BlogWorkday Charity Preview and Picks

Workday Charity Open

July 9th – 12th, 2020

Muirfield Village G.C.

Dubin, OH

Par: 72 / Yardage: 7,456

Purse: $6.2 million

with $1,116,000 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Patrick Cantlay

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

The field includes 52 of the top 100 and 23 of the top 50 in the latest Official World Rankings, with five players from the top-ten: #2 Jon Rahm, #5 Justin Thomas, #6 Brooks Koepka, #8 Patrick Cantlay, #9 Patrick Reed, #11 Xander Schauffele, #13 Justin Rose, #16 Marc Leishman, #18 Matt Kuchar, #19 Gary Woodland, #21 Louis Oosthuizen, #22 Sungjae Im, #23 Hideki Matsuyama, #25 Shane Lowry, #26 Matthew Fitzpatrick, #29 Collin Morikawa, #31 Rickie Fowler, #38 Billy Horschel, #39 Chez Reavie, #42 Viktor Hovland, #46 Matt Wallace, #49 Graeme McDowell and #50 Kevin Streelman.

The field includes 11 of the top 25 on the FedEx point standings for 2020.  Those players are #1 Webb Simpson, #3 Sungjae Im, #5 Patrick Reed, #6 Brendon Todd, #9 Lanto Griffin, #12 Bryson DeChambeau, #14 Kevin Na, #15 Tyrrell Hatton, #16 Hideki Matsuyama, #23 Scottie Scheffler and #25 Nick Taylor.

A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Workday field is our performance chart listed by the average finish.  Since this event is being played at Muirfield Village, home of the Memorial, we have taken the players in the field’s record from the Memorial, so you can see how they are playing on this course

A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.

Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas.

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for the WorkDay Charity Open

Player Rocket Mortgage Colorado Champ. Travelers Champ. Utah Champ. RBC Heritage King & Bear Classic Charles Schwab Korn Ferry Challenge Arnold Palmer The Honda Classic WGC-Mexico Championship Puerto Rico Open Genesis Open
Viktor Hovland
(167.33 pts)
T12
(38)
DNP T11
(39)
DNP T21
(29)
DNP T23
(18)
DNP T42
(2.67)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP Win
(44)
DNP
Joseph Bramlett
(167.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T41
(9)
DNP DNP T3
(90)
DNP T2
(66.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T9
(15)
T51
(0)
Chris Kirk
(157.67 pts)
T21
(29)
DNP DNP DNP DNP Win
(132)
T60
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP
Ryan Armour
(133.33 pts)
T4
(80)
DNP T6
(60)
DNP T74
(0)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Xander Schauffele
(125.67 pts)
DNP DNP T20
(30)
DNP T64
(0)
DNP T3
(60)
DNP T24
(8.67)
DNP T14
(18)
DNP T23
(9)
Patrick Reed
(120.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP T24
(26)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T7
(36.67)
DNP T15
(11.67)
DNP Win
(66)
DNP T51
(0)
Mackenzie Hughes
(116.67 pts)
DNP DNP T3
(90)
DNP T70
(0)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP 2
(33.33)
DNP DNP DNP
Adam Hadwin
(101.67 pts)
T4
(80)
DNP DNP DNP T41
(9)
DNP T43
(4.67)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T26
(8)
Luke List
(100.33 pts)
T21
(29)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP Win
(88)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP T30
(6.67)
Joel Dahmen
(99.33 pts)
DNP DNP T20
(30)
DNP T48
(2)
DNP T19
(20.67)
DNP T5
(23.33)
DNP DNP DNP T5
(23.33)
Sungjae Im
(97.83 pts)
T53
(0)
DNP T58
(0)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T10
(26.67)
DNP 3
(30)
Win
(44)
T29
(10.5)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Justin Thomas
(93.33 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T8
(50)
DNP T10
(26.67)
DNP DNP DNP T6
(30)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Collin Morikawa
(83.67 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T64
(0)
DNP 2
(66.67)
DNP T9
(15)
DNP T42
(4)
DNP T26
(8)
Mark Hubbard
(82.33 pts)
T12
(38)
DNP T37
(13)
DNP T33
(17)
DNP T43
(4.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T11
(13)
DNP DNP DNP
Kevin Streelman
(81 pts)
DNP DNP 2
(100)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T47
(1)
DNP DNP DNP
Justin Rose
(79.33 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T14
(36)
DNP T3
(60)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP T56
(0)
Maverick McNealy
(79.33 pts)
T8
(50)
DNP DNP DNP T58
(0)
DNP T32
(12)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T11
(13)
DNP T27
(7.67)
DNP
Jon Rahm
(79.33 pts)
DNP DNP T37
(13)
DNP T33
(17)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP T3
(45)
DNP T17
(11)
Jhonattan Vegas
(78.33 pts)
DNP DNP T24
(26)
DNP T17
(33)
DNP T60
(0)
DNP DNP T27
(7.67)
DNP T9
(15)
CUT
(-3.33)
Matthew Wolff
(76.67 pts)
2
(100)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP 54
(0)
DNP T52
(0)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Brendan Steele
(76.67 pts)
DNP DNP T6
(60)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T4
(26.67)
DNP DNP DNP
Hideki Matsuyama
(72.33 pts)
T21
(29)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP T56
(0)
DNP T6
(30)
DNP T5
(23.33)
Joaquin Niemann
(72 pts)
DNP DNP 63
(0)
DNP T5
(70)
DNP T32
(12)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Scott Stallings
(69.67 pts)
T39
(11)
DNP T6
(60)
DNP T48
(2)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T53
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Harold Varner III
(68.33 pts)
T30
(20)
DNP T32
(18)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T19
(20.67)
DNP T36
(4.67)
T42
(2.67)
DNP DNP T13
(12.33)
Brooks Koepka
(67 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP 7
(55)
DNP T32
(12)
DNP T47
(1)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP T43
(2.33)
Matthew Fitzpatrick
(66.17 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T14
(36)
DNP T32
(12)
DNP T9
(15)
DNP T37
(6.5)
DNP T30
(6.67)
Ian Poulter
(63.67 pts)
DNP DNP 64
(0)
DNP T14
(36)
DNP T29
(14)
DNP T32
(6)
T27
(7.67)
DNP DNP DNP
Brian Stuard
(60.33 pts)
T30
(20)
DNP T20
(30)
DNP T52
(0)
DNP T43
(4.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
66
(0)
DNP DNP T23
(9)
Lanto Griffin
(57.83 pts)
T21
(29)
DNP T24
(26)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T36
(4.67)
DNP T29
(10.5)
DNP T37
(4.33)
Gary Woodland
(55.67 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T62
(0)
DNP 9
(30)
DNP DNP T8
(16.67)
T12
(19)
DNP DNP
Cameron Champ
(55.33 pts)
T12
(38)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T14
(24)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Sepp Straka
(51.33 pts)
T8
(50)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T33
(17)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T27
(7.67)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Patrick Cantlay
(50 pts)
DNP DNP T11
(39)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP T17
(11)
Matt Kuchar
(49.67 pts)
DNP DNP DNP DNP T41
(9)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP DNP T22
(14)
DNP T2
(33.33)
Sam Burns
(49.67 pts)
T30
(20)
DNP T24
(26)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP T36
(4.67)
T64
(0)
DNP DNP T23
(9)
Rory Sabbatini
(49 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP T21
(29)
DNP T14
(24)
DNP T47
(1)
T35
(5)
DNP DNP T59
(0)
Troy Merritt
(48.67 pts)
T8
(50)
DNP T60
(0)
DNP T70
(0)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T24
(8.67)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Jason Kokrak
(47.33 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T3
(60)
DNP T18
(10.67)
DNP T51
(0)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Ryan Palmer
(44.33 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T8
(50)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP T17
(11)
DNP DNP 67
(0)
Michael Thompson
(44 pts)
T64
(0)
DNP T46
(4)
DNP T8
(50)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP 57
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Dylan Frittelli
(40.67 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T8
(50)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T18
(10.67)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Richy Werenski
(40.67 pts)
T21
(29)
DNP T46
(4)
DNP DNP 78
(0)
T58
(0)
DNP DNP T17
(11)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Zach Johnson
(39.67 pts)
DNP DNP T11
(39)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T43
(4.67)
DNP T32
(6)
67
(0)
DNP DNP DNP
Brice Garnett
(39.33 pts)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T17
(33)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP DNP T11
(13)
DNP T20
(10)
DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for the WorkDay Charity Open

