Statistically Speaking: Fortinet Championship
3 Min Read
Welcome back and welcome aboard!
After two weekends without PGA TOUR golf the offseason is over and the final wrap around season begins. As promised, we are ready to find a statistical edge as you research difference makers for your gaming and fantasy needs.
The Fortinet Championship welcomes the newly minted graduates from the Korn Ferry Tour, who played through the final weekend of August, mixed with TOUR players who were off since being eliminated from the FedExCup Playoffs.
Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course) hosts for the ninth time and provides a familiar backdrop for some Horses for Courses. It usually ranks in the middle of the pack annually when it comes to difficulty.
The par-72 checks in at 7,122 yards and should provide ample scoring opportunities with four shorter par-5s. Bent/Poa greens average 6,200 square feet but are devilish in their breaks, humps and bumps. Usually, they run at only 11.5 feet on the stimp, meaning plenty of putts should get to the hole. Survive the difficult par-3 holes and score on the others!
Stewart Cink (21-under) set the tournament record two years ago while Ricky Barnes (not entered) and Chesson Hadley share the course record of 61. Emiliano Grillo (2015-16) is the only maiden victor.
Interestingly California ties have been a part of three of the last five winners.
Let's look back at what past champions have used to excel at Silverado.
Key Statistics
Only players competing this week listed; click stat headline for additional players; Stats from 2021-22 completed season.
The previous eight winners have all posted T17 or better in this category with six of the eight registering in the top 10. Power players have triumphed here recently (Homa, Cink and Champ) so eating up this short-ish track off the tee and finding fairways is step one. The back half is paying off the tee ball with GIR. If 19-under is the winning score, plenty of chances will be needed. Those of you who are curious for KFT graduates stats, please click here and navigate.
| Rank | Player |
| 2 | Corey Conners |
| 7 | Hayden Buckley |
| 8 | Brendan Steele |
| 11 | Martin Laird |
| 14 | Austin Smotherman |
| 16 | Taylor Pendrith |
| 17 | Emiliano Grillo |
| 18 | Lucas Glover |
| 21 | Russell Knox |
| 26 | Alex Smalley |
Last year Homa became the first winner of eight to not finish in the Top 3 in Bogey Avoidance (T32; nine bogeys). There were only seven over par rounds in the top 27 last season. Plenty of birdies will be made so keeping a clean card is of higher significance than other weeks.
| Rank | Player |
| 5 | Mark Hubbard |
| 6 | Matt Kuchar |
| 14 | Alex Noren |
| 15 | Hideki Matsuyama |
| 18 | Adam Long |
| 20 | Kevin Streelman |
| 21 | Denny McCarthy |
| 22 | Andrew Putnam |
| 24 | Corey Conners |
| 28 | Greyson Sigg |
The 16th played the easiest on the course in the opening round while the fifth had the honor in the final three rounds. With all four at 575 yards or less, everyone should have a chance to shave a few strokes off their total. Of the last eight winners half registered inside the top three in this category.
| Rank | Player |
| 7 | Max Homa |
| 12 | Cam Percy |
| 14 | Mark Hubbard |
| 14 | Maverick McNealy |
| 17 | Cameron Champ |
| 24 | Sahith Theegala |
| 24 | Brandon Wu |
| 32 | Michael Gligic |
| 32 | Hideki Matsuyama |
| 32 | Trey Mullinax, Others |
Corey Conners, Hideki Matsuyama and Mark Hubbard find their way onto two of the three above lists. Conners is +1600 with BetMGM online sportsbook to win outright with his Presidents Cup teammate at +1400. Hubbard, a sleeper, is +300 for a Top 20.
For the record, players from the above charts with California connections include Homa, McNealy, Champ, Wu, Steele, Smotherman, Hubbard, Putnam and Theegala.
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