AT&T BYRON NELSON
Well last week was absolutely awesome. Rory McIlroy broke out of his two year slump to capture his third Wells Fargo Championship. I’ve always been a huge fan of Rory for the most part, but I was absolutely thrilled for him. He’s been struggling, that was no secret, but that's basically golf in a nutshell. Golf is hard, you go through slumps, low points, and complete and utter failure. The most important thing is to keep pushing through and that was what Rory did last week. However, the win was on the line when Rory got to 18. Although he did have a two shot lead going into the last hole Rory was in for a wild ride. He decided to lay up with a 3 wood and that quickly went sideways when he hooked his tee shot right into the hazard. After his drop a heroic 8 iron got him safely to the green where he two putted for bogey to win by one over Abraham Ancer. I will say this, Rory has nerves of steel, a lot of players would have struggled to keep it together. Huge week, fans are back, golf is back and the world is healing again, love to see it. Continuing on the tour heads back to Texas for the AT&T Byron Nelson.
This is usually an awesome event with a pretty solid field, but this year we are in for a treat. Since the PGA Championship is next week a lot of star players are playing this week to prepare for the second major of the year. I especially like this event because it will typically showcase one of the nations top amateurs. Jordan Spieth played very well as an amatuer there when he was 16 and this year Cole Hammer will be teeing it up this week to showcase his talents. Along with some of the top youngsters in the game, the field this week is going to be fun to watch. This week fans can expect to watch Bryson DeChambeau, Jordan Spieth, Matthew Fitzpatrick, Jason Day, Daniel Berger, Will Zalatoris, and the Return of Brooks Koepka. Now Brooks was last seen missing the cut at Augusta National. Brooks had been battling physical ailments so it should be interesting to see how well his body has healed the past month. (Mike)
One of the most exciting aspects about this week is that it is a new course to the Tour. The Tour plays at some great courses, but playing the same courses year in and year out can get boring to the viewer. There will always be certain courses that remain special even though we see them every year, but I would like to see the tour add more courses to the rotation. I am not sure what to expect from the course this week, but it will be my first time seeing it and I am excited about that.
I am also excited to see Brooks and Jordan in action this week. The game of golf is obviously better when the best in the world are playing. I think Jordan will have a solid showing this week, but I think Brooks will struggle. Brooks just needs to get reps in before the PGA and he has made it no secret that the majors are what matter to him. There will be plenty of speculation about DJ withdrawing, but I hope it is just to be ultra safe and it is not something that will keep him out next week. (Tyler)
Pick’s of the Week:
Mike: My picks this week will not come as a surprise. My winning pick of the week goes to my guy Jordan Spieth. We haven’t seen Spieth since Augusta, but he did contract Covid-19 between then and now. Personally I think he is well rested and recharged, he's playing a familiar course, and he's confident again. After his win at the Texas Valero, he feels like his old self again. Jordan will continue to win at the highest level for a long time.
My most notable to miss this cut this week goes to Bryson DeChambeau. After last week’s trainwreck when he left the course thinking he missed the cut, to then having to fly back the same night when he ultimately made the cut on the number. Nevertheless I think Bryson is burning himself out. Plus his putting has been average at best. I think Bryson will miss the cut by at least 2 this week.
My underdog pick of the week goes to Aaron Wise. Wise has already won here before and he's playing pretty solid leading up to this week. Give wise a peak this week he’s going to make some moves this week. (Mike)
Tyler: My pick’s last week were not so bad, Joaquin Niemann was my pick to win and he finished with a T18. I also predicted Patrick Cantlay to miss the cut, which he did. Plenty of room for improvement in the picks department, but not a bad week overall. My pick this week to win is Matthew Fitzpatrick at 20-1. He has been playing really well lately and seems due for a win. A win this week would make him a top contender headed into the PGA Championship next week.
My darkhorse to win this week is Thomas Pieters at 66-1. He has not been close to his form he was in a few years ago, but the talent is there. He seems to thrive in big moments and I would not be surprised to see him contend this weekend. He is certainly a guy I thought would have more wins on tour at this point of his career.
My notable to miss the cut is Jon Rahm. He is another guy that I expected to have more wins at this point of his career. He is still young and I am sure the wins will come in bunches over the next few years, but I do not think he plays well this week and eventually misses the cut. (Tyler)