Player Rocket Mortgage Colorado Champ. Travelers Champ. Utah Champ. RBC Heritage King & Bear Classic Charles Schwab Korn Ferry Challenge Arnold Palmer The Honda Classic WGC-Mexico Championship Puerto Rico Open Genesis Open
Russell Knox
(-46.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Kevin Tway
(-46.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
David Hearn
(-43.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP
Brian Gay
(-43.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP T62
(0)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Matt Every
(-40 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Sebastian Cappelen
(-40 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP T58
(0)
DNP
Vijay Singh
(-36.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP DNP
C.T. Pan
(-36.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP T52
(0)
DNP CUT
(-6.67)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
CUT
(-3.33)
DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
Martin Trainer
(-35.67 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)
DNP CUT
(-3.33)
T47
(1)
Aaron Baddeley
(-33.33 pts)
CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP CUT
(-10)
DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP CUT
(-3.33)

How Player Rankings are Computed

The Buzz:

When the PGA Tour was planning its return to golf after being shut down for COVID-19, the original schedule for this week was the John Deere Classic.  Last month the tournament decided that it couldn’t hold the event which opened up this date.  The PGA Tour had a sponsor waiting in Workday, which delivers financial management, planning, and analytics applications for companies.  In looking for another tournament site the idea was to be placed either in Detroit or Columbus so that it would give two straight weeks in one location.  In the search, the Columbus, Ohio area was the best choice, first because Ohio is one of the states that has controlled the spread of Coronavirus and the number of courses available.  In talking with different courses, Jack Nicklaus and the folks that run the Memorial felt they could host back to back events, which the PGA Tour agreed to do.

To preserve the course for the Memorial and to make it play differently, the PGA Tour and folks at Muirfield Village decided that he greens for the Workday would run at a speed of 11 on the Stimpmeter, while they will be between 13 and 14 for the Memorial.  The course will also cut the rough before the Workday, basically the same schedule to get the course ready for the Memorial, so for the week before the rough will be lower than the Memorial.

So the difference for the players will be the speed of the greens in which putting will be easier for the Workday, thus a great ball striker who is weak in putting will have an advantage.

