Fantasy Golf Predictions – The 2013 Memorial Tournament

Fantasy Golf Predictions for the 2013 Memorial Tournament, May 30th – June 2nd, 2013

Preview:   It was a year ago that Tiger jumped back onto the scene with a huge win (73^rd of career) at the Memorial.   In fact, the infamous flop shot from the deep rough was marked by Woods as one of the ‘toughest golf shots’ he’s ever made in his career.  Even Jack had a comment about it…

This year the field is as robust as ever, with notables like McIlroy, Rose, Kuchar, Snedeker, Simpson and Scott (just to name a few). All will take a crack at the reigning champ but the course doesn’t present the easiest challenge.  It’s going to be a tough week of picks with the large start-studded field.  Last week we locked up 2^nd and 3^rd place finish picks, this time around it will not be that easy.

The Course:  Muirfield Village Golf Club measures 7,352 yards and plays as a par 72. This Jack Nicklaus designed beauty opened in 1974 in the Hall of Famer’s home town and has brought forth many great champions. The Memorial remains one of the PGA TOUR’s “regular” stops for most notables and Muirfield Village was the site of the 1987 Ryder Cup and 1992 U.S. Amateur.  The track exemplifies beauty and grace while presenting a formidable challenge for any golfer, ranking seventh-lowest in greens hit in 2012 at 58.05 percent. Muirfield also ranks fifth in scrambling (51.61%) and fifth in conversion percentage (85.52) inside 10 feet. With a scoring average of 73.677, it was the second-highest among par 72s in non-majors.

Photo by The Memorial Tournament Official Facebook Page

The Weather at Muirfield Village Golf Club in Ohio (from weather.com):

• Round 1: Thursday (May 30) 87 degrees, 10% chance of rain, mostly cloudy.
• Round 2: Friday (May 31) 86 degrees, 30% chance of rain, isolated T-storms.
• Round 3: Saturday (June  1) 84 degrees, 40% chance of rain, scattered T-storms.
• Round 4: Sunday  (June  2) 77 degrees, 40% chance of rain, scattered T-storms.

2012 Results:  Following his infamous chip in on 16, Tiger Woods overcame a four-shot deficit for his 73rd career win, tying Nicklaus for No. 2 on the PGA TOUR’s all-time list. Woods was still behind Rory Sabbatini by two strokes when he birdied the par-5 15th before making the gallery explode on 16.  From deep rough behind the 16th green, Woods executed a brilliant flop shot that landed softly on the firm green before running into the cup. A closing birdie gave Woods a 5-under 67 and two-shot victory over Sabbatini.

Notes:  Four of the Memorial’s past nine champions have been international players. Before that, just three of the first 27 came from outside the United States.  Tiger Woods has won 4 tournaments this year, including a WGC Title and The PLAYERS. We’re going to stay away from Rory and Westwood this week; as much as they have the ability to win this tournament…we don’t see it based on their 2013 stats.

Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win The 2013 Memorial Tournament:

• Tiger Woods (Golficity Odds 6/2): Why wouldn’t you pick him? The returning champ and 4 time winner this year loves this course…and we all know what happens when Tiger plays on courses he loves.  Tiger has five wins and another three top 5s in 13 visits to Muirfield. Currently first on TOUR in strokes gained-putting, adjusted scoring and a number of other key stats.
• Justin Rose (Golficity Odds 13/1): The 2010 champ of this event sits fourth in all-time earnings at Muirfield Village with four other top 15s. Rose ranks third in total driving, 11th in greens in regulation, sixth in adjusted scoring, eighth in scrambling and first in sand saves. Justin is certainly is due for a win this year…we love how he’s been striking the ball.
• Brandt Snedeker (Golficity Odds 20/1):  Although he holds a 0-for-5 record at Muirfield Village, Sneds is striking his irons better than ever and continuing to putt the way he did last year when he took home the FedExCup. Currently 12th on TOUR in greens in regulation and 14th in strokes gained-putting.
•  Matt Kuchar (Golficity Odds 22/1): We were quite impressed with his runner-up performance at Colonial last weekend where he led after both 36 and 54 holes. Kuchar currently ranks third in FedExCup points, 14th in scrambling, 25th in strokes gained-putting and 8th in adjusted scoring. He also holds a top 10s in his last four trips to Muirfield Village. Lookout for Kuch when he’s got the hot hand…
•  Jimmy Walker (Golficity Odds 36/1): Walker currently has a TOUR-high 23 consecutive cuts made and ranks 28th in greens hit, 24th in strokes gained-putting and 10th in adjusted scoring. We keep saying he’s due for a win…might be tough field for him this week, but we’d love to see him grab the trophy.  Good Vegas odds on Walker this week to think about…

Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win:

•  Adam Scott (Golficity Odds 50/1):   The Masters champ is making just his seventh start of the season at Muirfield. Scott tied for 19th in his last outing at THE PLAYERS and has two career top 5s at Muirfield Village.
• Billy Horschel (Golficity Odds 50/1): Horschel is a first-timer at Muirfield Village, which will also be his first start since missing the cut at THE PLAYERS (which ended his big time consecutive cuts made streak). Billy has five top 10s on the season and is a solid possible sleeper this week…but wouldn’t bet the ranch on him.

Last Week’s Fantasy Golf Predictions Results (The 2013 Crowne Plaza Invitational)

Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win

• Charl Schwartzel (Golficity Odds 13/1):  MC
• Henrik Stenson (Golficity Odds 18/1): T35
• Rickie Fowler (Golficity Odds 22/1):  T54
•  Zach Johnson (Golficity Odds 22/1): 3rd
•  Matt Kuchar (Golficity Odds 35/1):  2nd

Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win:

•  Kevin Streelman (Golficity Odds 50/1):  MC
•  Martin Laird (Golficity Odds 50/1): T54

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(Cover Photo Credit)