Toph's Thoughts: Byron Nelson
Scottie Scheffler Open
What to do with Scottie Scheffler? The Spieth injury is going to force even more clicks on Scottie’s name. I think people wanted to avoid Rahm at the Mexico Open for a lot of the same reasons, but - in a betrayal to all spreadsheet nerds - I watch golf every single weekend. Scottie and Rahm are cut from a different cloth. When they’re there — they’re there to win. Scottie being from Texas plays a part in this as well. I think in a cash game, he’s an absolute must play. If making multiple lineups, I’d either go complete fade or completely overweight. I don’t think there’s two ways about it.
K.H. Lee is two in the model. He’s going to draw a lot of clicks as he’s gone back to back at this tournament. I think he’ll likely do very well, but I’d rather avoid clicking his name than Scottie’s. I can see a lot of lineups starting Scottie, K.H. and then figuring out the rest later and K.H. is probably where I’d get different.
I wish Nate Lashley wouldn’t have started his charge last week as he would have gone completely unclicked, but this sets up as a good week for him. He’s good at wipe open courses, strong approach game and his distance off the tee, while not overwhelming, isn’t a draw back either, although TPC Craig Ranch doesn’t demand distance. Lashley also takes care of the par 5’s he plays and that’s a complete necessity when playing this track.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout stands out to me due to his very strong putting, ball striking and approach numbers over his last 16 rounds. We haven’t seen him on Tour in a few weeks, but his recent finishes from most recent are 19th at RBC Heritage, 28th at the Valero and 13th at The Players. He can definitely play and with a watered down field, maybe this is the week he strikes.
Really interested by Carson Young at $6,700. Fared very well at the Mexico Open, RBC Heritage and the Corales in 3 of his past 5 tournaments. He has the ability to go low and quick. Not all courses are made equally, but I think this bodes well - he has 21 rounds in the 60’s on Tour this year. Tour average? 13.
Feels like one of those spots Matt Kuchar backs into a top 10. Might be a nice pivot off of K.H. Lee at the price point.
Have interest in Jimmy Walker and MJ Daffue — extremely good price points and both should see the weekend without hesitation.
If Kevin Roy can get anything from his putter, he’s bargain bottom of the barrel priced at $6,500 where the rest of his game is solid. It’s like K-Mart Luke List, but the putter isn’t *as* bad.
I think Scottie wins, because I am a fish — but if he doesn’t? Jason Day gets back in the winner’s circle.
Good luck - let’s get 6/6 through!