Weather will also play a factor, it usually is played at the end of May when they get more thunderstorms and historically they have had their fair share of poor weather.  But with it played in July, it should play differently as the course will be fuller and with the lack of wind in July a lot easier.  We have seen this the last four weeks, as with each tournament played later and into the summer, the courses have been plush and easier to play.

This week unfortunately weather may play a factor as storms are in the forecast or Friday, Saturday and Sunday.

The sad report coming out of Muirfield Village is the disappointing news that they will not allow fans for next week’s Memorial.  Even with Ohio doing well in controlling the number of new cases of COVID-19, their numbers have gone up over the last week so everyone felt it’s best to play it safe with no fans.

Things you need to know about the Memorial

This is the first and probably last Workday Charity Open.  It was put together as a stop-gap for John Deere who couldn’t have their event.  Wouldn’t be surprised if in the near future Workday doesn’t get its own event, but it won’t be played at Muirfield Village.

There have been 45 straight Memorial Tournaments played. The first one was in 1976, and the Memorial has always been played at Muirfield Village.  Have to look at the historical stuff that has happened at Muirfield because the Workday will be a lot like the Memorial, which has close ties with Jack Nicklaus. The tournament was a long-time vision of Nicklaus, who grew up playing the famous Scioto Country Club, which hosted the 1926 U.S. Open.  But the course wasn’t large enough to hold a major championship, so Nicklaus built Muirfield Village with that in mind.  In some ways, the Memorial tournament mirrors the Masters because it’s the tournament that Nicklaus always thought was the best run on a great course.

The tournament got its name because every year a different golfer is recognized for their contribution to the game of golf. The first Memorial Tournament honoree was Bobby Jones in 1976. Beginning in 2002, two honorees were selected annually, a male and female golfer. This year the honoree was Nick Price, with Gene Littler and Ted Ray to be honored posthumously.  Since it just happens the decision not to have fans, bet this will be canceled to next year.

Course information:
  • Muirfield Village Golf Club
  • Dublin, Ohio
  • 7,456 yards     Par 36-36–72

Muirfield Village has a 76.9 rating and slope rating of 153 from the championship tees. The course is very private. The tees and Fairways are Bentgrass Poa Annua while the rough is Kentucky Bluegrass with ryegrass and fescue. The greens are bentgrass.

Last year Muirfield Village played to a 72.08 average and was the 13th hardest course on the PGA Tour.  In 2018 it played to a 71.40 average and was the 30th hardest course.  In 2017 it played to a 72.80 average and was the 13th hardest course on tour. In 2016 it played to a 70.99 average and was the 36th hardest course on the PGA Tour.  In 2015 Muirfield Village was the 23rd hardest course on the PGA Tour playing to a 71.74 average.  Because of the course being soft with a lot of rain the week before and perfect conditions during the tournament, the course plays easy.  But last year due to poor weather over the weekend with high winds created a higher scoring average.

During the 1966 Masters, Jack Nicklaus told some of his closet friends that he wanted to bring a major championship to the Columbus area.  Unfortunately, the best course in town, Scioto Country Club, was not big enough to hold a tournament that Nicklaus envisioned.  At the time he was just getting into course designing, so he knew just enough to be dangerous on the subject.  He also envisioned that his course would have some of the same characteristics that Augusta National had, plus Nicklaus wanted the event to mirror Augusta.

After the Masters, Nicklaus and his trusted friends made secret site surveys around the Columbus area and found the site he thought was perfect, on the Northwestern part of town.  In 1967 with his own money, Nicklaus started buying the land that would be Muirfield Village.

By 1970, Nicklaus realized that he had a future in building golf courses. He started his own company, and in 1972, under the supervision of Golden Bear Inc., construction began in Dublin, Ohio. The project encountered many delays, including exorbitant amounts of rain that ultimately postponed the completion of the project until late 1973. Jack Nicklaus played the inaugural round of golf at Muirfield in October 1973. Fittingly, his round was marred by torrential rainstorms. The course officially opened on May 24, 1974, with an exhibition match between Nicklaus and Tom Weiskopf. Nicklaus shot a 66, which stood as the course record until 1979.

Over the years, Muirfield Village has racked up numerous prestigious awards, but the most essential accolade that Muirfield Village gets every year is when it is voted one of the five best sites by PGA Tour players, not only because the course is excellent, but because how well the players are pampered here.  It goes beyond even the PGA Tour rules.  It’s the only tournament on Tour that bans equipment manufacturers, tournament representatives, and the media from the practice facilities and locker rooms.

When Nicklaus built the course in the ’70s, he had championships in mind and of course, a yearly PGA Tour event.  Along with the Memorial, which got started in 1976, the course has held just about every other major tournament, except for a U.S. Open or a PGA Championship.  Other championships that have been held at Muirfield include the 1986 U.S. Junior Amateur, the 1987 Ryder Cup Matches, the 1992 U.S. Amateur, the 1995 Wendy’s Three-Tour Challenge, the 1998 Solheim Cup and last year the 2013 Presidents Cup.

The par 72 course has 73 bunkers, with water coming into play on 11 holes. In general, Muirfield Village plays a long, challenging 7,456 yards. With a course rating of 76.9 and a slope rating of 153, it is one of the most challenging venues on Tour.

Nicklaus didn’t just design this course with the golfer in mind; he was one of the first designers to account for the fan. The 220-acre venue strategically incorporates hills and mounds that allow fans to look down upon most of the action. This set up mirrors most traditional stadium-seating arrangements found at major sporting events.

