2012 Greenbrier Classic
Location: White Sulphur Springs, West Virginia, United States
Course: Greenbrier – The Old White Course
Date: Jul 5-8, 2012
Total Purse: US $ 6,100,000
Winner’s Share: US $ 1,080,000 (18% of total purse)
Defending Champion: Scott Stallings ($1,080,000)
This week’s stop on the PGA TOUR comes our way from West Virginia and the Greenbrier Course for only the third edition of the Greenbrier Classic. The course this week rewards length – wide fairways will allow bombers to do their thing with relatively little impunity. But difficult greens await – the putters are going to have to be solid in order to contend.
Last week I had Dustin Johnson winning – he had an uncharacteristically poor performance. Greenbrier suits his game very well – will he be my pick two weeks in a row? Let’s take a look.
The Favorites
Tiger Woods 7/2
What’s most impressive about Tiger’s win last week was the fact that he won while utilizing the driver for more than just marking where to drop the ball. But his all-around game seems to be almost back to his standard – he ranks fifth in total driving, 10th in greens in regulation, 14th in Strokes Gained-Putting and first in adjust scoring. Tiger is plain scary again!!
Webb Simpson 15/1
Simpson isn`t letting a US Open hangover affect his game. He finished 9th last week and obviously played very well. Simpson is a Stud and is a threat each and every week!
Dustin Johnson 20/1
DJ was a disappointment last week but Greenbrier is a course that suits his game perfectly. He ranks 19th on the PGA TOUR in adjusted scoring and 10th in proximity to the hole from the rough. He will be looking for a bounce back and should get it this week.
The Contenders:
Phil Mickelson 20/1
Played here last year and actually missed the cut. He, like so many others has the game perfect for this track – 47th on TOUR in greens in regulation, 12th in Strokes Gained-Putting, seventh in birdie average and 17th in adjusted scoring. Phil is flying under the radar a tad but is still dangerous.
Jim Furyk 25/1
Finished T9 here in 2010 but had a bad week at Congressional finishing T34. His accuracy will serve him well this week – he is fifth on TOUR in fairways hit, 30th in GIR and third in adjusted scoring. You can never count Mr. Furyk out!
Brendon de Jonge 30/1
de Jonge has had success in the first two years of this tournament – 3rd last year and T4 the year before. He loves this track and will be motivated after a brutal Sunday last week.
Bill Haas 40/1
Haas has been so-so this year but he did play well here last year losing in a playoff. If there is a course that he can right the ship on, it may be this one.
The Sleepers:
John Rollins 50/1
Leads the PGA TOUR in total driving and ranks 20th in greens in regulation, 11th in birdie average and 19th in the all-around – perfect traits for this course. He finished T4 in his last start at the Travelers and comes into this week in good form.
Jimmy Walker 50/1
Finished T4 in both editions of this tournament and could break through this week. He loves this course and has to be on the radar this week.
Mark Leishman 60/1
Won the Travelers and has shown flashes on this course in the past. He is playing arguable the best golf of his career.
JB Holmes 80/1
Arguable the biggest hitter on TOUR, Holmes is definitely a nice sleeper this week. Despite some struggles this year, Holmes’ length has to be considered this week.
The Pick:
Tiger is certainly a popular pick this week but I am going back to the well again this week. Dustin Johnson at 20/1 is my pick.
My sleeper is Jimmy Walker 50/1. He loves this course and is due for a win after some impressive results here.
