Johnson, Fowler part of logjam at Glen Oaks

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Keep that passport handy! The Butterfield Bermuda Championship at Port Royal Golf Club will provide the backdrop as the third different country in the last three weeks to host a PGA TOUR event. Next week at Mayakoba on the Mexican Riviera will be four different countries in four consecutive weeks. Sadly, Statistically Speaking doesn’t track SG: Frequent Flyer Miles! Yet! The fall portion of the 2022-23 season has provided opportunities to see the world and for the old and new to gather vital FedExCup points. As written in Horses for Courses there are a few familiar faces this week teeing it up in paradise but plenty more looking to force their way into the conversation. The three previous winners of this event have shown the door is open to any and all comers this week at Port Royal. Sitting at only 6,828 yards it checks in as the shortest track on TOUR. The Par-71 is squeezed into a fantastic coastal setting and provides only 19 acres of fairway off the tee. The good news is only two inches of Bermuda/Zoysia frames the short grass and recovery shots are more than possible. Champion Bermudagrass isn’t cut as tightly in the middle of the Atlantic Ocean, due to the ocean breezes, but the surfaces will roll plenty true. Winds and weather will affect every aspect of decision-making and club selection this week. Bombers can try and cut the doglegs while plotters can keep it between the yellow lines and both can be successful. Holing putts is required to push up the leaderboard on the weekend. Defending champion Lucas Herbert (not entered this week) won in just his 20th start on TOUR. He’s the only winner of three to break his TOUR maiden here. Port Royal has ranked in the more difficult half of courses played on TOUR for the last two seasons. The inaugural event, where the wind didn’t blow, was the only edition of three played under par. Taylor Pendrith (not entered this week) posted the course tournament record of 61 last season. Brendon Todd (not entered this week) set the tournament scoring record in the absence of wind in season 2020 at 24-under par. The last two winners, 25-year-old Lucas Herbert and 48-year-old Brian Gay each posted 15-under and won by one or a playoff. Key Statistics – Only players listed are competing this week; click stat headline for additional players; Stats from 2021-22 completed season; Butterfield Bermuda Championship does not use ShotLink lasers. – SG: Off the Tee Taking advantage of the lack of length and tight fairways will be interesting to watch. Blind tee shots up and over hills and around doglegs will set the foundation. Finding easier attack angles and short grass should lead to more chances for circles on the card and less stressful pars. Those of you who are curious about KFT graduates’ stats please click here and navigate. SG: Around the Green Finding sandy areas and less than perfect lies will lead to GIR misses. Time to save par and move on. Without penal rough (barely any on the course, period) the artisans around the hole can gain on the field. Putting: Birdie or Better Percentage Found GIR? Time to cash in. Only one of three champions has finished inside the top 10 GIR and that was inaugural winner Brendon Todd (10th) in benign conditions. Hot putting will help keep cool. Scrambling The forecast suggests scattered thunderstorms and unsteady weather so taking aim off the tee and into the greens might be muted. Grinding out pars and moving to the next hole won’t hurt. Of the three winners two have ranked fourth and the other T16 getting the ball up and down. The Bottom Line With a field consisting of only a handful of top players Seamus Power (+2200) sticks out like a sore thumb in the categories above. No wonder why he’s one of the top choices this week at BetMGM! Tyler Duncan (+6600) pops his head up in two of the three categories and could make for a delicious outsider for fantasy lineups and tickets. Odds sourced from BetMGM Sportsbook on October 25, 1 p.m. Eastern. For latest odds check BetMGM. Responsible sports betting starts with a game plan. Set a budget. Keep it social. Play with friends. Learn the game and know the odds. Play with trusted, licensed operators. CLICK HERE to learn more at HaveAGamePlan.org

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