Over the years Nicklaus tweaks the course, but for the third year in a row, the course will be pretty much like it was the year before, except for the weather.

Let’s take a look at vital stats that are important for those playing at Muirfield Village.

This is based on the most important stats for the Muirfield Village, based on data from last year’s Memorial and using data from all the players in the field with stats from 2020.
Historically Muirfield Village had the reputation as a course to get ready for the U.S. Open. Many have said that the course could be a perfect Open venue. It has the length, tight fairways with three-inch-plus rough, tree line and fast undulating greens. Just about everything that you would see at a U.S. Open is at Muirfield Village. But the rough won’t be as hard and the greens will be easier so we have to make some changes in looking at what will be key to the course
Over the years the course has played differently. Muirfield has gone from a very feared course to one that is a layup. Between 2003 and 2013 the course played over par every year except in 2005 (71.93) and 2007 (71.49). After 2008 the course played hard, in 2008 it played to a scoring average of 74.40 ranking 5th hardest course for the year, in 2009 it was 73.42, ranking 6th. In 2012 it played to a 73.68 average and in 2013 it played to a 73.26 average with both years ranked 6th toughest. But then it dropped to 71.90 in 2014, ranked 29th and in 2015 it averaged 71.74 and ranked 23rd. In 2016 the course played to a 70.99 average, not only ranking 36th of the courses on the PGA Tour but more importantly the easiest the course has ever played in the 40-year history of the tournament. In 2017 the scoring average rose to 72.80 (rank 13th) mostly because of bad weather on Sunday with two delays and wins blowing between 15 and 25 mph. But with good, warm weather scoring was again down to 71.40 with the course ranking 30th on the PGA Tour. Last year the weather was good but each day the winds got worst, on Saturday it was between 10 to 18 mph while on Sunday it ranged from 12 to 22 mph. This made the course a lot tougher, it played to a 72.08 average, the 13th hardest course on tour. But for the workday look for par to be broken just with the lack of speed on the greens
It has to be said that Muirfield Village may be the victim like other courses on the PGA Tour have experienced, technology.
The shocking stats were what used to be it’s meat and potatoes, driving accuracy and greens in regulation is not the case anymore. In 2014 it ranked the 38th hardest in driving accuracy and 21st in greens in regulation. In 2015 it jumped to 42nd in driving accuracy and 18th in greens in regulation while in 2016 it was 42nd in driving accuracy and 25th in greens hit. In 2017 it ranked 29th in driving accuracy and 13th in greens hit. In 2018 it was 45th in driving accuracy and 26th in greens hit, while last year it was 43rd in driving accuracy and 14th in greens hit, probably because of the winds over the weekend last year So the course doesn’t have the bite it use to have. In a way it’s what happened at Colonial, for years it was one of the hardest courses on the PGA Tour until 20 years ago when players started overpowering the course. So is technology the problem?
There is a lot of reasons for this the last six years, between lots of wind to rain before the tournament that made the course play very soft and lack of wind during the championship rounds. Another oddity the winners the last six years, last year Patrick Cantlay and in 2018 with Bryson DeChambeau, both got his second PGA Tour victory. In 2017 Jason Dufner claimed his 5th career PGA Tour win but in the three years before, Hideki Matsuyama, David Lingmerth, and William McGirt were first-time winners on the PGA Tour. But it’s amazing that 3 out of the last 6 winners were first-timers, before that the last time the Memorial had a first time winner was in 1991 and before Matsuyama won in 2014 it only had two first time winners, Kenny Perry in 1991 and Keith Fergus in 1981. So it’s a freak of nature that in the first 38 years the event had only two first time winners and now has had three in the last 6 years. I’m not saying this is terribly bad, just that when conditions are easier it opens the course to more players winning, such as players that haven’t won before do well. So with that said and the course playing easier don’t be surprised too seeing another non-experience champion. That and the poor forecast for storms could create some weird things happening on this course.
In a way you would think that short, straight hitters would rule with wet conditions, they do in some cases but in the last 7 years, of the 39 players that finished in the top-five, only eight players were in the top-10 of driving accuracy, while 11 of those 39 players were in the top-ten of driving distance. So what does that tell us? Those players don’t have to hit it straight to do well at the Memorial and with shorter rough this year this week could be a bombers delight.

