Statistically Speaking: Sentry Tournament of Champions

Carlos Ortiz (+10000) … For some, the long trip from Japan will be only that – long – but it might be exactly what he needs after likely experiencing mixed emotions after plummeting from T3 to T42 in the final round of the Olympics. His closing 78 was three higher than anyone else in the field on Sunday. However, nothing can replace the fulfillment of representing his native Mexico at the Games. Returning to life as a touring professional at 35th in the FedExCup, he’s poised for his deepest run in the Playoffs. Possesses a balanced attack that has generated a trio of top 10s this season, including his breakthrough title in Houston last fall. It also doesn’t hurt that he can look at his record in stroke-play WGCs and find a pair of top 20s, one at Chapultepec in 2019, the other at Concession five months ago. Martin Laird (+20000) … He was the first to turn an extension of status in the modified graduate reshuffle category into victory when he prevailed in the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open nearly 10 months ago. The Scot has managed only one more top 25 in a full-field event since (T23, PGA Championship) but he placed T28 in his most recent start at the John Deere Classic. It ended an 0-for-3 skid, too. Currently 15th on TOUR in both fairways hit and greens in regulation, it’s a potent combination at TPC Southwind that he hasn’t seen since 2013, which also happens to be the last time he’s qualified for a World Golf Championship. Jim Herman (+30000) … This is just third career appearance in a World Golf Championship and his first since the 2016 edition of the FedEx St. Jude Invitational when it was contested at Firestone, but the 43-year-old has connected four top 30s upon arrival, he’s 49th on the PGA TOUR in ball-striking and T31 in proximity. Most of all, as one of the unlikeliest qualifiers (for winning the 2020 Wyndham Championship), he has nothing to lose and everything to gain. It’s a mantra that could be applied to the timing of each of his three career victories. Aaron Rai (+15000) … In one of the quirks of rescheduled competition, there are two winners of the Scottish Open in this week’s field. Min Woo Lee of Australia prevailed in that tournament four weeks ago, while Rai of England connected for his title 10 months ago. His first European Tour title at the Hong Kong Open in 2018 yielded his TPC Southwind debut in 2019, and he didn’t squander the opportunity in finishing T12. After scattering a trio of top 25s early in 2021, he’s arriving with five consecutive paydays, two of which for a top 20, including a T19 at The Open Championship. Currently 16th on his circuit in fairways hit and 12th in greens in regulation. Ryosuke Kinoshita (+30000) … It’s been a career-defining summer for the 30-year-old from Japan. His breakthrough victory at the Japan Golf Tour Championship served as his ticket to TPC Southwind and what is his PGA TOUR debut in the United States. In his next start three weeks later, he won again on his home circuit and later finished T59 at The Open Championship in his first-ever appearance in a major. Currently second in earnings on the JGTO, third in greens hit and sixth in scoring average. Odds were sourced on Tuesday, Aug. 3 at 5 a.m. ET. For live odds visit betmgm.

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PGA TOUR star Bryson DeChambeau’s quest for a world long drive title remains alive after he surged to the final 32 of the Professional Long Drivers of America World Championships in Mesquite, Nevada. DeChambeau silenced the critics by breezing through from the final 64 to the final 32 competitors on Wednesday afternoon at the Mesquite Regional Sports and Event Complex. RELATED: The prototype driver DeChambeau is using for the World Long Drive Championship Fresh off helping the U.S. Ryder Cup team to victory, DeChambeau finished second in his 16-man group with 800 points, cruising to the next round by winning three of his five sets. The Open Division that began with 80 players, was whittled to 64 on Tuesday, and then slashed in half in tough gusting winds throughout Wednesday’s play. DeChambeau will now return Thursday in a bid to make the final 16 on Friday where a winner will be crowned. On Wednesday four 16-man groups competed in five four-man sets. A player earned 200 points for winning a set, 100 points for finishing second and 50 points for finishing third with the top eight of each group advancing. DeChambeau started impressively in his opening set, finding the grid with all six balls, topping out at 351 yards. It was good enough for second place, losing top spot to Ryan Steenberg’s final second 353-yard effort. But the eight-time TOUR winner smashed one 355-yards to win his second set, a result that put him on the road to advancement. A 351-yard drive in his third set to be second all but secured his place to Thursday but it was official with a 347-yard slap in his fourth set that was good enough to win. The fifth set was a mere formality, but DeChambeau pummeled a 328-yard effort into a stiff wind all the same for another set win to close it out. “What he’s doing is obviously wonderful for the sport. He’s a good guy. He has a very altruistic desire to help the sport out. It’s great to have someone appreciate what the guys can do out here,” former world champion and fellow competitor Kyle Berkshire said. “He took a big leap of faith and put himself in a vulnerable position to compete out here and he’s backed it up with his performance. He’s doing the PGA TOUR really proud.” Berkshire has been an advocate of DeChambeau’s quest to compete and says those expecting less of the former U.S. Open champion are way off base. He expects DeChambeau to seriously threaten making the final 16 and beyond. “The competition is going to get even more serious now which is great to see. I think Bryson has a gear we haven’t seen yet, I expect we will see him close to 220mph ball speed,” Berkshire, who also cruised to the final 32, said. “If he comes out and wins a set or two tomorrow, which I think he can do especially getting so many balls in play, he absolutely has a great chance to advance further.” The live-stream announcer alongside DeChambeau was gung-ho on DeChambeau’s chances of making it to the end. “We are close to Vegas and they’ve got odds on him making the final eight. I’m getting on it for sure,” he said. “He’s ruining our long-drive reputations because not only can he hit the long ball but he can chip and putt as well!” The announcers also confirmed DeChambeau will not take any money for his performance, donating anything he wins back into the purse for the other competitors.

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VIDANTA VALLARTA, Mexico – Andrew Novak was nervous throughout the opening round of the Mexico Open at Vidanta. Not because of the demands on a windy afternoon at Vidanta Vallarta, which he successfully navigated to the tune of six birdies against a single bogey. He was anxiously awaiting his beloved Carolina Panthers’ selection with the No. 6 pick in the opening round of the NFL Draft. In a case of fortuitous timing, Novak signed for a 5-under 66 just minutes before the Panthers selected North Carolina State offensive tackle Ickey Ekwonu. Novak hung out beside the scoring trailer as he waited for the pick, accompanied by caddie Jeff Hamley and a few colleagues. The native of Raleigh, North Carolina was instantly enthused. He pumped his fist and graded the selection an “A.” “Let’s go!” Novak exclaimed as the sun set Thursday evening in western Mexico. “N.C. State tackle. Let’s go! That’s a good day right there. “It’s great. It’s what I wanted. Ideal situation … that’s as good as you can ask for.” Novak stands T11 into Friday’s second round of the Mexico Open, aiming to channel the positive vibes from Thursday evening’s draft selection into a strong showing at Vidanta Vallarta.

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