Spieth, McIlroy and Johnson lead charge at Bridgestone Invitational
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The third of Golf’s four WGC Championships takes place this week, and many of the game’s biggest names will be heading to the tee for the first time since the Open.
That includes both Jordan Spieth and Rory McIlroy, two men who shone at Royal Birkdale last month.
Unsurprisingly the duo appear at the sharp end of the betting for this week’s trip to the Firestone Country Club in Ohio…
Jordan Spieth – 8/1
Jordan Spieth has won his last two tournaments, and nobody could hold a candle to him at Birkdale.
It looks like the American is about to hit another sweet spot – a la 2015 – so it’s no surprise to see him installed as favourite this weekend by our traders.
Dustin Johnson – 10/1
Dustin Johnson has acknowledged that he hasn’t been quite the same since his fall prior to the Masters, but that doesn’t mean he can’t compete.
DJ is the reigning champion here, and has been in decent form, as shown with a stunning 64 on day three of the Open, before a strong run to eighth last time out at the Canadian Open.
Rory McIlroy – 10/1
Welcome back Rory McIlroy! After a subdued season following a rib injury, the Northern Irishman was on fine form to finish fourth at Birkdale.
With that in mind, money will be flying in on Rory to pick up his first win of the year at an event he claimed in 2014.
Brooks Koepka – 16/1
What a year Brooks Koepka is having. The American has made his last 10 cuts, and has consistently come good on the big stage.
He kicked off with a T11 at the Masters, before becoming US Open champion in June. A T6 at the Open last time out means he is carrying great form into Ohio.
Rickie Fowler – 16/1
It’s turning into a year of so near yet so far for Rickie Fowler.
The American was a contender at both the Masters and US Open, but couldn’t quite land that first Major. Neverthless, he’s enjoying his most consistent year to date, and has a great record in this event, recording four top-10 finishes.
Hideki Matsuyama – 20/1
After a run of 2-1-1-2 across the winter, everyone was expecting Hideki Matsuyama to dominate in 2017.
It hasn’t quite happened, but the talent is so clearly there. The Japanese star showed flashes of brilliance to finish second at the US Open, while 14th at Birkdale was similarly impressive. Has yet to break the top-10 at the Firestone Country Club, but shouldn’t be discounted.
Others
Matt Kuchar – 33/1
Matt Kuchar came closer than ever to breaking his Major duck last month, and overall he’s enjoyed a fine 2017.
That runner-up spot at Birkdale followed a T16 at the US Open and a fourth at the Masters. Three-times inside the top eight in Ohio, all the signs point to Kuch being at the sharp end this week.
Marc Leishman – 40/1
Marc Leishman has missed just one cut since February.
Winner of the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Australian was fifth at the Quicken Loans and sixth at the Open, while he bagged a third at this event in 2014.
Tommy Fleetwood – 40/1
It’s been a remarkable year for Tommy Fleetwood, and it could get better yet.
The Southport star was the home hero at last month’s Open, where he recovered from a poor start to salvage 27th on his home course.
But it’s his run to fourth at the US Open and victory at the French Open which is why he could be a dark horse this weekend. Was second at the first WGC event of the year in Mexico, too.
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All Odds and Markets are correct as of the date of publishing
