There are just two weeks left in the PGA Tour season, and things are heating up at the top of the FedEx Cup standings as the 70 best players head to the BMW Championship in Delaware.
This is the first ever PGA Tour event to be held in the state, as Wilmington Country Club hosts the second of three FedEx Cup Playoff events.
90 yards to clear the water on the range at Wilmington Country Club.
How many are going in the pond before you tee off? pic.twitter.com/miZgKXkAle
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 17, 2022
Justin Thomas is the only player to have played at the course, and that could be an advantage for the PGA Champion. The 2019 winner starts as a 16/ joint-fourth favorite, and he has every chance of winning at this course that will be very suited to his game. As mentioned last week, he has not had many seasons in his career without multiple wins, and with just the one major this year, he is running out of time to add a second. He is a player that seems to step up at the biggest events, and this is certainly one of them with a massive $15m purse up for grabs. He has played so well for so much of this season, and while any season that contains a major win is a success, he has perhaps not got the rewards for the great golf he has displayed.
Cameron Young is a lock to win the PGA Tour’s Rookie of the Year, but like Thomas, his impressive golf has perhaps not got the rewards it has deserved. He has six top threes this season, but has not reached the winner’s circle. He is a big hitter and should thrive on these generous fairways. He has shown he can hang with the best of them in a shootout, and that is what is expected here. Sometimes his putting can let him down a little, but we saw Will Zalatoris get off the mark last week, and he gets way more criticism in that department. Like Zalatoris, it seems just a matter of time before Young gets off the mark, and at 25/1 he has every chance of his maiden victory this week in Delaware.
Made cut ✅
Made day ✅A special moment for this Cameron Young fan on No. 18. pic.twitter.com/Pnq3x2IhHz
— PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) August 13, 2022
This tournament has not produced too many victories for outsiders in the past, with only Keegan Bradley achieving this amongst the favorites who usually take the title. Rory McIlroy once again heads the market, but 11/1 does not appeal after his poor form last week following a post-Open Championship break. Scottie Scheffler, 14/1 second favorite, also faltered a week ago. However, Jon Rahm is very interesting. Early on this season he was leading almost all the major statistical categories, but he has just one win to show for it. Like many of the players in the field, he took a break after the Open, and seemed to arrive back looking fresher than he has in a while. He has just welcomed his second child into the world and perhaps this could be a perfect way to celebrate – he won in 2020 in dramatic fashion, and he can win again here.
When looking for a longer shot that could do well, it is often worth looking towards the bubble in these events. Only the top 30 will make it to the FedEx Cup, and of those currently on the outside looking in, K.H. Lee has the most appeal. Currently 34th in the standings, a good week here will see him make the Tour Championship, something he so cruelly missed out on last season when a late bogey saw him finish at 31st. He is a quality player, and can draw inspiration from his sister Minjee who is a major winner in the women’s game. 150/1 is a massive price, but 17/2 for a top 10 or 11/4 for top 20 in this small field is very interesting.
It is hard to believe this season is so close to ending, but the players won’t be thinking about that just yet. There is still so much to play for with these huge purses and of course, the money on offer in the FedEx Cup. We have seen some players just run away with things in these playoffs before, but that doesn’t seem to be happening this year. It is wide open at the top, and with a big advantage to play for – the best players in the standings will start the next event under par before hitting a ball. This week should be a great event.
