– Last Updated on November 21, 2022 2:41 pm
2017 PGA Wells Fargo Championship Prediction and Picks
Ready to bet this weeks on the 2017 PGA Wells Fargo Championship Odds? The PGA pros head to Wilmington, North Carolina this week to play the 2017 Wells Fargo Championship at Eagle Point Golf Club for the first time – the usual stop – Quail Hollow is in the midst of preparation for the 2017 PGA Championship later this year.
2017 Wells Fargo Championship
When: May 4-7, 2017
Where: Eagle Point Golf Club, Wilmington, North Carolina
Format: 72 holes – Stroke Play
Purse: $7,500,000
Defending Champion: James Hahn
TV Coverage: Golf Channel, CBS
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
Eagle Point Golf Club is a par 72 track that stretches out to 7, 396 yards. It will resemble the conditions of Augusta National which should make for a very interesting week indeed.
The usual track records that I look at for my picks can all-but be thrown out the window – current stats will be the key factors in my predictions this week.
Whereas Quail Hollow favored bombers on its 7600 yard layout, this year’s Wells Fargo will likely play top the more accurate ball strikers – big hitters are still in my radar however because of the wide open nature of some of the longest holes.
Smart play and shot placement will be key this week – the par 4s are relatively short and wind should play a factor.
Stats I’m looking at are Strokes Gained: Approach, Par 5 Birdies or Better, Strokes Gained: Off-The-Tee, Par 4 Efficiency 400-450 Yards and Proximity 125-175 Yards
So with all of that in mind who should we keep a special eye on in this week’s tune-up for next week’s PLAYERS Championship? Let’s break it down.
2017 Wells Fargo Championship Favorites:
Dustin Johnson +450
The World #1 returns to action after a back injury that kept him out of the Masters. He enters having won three of his last four starts and tops on TOUR in Driving Distance, strokes gained: tee-to-green, GIR and par-5 scoring – he ranks second in proximity.
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If he misses the green DJ is 20th in scrambling = every aspect of his game is on point right now. Rust is the only thing that will slow him this week – expect Dustin to at least be in contention.
Jon Rahm +1200
Young Spaniard looks to continue his ascension up the PGA ranks. He had four straight top 10s on TOUR before the Masters including a win at the Farmers Insurance Open – he was 27th at Augusta and will be looking o build another streak this week.
He ranks second in strokes gained: tee-to-green, 21st in driving average, 15th in GIR and 17th in birdie conversion percentage – pretty impressive. He’s a well rested guy hoping his momentum wasn’t snapped at the Maters – my guess is his all-around game serves him well this week.
Adam Scott +1800
Tees it up for the first time since a T9 at the Masters. He has five top 15s in seven starts on TOUR this year and sits 36th on TOUR in strokes gained: tee-to-green, 23rd in birdie-or-better percentage, T24 in par-5 scoring.
Scott’s putter and inactivity may seem to be a bit of a concern but this consistent veteran can turn it on as quick as anyone on TOUR.
Paul Casey +1800
Has certainly been coming on – two straight top 10s ahead of this weekend including the Masters and the Match Play – four top 20s in his last five starts overall.
His stats seem to support the notion that he will have a good week – 16th in strokes gained: tee-to-green and he’s also eighth in scrambling.
If his Achilles Heel putter can do its part, Casey’s iron play could take him a long way this week.
2017 Wells Fargo Championship Contenders:
Phil Mickelson +2000
If this event were at Quail Hollow this week, Phil would be higher on my radar (he finished top 12 in 11 of 13 appearances there). That said Eagle Point should suit his game.
He is currently third on TOUR in birdie-or-better percentage, T4 in par-5 scoring, second on Tour in strokes gained around the green, and 17th in strokes gained putting.
He enters off a middling T22 at the Masters and will be looking to make something happen ahead of next week’s PLAYERS.
Kevin Kisner +2500
Holed out to force a playoff last week – he looked great all week and now has made the cut in all 10 event played this year with a pair of runner-up finishes five top 17s in his last six starts overall.
He may not be the longest off the tee but he does rank sixth in strokes gained: tee-to-green – perfect for this track. Kisner seems due to emerge from the pack this week – OK value at +2500.
Bill Haas +3300
North Carolina guy has quietly put together a decent season – six straight top 25s earlier this season with a third place finish in the WGC Match Play.
His game seems to suit this track very well – he’s 13th on TOUR in greens in regulation, fifth in scrambling and 20th in strokes gained: tee-to-green. Haas has slowed a tad but in a virtual home game you have to like his chances for another good finish this week.
Wesley Bryan +3300
Broke through at Harbour Town earlier this year and seems to have the skills to make another run this week. He holds top 10s this year in the Genesis, Honda and Valspar and is becoming a weekly fixture on TOUR.
Get used to the name folks – Bryan is a threat every time he tees it up.
William McGirt +3500
Has been very good lately – he rides a streak of T9-T22-T3 in his last three stroke play events played into this week. His stats point to a good week for the local guy – he is third on TOUR in fairways hit and 22nd in GIR.
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McGirt has been knocking on the door – this may be his week.
2017 Wells Fargo Championship Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Bud Cauley +5000
Has certainly been trending upward ahead of this event – he was T5 last week with Justin Thomas in New Orleans, he was T9 at Harbour Town and had a T10 at San Antonio – that’s three straight top 10s on TOUR.
His tee-to-green game has been outstanding – if he can get his putter going Cauley could be the best value on the board.
Hudson Swafford +5500
Was a rising star before a recent slump. He had two straight top 10s before the Masters – he missed the cut there and was T32 last week alongside Harris English in New Orleans.
That said Swafford is a strong ball striker and his T11 ranking in par-5 scoring should be of immense help this week. He may not be the biggest name but fits the term “sleeper” to a tee.
2017 Wells Fargo Championship Picks:
It’s pretty hard to go against Dustin Johnson this week but I am. Adam Scott at +1800 is simply better value here.
He has been very good this year, has the perfect game to contend on this track and should be motivated for a good performance ahead of next week’s PLAYERS.
My sleeper is Bud Cauley at +5000. He has been inside the top 10 in his last three starts and like Scott has the perfect set of skills to make some noise this week.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
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