In looking at our four categories and taking into account that there will be less rough and slower greens, our first for Muirfield Village is strokes gained tee-to-green. Last year the course ranked T-21st while last year’s champion Patrick Cantlay ranked 2nd, 2018 champion Bryson DeChambeau ranked 12th, 2017 champion Jason Dufner ranked 1st, 2016 winner William McGirt ranked 7th and 2015 champion David Lingmerth ranked 9th. Next important is putting inside 10 feet, Muirfield Village has some great greens, they are only 5,000 square feet but have a lot of undulation, and the bentgrass is easy to read. Still, with the greens running at 11 on the stipmeter if you make a lot of putts in this distance, you will do very well. Last year the course ranked 12th in this category while Patrick Cantlay was 19th making 64 of 71 putts. In 2018 Muirfield ranked 12th, 8th in 2017, 10th in 2016 and 4th in 2015 while in 2018 champion DeChambeau ranked T-19th, 2017 winner Dufner ranked T-38th, 2016 winner McGirt ranked T-23rd and 2015 winner Lingmerth ranked 5th. You have to putt well to score well at Muirfield Village, last year the field made 87.24% of the putts in that distance, so look for players that make lots of putts.
Our third important stat is scrambling, players will miss greens and have to get it up and down. The course ranked 7th last year, 11th in 2018, 2nd in 2017, 14th in 2016, and 13th in 2015 while Cantlay ranked 5th last year, DeChambeau ranked 1st in 2018, Dufner in 2017 was 30th, McGirt was 6th in 2016 and Lingmerth was T-9th. Our last category is birdie average, last year it ranked T-28th while in 2018 it ranked 42nd, in 2017 it ranked 29th, in 2016 it ranked 48th and in 2015 was 43rd which means a lot of birdies were made with the average number of birdies by players being 3.77 average last year, in 2018 it was 4.02, in 2017 it was 3.61 and 4.24 per round in 2016. So how did our winners do, Cantlay was 1st last year making 25 birdies, in 2018 DeChambeau was T-7th, Dufner was T-2nd in 2017, averaging 5.25, McGirt was at 5.00 which ranked T-16th and Lingmerth averaged 5.50 and ranked T-6th.
The big question, will the course play the same this year, especially with all of the changes and weather? Probably and with a stellar field of 23 of the top-fifty in the world rankings.

*Strokes Gained tee-to-green: The per round average of the number of strokes the player was better or worse than the field average on the same course & event minus the players’ strokes gained putting value.

*Putting inside 10 feet: Very easy, counts every putt from ten feet in to see who makes the most.

*Scrambling: The percent of time a player misses the green in regulation, but still makes par or better.

*Birdie Average: Average number of birdies made over the course of a round

The 149 of the 157 players from this year’s field with stats from 2020:

Click any column title in the table header to sort columns.

For a link to the other 137 players stats for the Workday Charity

DraftKings tips

Of the 157 in the field, 114 have played at least once at Muirfield Village in The Memorial since 2015:
  • Kevin Streelman is 42 under, in 20 rounds playing 5 years
  • Marc Leishman is 41 under, in 20 rounds playing 5 years
  • Justin Rose is 35 under, in 12 rounds playing 3 years
  • Byeong Hun An is 34 under, in 16 rounds playing 4 years
  • Matt Kuchar is 34 under, in 18 rounds playing 5 years
  • Patrick Cantlay is 33 under, in 12 rounds playing 3 years
  • Jason Dufner is 33 under, in 18 rounds playing 5 years
  • Jordan Spieth is 29 under, in 18 rounds playing 5 years
  • Emiliano Grillo is 28 under, in 16 rounds playing 4 years
  • Hideki Matsuyama is 28 under, in 18 rounds playing 5 years
  • Rickie Fowler is 28 under, in 16 rounds playing 5 years
  • Kyle Stanley is 21 under, in 10 rounds playing 3 years
  • Keegan Bradley is 21 under, in 16 rounds playing 5 years
  • Patrick Reed is 20 under, in 16 rounds playing 4 years
  • Jamie Lovemark is 17 under, in 12 rounds playing 3 years
  • Gary Woodland is 17 under, in 18 rounds playing 5 years
  • Joaquin Niemann is 16 under, in 8 rounds playing 2 years
  • Rory Sabbatini is 14 under, in 12 rounds playing 3 years
  • Matt Jones is 13 under, in 12 rounds playing 3 years
  • Jason Day is 13 under, in 16 rounds playing 5 years
  • Phil Mickelson is 13 under, in 18 rounds playing 5 years
  • Bubba Watson is 12 under, in 12 rounds playing 3 years
*Here are the ones with the best under par totals averaging it per years played (2 or more starts)
  • Justin Rose is 35 under playing 3 years (-11.7)
  • Patrick Cantlay is 33 under playing 3 years (-11.0)
  • Byeong Hun An is 34 under playing 4 years (-8.5)
  • Kevin Streelman is 42 under playing 5 years (-8.4)
  • Marc Leishman is 41 under playing 5 years (-8.2)
  • Joaquin Niemann is 16 under playing 2 years (-8.0)
  • Emiliano Grillo is 28 under playing 4 years (-7.0)
  • Kyle Stanley is 21 under playing 3 years (-7.0)
  • Matt Kuchar is 34 under playing 5 years (-6.8)
  • Jason Dufner is 33 under playing 5 years (-6.6)
  • Jordan Spieth is 29 under playing 5 years (-5.8)
  • Jamie Lovemark is 17 under playing 3 years (-5.7)
  • Hideki Matsuyama is 28 under playing 5 years (-5.6)
  • Rickie Fowler is 28 under playing 5 years (-5.6)
  • Patrick Reed is 20 under playing 4 years (-5.0)
  • Rory Sabbatini is 14 under playing 3 years (-4.7)
  • Matt Jones is 13 under playing 3 years (-4.3)
  • Keegan Bradley is 21 under playing 5 years (-4.2)
  • Bubba Watson is 12 under playing 3 years (-4.0)
  • Louis Oosthuizen is 8 under playing 2 years (-4.0)
  • Shane Lowry is 8 under playing 2 years (-4.0)
  • Peter Malnati is 7 under playing 2 years (-3.5)
  • Gary Woodland is 17 under playing 5 years (-3.4)
  • Billy Horschel is 12 under playing 4 years (-3.0)
  • Russell Henley is 8 under playing 3 years (-2.7)
  • Jason Day is 13 under playing 5 years (-2.6)
  • Phil Mickelson is 13 under playing 5 years (-2.6)

