
Tip: Steven Bowditch to win outright - $501 at CrownBet
+ Bowditch to finish Top 20 - $10 at CrownBet