This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
The PGA Tour's Asian swing continues this week as the best golfers in the world head to China. One huge benefit to the new schedule that was implemented a few years ago is the quality of the fields during the fall season. Sure, there are a few events that lack much firepower, but there are a few that look just like an event during the heart of the season. This is one of those events.
This week: WGC-HSBC Champions – Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China
Last Year: Justin Rose shot a final-round 67 on his way to a two-shot victory over Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.
FAVORITES
Justin Rose (8-1)
It makes perfect sense that Rose is the favorite this week. He's the defending champ and was the most consistent performer in 2018. The only negative is his performance in his other two starts at this event, both of which were T48s. That's not enough to scare me off of Rose, however, as he's been on a roll for nearly the entire year.
Brooks Koepka (8-1)
I was skeptical of Koepka entering last week as he had a track record of not performing at his peak outside majors, but perhaps he's turned a corner as he's already picked up a non-major victory this season. Koepka doesn't have a long history here, but he did finish runner-up to Rose last year in this spot.
Dustin Johnson (8-1)
Surprisingly, DJ is probably the least likely of this trio to perform well
The PGA Tour's Asian swing continues this week as the best golfers in the world head to China. One huge benefit to the new schedule that was implemented a few years ago is the quality of the fields during the fall season. Sure, there are a few events that lack much firepower, but there are a few that look just like an event during the heart of the season. This is one of those events.
This week: WGC-HSBC Champions – Sheshan International Golf Club, Shanghai, China
Last Year: Justin Rose shot a final-round 67 on his way to a two-shot victory over Dustin Johnson and Brooks Koepka.
FAVORITES
Justin Rose (8-1)
It makes perfect sense that Rose is the favorite this week. He's the defending champ and was the most consistent performer in 2018. The only negative is his performance in his other two starts at this event, both of which were T48s. That's not enough to scare me off of Rose, however, as he's been on a roll for nearly the entire year.
Brooks Koepka (8-1)
I was skeptical of Koepka entering last week as he had a track record of not performing at his peak outside majors, but perhaps he's turned a corner as he's already picked up a non-major victory this season. Koepka doesn't have a long history here, but he did finish runner-up to Rose last year in this spot.
Dustin Johnson (8-1)
Surprisingly, DJ is probably the least likely of this trio to perform well this week. Then again, that's not saying a whole lot as the two golfers in front of him are beasts. DJ has the best track record of this bunch, with a win, a runner-up and another top-5 in his last four starts here.
MID-TIER PLAYERS
Jason Day (16-1)
Day has only one start at this event, but it resulted in a T11, which, considering the field, isn't such a bad result. The best reason to back Day this week is his form, which looks to be solid after a mad weekend dash to a top-5 last week.
Hideki Matsuyama (18-1)
Matsuyama has played well for the better part of the last three months, but he's yet to put four rounds together. He's getting closer, though, and the break didn't seem to thwart the momentum that he gained late last season, which makes him a decent option this week. He also won this event in 2017, which makes him more than a decent option this week.
Rafa Cabrera Bello (40-1)
Cabrera Bello has a great combination of course history and recent form entering this week. He's coming off a solid T3 at the CJ Cup last week and posted top-20s in his only two starts at this event, one of which was a top-5.
LONGSHOTS
Matthew Fitzpatrick (50-1)
Fitzpatrick has overperformed in each of his starts here, as he finished T16 or better in all three. Even with that history, he's not getting much respect as he enters as a legitimate longshot this week. Fitzpatrick might have a tough time topping all the big names in the field this week, but he has a good shot at another top-10.
Eddie Pepperell (75-1)
So much for recent form. Pepperell won the British Masters last week on the European Tour, topping the likes of Justin Rose and Tommy Fleetwood, yet he's pretty far down the odds list this week. Pepperell has never had much success at PGA Tour events, but this isn't your normal PGA Tour event, and he's obviously hot, so he's worth a look.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Optimal pick: Justin Rose - Some weeks there really isn't an optimal pick; others, there are too many to choose. That's the case this week as you really can't go wrong with Rose or Koepka. I prefer Rose because he won here last year and played well enough last week to make me think his form is good enough to successfully defend his championship.
Buyer beware: Dustin Johnson - DJ has the track record at this event, but we really don't know anything about his form as the last we saw of him was the Ryder Cup, which didn't go as planned. DJ could come out on fire this week, but that's a chance I wouldn't take, especially when he carries so much value on the West Coast Swing.
Last week: Marc Leishman (T18) - $121,600; Season - $369,015
This week: Rafa Cabrera Bello - I've preached about using your big guns whenever you want, even early in the season, but the key is, the timing has to be right. Although I like Rose this week, it's not a great spot because the competition is stiff this week. With that in mind, I'll take someone who I might not use in 2019, but should play well this week.
FANDUEL PICKS
High/Mid/Low: Justin Rose ($12,100)/Matthew Fitzpatrick ($9,600)/Eddie Pepperell ($8,600)
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: no cut; Streak - 1
This week: no cut