Historical ParBreakers

Here is a look at those playing this week and who has made the most eagles and birdies:

So it makes sense that the top players on this list are guys that will make lot’s of points this week

*Here are the guys that cost the most on DraftKings this week:

  • Justin Thomas – $11,100
  • Jon Rahm – $10,900
  • Patrick Cantlay – $10,600
  • Brooks Koepka – $10,400
  • Xander Schauffele – $10,200
  • Hideki Matsuyama – $10,000
  • Justin Rose – $9,700
  • Viktor Hovland – $9.500
  • Collin Morikawa – $9,200
  • Rickie Fowler – $9,000

Before we start this week’s Workaday Charity it’s important to note that this is the only first-year event that we can have lots of historical data on.  Basically this week’s Workaday Charity is like having two Memorial, back to back.  Those that play well this week, will probably play well next week.  We have never seen anything like this before.

Our first player Justin Thomas at $11,100 is a hard one to pick.  On the surface, he is well worth the value, he has won twice in 2020 and finished T-4th in 2017 and T-8th in 2018.  But in the same breath last year at Muirfield, Thomas missed the cut and in his last start missed the cut at Travelers.  So there is no rhyme or reason, Justin is a great player and you have to go off a leap of faith that he has had a week off and is ready to go on a course he should play well.  Be interesting to see if he gets into contention how he reacts because a win is a win, but if you’re going to win at Muirfield Village you want to win next week.  But you can’t dismiss the fact that a win this week is $1.1 million, of course, you will take the win.  The same with Jon Rahm at $10,900.  He has played once at Muirfield Village and missed the cut in 2017.  Since the break, he missed the cut at Charles Schwab, was T-33rd at Heritage and T-37th at Travelers.  These aren’t numbers that give you much confidence because Rahm is a streaky player, I don’t think he will have a good week.  Now Patrick Cantlay at $10,600 is worth the money and has past results to make him a go.  Cantlay is the defending champion at Memorial and was 4th in 2018.  In his one start back since the break he was T-11th at The Travelers so have to say he is worth the money.  Brooks Koepka at $10,400 is also a great pick, yes his record is poor at Memorial, but he hasn’t played there since his T-31st finish in 2017.  Koepka took some time off because he was near someone with COVID-19, but he seems ready to go.  Before the break Koepka was struggling with the game, but he seems better after finishing T-32nd at Colonial and 7th at Heritage, I say a big yes for Brooks.  Xander Schauffele at $10,200 is also tough, at Memorial he missed the cut in 2018 and was T-14th last year.  After the break he was T-3rd at Colonial, T-64th at Heritage and T-20th at Travelers, I say he is a good pick.  I think the best pick of all these is Hideki Matsuyama at $10,000.  He is a past winner at Memorial in 2014 and the last two years were T-13th in 2018 and 6th last year.  He has mixed results since the break missing the cut at Heritage and T-21st at Rocket Mortgage.  But I like him because he will do very well on the slowed-down greens at Muirfield Village, this will be a big advantage for him.  Justin Rose at $9,700 is also a good price, he has won at Muirfield Village and finished 2nd.  In 2018 he was 6th and last year was 13th, I like how he has played since the break, yes he missed the cut at The Travelers, but he had one bad round.  I like Rose.  Also, like Viktor Hovland at $9,500.  He is playing at Muirfield Village for the first time but his game should fit the course, but he has steadily improved since the break, he has traveled from stop to stop in his camper and played well.  He was T-11th at Travelers and T-12th last week at Rocket Mortgage, yes he is a good pick.  Now I don’t like Collin Morikawa at $9,200, he is playing for the first time at Muirfield Village and even though he was 2nd at Colonial was T-64th at Heritage and missed the cut at Traveler.  Another no is Rickie Fowler at $9,000, yes he has been runner-up twice at Muirfield Village but his game is questionable right now, he is so lost he has gone back to the irons he played seven years ago.  So forget him, yes I know he was T-12th at Rocket Mortgage but let’s see how he does this week and think about him next week.

*Players in that $7,500 to $8,900 price range, which ones are worth the money?:

Have to say I still have a weak heart over Jordan Spieth, who this week in $8,600.  He was T-7th last year at Muirfield Village and even though hasn’t been impressive since the break, he was T-10th at Colonial and other than a three-round 75 at Heritage has played great.  Matt Kuchar at $8,500 is another to look at, he always had played well at Muirfield Village till missing the cut last year is always someone that you can’t dismiss.  But the player I really like the most is Joaquin Niemann at $8,400, he was T-6th at Muirfield in 2018 and T-27th last year.  Feel his game has been good since the break, he was T-5th at Heritage and was 63 at The Travelers with a final round 75. Also, watch Adam Hadwin at 8,200, he was T-4th last week at Rocket Mortgage and has always been steady at Muirfield Village, his best finish was T-11th in 2016.  Matthew Wolf at $8,100 is worth watching he was runner-up last week at Rocket Mortgage, he is playing for the first time at Muirfield Village.  Another player to take for sure is Kevin Streelman at $7,800, his last start he was 2nd at The Travelers and has played well at Muirfield, he was 4th last year.  Also, like Cameron Champ at $7,700.  His length will help him this week and he was T-12th at Rocket Mortgage.  Last, also look over Maverick McNealy at $7,500, he hasn’t played before at Muirfield but was T-8th last week at Rocket Mortgage.

