FedEx St. Jude Classic Preview and Predictions (Bonus DraftKings Picks)
Ball Marks
Posted On June 6, 2018
I am still bitter about Bryson winning the Memorial last week, and even more so when it became clearer that he pretty much punched his ticket to France later this year for a spot on the US Ryder Cup team. Yes, I had Patrick Cantlay to win at +5000, and with him having a 2 shot lead going into the back 9 on Sunday, I was pretty confident, especially seeing that Bryson could not hit a fairway to save his life. As much as I hate Bryson, and his mad scientist ways, I have nothing but respect for him the way he scrambled his dick off on Sunday, at one point he had missed 7 fairways in a row, but was also 3-under during that stretch.
Bryson DeChambeau gets the win in the playoff. Big time celebration. #TheMemorial pic.twitter.com/OOFsrQiNmh
— Mark Harris (@TweetsByHarris) June 3, 2018
Turning back to Cantlay, when you have him to win, and he’s winning, you can deal with his slow play, but once the rails came off on the back 9, I began to get so frustrated with his pre shot routine, and I am so close to putting him on my Do Not Pick list for that sole reason. Kid is a stud, and will be at the forefront of this youth movement in golf, but GOD DAMN dude pick up the pace and just hit the ball!
CANTLAY w/ 13 looks at the pin at address.
no wonder the shot had bad luck. pic.twitter.com/TYSN41nCBF
— Matthew Wiley (@wiley77) June 3, 2018
The next stop on Tour, and the last tune up before the U.S. Open, is The FedEx St. Jude Classic down in Memphis at TPC Southwind. As the two time defending champion, Daniel Berger, tries to make it a rare three peat, he will be dealing with a less than stellar field, especially after a number of guys WD after qualifying for the U.S. Open earlier this week. Still headlined by guys like Phil, DJ, Brooks, Finau, and Stenson, but that is really about it. With most of the guys already preparing for next weeks major, this may be a good time for us golf fans to focus on our own games this weekend instead of watching golf. Granted, I am obsessed with golf so I will still be glued to the tv, but I wouldn’t expect fireworks this weekend down in Memphis.
The perfect putt, when you only have one chance left.#LiveUnderPar pic.twitter.com/wg5yfRgGp4
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) June 6, 2018
(Love me some Dicky Pride)
TPC Southwind has been the host of the FedEx St. Jude Classic since 1989, and has played pretty consistently over the years with most winners finishing in double digits under par, and the course hasn’t been changed a whole lot in the last few years. While hitting fairways is helpful, iron play and a cheeky short game is the most important here at TPC Southwind with the greens averaging around 5,400 square feet. You can call this a nice tune up for the U.S. Open, but unfortunately if you win this week, history is not one your side…
It's time for your annual reminder that no player has ever won on the PGA Tour the week prior to winning the United States Open.
— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 4, 2018
I would be lying if I didn’t say that when I saw that stat, it didn’t make me want to hammer Phil to win this week. Before writing for Hash Sports, I had my own golf blog (Foreright.blog), which I stopped paying for so there is no proof (convenient, I know), but I predicted that Phil would come in second place for the 7th time during this year’s U.S. Open, and a win this week at TPC Southwind would almost solidify that prediction. As if my picks have anything to do with Phils U.S. Open struggles, I will not pick him this week, even though I think this course sets up perfectly for him, and he has dominated the field in scoring the last 5 years (h/t Justin Ray again)
Most birdies/eagles made at TPC Southwind @fesjcmemphis last 5 years:
Mickelson – 90
English – 77
Villegas – 76
Crane – 72
Stallings – 70— Justin Ray (@JustinRayGC) June 5, 2018
FedEx St.Jude Classic Winner….
Peter Uihlein +4000
Peter is the definition of “trending”, coming off a top 5 finish at Memorial last week, along with a T-21, and another T-5 in his last 3 starts. Inside the top 20 in Par 4, and Par 5 scoring, look for Uihlein to keep his hot streak going at TPC Southwind this week. At 40-1 the value is pretty clear, and if he can just putt a little better than he did last week, I think he has a legit shot to win his first PGA Tour event at the FedEx St. Jude Classic.
Darkhorse of the Week
Brandt Snedeker +6600
There is no question Brandt has struggled this season, with his best finish being a 15th place finish at The Valero Texas Open, but look for him to throw out a good performance this week down in Memphis. He has always had a world class short game, with the ability to scramble with the best of em, and along with his pop stroke putting methods, if he can put it all together I think he can compete this week, and I will take him at 66-1.
**Bonus DraftKings Picks**
I said I wouldn’t pick Phil to win because I didn’t want to give him that bad juju heading into Shinnecock, but that doesn’t mean he isn’t going to be in my DK lineups this week. I like guys with value, who also make a decent amount of cuts, so guys like Ben Silverman (used to practice at the club I worked at), Chez Reavie, and Brandon Harkins are a couple of my value plays this week.
Don’t forget to follow me on Twitter @MattMarks19 for some other DK lineup picks, and maybe a few more Picks to Win this week. Last week I had Cantlay, Tiger, and Stenson who all had decent performances, and each giving a run for their money at the Memorial trophy. Hopefully we can get a win before the U.S. Open next week, and really go all out for the second major of the year.
