WGC-Bridgestone Invitational
Firestone CC, South
Course
Thursday June 30th -
Sunday July 3rd, 2016
by David Barwise
Right, boys, it’s Firestone time! Here’s a quick look at who
to watch out for...
Shane Lowry
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| Photo: rte.com |
Had the lead on Sunday at the US Open but tragically
(TRAGICALLY!) threw it away. Not only is he in good form and well suited to the
course, but the defending champ certainly has a point to prove. So long as he
hasn’t somehow inherited the infamous Dustin Johnson Sunday curse – maybe the
demons left his putter and *that’s* what moved his ball – I expect to see him
in with a real shot.
Brooks Koepka
 |
| Photo: heavy.com |
We saw big things from the boy last season, and he’s
certainly not disappointed this season. Only two cuts missed in 2016 and he’s
already racked up two runner-up finishes. The only question is, when is he
going to grab his inevitable win this season? Well, with those two runner-up
spots coming from his last three starts, the Floridian looks ready to pounce.
And let’s not forget his impressive T6 finish last year (a consistent
69-69-68-69).
Dustin Johnson
 |
| photo: golfdigest.com |
Yes, I know it’s an obvious pick but how could you really
bet against the guy? In 2016, he’s amassed eight top-10 finishes. Which is
bordering on the ridiculous. He comes fresh from a win at the US Open and will
be feeling no pressure – able to enjoy a course that really sets up well for
him (although distance is not necessarily key this week, tee-to-green play is
vital and DJ ranks 3rd in “Strokes Gained: Tee-To-Green”).
Henrik Stenson
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| photo: askthebookie.com |
Out of the top ranking players, very little is being said
about poor Henrik, which is very odd considering that he comes fresh off a win
this week. Although I’m sure people may be writing off this result because it’s
only on the European Tour and it comes off the back of a couple of missed cuts,
we must remember three things: 1) The win was typically solid Stenson
performance, beating the rest of the field by three strokes), 2) Henrik is
quite possibly the best tee-to-green player in the world right now, 2) The
Swede rocks this event (an excellent record in the past including a runner-up
spot in 2013 to an unstoppable Tiger Woods... who won by seven strokes).
Rory McIlroy
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| photo: telegraph.co.uk |
He’s good I swear. I know he’s been given a rough ride by
the media this year, but he truly has a shot this week. A former winner at this
event, he knows the course well and can do a lot of damage. His MC at the US
Open may not look good on paper, but that’s before we take into account the
freak weather conditions he was playing in. His long irons are looking sharp,
he’s looking as determined as ever and, most importantly, Firestone allows a
little slack with the putter.
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