Lou Riccio’s Bridgestone World Golf Championship Prediction

The big hitters are lined up for the Bridgestone. The Model picks almost all big hitters and essentially all chalk. Because the PGA Championship is the following week, all the top players are at this one as well. Although length will be important, likely the best tee to green player will dominate on those narrow fairways. Dustin, the Model’s number one pick, is number one in tee to green strokes gained, but his fairway accuracy might trip him up at Firestone. Stenson (3rd T-to-G), McIlroy (10th) and Rose (12th) are strong contenders. If any one of them has a good tee game this week, they could be the champ. Spieth’s numbers are oh so good resulting an the Model picking him right behind Dustin, but his numbers are good all the time. It’s just so disappointing to see him come close then falter. The same is true for Justin Thomas’ numbers (4th), but where’s he been lately? Even with that good stat ranking, the Model does not pick Thomas for all runs, as it does for the other mentioned players. He falls to the second ten in the Model’s picks.

The Model likes Koepka even though his T-to-G standing is poor (71st.)  Hard to drop him from the top ten due to that since he did win at Shinnecock. He’s still in. Rounding out the top ten are Rahm, Day, and Fowler. Day has two wins this year, Rahm one, and Fowler none. Of those Rickie seems to be the one having the most difficulty closing it out. But with a little luck, this could be his week.

What does the Model say of Tiger? He had a great showing at Carnoustie and he loves this course. So why does the Model not give him a chance here? His tee game will make it difficult to make the cut let alone contend. The Model missed him at Carnoustie, but that was because it couldn’t predict Tiger would use irons off almost every tee and keep the ball in play. He won’t be able to do that at Firestone. He won at Firestone in past years when he was the best driver as well as the best everything else. Although his iron play is tops, he has to be clicking on all cylinders to be in the hunt.