WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational preview: TV times and betting tips
We move to Memphis this week for the first World Golf Championship since lockdown. While Tiger Woods isn’t here, one of only three players in the world’s top 20 not to make the trip, Rory McIlroy is, as are defending champion Brooks Koepka and new World No 1 Jon Rahm are all in action. So who will win? Here’s are my tips for the WGC-FedEx St Jude Invitational…
Venue: TPC Southwind, Memphis, USA
Date: July 30-August 2, 2020
Course stats: Par 70; 7,238 yards
Course summary: A tough test that is fitting of a WGC event awaits the players in Memphis. Tree lined fairways, of which nine are doglegs, will test the players’ accuracy off the tee. Water comes into play on at least half of the holes, and numerous bunkers offer protection to the smaller than average Bermuda greens.
Purse: $10.5 million
Defending champion: Brooks Koepka (-16)
WGC-Fedex St Jude Invitational TV coverage
Thursday: Featured group coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 6pm (Red button from 5pm), Main coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 7pm
Friday: Featured group coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 6pm (Red Button from 5pm), Main coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 7pm
Saturday: Featured group coverage on Sky Sports Golf Red Button from 1.45pm, Main coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 5pm
Sunday: Featured group coverage on Sky Sports Golf Red Button from 1.45pm, Main coverage on Sky Sports Golf from 6pm
WGC-Fedex St Jude Invitational betting: Each-way tips
Matthew Fitzpatrick (35/1 with bet365) has had an impressive season so far on the PGA Tour, including when 7th in the WGC event in Shanghai at the end of 2019. Fitzpatrick finished 4th here last year and he’s been in good form since the resumption, including a 3rd at the Memorial, where his 4-under final round was comfortably the best of the day when only four players broke par.
Gary Woodland (45/1) is proving to be a frustrating figure of late. The US Open champion undoubtedly has the skill set to win a competition like this, but his lack of consistency on a round by round basis is concerning. Nevertheless I am going to roll the dice with Gary once more, as I think his game will suit this challenge. Woodland ranks 31st in SG: Tee-to-Green, with his strong approach play allowing him to hit over 70% of GIR. Woodland also ranks 25th in SG: Putting, which paints a picture of a player who can create lots of birdie opportunities. The key is going to be putting four rounds together and creating that consistency. If he can do that here, I fancy Woodland to at least add to his six top 10 finishes this season.
Kevin Kisner (125/1) secured his best finish of the season when 3rd at the Rocket Mortgage Classic and, despite a missed cut at the Memorial, represents great value here. Kisner has had a mixed restart to the PGA Tour season, with three missed cuts shadowing a couple of impressive displays. The RMC in particular highlights the value you are receiving, with Kisner hitting more than 73% of GIR and producing an excellent putting display. The World No 37 also had a top-30 finish at TPC Southwind last year, and typically plays well at similar courses. If we get anywhere near the best version of Kisner this week, we could be looking at some great each-way profit.
WGC-Fedex St Jude Invitational betting: The long shot
After an impressive and gritty display by Ryan Palmer (140/1) at the Memorial, I cannot believe his price is this big. Finishing runner-up on that tricky course is not easy, so this challenge shouldn’t intimidate the Texan. Palmer isn’t going to blow you away with his stats on tour this season, but something that does impress me is his ability to find the fairway and set up scoring opportunities. The putter is something that has let Palmer down this season, but this certainly wasn’t the case at the Memorial where he ranked inside the top 10 for Putts-Per-Round. With this confidence, back Palmer each-way at that price.
WGC-Fedex St Jude Invitational betting: Top tip
Despite my frustration at the time, I am willing to forgive Webb Simpson (22/1) for missing the cut when selected as my top tip at the Memorial. Simpson is having an incredible season, with two victories and six top 10s outlining why he has to be considered here. When you pair his current form with his recent course form, which reads 3-MC-2, it makes the case for a win even stronger. Simpson ranks inside the Top 20 for SG: Tee-to-Green, SG: Approach, Scrambling and SG: Putting. Interestingly, the last time Simpson missed the cut he immediately followed up with a win at the RBC, so let’s hope that pattern continues here.
For more prices, visit bet365.
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