2015 Quicken Loans National Picks

This week the PGA Tour stops off in Gainesville, Virginia for the Quicken Loans National. The tournament is being held at Robert Trent Jones Golf Club for the first time this year and is hosted by Tiger Woods, with benefits going to his charity, the Tiger Woods Foundation. This is a relatively new tournament on the PGA Tour schedule, having first been played in 2007 (when it was known as the AT&T National).

The Quicken Loans National is one of the more unique tournaments played by the pros, due to it's "invitational" status; a designation given to only five tournaments on tour. What this means is that the field is usually smaller and a greater variety of players usually participate in it; it doesn't follow the normal PGA Tour Priority Ranking System that designates who can play in a tournament.

Robert Trent Jones Golf Club was designed by course namesake and iconic golf course architect Robert Trent Jones and opened in 1991. It's said that the famous architect often refered to this course as "my masterpiece" which really speaks for itself, given the numerous courses Jones has designed/redesigned over the years (Spyglass Hill, Augusta National, Olympic Club, Firestone (which will host the WGC Bridgestone Invitational next week)). It's also been a Presidents Cup favourite; having hosted the event in 1994 (it's inaugural year), 1996, 2000, and 2005. As of today, it stretches to about 7,425 yards and plays as a par 72.

Given the invitational status of a tournament, the field this week is unique and so are our picks:

1) Jimmy Walker
2) Cameron Tringale
3) Tony Finau

Walker's been a bit quiet since his T2 finish at the HP Byron Nelson in May, but he may make some noise this week. Tringale has also been pretty quiet. And Finau is our dark horse pick, who could do damage with his colossal distance. Also, since this is the first time the tournament has been played at Robert Trent Jones' course, the field should be pretty even this year I think.

Stay tuned for our weekend post on Friday to see who's leading halfway through.


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

 Jimmie Walker is our top pick this week

Justin Rose Wins the 2015 Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Well it looks like Justin Rose brought some of his momentum from The Masters to New Orleans this week...

It was another action packed Sunday on the PGA Tour, this week at the Zurich Classic of New Orleans at TPC Louisiana. After many weather delays and re-arranged tee times, Justin Rose emerged as the winner this week, with a final score of 22-under par and a one shot lead over Cameron Tringale.

Rose was one of our picks this week. Ironically the last time one of our picks won was Justin Rose at the 2014 Quicken Loans National, which was also his last victory on the PGA Tour. Rose was in a good position going into the weekend and shot a 65-66 on Saturday and Sunday, respectively. He wasn't leading the tournament today nor was he in the final group, but two final birdies on the 17th and 18th holes were enough to give Rose the win. This win, along with his T2 Masters finish, surely makes up for the year Justin's been having. It also puts Rose in the Top 15 of the FedEx Cup Points Rankings.

TPC Louisiana played very well on the weekend, with low scores being shot around. By the looks of it, the average score on the weekend was in the high 60's with the low round a 64, shot by PGA Tour Rookie and former Web.com player Blayne Barber. In fact, Cameron Trinagle, Boo Weekley, and Jim Herman (who finished behind Rose respectively) all shot 7-under 65s in their final rounds. When scores like this are being shot all around, it's hard for a tournament not to be exciting or not have a dramatic finish.

Canadian David Hearn also had a good finish this week, with a T6 (18-under). This was the Brampton native's best finish this year (which has not been too successful so far). Hopefully he can continue this trend into his next tournament. Best of luck to David!

Finally, here is how our picks finished off:

1) Justin Rose: WINNER at 22-under
2) Brenden de Jonge: T22 at 15-under
3) Jamie Donaldson: CUT

I really though De Jonge would win it this week. He didn't play bad golf on the weekend; it's just that other players were playing better. This just extends De Jonge's streak of not winning, but with weeks like this, you have to think his time is coming sooner than later.

Next week is one of my favourite tournaments in golf. It's the week of the WGC-Cadillac Match Play (formerly the WGC-Accenture Match Play). Remember last year this was the site of the epic Jason Day/Victor Dubuisson playoff which left everyone (including Jason Day) stunned, particularly at how cool Dubuisson acted under pressure and in bad situations. It also features the top players in the world and it's match play! What more is there to love? Stay tuned for our picks later on this week!


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Justin Rose wins the 2015 Zurich Classic of New Orleans in some style

Sang-Moon Bae Wins the 2014 Frys.com Open

And just like that the first tournament of the 2014-2015 PGA Tour season is over. The winner of the Frys.com Open this year is Korean golfer Sang-Moon Bae, with a score of 15-under (-15) and a two shot lead over Australian Steven Bowditch. This is Bae's second PGA Tour win and first since his 2013 HP Byron Nelson Championship win.

He played excellent golf all week and had a several shot lead on Saturday evening, after shooting 66/69/65. However, Bae stumbled slightly during today's final round with a score of 73 and several bogeys. Some good pars and a few birdies however saved his round and eventually helped him win. Silverado Country Club played very good for the players too this week, with low scores being shot all around.

As we said before, new PGA Tour member and Canadian Adam Hadwin made his debut this week as a full time member. Unfortunately, Hadwin shot a 72/75 on the weekend to finish the tournament at T53 at 2-under (-2). Let's hope Hadwin will do better in the weeks to come. There were a few other Canadians in the field this week too, with the highest finisher being Graeme DeLaet (T39 at 4-under).

Lastly, here is how our picks finished the tournament:

1) Lucas Glover: CUT
2) Cameron Tringale: T26 at 6-under (-6)
3) Hunter Mahan: T3 at 12-under (-12)

An excellent finish from Mahan, who is probably being underrated at the moment due to his play at the Ryder Cup. It's hard to believe that the first tournament of the new season is already over. Based on the golf that was played this week, it looks like this season's going to be very exciting, with good golf being played for sure.

