Fantasy Golf Predictions – The 2013 McGladrey Classic

Fantasy Golf Predictions for the 2013 McGladrey Classic, Nov 7 – 10th, 2013

Tournament Preview

With the WGC-HSBC in Shanghai, China behind us, most of golf’s elite will be sitting out this week’s event recouping from long travel and plenty of jet lag.

This week the PGA TOUR shifts it’s focus to Georgia for the 2013 McGladrey Classic before heading out west as the impending winter approaches the Northern States.  This year’s total purse has been increased $1.5 million to $5.5 million, $990,000 of which will go to the winner who will also receive exemptions into the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, the Masters Tournament, THE PLAYERS Championship and the PGA Championship (if not already eligible).

The Course

Sea Island GC (Seaside) measures 7,005 yards and plays a par 70, exuding the feeling of a true Oceanside layout on the southern tip of St. Simons Island.  The greens are tough, ranking second on the list of most putts per round in 2012, so expect a putting shootout this week.

The course was designed as a nine-hole course when built in 1929 by architects Harry Colt and Charles Alison.  In 1973, Joe Lee designed and added the “Marshside Nine” with Tom Fazio being later asked to bring the two courses together in 1999, thus creating the Seaside course of today.  One of the most beautiful courses in the area, this track offers picturesque tidal creeks, dunes and salt marshes.  Course management and shot selection are crucial to conquering this tough course.

Photo by SeaIsland.com

The Weather at 2013 WGC-HSBC Champions in Sea Island, GA (from weather.com)

• Round 1: Thursday (Nov 7) 76 degrees, 30% chance of rain, isolated t-storms.
• Round 2: Friday (Nov 8) 65 degrees,   0% chance of rain, mostly sunny.
• Round 3: Saturday (Nov 9) 73 degrees, 10% chance of rain, partly cloudy.
• Round 4: Sunday (Nov 10) 75 degrees, 10% chance of rain, partly cloudy.

2012 Results

Tommy “Two Gloves” Gainey claimed his first PGA TOUR win in 2012 when he broke the course record with a 10-under 60 to give him the top prize at last year’s McGladrey Classic. Gainey birdied half of his first 14 holes and then captured the lead at the par-5 15th when he holed out from a greenside bunker for eagle. He then buried another birdie at No.16 and began to flirt with a historic 59, but he ultimately couldn’t get a few key putts to drop.   In the end, he had enough to win by one stroke over David Toms, who also closed with a 63. Jim Furyk, who shared the 54-hole lead, fell back to 3^rd after a very impressive showing through most of the tournament.

[embedplusvideo height=”338″ width=”601″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/16D05Op” standard=”http:http://www.youtube.com/v/FaOyFFpI8mM?fs=1&start=48″ vars=”ytid=FaOyFFpI8mM&width=601&height=338&start=48&stop=111&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=0&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep9159″ /]

Notes

The field will not be as rich with star studded names this week due to the long travel from last week’s WGC-HSBC in Shanghai.  However, certain top names like Zach Johnson, Matt Kuchar, and Webb Simpson will still be in town to compete this week.

Each of the past two editions of the McGladrey Classic have involved late Sunday charges (Ben Crane in 2011 and then Tommy Gainey last year). Webb Simpson has a chance to take a commanding lead in the FedExCup points list if he can grab his second win of the 2013-2014 PGA TOUR season.

[membership level=”0″]

Our Top 5 (and Top 2 Sleeper) Picks/Odds to Win the 2013 McGladrey Classic

You must be a Premium Member to view our exclusive fantasy golf picks.

THIS WEEK ONLY – Use Discount Code MCGLADREY to Recieve 15% Off Your First Year Membership!

Already a member?  Sign in Here.

[/membership]

[membership level=”1″]

Top 5 Picks/Odds to Win the 2013 McGladrey Classic

• Webb Simpson (Golficity Odds 10/1): Webb Simpson knows that he can set himself up nicely with a win or even a Top-5 this week, and he’ll certainly be gunning for it. The young star is also very well rested since winning the Shriners a few weeks ago.  He finished T12 at Seaside in 2010 and suffered a disappointing playoff in 2011. Simpson knows the Seaside course well as he averaged 67.00 in his eight rounds.
• Matt Kuchar (Golficity Odds 12/1): This is Kuch’s first start since going 3-2-0 at The Presidents Cup. Matt is a Sea Island resident and once placed T25 (2010) and T20 (2011) here at Seaside.  With the way he’s been playing this week, and a bit of a “home field advantage,” we have to love his chances this week (and this year).
• Charles Howell III (Golficity Odds 18/1):  Howell is quickly shaping up to be one of the hottest guys coming out of the gate this season so far.  He finished T5 at the Shriners and T7 at the CIMB in Malaysia making him 2-for-2 in Top 10 appearances in his last two outings (did not play in last week’s WGC HSBC Champs).  Howell has also notched a pair of top 10s at Seaside in his career which includes a T7 in 2012.
• Zach Johnson (Golficity Odds 18/1): Zach has seven top 10s (including a win) in his last nine starts – an impressive stat that simply cannot be ignored.  This hometown resident knows the course very well, a clear key for success here.  Johnson tied for 12th at the 2010 McGladrey Classic and is looking to get his season off on the right foot.
• Brendon De Jonge (Golficity Odds 25/1): Although he struggled during his President’s Cup debut, De Jonge has a solid 3-for-3 cuts made at Seaside under his belt, including a T15 in 2010 and a T4 last year.

Top 2 Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win

• Harris English (Golficity Odds 50/1): English is well rested since banking a T7 at the CIMB Classic where he ranked T2 in GIR – a particular statistic that has a tendency to catapult you up the leaderboard at Seaside.  He also notched a T2 in GIR at the 2012 McGladrey classic which finished him at T15.
• Jeff Overton (Golficity Odds 50/1): Overton is off to a phenomenal start this season where he put up a T9 at the Shriners, followed by a pair of T16s. Jeff has shot par or better in all eight rounds at Seaside and T6 here in 2011.  A sleeper for sure, but if you’re picking a long shot, he’s worth a hard look in our opinion.

[/membership]

Last Week’s Results: Top 5 Picks/Odds to win the 2013 WGC-HSBC Championship

• Justin Rose (Golficity Odds 7/1):  5th
• Phil Mickelson (Golficity Odds 10/1):  14^th
• Keegan Bradley (Golficity Odds 14/1): T11
• Rory McIlory (Golficity Odds 18/1): T6
• Jordan Spieth (Golficity Odds 22/1): 17th

Last Week’s Results: Sleeper Picks/Odds to Win

• Francesco Molinari (Golficity Odds 45/1): T21
• Jimmy Walker (Golficity Odds 50/1):  T46

[embedplusvideo height=”338″ width=”601″ editlink=”http://bit.ly/16D0Qa6″ standard=”http:http://www.youtube.com/v/aD3GLkyJDYg?fs=1″ vars=”ytid=aD3GLkyJDYg&width=601&height=338&start=&stop=&rs=w&hd=0&autoplay=0&react=0&chapters=&notes=” id=”ep7440″ /]

Have any picks of your own to share?  Post your predictions comments for the 2013 McGladrey Classic below.

(Cover Photo Credit)