Northern Trust: Picks to win the 2020 FedEx Cup Playoff Opener

The FedEx Cup playoffs are set to start with the Northern Trust.

As we get ready for the FedEx Cup playoffs (yes, they’re already here), we take a look at the Northern Trust, and those that we think are going to win.

One of the picks is out already, as Brooks Koepka has withdrawn. He’s mentioned his focus on majors before, and it sounds like that is what he is after once again.

Before we get into the picks to win, a reminder that points are a bit different during the playoff. A win gets you 1,000 points. This could mean a lot, as any of the 125 golfers could instantly jump to the top 30. Not only that, but it would also get them quite close to 10th place, dependant on where they lept from.

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It’s going to be hard to catch Justin Thomas and his large lead. He is 556 points ahead of second place, as well as being 1,163 points ahead of 10th place. To put it in perspective, the difference between him (2,458) and 7th place (1,347) is greater than the difference between 7th and 125th (276).

Let’s get to it. Here are the staff picks to win the Northern Trust.

Justin Thomas

Mike Randleman – An excerpt from the weekly power rankings on the site, provided by Mike.

“Thomas has played great golf since the PGA Tour’s resumption in June. He won the WGC-FedEx St. Jude Invitational and lost in a playoff at the Workday Charity Open to Collin Morikawa. The Kentucky native also finished T-8th at the Heritage. On the season, JT ranks first on Tour in strokes gained approach (1.125 per round) and SG tee to green (1.905). With fairly easy fairways to hit this week, he can attack: Thomas is second in proximity from the fairway (27’7”).

Tim Letcher – He enters the playoffs as the top seed and will do nothing to hurt that standing in this event. Look for Thomas to win this week on his way to a potential second FedEx Cup.

Jon Rahm

Cam Cobey – It’s playoff time and Rahm will start to get hot.

Webb Simpson

Chris O’Day – Other than JT, you could make the argument that Webb would be next in line for the best/most consistent/on fire player of the season. It seems like every week Simpson is at the top of the leaderboard. Seven top tens will do that. If his 8th ranked approach shots and 12th ranked putting are on again this week, I can see Webb taking the first round of the FedEx Cup playoffs at the Northern Trust.

Daniel Berger

Ryan McNeil Lamswood

Dustin Johnson

Bill Felber – I made a detailed survey of the membership of the Tuesday morning retiree group at Colbert Hills, and there was a strong sentiment that I ought to pick Dustin Johnson to win this week. Despite that, I’m going to pick Johnson anyway. Coming off a second at the PGA, he’s ready to shine.

Phil Mickelson

Kathy Bissell

Bryson DeChambeau

Hans Geevers – I think Bryson’s game sets up nicely for this week’s host course, TPC Boston.

Rory McIlroy

Richie Randolph

Xander Schauffele

West Valentine – He’s been very close to the winner’s circle all year, but has yet to turn the corner. I expect him to play well At TPC Boston. I believe Xander is good for a win a year and this could be the time to cash one in. He’s that talented and had two wins last year.

Gary Woodland

Kasey Kuhrts – Check out my weekly sleeper/fantasy picks, in which I detail Gary Woodland’s chances as one of my picks…

“Gary sits 10th in par 5 birdie or better, 12th in strokes gained on approach, 14th in scoring average, tied for 20th in par 5 efficiency 500-550 yards, 30th in driving distance, 34th in strokes gained putting, and 50th in both greens in regulation and strokes gained tee to green.”

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That’ll do it for this weeks picks. Best of luck to everyone at the Northern Trust.

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