-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Sang Moon Bae Wins The 2014 Frys.com Open

2014 Frys.com Open Weekend Update

The weekday rounds of the first tournament of the new PGA Tour season have now concluded and the leader going into the weekend is Scotsman Martin Laird. He shot a pair of 67's at Silverado Country Club and leads the tournament at 10-under (-10) with a one shot lead over Sang-Moon Bae. The cut has also been set at 1-under (-1).

Conditions were really good for scoring for the first two rounds, especially earlier today. The low round of the day was a 7-under 65 shot by Mark Hubbard, as well as a few 66's and 67's by other players. It looks like Silverado Country Club was a good choice for hosting the Frys.com Open this year.

As we mentioned before, Canadian Adam Hadwin is making his debut this week as a full-time PGA Tour member. He's currently T12 and played great golf throughout both of his rounds. His game was on par, when he stumbled a bit with a bogey, he would quickly bounce back with a birdie. Let's hope he does well in the next two rounds!

Here is how our picks are doing so far:

1) Lucas Glover: CUT
2) Cameron Tringale: T8 at 6-under (-6)
3) Hunter Mahan: T8 at 6-under (-6)

Good golf being played by Mahan and Tringale. Let's see how they'll finish some Sunday evening,

-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Martin Laird leads the 2014 Frys.com Open (AP/Eric Risberg)

2014 Frys.com Open Picks

After a three week break, the 2014-2015 PGA Tour season officially kicked off today with the start of the Frys.com Open, being played at the North Course of Silverado Country Club in Napa, California. This is the first time that the Frys.com Open is being played here, having traditionally been played at CordeValle Golf Club, also in California.

In the past, the Frys.com Open was part of the PGA Tour Fall Series, a series of tournaments played after the Tour Championship during the off season. The Fall Series was dissolved at the end of 2012 and after a bit of rearranging of tournaments, the Frys.com Open became the starting tournament of the PGA Tour season, starting in 2013.

In other news, a Canadian golfer with a great story is making his PGA Tour debut this week. Adam Hadwin of Moose Jaw, Saskatchewan (residing in BC though) has been a Web.com regular for a few years now. Earlier this year, he earned his PGA Tour card after an impressive season (including winning the Chile and Chiquita Classic) and a Top-5 finish at the Canadian Open. Let's hope he's continues to play well and make a great debut this week.

Also, here are our picks for the winner this week:

1) Lucas Glover
2) Cameron Tringale
3) Hunter Mahan

Stayed tuned tomorrow for our weekend update of the 2014 Frys.com Open,

-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

The 2014 Barclays Picks - Results

The four rounds of the first playoff event of the 2014 FedEx Cup are now over and this year's winner of The 2014 Barclays at Ridgewood Country Club is Hunter Mahan, who shot a 6-under 65 today to win the tournament at 14-under, a two shot lead over Stuart Appleby, Cameron Tringale, and Jason Day. This is Mahan's first win of 2014 and his first win since winning the 2012 Shell Houston Open.

Mahan's 6-under 65 was the low round of the day and was shot by several other players as well. With this win, Mahan earns precious FedEx Cup points. He started the week ranked 62th on the points list but due to his win, he is now on top of the rankings. A good finish also ensures a fair amount of points too. For example, Morgan Hoffman just barely made it into the tournament being ranked 124th earlier this week, but he finished T9 today and has now shot up 52 points to 72 on the points list.

It just goes to show how important these playoff events are for players. A win or even good finishes in a few of these events can put you in a great position to win the FedEx Cup when its all said and done. Henrik Stenson did just that last year, winning the Deutsche Bank and Tour Championship (both playoff events), thus winning him the FedEx Cup.

With so much movement in the FedEx Cup points list in the upcoming weeks, its not too hard to see why the FedEx Cup Playoffs bring such excitement year after year. 

Finally, here is how our picks finished the tournament:

1) Graeme McDowell: T38 at 3-under (-3)
2) Rickie Fowler: T9 at 9-under (-9)
3) Jason Day: T2 at 12-under (-12)

An okay finish for GMac; he probably doesn't like it seeing how he needs to be playing his best golf now to ensure he gets on the European Ryder Cup team. And of course its not surprising to see Fowler and Day near the top. They certainly deserve every cent they're earning given the way their playing as of lately.

Stay tuned for our coverage of the next FedEx Cup playoff event, the 2014 Deutsche Bank Championship.

-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Hunter Mahan wins The 2014 Barclays (Photo by Ross Kinnaird/Getty Images)

The 2014 Barclays Picks - Weekend Update

The cut has been made and there are only two more rounds left of the 2014 Barclays. The co-leaders going into the weekend rounds are Cameron Tringale and Adam Scott, who both lead at 8-under (-8). The hold a one shot lead. The cut this week has also been set at 1-over (+1).

Scoring conditions were good in both rounds and especially in today's round. The low round of the day was a 7-under 64 which was shot by a few players.

A round of note was that of Rory Mcilroy. Rory shot a 74 in his first round, but then rallied to shoot a 65 today, which is good enough for a T27 place.

Here are how our picks are doing:

1) Graeme McDowell: T16 at 4-under (-4)
2) Rickie Fowler: T50 at 1-under (-1)
3) Jason Day: T6 at 6-under (-6)

Jason Day was one of the players who shot the low round of the day. He's probably the most consistent player on tour in terms of his place on the leaderboard. It always seems that he's in and about the top of it.

Stay tuned for the winner this Sunday evening,

-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews