2021 Wyndham Championship Weekend Update

Russell Henley leads by four shots going into the weekend at the 2021 Wyndham Championship (image: SkySports)

 

 

The first two rounds of the 2021 Wyndham Championship, the last regular season event of the PGA Tour, have concluded. As it stands right now, Russell Henley is the leader going into the weekend with a score of 14-under par, after shooting an opening round (and career low) 62 and following it up with a 64 on Friday.

 

He holds a four shot lead over 2020 Olympic Silver medalist Rory Sabbatini, 2011 Wyndham Championship winner Webb Simpson and Scott Piercy. 

 

 

HOT GOLF

Despite the heat and humidity present in the first two rounds, which saw a weather delay at the end of the first round, Sedgefield Country Club played benign; good scores were able to be had. There were 19 players who shot 65 or under in their opening rounds; the second most in tournament history at Sedgefield. Due to this, the cut has been set at 3-under par. 

 

The weather is expected to turn for the worse on the weekend however, with thunderstorms forecasted on both Saturday and Sunday. 

A GAME OF NUMBERS

As we mentioned in our preview article, the Wyndham Championship is a unique tournament, in that it's the last chance for players to make a statement for the year. Whether it's trying to get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs, or retaining a Tour card, players are extra motivated this week.

The elusive number, at least for the Playoffs, this week is 125. Above it, and you're in the Playoffs, below it and your season is over. It's always a game within a game during the Wyndham Championship to see who gets in and who doesn't.

 

As of now, there are several players in interesting scenarios around the 120th-130th position, i.e., the bubble. Ryan Armour started the week at 122nd, but missed the cut and is projected to fall to 126th, as did Patrick Rodgers (123rd to 127th) and Bo Hoag (125th-128th). Our pick Tommy Fleetwood started the week at 136, but made the cut and sits at T23 6-under, projecting him to 133rd. Tommy will need a good weekend to get him above 125.

Other notables who missed the cut and Playoffs include Rickie Fowler (+3, 135th), Francesco Molinari (E, 141th), Padraig Harrington (+2, 169th) and Luke Donald (-1, 184th). 

HOW ARE OUR PICKS DOING?

1) Justin Rose: T5 at 9-under

2) Tommy Fleetwood: T23 at 6-under

3)  Louis Oosthuizen: WD

Rose came into the week with a goal in mind and he's on his way to accomplishing it. He's jumped 21 places in the rankings to 117 and is on track to get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs. In a similar situation, as mentioned, is Tommy Fleetwood, who isn't quite over the 125 hurdle just yet. Lastly, shortly after we made our picks on Wednesday, Louis Oosthuizen withdrew from the event. He cited a lingering neck injury and didn't want to aggravate it before the playoffs. This is a smart decisions from Louis, who is safely in the playoffs.

Two rounds down, two to go at the 2021 Wyndham Championship. Who will win this year? Who will get into the FedEx Cup Playoffs? Stay tuned for our Monday post to find out.

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews

2015 Shell Houston Open Weekend Update

With today's round now complete, we're halfway through the 2015 Shell Houston Open. Our weekday leader is Andrew Putnam at 12-under with a one shot lead over Austin Cook (who qualified for the tournament on Monday) and 2011 winner Phil Mickelson. The cut has also been set this week at 4-under.

Putnam fired off a stellar round of 65 today, which consisted of 7 birdies including four in a row on the front nine. Ironically, the PGA Tour rookie made his tour debut last year at the Shell Houston Open. I wonder if Putnam ever thought last year, he'd be leading going into the weekend in just a year's time? Andrew's older brother, Michael, is also a PGA Tour player and is also in the field this week; he's tied for 12th at 8-under.

The Golf Club of Houston was playing very well on Thursday and Friday. Low scores were shot all around and the low round so far was a 63, shot by Scott Piercy. Piercy carded a 5-hole birdie streak as well as a 32-foot birdie putt on the last hole, all which contributed to that low score. Unfortunately, he followed that score with a 74 today. Thursday's round also saw several players holing out from the fairway for eagles, some on par 4's and some on par 5's.

In a headline that's a little closer to home, Canadian Graham DeLaet is currently tied for 4th place at 10-under. Graham shot a pair of 67's, including 6 birdies and a bogey on today's round. At the moment, Graham is Canada's highest ranked golfer on the World Golf Rankings at 69th as well as one of the best Canadian golfers at the moment. The Saskatchewan native has yet to win on tour, but that could change this week.

And here's how our picks are doing so far:

1) Victor Dubuisson: T6 at 9-under (-9)
2) Martin Kaymer: CUT
3) Patrick Reed: T41 at 5-under (-5)

Excellent play from Dubuisson, who has the best chances of winning out of my picks. Patrick Reed could still be in the mix of things, depending on how he plays as well at the other players. Better luck next week for Kaymer also.

Lastly, in other news, it's been confirmed that Tiger Woods will be playing in The Masters this year. Now whether he's looking to compete or just play for the sake of things is another question. 

Stay tuned for our Results post Sunday night to see who's won the Shell Houston Open,


-Nick
Toronto Golf Reviews

Andrew Putnam, a former Web.com player, will have a huge field chasing him this weekend 

(Stan Badz/PGA TOUR)