21-21-4 on golf in 2018 up 3.41 units
7-8 in 2019 down 0.22 units
Tiger loves playing his irons and this a great course for it, but he has struggled on putting on these poa annua greens this season. If Tiger can start hot, I think the rest of the field should be very worried. Woods hasn’t seemed to have the same focus that he had at the Masters recently, but a U.S. Open at Pebble Beach should be more than enough to get his attention.
The rough is thick and if you miss a green.. you could be double-bogeying here. These bumpy greens and roughs will make it difficult if players are not striking the ball well. I do think we will see some low numbers though, as a lot of players have experience for days on this course.
Round 1 – Brandt Snedeker vs. Henrik Stenson – Brandt Snedeker at -105 for 6 units. Snedeker shot a 69 here at Pebble Beach to kick off the Pro-Am back in February. The problem was he shot a 74/75 to follow that up and got cut. Snedeker has been one of the best players on the greens and has excelled at getting out of bunkers this year. Snedeker tied for 4th in his last tournament, while Stenson tied for 37th in his last tournament.
Also, Snedeker has finished in the top 10 at the U.S. Open in 5 of his last 10 appearances. Two of Snedeker’s nine tour wins have come here at Pebble Beach. He should be more heavily favored in this matchup. His driving comes and goes, but I think his short game, coupled with him already playing this course this year, gets him the round 1 victory over Stenson. Stenson is one of the best ball-strikers on tour, but I think he makes a few mistakes.
To Finish in the Top 10:
Tiger Woods at +135 for 2 units. If Tiger can make putts, this will win easy.
Adam Scott at +350 for 2 units. Scott is one of my favorite characters on Parks and Rec. Adam has finished in the top-20 at both majors so far this year. He is a great ball-striker and that is what is needed here. Also, he was frustrated with a 2nd-place finish the Memorial Tournament the other week. He is playing well.
Rickie Fowler at +250 for 2 units. The 2010 rookie of the year has yet to win a major, although he has finished top 3 in all of them. He will be wearing his tropical colors in this tropical location. I can guarantee that. His King Cobra throwback hat was cool. He has finished in the top-15 in 3 of his past 5 tournaments. I have a gut-feeling he will do well this week.
