2013 The Barclays
Thursday, August 22, – Sunday, August 25, 2013, TV: Golf, CBS
Liberty National Golf Club – Jersey City, New Jersey
Par 71 – 7,353 yards
Defending Barclays Champion: Nick Watney
Defending FedEx Cup Champion: Brandt Snedeker
All Odds Courtesy of  5 Dimes

Now that the four majors are done for the year, attention turns now to the four event FedEx Cup Playoffs. The Playoffs begin Thursday in Jersey City with the Barclays. The top 125 golfers in the standings qualify.

Golfers will see a much different Liberty National Golf Club than in 2009 the last time the course hosted the Barclays. The magnificent view of the Statue of Liberty and Manhattan skyline will not change, but the course was remodeled since 2009. Small but significant changes were made to 15 of 18 holes that include things like widening the fairways, adding bunkers, and modifying the putting surfaces. The course was actually shortened by 66 yards amid criticism that it was too difficult to reach the greens from off the fairway. Rain is a possibility Thursday but otherwise it will be sunny skies and highs in the 80’s for the rest of the weekend. Wind is always a possibility coming off New York Harbor.

Let’s take a look at some of the contenders for both the Barclays and FedEx Cup playoffs, along with some head to head match-ups for the Barclays. Bet on These Props At 5 Dimes Sportsbook and Collect a 20% Signup Bonus!

Tigers Woods (Odds to win the Barclays +520, Odds to Win FedEx Cup +275)

Although Tiger didn’t win a major again this season, and hasn’t won one since 2008, he has still won 5 tournaments in 2013. He leads the FedEx Standings by 766 points over Matt Kuchar. To put that into perspective, only 127 points separates 2nd place Kuchar from 4th place Phil Mickelson. Tiger leads the PGA in adjusted scoring. He has never won the Barclays but Woods did tie for second at Liberty National in 2009. Tiger took last week off after tying for 40th at the PGA Championship, his worst finish at a major when making the cut.  I think Tiger will be in contention at the Barclays and wins the FedEx Cup. Tiger is -190 to beat Rory McIlroy head to head this week, and I like Tiger in that match-up. You can also get Woods at +515 against the field but you get slightly better odds with a just a straight bet on Tiger to win.

Rory McIlroy (Barclays 18/1, FedEx Cup 15/1)

McIlroy has struggled all season, with no wins and only 5 top 10’s. He did get a top 10 at the PGA Championship his first in a major this year. McIlroy is seeded 49th in the FedEx Standings and faces an uphill climb. He is in the top 25 on tour in adjusted scoring, the all-around, and par breakers. Maybe his top 10 at Oak Hill is a turning point, but I can’t pick McIlroy as inconsistent as he has been all season. McIlroy is -170 to beat Scott Piercy and I like Piercy to win that match-up.

Adam Scott (Barclays 18/1, Fed Ex Cup 15/1)

Scott won the Masters, and had top 5’s at both the British Open and PGA Championships. Scott is 11th in the FedEx Standings with 2 other top tens besides the majors. Scott should be in contention this week and for the FedEx Cup. I like Scott at -155 to beat Jason Day.

Henrik Stenson (Barclays 20/1, FedEx Cup No Odds)

Stenson is #9 in the FedEx Standings and has 2 seconds and 2 thirds in his last 4 starts, including a second at the Open Championship and a third in the PGA Championship.  He is sixth or better on tour in fairways, greens in regulation, adjusted scoring, and scrambling from the rough. As hot as he has been recently, a top ten is a good possibility at the Barclays. For some reason, they don’t have odds on him to win the FedEx Cup. Stenson is -125 to beat phil mickelson at the Barclays. I like Stenson in that match-up.

Phil Mickelson (Barclays 24/1, FedExCup 3/1)

Mickelson is fourth in the FedEx Standings with 2 wins, 2 runner-ups, and 2 thirds in 17 events. He won the Open Championship and came in second at the U.S. Open. He barely made the cut at the PGA Championship and had a miserable weekend and finished tied for 72nd. He is ninth in adjusted scoring and first in par breakers. Mickelson should contend both at the Barclays and the FedEx Cup. He tied for 52nd here in 2009, but is a member of Liberty National.

Dustin Johnson (Barclays 24/1, FedEx Cup 30/1)

Johnson is 15th in the FedEx standings. He won the Barclays in 2011. Johnson made news this week when it was announced he is engaged to Wayne Gretzky’s daughter. Johnson has one win this season and 5 top tens, including a tie for 8th at the PGA Championship. He tied for 15th at Liberty National in 2009. Johnson is -130 to beat Hunter Mahan. I like Johnson in that match-up.

Webb Simpson (Barclays 27/1, FedEx Cup 40/1)

Simpson is 17th in the FedEx standings. with 4 top 10’s and 12 top 25’s. He tied for 11th at the Wyndham Championship last week, but shot a 63 in the final round. He led after 36 holes in the 2009 Barclays but finished tied for 8th. Simpson is -115 to beat Keegan Bradley. I like Simpson in that match-up. Simpson is very steady and doesn’t make too many mistakes. He could be a semi-dark horse in both the Barclays and the FedEx Cup.

Matt Kuchar (Barclays 30/1, FedEx Cup 10/1)

Kuchar is second in the FedEx Standings ( a distant second, but still impressive) with 2 wins and 7 top 10’s. Kuchar’s wins came at the World Match Play and the Memorial, two of the most prestigious non-majors on tour.  He finished 28th or better in all four majors, including a top 10 at the Masters. Kuchar has made 23 straight cuts on tour.  He won the Barclays in 2010 and is my pick to do so again. He has a long way to catch Tiger for the FedEx Cup but it isn’t impossible. I like Kuchar at -115 to beat Jason Dufner.

Jason Day ( Barclays 30/1, FedEx Cup 30/1)

Day is 14th in the FedEx Standings with 6 top 10’s, including at the Masters, US Open, and PGA Championship. He finished third at the Masters and tied for second at the US Open. He has made 21 straight cuts, and finished tied for 12th at the 2009 Barclays.

Brandt Snedeker (Barclays 32/1, FedEx Cup 15/1)

Snedeker, the defending FedEx Cup champion, is currently third in this year’s standings with 2 wins at Pebble Beach and at the Canadian Open. He also has 8 top 10’s. He had a top 10 at the Masters and top 20’s at the US and British Opens. He tied for 66th at the PGA and missed the cut at the Wyndham last week, his fifth missed cut of the year.

Other contenders at The Barclays include: Jason Dufner and Justin Rose (both 34/1), Keegan Bradley and Hunter Mahan (both 36/1), Lee Westwood (40/1), Jim Furyk and Bill Haas (both 45/1), Charl Schwartzel (55/1), Jordan Spieth, Luke Donald, and Sergio Garcia (all 60/1).

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