This Thursday the sun will rise over a damp, Dallas metroplex and shine upon TPC Craig Ranch, the site for this week’s PGA TOUR stop at the AT&T Byron Nelson Classic in McKinney, TX.
Aside from the hellacious humidity likely to microwave the Tom Weiskopf track, this week’s field will have to shvitz it out against some of the top in the world, as Dustin Johnson, Brooks Koepka, and Bryson DeChambeau seek to dial in final pieces of their game.
The glory of a PGA Championship calls to all with a tour card, now just one week away, where the sky meets the sea over Kiawah Island’s Ocean Course. With a Major championship so close, it’s time for the worlds elite to play all gas no breaks golf. The odds are out, the books are open, and it’s time to get into the game.
So get a grip and let’s breakdown Sharplid Sports Links Lock of the Week
Wesley Bryan Top 20 Finish
Odds: +700 (Barstool Sportsbook)
Dial up the ole back door!
Bryan possesses one of golf’s most elite wedge games, while clearly possessing a first team all tour smile. Wedgely Bryan has a beautiful smile. But even those pearly whites will struggle to show themselves if he snap hooks his newly added 3 wood around the course and jumps on the first Southwest flight back to South Carolina Friday night. In the words of his idol, Justin Beiber, can Bryan find the strength, to take it higher, until he reaches the point of no return, thus leaving Dallas with a top 20 finish?
Bryan debuted it at his T-48 finish at the RBC Heritage Classic, and will be a crucial factor in his success this weekend. With resolve to swing the 3 wood squarely and trust his left side can follow through, expect a lot of scoring chances for the gamecock alumni, specifically on 5,6,9. Bryan has historically demonstrated solid feel for his 4 iron, but will need the extra distance of his 3 wood to ensure a low enough score to stay through the weekend.
What golf fans may not know about Wesley Bryant is that underneath his all tour smile and protein packed lunches is a seriously self-deprecated drive to win and win consistently on the PGA TOUR. He’s the first to name his shortcomings, recently confessing that he’s not an
“elite ball striker...some would say [I’m] not gifted...not physically gifted”.
Though against the majority of the field in elite physicality and athleticism, he is committed to finding other ways to score and make his hay. So what else should we look for in Bryan’s game this week? Rory McIlroy just secured to his third Wells Fargo Championship. In so doing he sunk 48/48 putts within 5 feet.
Therefore perfect putting, and therefore perfect putting practice will be a major key in a high finish for Bryan. Pay attention to his start times both Thursday and Friday. Hope for mid morning tee times, that way Bryan can comfortably get his hour of putting in before each round. After prayers and hugs for 3 wood magic, expect the rest of Wesley Bryan’s game to come together, leading to his much needed and second t-20 finish on the 2020-2021 PGA Tour.