Some of the “bargains” this week at the Memorial

I like Ryan Armour at $7,400, he has had mixed results at Muirfield, best was T-22nd last year but in his last two starts, he is 31 under par finishing T-6th at Travelers and T-4th at Rocket Mortgage.  Also, like Chris Kirk at $7,300 he has played a lot at Muirfield and it hasn’t been bad he was T-4th in 2014.  Since the break won on the Korns Ferry Tour at King & Bear and was T-21st last week in Detroit.  Emiliano Grillo at $7,200 is a really great pick he was T-9th last year at Muirfield and was T-39th at Rocket Mortgage.  Looking for someone that won’t win, but will make the cut and get you points and he is super cheap?  Take Brian Stuard at $7,100, he has made his last five cuts at Muirfield Village and has made four of four cuts since the break, his best finish T-20th at The Travelers.  Troy Merritt at $7,000 is another that will make the cut and get you lots of points, he was T-6th last week at Rocket Mortgage.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the Workday Charity:

The key stat for the winner:

  • As we have been saying the past six years Muirfield has played easier and with slow greens and lack of rough look for some really low scores. Rain will soften things up even more so that will help the long hitters.

Another key:

  • Those that do well in majors do well at Muirfield Village.  Of the 34 different champions of the Memorial, they have accounted for 511 wins on the PGA Tour while 17 have won a total of 68 major championships. What’s more, 15 of the last 27 Memorial champions have been a winner of a major championship.
  • In the history of the Memorial, only three leaders after the first round have won (Ernie Els in 2004, Justin Rose in 2010 and Jason Dufner 2017). 15 second-round leaders have won, and 19 third-round leaders have won.  Between 1994 and 2006, 11 of the 14 winners were in the lead after the third round.  But since 2007, only 4 champions had the lead going into the final round so again look for someone coming out of the pack to win like Patrick Cantlay did last year.
  • 11 of the last 23 winners were in the top four in greens hit. In 2009 Tiger Woods was T3rd in greens hit while Justin Rose was T-13th in 2010, Steve Stricker was T30th in 2011, Tiger Woods was T-1st in 2012, Matt Kuchar was also 1st in 2013.  In 2014 Hideki Matsuyama was T-22nd while David Lingmerth was T-16th in 2015.  In 2016 William McGirt was T-7th in greens hit while in 2017 Jason Dufner lead greens hit.  In 2018 Bryson DeChambeau was T-12th in greens hit while last year Patrick Cantlay was T-11th
  • Overpowering the par fives is crucial, last year Patrick Cantlay was 12 under the best of the winners since Tiger Woods was 14 under in 2001.
  • In past years hitting greens has been significant, as Muirfield Village has some of the hardest set of greens to hit from the fairway.  Once you miss the greens, it’s hard to get it up and down, in 2014 of the 2,631 greens missed only 1,375 par or better was made, it was the fourth hardest course in scrambling at 52.26%.  In 2015 of the 2,504 greens missed only 1,382 par or better were made making it the 13th hardest.  In 2016 of the 2,386 greens missed only 1,240 par or better were make making it the 14th hardest on tour.  In 2017 of the 2,810 greens missed only 1,433 were able to get it up and down making it the 2nd hardest on tour.  In 2018 2,419 greens were missed with 1,315 able to get it up and down the 11th hardest on tour, last year 2,579 greens were missed with 1,420 able to get it up and down making it the 7th hardest on tour..
  • Accuracy is key to winning at Memorial, eleven of the last 17 winners have been in the top-10 in driving accuracy, which proves the point that you have to drive the ball well at Muirfield Village.  In 2009 Tiger Woods was 2nd while in 2010 Justin Rose was T-10th.  In 2011 Steve Stricker kept the tradition up as he was T-3rd but in 2012 Tiger Woods broke the tradition when he was T-14th in driving making him the first player out of the top-ten in driving since Ernie Els won in 2004.  Even worst things got bad in 2013 as Matt Kuchar was T-37th in driving accuracy, in 2014 Matsuyama was T-11th while in 2015 Lingmerth was T-11th. In 2016 McGirt was 38th in fairways hit while 2017 winner Jason Dufner was T-7th in fairways hit.  In 2018 Bryson DeChambeau was 4thy while last year Patrick Cantlay was also 4th in driving accuracy.
  • In its 44-year history, there have been 8 playoffs, the last coming last year when DeChambeau beat Byeong Hun An with a birdie on the second extra hole.  Now between 1976 and 2013, the tournament saw only four playoffs the previous was in 1992 when David Edwards beat Rick Fehr on the second hole.  Since then every Memorial except for three (2005, ’07 and ’11) has been won by at least two shots or more.
Active tournaments that have the least amount of playoffs since 1976:
  • 5 – Players championship
  • 6 – Arnold Palmer Invitational
  • 8 – Shriners Hospital
  • 8 – Memorial
  • 8 – Honda Classic
  • 8 – John Deere Classic

 

  • Only eleven times in the history of the Memorial has a player shot four rounds in the 60s with eight of them winning. Patrick Cantlay did it last year, before than Byeong Hun An did it in 2018, before that Steve Stricker did it in 2011 but the last time that happened before that was in 2005 when Bart Bryant prevailed.
  • Last we have to talk about the weather.  This tournament has always had its share of severe weather, I remember when I use to attend this event between 1988 and 2003 one year Barbara Nicklaus hired an Indian chief to do dances to avoid bad weather.  Barbara may need that Indian Chief this year because unfortunately, there is nothing to stop severe weather this week as each week has bad weather, the best will be Thursday but Friday has a 90% chance of rain.  The weekend isn’t much better.

