Only the top 70 remain.
This week in Wilmington, Delaware, is the second of three FedEx Cup Playoff events, the BMW Championship. The host venue, Wilmington Country Club, is a big boy. Measuring in at 7,534 yards, the par-71 track will demand distance off the tee as three par-4s on the front are over 490 yards on the scorecard, while the two par-5s on the back are 600-plus yards.
In other words, we’re not sure a mid-handicap golfer would survive an 18-hole trek around this place.
Last week’s winner Will Zalatoris now sits No. 1 in the FedEx Cup standings followed by world No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. Cam Smith, the No. 2 player in the world and No. 3 in the FEC, will not tee it up due to a lingering hip injury as reports swirl about his future with the Tour and LIV Golf.
Golf course
Wilmington Country Club | Par 71 | 7,534 yards
Key stats
- Driving distance
- Strokes Gained: Approach
Data Golf Information
Course Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfer attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who performs well at each course – DataGolf): 1. Caves Valley Golf Club, 2. Olympia Fields Country Club, 3. Winged Foot
Trending: 1. Tony Finau (last three starts: 1, 1, T-5), 2. Rory McIlroy (T-19, 3, MC), 3. Matt Fitzpatrick (T-6, T-12, T-5)
Percent chance to win (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Rory McIlroy (9 percent), 2. Scottie Scheffler (7 percent), 3. Jon Rahm (5.8 percent)
Latest Twilight 9 episode
BMW preview | FedEx St. Jude recap:
Apple Podcasts | Spotify | Google Podcasts
Betting preview
Odds
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Rory McIlroy | (+1000) | Xander Schauffele | (+2000) |
| Jon Rahm | (+1300) | Collin Morikawa | (+2000) |
| Tony Finau | (+1500) | Viktor Hovland | (+3000) |
| Justin Thomas | (+1500) | Tom Kim | (+3000) |
| Patrick Cantlay | (+1500) | Cameron Young | (+3000) |
| Matt Fitzpatrick | (+1500) | Shane Lowry | (+4000) |
| Scottie Scheffler | (+1500) | Jordan Spieth | (+4000) |
| Will Zalatoris | (+1500) | Joaquin Niemann | (+4000) |
| Sungjae Im | (+2000) | Hideki Matsuyama | (+5000) |
| Sam Burns | (+2000) | Tyrrell Hatton | (+5000) |
Cameron Young
Will Zalatoris finally pulled through for me. I’ve bet on him nearly every week for as long as I can remember. So, let’s do it again. Cameron Young has been one of my go-to guys for most of the season and I’m going right back to him.
This golf course is going to be a driving competition and not many players on the planet drive it better than Young (second in SG: OTT and fourth in driving distance).
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 78th
- Driving distance: Fourth
Bets to consider: Outright (+3000), Top 10 (+230)
Rory McIlroy
I don’t wanna hear it. Yes, I put these two guys on my card every week. Sue me. I don’t care. From what I’ve heard early in the week, Wilmington Country Club is soft and playing long. A recipe for success for the Northern Irishman.
McIlroy’s last three finishes following a missed cut: Second, win, T-6. At Caves Valley last season, McIlroy finished solo fourth.
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 14th
- Driving distance: Second
Bets to consider: Outright (+1000), Top 5 (+250)
Viktor Hovland
Viktor Hovland showed signs of life last week in Memphis with a T-20. It’s time for the young man to return to the winner’s circle.
He’s one of the best drivers of the golf ball in the world and should show that around WCC. He gained strokes with his iron play last week so here’s hoping that carries over.
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: 18th
- Driving distance: 38th
Bets to consider: Outright (+3000), Top 20 (-110)
Justin Thomas
I know Justin Thomas won the PGA Championship earlier this year, but it feels like he’s coming into the BMW under the radar. He’s been quiet. He’s been hanging around.
That’s why I like him in Delaware, coming off a T-13 at the FedEx St. Jude.
Key stats rankings this season
- Strokes Gained: Approach: Fifth
- Driving distance: 14th
Bets to consider: Outright (+1500), Top 10 (+150)
