Snedeker Wins the Wyndham

Riding the success of an opening round 59, Brandt Snedeker won the Wyndham Championship on Sunday.

Snedeker shot 59-67-68-65 for a four day total 259, -21. He made his final putt on the 72nd hole to secure his victory.

Sneds hit 80% of his GIRs this week, gained nearly a stroke on the green per round. While Snedeker gained an astounding 3+ strokes putting against the field on Thursday, he won the tournament Sunday with his approach shots. He hit over 94% of GIR and gained nearly a stroke in putting. It was a nice bounce back from Saturday where he made two bogeys and only four birdies, losing nearly a stroke and a half on the green.

This is Snedeker’s first win since 2016 when he won the Farmer’s Insurance Open. He did not win in 2017, as he battled an injury. His 2018 year started slowly, but has picked up in the latter half of the season. He has T6 at the FedEx St. Jude Classic in Memphis and T3 at the Greenbrier. He capped the regular season off with a victory, winning $1,080,000.

His victory vaults him to 30th in the FEDEXCUP standings, which sets him in the top ¹⁄₄ of the 125 player field headed into the final four events of the season. The four events are the The Northern Trust Open, The Dell Technologies Championship, The BMW Championship, and the TOUR Championship.

Snedeker is playing his best golf in over two years, when he was part of the victorious 2016 Ryder Cup Team. Although an exhibition, the Ryder Cup, played between the US and Europe who choose their 12 best golfer, is a matter of personal and national pride. Sneds hasn’t been considered one of the better US golfers due to injury, but he has thrown his name in the ring for a Captain’s pick.

Jim Furyk is the Captain of the 2018 team, but it is widely understood that Tiger with his contingent of young American players, will make the decision on who the other three players will be.

In the pool of players who would be considered are Tiger Woods, Phil Mickelson, Matt Kuchar, Bryson Dechambeau, Tony Finau, and Xander Schauffele. Woods is considered a lock. Mickelson and Kuchar are favorites among the other players, although their play has been suspect in 2018. Finau is playing the best golf of the other three.

Captain’s picks can often be politic, based on who the other players are friendly with or most comfortable playing along side. Snedeker is a well liked player on TOUR and a good teammate. His experience in 2016 and his play in the last two months should up his profile. He will have to play well during the playoffs, when after the final Captain’s pick will be made.