 

Who to watch for at the WorkDay Charity Open

Best Bets:

Hideki Matsuyama

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
6 T13 T45 CUT T5 Win

Past Memorial winner, have to say the easier conditions of slow greens will help him and he is so good from tee-to-green can’t see him not having a great week.

Patrick Cantlay

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
Win 4 T35

The course is perfect for him, look for him to play great this week.

Brooks Koepka

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T31 T52

This course should be perfect for him, I think just like with Dustin Johnson who won two weeks ago, it’s now time for Brooks to win again.

Best of the rest:

Justin Rose

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
13 T6 2 CUT T8 8 CUT Win CUT T2

Plays well right now and thinks his game is on the upswing.

Justin Thomas

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
CUT T8 T4 CUT CUT T37

He has become a Jekyll and Hyde type of player, he can go in either direction this week but think he will be ok, probably won’t win but have a great finish.

Xander Schauffele

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T14 CUT

Hasn’t played well in the past at Muirfield Village but think this week will be different, look for a good week from him.

Viktor Hovland

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

Playing at Muirfield Village for the first time, his game looked good last week so look for that to continue.

Joaquin Niemann

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T27 T6

Played well at Muirfield in 2018 and has been good since the break.

Solid contenders

Kevin Streelman

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
4 T44 T13 T8 T18 CUT CUT CUT T7 T33 CUT

In his last start, he was 2nd at The Travelers and has played well at Muirfield, he was 4th last year

Matthew Wolff

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

Played great last week, playing for the first time at Muirfield Village.

Adam Hadwin

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T52 T74 CUT T11 T57

Is steady at Muirfield Village was T-4th last week in Detroit.

Matt Kuchar

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
CUT T13 T4 T4 T26 T15 Win T2 T8 T5 T10

Past Memorial winner, his game is coming around just wonder if it will be good this week.

Jordan Spieth

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T7 CUT T13 T57 T3 T19 T63

Was T-7th at Muirfield Village last year, have to wonder if his game is improving.

Long shots that could come through:

Ryan Armour

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T22 T23 CUT

Has had mixed results at Muirfield, best was T-22nd last year but in his last two starts, he is 31 under par finishing T-6th at Travelers and T-4th at Rocket Mortgage.

Maverick McNealy

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
First time playing in this event

You kid playing for the first time at Muirfield Village, his game should be great for course.

Chris Kirk

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T52 CUT CUT T36 T4 CUT T25 CUT

Was T-4th at Muirfield Village in 2014, he won the Korns Ferry Tour King & Bear event.

Still searching for their game:

Jon Rahm

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
CUT

He is a very streaky player and just not on a streak right now. Hasn’t shown us much since the break, have to watch him to see if things get better.

Rickie Fowler

2020 ’19 ’18 ’17 ’16 ’15 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08
T14 T8 T2 CUT CUT CUT T37 T52 T22 2

He seems very lost right now, he was better last week in Detroit using his old 7-year-old irons. Has had some good moments at Muirfield Village and it could happen this week, just have to prove it to me.

Comments

  1. William Fabish says

    Hey Sal – Do you not like Morikawa for his price or for where is game is currently? I’m trying to find a 2nd tier option for a One and Done while holding on to JT, Rahm, Cantlay, Rose, Reed and Xander for some higher pay days down the road. (My season goes through the Masters).

    Thanks.

  2. William, not a big fan of Collin Morikawa right now. Since his runner-up finish at Colonial he is just 2 under par in six rounds and has been over par in his last three rounds. Feel you can do better and here are some thoughts, first Viktor Hovland, he is playing at Muirfield Village for the first time but his game should fit the course, but he has steadily improved since the break, he has traveled from stop to stop in his camper and played well. He was T-11th at Travelers and T-12th last week at Rocket Mortgage, yes he is a good pick. DraftKings has him ridiculously priced at $9,500 so he may not be second-tier enough for you.
    Now Joaquin Niemann at $8,400, he was T-6th at Muirfield in 2018 and T-27th last year. Feel his game has been good since the break, he was T-5th at Heritage and was 63 at The Travelers with a final round 75. Also, watch Adam Hadwin at 8,200, he was T-4th last week at Rocket Mortgage and has always been steady at Muirfield Village, his best finish was T-11th in 2016.
    My best suggestion for you is Another player to take for sure is Kevin Streelman at $7,800, his last start he was 2nd at The Travelers and has played well at Muirfield, he was 4th last year.
    Lastly, I like Ryan Armour at $7,400, he has had mixed results at Muirfield, best was T-22nd last year but in his last two starts, he is 31 under par finishing T-6th at Travelers and T-4th at Rocket Mortgage. With Muirfield playing easier it may right up his alley for the week.
    Hope this helps.

  3. William Fabish says

    Thanks

  4. Thanks Sal – Went with Streelman / Matsuyama this week; I’m saving a few other options for next week when rough is higher and greens faster (Rose, Cantlay, Leishman).

  5. Chad hope it works out for all of us, yes want to hold back on big guns for next week, those should include Koepka and Justin Thomas who are playing this week.

Speak Your Mind

This site uses Akismet to reduce spam. Learn how your comment data is processed.