Fantasy Golf: WGC Bridgestone Invitational preview

There are two vital tournaments coming up in the Today’s Golfer Fantasy Golf game, in association with Your Golf Travel, with this week’s double points WGC Bridgestone Invitational followed by triple points on offer at the final Major of the season, the USPGA Championship.

All but one of the world’s top 50 – Webb Simpson – are playing, plus a host of tournament winners from around the world in the last 12 months, tee it up in the 78-man at Firestone CC, Akon, Ohio.

At 7,400 yards, Firestone’s South Course is long for a par 70 so distance off the tee is a bonus. The real key, however, lies in finding greens and fairways in regulation. Putting hasn’t proved as critical here in recent years.

The strength of the field means there are very few players worth less than $1.5m in the field so getting the team balance right will be tricky. The lack of a cut does enhance the chances of the lesser names.

Here is TG’s six-man team for the WGC Bridgestone Invitational:

Tiger Woods, $4.5m
The world number two has a stunning record at Firestone. Despite finishing outside the top 35 the last two years, he’d won seven of his previous nine starts at the venue. The other two were T2 and T4 finishes. Has three wins this season and regained his Major mojo with a T3 in his last start at The Open.

Adam Scott, $3.4m
The defending champion will have to show incredible mental strength to bounce back from his Open Championship collapse, but that result shouldn’t hide the fact that he’s on great form. He’s 18th on the PGA Tour in total driving.

Bo Van Pelt, $2.2m
Excluding a missed cut at The Open, he has six top 20s in his last eight starts. He’s 8th on the PGA Tour in total driving and 9th in strokes gained putting.

Zach Johnson, $1.9m
Johnson is in a rich vein of form with two wins and two runners-up finishes in his last nine tournaments. He’s not the longest off the tee but he’s 18th in fairways hit and finished T6 here last year.

Jason Dufner, $1.9m
The quiet American has forced his way into the world’s top 10 with some fantastic form dating back to his runner-up finish at last year’s USPGA Championship. He’s 20th in driving accuracy and 6th in greens in regulation.

Scott Piercy, $0.9m
The big hitter is a late entry to the field after winning last week’s RBC Canadian Open. His form had been impressive before that so he could make a run here if his momentum staves off a post-win hangover.

> You can see a full list of all the golfers playing this week and their prices by clicking here. You have until 1.30pm on Thursday 2nd August to select your team.