Workday Charity Open: 2020 staff picks to win at Muirfield

The PGA Tour makes a two-week stop at Muirfield Village. First up is the Workday Charity Open along with our staff picks to win.

In case you haven’t heard, the next couple of weeks are going to be even more interested than one would expect on the PGA Tour. As they head to Muirfield Village for the Workday Charity Open, they will actually be there for a two-week span.

You could give me until the PGA Tour leaves, and I wouldn’t be able to tell you the last time that they played at the same site for two weeks in a row… without looking it up that is. It happened to be back in 1976 at Firestone.

That isn’t what we are here to talk about though. We are taking a look at who the staff here at Pro Golf Now thinks is going to win the event. We have a nice three-week stretch going of picking the winners (Webb, DJ, DeChambeau), and will look to add to the list.

Here are the staff picks to win the Workday Charity Open.

Justin Rose

Cam Cobey – He has historically played well at Muirfield with a runner up in 2015 as well as some top 15’s in recent years. I think he is due for a good tournament, after two top 15’s post-Quarantine. I think it will all come together for Rosie this week.

Tim Letcher – His experience at Muirfield Village combined with solid form lately makes Rose the choice this week. He’s second only to Tiger Woods in all-time earnings at the Memorial, with a win in 2010 and two runner-ups. I wrote about it more in a piece this week that you should all check out.

Matthew Wolff

Kathy Bissell – let’s go for Matthew Wolff although he may not be a good enough putter for those greens.

Cameron Champ

Bill Felber – no good reason, just riding a hunch that Champ will be the winner.

Marc Leishman

Richie Randolph – He has started slowly since the PGA Tour returned, missing the cut in Fort Worth and finishing a distant T58 at Travelers. However, he finished 5th at the Memorial last year, and his ball-striking prowess will play well at Jack Nicklaus’ famous Muirfield Village. Give me Leish this week!

Viktor Hovland

Kasey Kuhrts – Since coming back from the break, Hovland has made all 4 cuts, and finished no lower than T23. However, what is more incredible than that, Hovland hasn’t shot a round over par since coming back. He has 14 rounds under par, and two at even par. With that, Hovland is 8th on tour in strokes gained on approach, 6th in Par 4 efficiency 450-500 yards, and tied for 1st in approaches from 150-175, which are all key stats this week in Ohio.

Rickie Fowler

West Valentine – I don’t feel good about this pick at all. Rickie is like the 1990s Kansas City Chiefs – lots of talent and almost nothing to show for it but heartbreak. Muirfield Village is a tough track. You need all aspects of your game working to win. Rickie is hitting a ton of GIR, and if his putting clicks he has the length and touch to win.

Patrick Cantlay

Michael Randleman – In an excerpt from the weekly power rankings…

“Prior to golf’s stoppage, Cantlay had made four of four cuts in the 2019-2020 PGA Tour season, including solo second at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open. He’s up to 13 made cuts in a row worldwide with one coming on the European Tour. The last time Cantlay trunk slammed on Friday was in February 2019.”

Xander Schauffele

Hans Geevers – I am going with Xander Schauffele to win the inaugural Workday Charity Open. Let us not forget that Xander has nine top 24 finishes on the PGA Tour this season, including a third-place result at the Charles Schwab Challenge three weeks ago.

Chris O’Day – Schauffele is playing quite well lately, highlighted by his finish at the Charles Schwab. I like him to get back to the winners circle this week.

That’ll do it for this week’s picks to win the Workday Charity Open. Best of luck to everyone involved, especially those that were selected by the staff members here at pro golf now.

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