Opinion & Analysis
Fantasy Preview: A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier
A Military Tribute at The Greenbrier (previously known as “The Greenbrier Classic”) is the next stop on the PGA Tour, where the familiar Old White TPC will once again play host to the event in West Virginia. Changes were made to the course after severe flooding damaged the Old White TPC two years ago, which resulted in the cancellation of the event that year. As we saw in 2017, there was very little difference in the way the course played, and it’s still a track where you can expect to see plenty of birdies.
The course measures over 7,200 yards, but due to the altitude, the course plays significantly shorter. Players will often attack the course from the very first shot as the wide fairways result in the attitude being “bombs away” off the tee. As always with par-70 golf courses, par-4 scoring will be necessary, as will Birdie-or-Better Percentage with the winning score usually in the mid-teens at this event. Last year, Xander Schauffele earned his first PGA Tour at The Greenbrier, posting 14-under par to take the title by one stroke over Robert Streb.
Selected Tournament Odds (via Bet365)
- Tony Finau 12/1
- Bubba Watson 16/1
- Phil Mickelson 16/1
- Webb Simpson 16/1
- Russell Henley 20/1
- Xander Schauffele 22/1
- Joaquin Niemann 28/1
The big names of Bubba Watson and Phil Mickelson are sure to garner a lot of attention this week, but Russell Henley (20/1, DK Price $10,400) has both the current form and course history to upset the two big names this week. Henley has been picking up momentum lately and has made his last four cuts on Tour, the last of which saw him finish T6 at the Travelers Championship. Over his last 12 rounds, he sits 10th in Strokes Gained-Approaching the Green, 19th for Ball Striking and third for Strokes Gained-Total. His short game has been very steady, too, and he ranks 31st for Strokes Gained-Short Game over the same stretch.
Ultimately, this is a week where you will have to chase birdies, and this is where I like Henley’s chances this week. Over his last 12 rounds, Henley sits sixth in this field for Birdie-or-Better Percentage and eighth in the field for Strokes Gained on Par 4’s over his previous eight rounds. Henley also sits first in the field for Bogey Avoidance in his last three events, which is always a positive. He has a high price tag, but considering that he has already proved how much he loves Old White TPC in the past with two consecutive top-5 finishes here, Henley looks sure to feature again in West Virginia.
He’s made 12 out of 14 cuts this year, but there’s a sense that 2018 has been a very frustrating year thus far for Keegan Bradley (55/1, DK Price $8,500). The American has just two top-20 finishes despite hitting the ball as well as anyone in 2018. But this is a week where Bradley can make hay, as his ball striking is currently peaking. In his last three events, Bradley has gained an impressive 16.8 strokes for his approach play, and over his previous 24 rounds, he ranks first for Strokes Gained-Approaching the Green, 10th for Ball Striking and 23rd for Strokes Gained-Total.
His putting continues to hurt him, but his long game is in such good shape that even disastrous putting is not preventing him from missing cuts. Bradley needs one half-decent week on the greens to be in contention. He has never missed the cut at The Old White TPC, with a best finish of T4 back in 2014. For DraftKings lineups, Bradley is as solid a choice as any with the average-priced salary and the excellent efficiency he has displayed at making cuts this year.
A man that looks severely undervalued this week is C.T. Pan (80/1, DK Price $7,300), who will cost just $7,300 here. Pan has made six of his last seven cuts on Tour, and he’s also been taking advantage of playing the weekend at these events. In three of his previous four starts, Pan has finished inside the top-20, and his game is currently trending in the right direction. Pan sits in the top third of this field in all significant Strokes Gained categories over his last 12 rounds and is ranked 16th for Strokes Gained-Total in the same period. Pan ranks seventh over his previous 12 rounds for Birdie Percentage and looks to offer tremendous value this week at a reasonable price tag.
Recommended Plays
- Russell Henley 20/1, DK Price $10,400
- Keegan Bradley 55/1, DK Price $8,500
- C.T. Pan 80/1, DK Price $7,300
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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Roger D.
Jul 5, 2018 at 12:45 pm
2,000 feet above sea level? What elevation? Hays, Kansas is the same elevation.
Jamie
Jul 5, 2018 at 12:20 pm
That’s the name of the tournament now? Honestly? A tribute to banker/politician cannon fodder?