Golf: PGA Tour – The Northern Trust
Venue: Liberty National Course, New Jersey.
Dates: Thursday 19th – Sunday 22nd August 2021
Tournament Preview
One of the biggest events outside of the majors gets underway in Boston as The Northern Trust takes place in Massachusetts. Now into its 55th year as an event on the PGA Tour, The Northern Trust is the first tournament within the FedEx play-off system, which is the most lucrative prize in professional golf. As a result, all of the biggest names in the game are looking to make headway in the FedEx race and most of them are assembled in a stellar field here in New Jersey. Previous winners of the Northern Trust include Seve Ballesteros, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer – testament to the prestige the event is held in and with $9.5 million in the prize pot this week, it should be an incredible 4 days of golf.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
The Northern Trust is one of the oldest events on the PGA Tour and there are plenty of big names hoping to etch their names into the history books in 2021:-
Fresh off his first major tournament win, Jon Rahm should be full of confidence, and he will be the man to beat in favourable playing conditions in New Jersey.
2021 has been a revolutionary year for Jordan Spieth and his recent improved performances make him a real candidate from the off here in New Jersey.
Despite not being at the top of his game in 2021, Dustin Johnson has a superb record in this event, which an ominous sight for the rest of the field.
With another strong showing last weekend, Webb Simpson is always in the mix in big events and he could be difficult to stop here in New Jersey.
2019 Northern Trust Champion Patrick Reed will be looking to build on his win at this event a couple of years ago and he could be a strong outside bet.
1st Round Leader
Producing the goods over 72 holes is often the most difficult thing for any golfer to do therefore here are our first round leader picks:-
Northern Irishman Rory McIlroy seems to be struggling when it comes to the weekend in big events, but he has a habit of getting off to flyers and could go well from the off here.
Four time major winner Brooks Koepka is such a strong ball striker that conditions are sure to suit him here in New Jersey and he could be tough to stop.
World number 15 Tony Finau finished tied 15th at the Open last month and he will be looking to build on that from the outset here in New Jersey.
Top Ten Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in New Jersey, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:-
Paul Casey came agonisingly close to a bronze medal at the Olympics earlier this month and few would bet against him featuring on Sunday here at the Northern Trust.
Australian Jason Day is the course record holder at the Northern Trust and having won the event in 2015, he’ll be one to watch across the 4 days this week.
Cameron Tringale is beginning to make a name for himself on the PGA Tour and a top ten finish could do him a world of good here at the Northern Trust.
Northern Trust BetXchange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Jon Rahm – 10/1
1st Round Leader: Rory McIlroy – 33/1
Top Ten Finish: Paul Casey – 3/1
