This tournament has set up as a nice little break from the fast and stressful start to the year as many players come into the week a bit more relaxed in a team setting. The tone changes over the weekend and especially as the tournament rolls into Sunday as there is big money and a big opportunity for some players to lock themselves into all the perks and exemptions that come with a win on the PGA Tour.
Wyndham Clark and Beau Hossler are leading through three rounds at 26-under after a 10-under 62 in two-ball on Saturday. They were matched by what has been a fun duo of Keith Mitchell and Sungjae Im, who will pair up with them in the final round at just one shot back. Both teams are at least two shots clear of the next contenders, giving them a nice cushion going into the final round. The change back to the alternate shot format will really test everyone, especially with the added Sunday pressure of the tournament being on the line.
We don't have strokes gained data to lean on this week, so we will have to lean on the eye test a bit more as we look for our best bets for the final round. There will be a lot of pressure on these leaders, who both lack experience playing with the lead, and the first few holes will be telling. I'll be looking down the board as I think we could see some players come from behind to get in the mix on Sunday at the Zurich.
Best Bets
Sungjae Im/Keith Mitchell +185 (FanDuel)
If I'm picking a winner, give me the experience and reliable ball striking of Sungjae Im and Keith Mitchell over the lack of both for Beau Hossler and Wyndham Clark. I will happily take solid plus money odds on a couple of guys who have won at this level and are both known for their ball-striking abilities. I have some serious concerns about Hossler holding up tee-to-green, especially as the pressure rises during the final round.
Mitchell and Im are both strong off the tee and rank inside the top 15 on TOUR with their drives. Im is the stronger of the two on approach, but neither is what I would consider a liability in any aspect of their game tee-to-green. Clark is similar from that perspective as he's had a great year with his ball striking, but Hossler ranks outside of the top 100 in both metrics. It'll be interesting to see if he can keep the good play he's had this week going into the final round as he looks to capture his first win, but for my money, I'll be on their playing partners.
Xander Schauffele/Patrick Cantlay top 5 +175 (DraftKings)
I am willing to go down with the ship on the defending champions and will make one final push on them going into Sunday. They will start the day three shots back of a top-5 finish and I have no issues in my expectations to see them get there. The pair put together a field-best alternate shot round of 9-under 63 on Friday and I expect they will once again be well above the field when it comes to the Sunday format. They are supremely comfortable with each other's game and if they can get off to another hot start, they will quickly move into the mix for a top finish. It isn't out of the cards for them to scare the leaders, but I think the pair of Mitchell/Im will be comfortable enough to not look back too much as they go through their round.
