The third tournament of the FedEx Cup playoffs gets going tomorrow in Chicago, as Camilo Villegas tries to defend his BMW Championship in what should be an exciting few days of golf. Here’s a video recapping some final round highlights from last year:
Guys will be battling to try and get into the top 30, so then they will be eligible for the last leg of the playoffs next week in Atlanta.
But, before the action gets underway tomorrow, there’s something we’ve gotta do.
That’s right…..predictions!
The Sleeper
I don’t know if I just really want this guy to win because of the heartbreak at the Masters earlier this year, but I like Kenny Perry this week. I think we can classify him as a sleeper this week, simply because he hasn’t played all that well lately. He’s finished around the 50s in the last three tournaments, and has never really been in contention at all.
But, you’ve gotta remember that Cog Hill is a long course that should play to the long ball hitter’s advantage. Not just any long ball hitter though. One that can keep it in the fairway, and hit plenty of greens in regulation. I think we’ve seen in the past that Perry has the ability to do that, and I would like to see him get hot this week and pick up the victory.
The Contenders
Here’s the Vegas odds for the week. My top eight may be a little different from the oddsmakers, but not too much: Tiger Woods, Padraig Harrington, Steve Stricker, Retief Goosen, Phil Mickelson, Angel Cabrera, Hunter Mahan, Jim Furyk. Honorable mention: Ernie Els, Zach Johnson, Sergio Garcia.
Elimination-style format for those who haven’t followed my predictions before. So here we go.
It’s hard to believe I’m starting off predictions by eliminating Stricker, but I am. He’s played so well the last few weeks that I just feel a letdown coming this week. He’ll still play himself into the top 20, but won’t have another win up his sleeve this week.
Mahan was picked for the Presidents Cup yesterday, so he’ll have a little presssure taken off this week. He’s played decent the last few tournaments, but nothing outstanding. He should play well without any pressure this week, but won’t pick up the win.
It’s just hard to pick Mickelson, though he is playing better as the weeks progress. I think he may have one of his best finishes of the year at the BMW, but his game isn’t all the way back yet, which will make it tough to win this one.
Goosen hit the ball a long way off the tee, which should give him somewhat of an advantage this week. But, he had a bad final round last week after playing extremely well the first three days. So he doesn’t have much momentum, and will be on the outside looking in on Sunday.
The Final Four – Woods, Harrington, Cabrera, Furyk
Furyk has to be a strong contender this week, simply because he’s been playing his best golf of the season the last few weeks. He definitely hasn’t had his greatest season on tour, but a win this week would go a long way to healing that a little bit. I expect a top five finish, but not a win.
Besides Stricker and Woods, no one has been hotter in the past month or so than Harrington. He’s officially back after he struggled mightily in the first half of the season, and will once again be a factor this week. He’s due for a win, but there’s someone else who win it this week. Though I do expect another top 10 finish for Paddy at the BMW.
The Finals – Woods vs. Cabrera
There’s simply no doubt in my mind who is going to win the tournament this week.
He will be a man on a mission after losing the top spot in the FedEx Cup standings, and will be out to prove a point this week at Cog Hill. Yeah, I’m talking about Tiger.
I like the fact that Cabrera has been playing well and hitting the ball straight here the past few weeks, but I think Tiger finds a way this week to come out on top.
He’s got plenty of momentum after the final round last week at the Deutsche Bank Championship, and he’ll use that this week to get off to a fast start.
Tiger Woods is your winner in Chicago, and regains the FedEx Cup lead heading into Atlanta next week.
Who are you picking this week at the BMW?