The picturesque views of New York City will come into focus on Friday (AEDT) as the first leg of the FedEx Cup Playoffs, the Northern Trust, tees off from Liberty National Golf Course.
The top names in golf typically shine at this event, as we saw last year when eventual FedEx Cup champion Dustin Johnson set a new scoring record by finishing a whopping -30 under par.
Not surprisingly, names like DJ, last year’s BMW Championship winner Jon Rahm, and reigning Open Championship winner Collin Morikawa all occupy the top of the market, while further down, Adam Scott is hoping to win for a second time and atone for last week’s disappointment.
With the FedEx Cup field about to be reduced to 70, find out who we’re backing this weekend in our 2021 Northern Trust Preview here!
2021 The Northern Trust Best Bet
Collin Morikawa at $17.00
Liberty National is a course that calls for a number of different skills, but I think the most important is Approach.
Teeing off at this venue is a daunting task with water hazards and bunkers aplenty, so it’s worth backing a dependable guy that can find the fairway before tackling the fast Bentgrass greens.
A few guys come to mind, but no one stands out more than Collin Morikawa. He mightn’t be the sexiest pick, but when can you remember the two-time major winner getting around at $17.00 last?
More importantly, the world No. 3 ranks 14th in fairways hit and third in Strokes Gained: Approach over his last 50 rounds, so I think he’s a very strong fit for this course in just his second appearance.
2021 The Northern Trust Best Value
Abraham Ancer at $31.00
We’re fully prepared to get hurt again.
Ancer has burned on so many occasions over the last 18 months, but after winning the WGC St Jude two weeks ago to leap into the sixth spot in the FedEx Cup standings, maybe he can finally go on with it.
Like always, the 30-year-old finds himself in the mid-tier of the market, but I think he’s a ver live chance after leading the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee at the 2019 Northern Trust.
Adam Scott at $41.00
There are plenty of names to like at a price, but it’s tough to go past one of our own despite last week’s miserable end to the Wyndham Championship.
In case you missed it, Adam Scott sent the winning four-foot putt past the hole, but knowing him, it will only serve as motivation as he looks to win for a second time at Liberty National.
Scott basically played last week to find some form heading into the Playoffs, not that he needed it after making 16 of his previous 17 cuts.
Ranked fourth in Strokes Gained: Putting over his last 24 rounds on Bentgrass greens, I think the current price for Scotty is massive overs.
2021 The Northern Trust Best Roughie
Jhonnatan Vegas at $91.00
I’ve tipped Vegas on several occasions this year and I’m not about to hop off just because things are getting serious.
The Venezuelan is still searching for his first win on TOUR since 2017, and he’s certainly come close recently finishing T2 at the 3M Open before a couple of Top 20 finishes in Tokyo and at last week’s Wyndham Championship.
Has only played this tournament once for a T38 back in 2019, but I like him outright or as a Top 20 chance.
Emiliano Grillo at $126.00
You never know what you’re going to get with the Argentinian, but when he’s on, he’s on.
The 28-year-old was outstanding at Royal St George’s last month where he went on to finish T12 behind a final round 68, before crushing our hopes in Minnesota the next week by missing the cut at the 3M Open.
He bounced back well for a T27 at the Barracuda though and is also one of the more dependable guys off the tee ranking 30th overall in Strokes Gained.
2021 The Northern Trust Top 10 Finish
Brooks Koepka at $2.63
Well-rested since a disappointing finish at the WGC St Jude. Also finished top six in four of his previous five starts.
Daniel Berger at $3.50
Quietly ranks 16th in the world for a reason. Also, like Morikawa, ranks second in Strokes Gained: Approach over his last 24 rounds.
