Kurt Kitayama went into last week’s 3M Open in negligible form, picking up just two top ten finishes in the entire season. But Kitayama- who rose to prominence with a sensational win at the 2023 Arnold Palmer Invitational- would go on to win his 2nd US PGA Tour title, holding off Samuel Stevens by one shot in a topsy-turvy final round.
2025 US PGA Tour
Wyndham Championship
Sedgefield Country Club, Greensboro, North Carolina
31st July- 3rd August
It was a mammoth victory that vaulted him up to 53rd in the FedExCup standings (well inside the top-70 window for the upcoming FedExCup Playoffs. He also increased his chances of finishing inside the top 50 in the FedExCup standings, thereby guaranteeing himself a spot in all eight of next season’s Signature Events (which is obviously a massive advantage). The tour moves to North Carolina this week for the Wyndham Championship, which is the last counting event before the FedExCup Playoffs begin. The bubble boys will desperately be aiming to finish inside the top 70 to book their spots at TPC Southwind.
Sam Snead won the inaugural staging of this event in 1938 (when it was known as the Greater Greensboro Open). He would go on to claim a further seven titles (the last of which coming at the tender age of 52). In fact, Snead’s eight victories in this event see him co-own the PGA record for most victories in a single event (Tiger has won both the Arnold Palmer and WGC Bridgestone Invitational on eight occasions). This event has lost a significant amount of prestige over the years. It used to have an April/May slot but has been moved much further down the calendar. Many of the elite competitors use this as a recharge week ahead of next week’s FedEx St. Jude Championship. Having said all that, the event arguably has greater stakes than ever before, with players desperately seeking to finish inside the top 70 and qualify for next week’s FedEx Cup Playoff series.
Designed by the legendary Donald Ross and founded in 1926, Sedgefield Country Club was one of two courses that alternated hosting duties of the former Greater Greensboro Open (the other being Starmount Forest Country Club). The two courses shared duties for some time, until Forest Oaks Country Club took charge between 1977 and 2007. Kris Spence oversaw a renovation of this layout ahead of the 2008 return to Sedgefield. It was an attempt to toughen up the course that never really worked. Of the last nine winners, seven have shot 20-under or better. This isn’t a bomber’s paradise and tends to reward accuracy and surgical iron-play. Recent winners include the likes of Kisner, Herman and Simpson (none of whom are outdriving DeChambeau anytime soon). Four of the members of the 2021 six-man playoff gained over 5.0 strokes for the week on approach. Last year, Aaron Rai gained a whopping 8.8 strokes on approach. Sedgefield is a democratic course that gives everyone a fighting chance. You just need to dial in on approach and make some putts (Bermuda putting stats could prove useful).
Former US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick is rounding into some good form and will look to take advantage while the top dogs are away. Ryder Cup captain Keegan Bradley will be looking for another strong showing as his potential participation at the biennial event becomes more of a possibility. Elsewhere, the likes of Ben Griffin and Robert MacIntyre have to be respected. But the real interest this week lies with the guys a bit further down the pecking order: the dreaded bubble boys (no reference to Jake Gyllenhaal intended). Gary Woodland currently sits 75th in the standings and could do with a strong week. The likes of Max Homa and Adam Scott are in need of minor miracles if they wish to progress to TPC Southwind. Then you have players like Jordan Spieth who- currently ranked 50th- need to start performing if they wish to progress beyond Memphis.
Past Winners
2024: Aaron Rai (-18)
2023: Lucas Glover (-20)
2022: Tom Kim (-20)
2021: Kevin Kisner (-15) *playoff
2020: Jim Herman (-21)
Betting Favourites (To Win): Matt Fitzpatrick (18/1), Ben Griffin (22/1), Keegan Bradley (22/1), Robert MacIntyre (25/1), Aaron Rai (30/1)
Value Bets
Si Woo Kim- To Win (40/1)
This is a pure ‘horses for courses’ pick. Currently ranked 45th in the FedExCup rankings, Si Woo Kim could do with a strong week in order to bolster his East Lake dreams. The South Korean won this title in 2016 and then put on a stellar run between 2019 and 2021, picking up finishes of 5th, T3 and T2. In his last 24 rounds at this course, he ranks 3rd in SG: Tee-to-Green.
Denny McCarthy- To Win (55/1)
Currently sitting 39th in the live FedExCup standings, the metronomic McCarthy still has some work to do if he wishes to play East Lake. McCarthy has been a bastion of consistency this season, picking up nine top 20 finishes. He will probably feel slightly disappointed to have only converted those into two top ten’s (though one was a T8 at Quail Holow). McCarthy struggled overseas, missing the cut at Renaissance and Royal Portrush. But he is much better suited to traditional parkland layouts, finishing T12 and T11 in his two most recent US starts (the Travelers and John Deere respectively).
The Man to Beat- Matthew Fitzpatrick- To Win (18/1)
Former US Open champ Matt Fitzpatrick has to be respected in this market (and is an appealing favourite at 18/1). The Englishman arrives in the best from of his season, recording three straight top-ten finishes (including a T4 finish at the Open). Fitzpatrick has four straight top 20’s and has not missed a cut in ten events. His iron-play has improved dramatically in recent weeks and his solid tee-to-green game should make him an ideal candidate for success here.
