WWT Championship: Player Pool
Another Fall Swing stop
Trying something a little new with color coding, so please make sure you’re reading this carefully — the field is made up of 132 players, so I’ve decided to color code both distance rank and my trend table rank to make an easier distinction of which quarter that player falls in. Top 25% is bright green, next is light green, next is light red, followed by bright red. Just because a player, let’s say in distance, is in bright red doesn’t mean they’re not playable. Just means that’s where they specifically rank in that specific category that I want to highlight. The reason distance is being highlighted this week is Tiger made this course 7,500 from the tips (incredibly long) and with no rough (common at resort style courses) players will be able to cut loose with the big stick and the bombers are going to have a distinct advantage.
My only real issue with Glover is that he’s had an extended time period off and I’m not sure how much rust is going to be there. I’d much rather allocate my high dollar salary to…
… Ludvig Aberg. He’s been playing quite a few rounds of competitive golf, can hit the ball a country mile and is extremely high in the trend rank. I’m sure he’s going to be clicked a ton, but I’m honestly ok with that (provided he’s not like 50-60%). He’s just so insanely good, he’s in contention at almost every tournament he plays and he fits the course really well. I am running out of superlatives for Studvig.
I don’t want to spend too much time here, but yes - Sahith, Cam Young, Adam Svensson — all good plays. You don’t need me to tell you good golfers are in play.
Isaiah Salinda is an interesting name, no doubt being propped up by his 7th place finish in the Shriners Open. I’d use extreme caution with him as I don’t think those numbers are the true definition of his game. Including the Korn Ferry Tour, going back to mid July he has only made two cuts. I’m willing to be burned by fading him, chalking it up to one hot week in which he was able to secure a spot in this field when he otherwise wouldn’t have.
I really like Callum Tarren this week. I think his distance is going to be a huge plus and while his putter leaves something to be desired, his approach and ball striking and overall tee to green game is solid enough to give him the opportunities he needs to score.
One of these days Erik van Rooyen is going to be more than 6%. I’m not sure where he’s going to come in this week, but he’s just been so solid recently, making all five cuts in his previous five events and finishing no lower than 30th in any of them. His price point remains extremely accessible.
Vince Whaley has been terrific this fall, placing 6th in a Korn Ferry event in late August and then logging a 25th at Fortinet, a 28th at Sanderson and a 13th and Shriners. He has upper echelon length and is a terrific putter.
There are two names that stick out to me on this list and the first is Michael Kim. He’s not overwhelming off the tee, but is a solid putter and a good game tee to green. He placed 18th at Shriners and played the Zozo and only had one bad round (round 2) there.
The second name is Justin Suh who carries big distance and a high trend rank. He’s 4/4 in made cuts this fall and is coming off a 10th at Zozo in which he was in higher contention until a Sunday 74.
I think Chesson Hadley again makes some sense - with the size of the greens, avoiding 3-putts will be critical and Hadley having plus distance, good ball striking and one of the best flat sticks in the field, I’ve got no issue going to Hadley here.
Most of these names are going to be a bit volatile, and I’d be extremely cautious of the bottom five names — but a name that always goes overlooked is Matt Kuchar. He’s not the type of guy that’s going to get you a win, and his salary is a bit over what I’d normally like to see, it, but he’s quietly played well this fall, including a top 20 on the world tour two weeks ago. He’s just a smart, veteran player with plus aspects in all of his game, although never overwhelming. If he fits a certain style of build or you’re looking for a cash lineup piece, Kuchar definitely deserves a look.
Good luck & have fun - let’s get 6/6 through.