Whoever sets up the PGA schedule must be imagining the killer Asian cuisine available to the pros after a week in Malaysia, and then South Korea. This week, the tour moves to Shanghai for the World Golf Championship–HSBC Championship.
2017 is the fifth year of the HSBC Championship, held at the Sheshan International Golf Club, a 7,261-yard par 72 challenge which also contributes to the FedEx totals. Sheshan International boasts just four par fives, but the four rank as among the toughest on the tour, hence the big hitters are likely to be the guys able to take advantage.
These are the names I like. Don’t forget, you can join a foursome playing the DraftKings Weekly Hybrid PGA.
Hideki Matsuyama ($11,400): We have the defending champ who also ranks #1 in GIR, so he’s an obvious choice. Two weeks ago, Matsuyama finished in the top five at the CIMB, suggesting he is poised for a big weekend.
Pat Perez ($9100): Perez, who is tied for fourth at GIR at 81.94%, fared well last week, finishing tied for fifth in the CJ Cup.
Rafael Cabrera-Bello ($8100): Another quiet but steady selection, Cabrera-Bello ranks third in GIR at 82.64% and finshed the CJ Cup tied for 11th. He is a hot hand.
Hudson Swafford ($7200): Swafford is not as adept at hitting the greens (67.36%) but he is a big hitter and played well at the CJ Cup until the final day of play, and he nailed the greens in regulation 75% of the time two weeks ago.
Adam Hadwin ($7100): Hadwin, who was so hot in the beginning of the summer, has cooled a bit, making him a bargain in Shanghai. But, he does hit the greens 73.61% of the time, 17th best on the tour. He makes a good low-end pick.
Poom Saksansin ($6900): Perhaps the real sleeper of the tourney at just $6900, Saksansin ranks second overall in GIR (83.33%), averaging 71.2 per round. He’s a potential high-reward play.
Tune into the Tout Wars Hour on the FNTSY network, hosted by me, with Justin Mason and featuring Lord Z every Thursday night at 9 PM ET, and you can follow me @lawrmichaels. {jcomments on}
