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2014 PGA FedEx St. Jude Classic Betting Odds Preview | Picks

FedEx St. Jude Classic Prediction

The final tune-up for the US Open takes place in Memphis Tennessee this week as the FedEx St. Jude Classic is contested at TPC at Southwind. Many of the big names will take the week off to prepare for next week`s Major but there are still a number of interesting competitors teeing it up this week.

2014 FedEx St. Jude Classic
Location: Memphis, Tennessee, United States
Course: TPC at Southwind
Date: Jun 5-8, 2014
Total Purse: US $ 5,800,000
Winner’s Share: US $ 1,026,000 (18% of total purse)
Golf Odds from Bovada

Defending Champion: Harris English ($1,026,000)

TPC Southwind is a par-70, and will measure 7,239 yards – length won`t exactly be the determining factor this week although there are a number of bombers that have committed to play. Last year TPC Southwind ranked as the third-hardest par 70 of the season for a non-major – fairways were tough to hit meaning that accuracy off the tee and GIR stats will be the focus this week.

Shaping shots and controlled aggression is key here – let`s take a look at who has the edge in these departments and what could play out in the final tournament before the US Open

The Favorites:

Dustin Johnson 14/1

Won this event in 2012 and was T10 here last year. He currently sits second in all-around but has struggled a tad the last three outings – a going T7 at the Byron Nelson, T14 at Colonial and T46 at Memorial the last three weeks. His is inside the top 20 on TOUR in Proximity and Par 4 scoring average but current form scares me off a tad here.

Phil Mickelson 16/1

Finished T2 here last year but hasn’t been great in 2014 – ZERO top 10s so far. Phil continues to be one of the most difficult players on TOUR to figure out – I’m staying away!

Matt Kuchar 18/1

Committed late for this event – obviously looking for some momentum heading into next week. He has been one of the most consistent on TOUR this year and has nine top 10s this year. But he hasn’t been great in this event so like the other favorites, I am staying away.

Lee Westwood 18/1

Won here in 2010 and was T11 in 2011. Westy has been trending upward – top 10s in three of his last five starts overall including at T6 at the PLAYERS. He may be looking toward next week and may take this week to work on a few aspects of his game instead of concentrating on winning.

The Contenders:

Ryan Palmer 22/1

Was T3 here in 2012 and then finished fourth last year. In his last start he tied for fifth at Colonial – course history and current form have him looking like a serious contender this week. He is second on the PGA TOUR in par 4 scoring average – something that will come in handy on a track in which there are 12 par 4s.

Zach Johnson 25/1
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Finished an uncharacteristic T73 at Colonial but has a good history here – 3/4 with two top 25s and a top 10. His stats line up well with TPC Southwind – inside the top 30 in driving accuracy, SGP, Proximity and Par 4 scoring average – so don’t sleep on Zach!

Graeme McDowell 28/1

Is 5th SGP, 8th driving accuracy, 13th in Par 4 scoring average and 16th in Proximity on TOUR – perfect attributes for this course. He has a T7 and a MC here however and his recent form isn’t all that great.

Harris English 28/1

The defending champion but hasn’t been playing all that well as of late. He has six top 10s on TOUR this year but hasn’t had any eye-popping results the last few months. He ranks ninth in par 4 scoring average which should help him this week but a repeat seems unlikely.

John Senden 28/1

Won in Tampa and has finished T26, T11 and T5 at Colonial in his last three PGA TOUR starts. He has two top 10s here in nine starts and two MCs as well. He is trending upward lately and could surprise in a slightly watered down field.

Paul Casey 33/1

Makes his first start at TPC Southwind off a T13 at the Memorial in a tournament that he fell apart in the weekend. He has six top 20s in 10 starts this year (four top 20s in his last five starts overall) and will be out to avenge a brutal weekend at the Memorial. His present form is decent but he has absolutely no course history with which to draw from.

The Sleepers (50/1 or higher):

Billy Horschel 50/1

Has certainly been quiet this year but has looked better lately – a T15 at Muirfield was his best effort in quite some time. He was T10 here last year and may be due for a breakout this week.

David Toms 50/1

Two time champ here has also finished second two times. His present form is decent as well – a T5 at Colonial in his last start. He’s second on TOUR in driving accuracy, 13th in par 4 scoring average and 16th in Proximity and is the all-time money leader in this event. Gotta love Toms at 50/1!

David Hearn 55/1

Has been solid – six straight cuts including at T6 at THE PLAYERS. He has never missed a cut here in four tries and was T18 here last year. Hearn is trending upward and may be due for a win this week.

The Pick:

The Pick this week is Ryan Palmer at 22/1. He has a very good recent course history here and he is coming off a T5 in his last event played.

My sleeper is David Toms at 50/1. He is a two time champ here and he looked very good at Colonial last time out.

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By DaveB

Dave B has been a Fantasy Football writer for us for 10 years. A couch potato wannabe, Dave’s insights have been read by 10’s of people for years. He hope’s for world peace + global relaxation. Enjoy and remember only smoke things that are completely natural.