Course Guide: Old Greenwood Golf Course to my eye is pretty similar to the previous Barracuda Championship host course Montreux.
At 7,518 yards to the tips, this course is a long Par 72 located at high altitude in the Sierra Nevada mountains where the ball travels further than normal. But for this week the course will play as a 7,425 yard, Par 71. Think eagles and birdies! At 5,883 feet above sea level, expect the course to play incredibly short this week.
Since 2012 this event has been played utilising the Modified Stableford scoring format – you can find out more about how points are accrued here; Modified Stableford System.
Old Greenwood Golf Course, Tahoe Mountain Golf Club, Truckee, California: Designer: Jack Nicklaus 2004; Course Type: High Desert, Resort; Par: 71; Length: 7,425 yards; Number of Holes with Water In Play: 6 Holes; Fairways: Bentgrass with Poa Annua; Rough: Kentucky Bluegrass 1.75″ followed by deep brush; Greens: 5,300 sq.ft average featuring Bentgrass with Poa Annua.
Widths Fairway Widths (yards): Below are the fairway widths for Old Greenwood Golf Course and how they compare to recent courses on Tour:
- Old Greenwood: 35-40 yards.
- TPC Twin Cities: 250 yards from the tee: 38 yards wide; 275:38; 300:31; 325:30; 350:36.
- TPC Deere Run: 250 yards from tee: 41 yards wide; 275:40; 300:36 325:33; 350:30.
- Detroit Golf Club: 250 yards from tee: 34 yards wide; 275:34; 300:35 325:34; 350:33.
- TPC River Highlands: 250 yards from the tee: 38 yards wide; 275:36; 300:29; 325:29; 350:28.
- Torrey Pines South: 250 yards from the tee: 26 yards wide; 275:27; 300:25; 325:24; 350:23.
- Colonial: 250 yards from tee: 27 yards wide; 275:26; 300:27; 325:26; 350:23.
- Ocean Course – Kiawah Island: Up to 50 yards wide.
- Quail Hollow: 250 yards from tee: 33 yards wide; 275:32; 300:31; 325:30; 350:29.
- Copperhead: 250 yards from the tee: 24 yards wide; 275:20; 300:21; 325:23 350:19.
- Harbour Town: 250 yards from tee: 29 yards wide; 275:26; 300:22; 325:26; 350:22.
Course Designer Links: For research purposes other Jack Nicklaus designs include:
- Annandale Golf Club – Sanderson Farms Championship through 2013
- Glen Abbey – RBC Canadian Open – 2008, 2013, 2015-2018
- Montreux Golf & Country Club – Barracuda Championship through 2019
- Muirfield Village – Memorial Tournament
- PGA National – Honda Classic
- PGA West – Nicklaus Private – Humana Challenge through 2015
- PGA West – Tournament Course – CareerBuilder Challenge 2016 – 2019
- Sherwood Country Club – Thousand Oaks – World Challenge through 2013
- Valhalla Golf Club – 2014 PGA Championship
Course Overview: Last year was the first time we saw Old Greenwood Golf Course and my initial reaction was that this golf course was extremely similar to the old host course, Montreux G&CC.
At 7,390 yards the course is shorter, but only has 3 par-5s across a Par 71 format. Green sizes are similar and the make-up of the greens remains exactly the same, with Bentgrass Poa Annua mix greens. That’s important in my opinion.
A typical Jack Nicklaus design that becomes more challenging the closer you get to the hole, at 5,883 feet above sea level the air is dry and thin. Two of the par-5s, namely #6 and #12, are reachable to the whole field, and there are a couple of driveable par-4s for the bigger hitters namely #8 (357 yards) and #11 (345 yards).
There’s also a significant change in terms of rough here at Old Greenwood compared to Montreux. Effectively there isn’t any, with the main defence for errant tee shots being a 1.75 inch fairway rough collar and then deep brush. This set-up, in tandem with trees in very close proximity to fairway edges, certainly aided those who were accurate off the tee.
Winners: 2020: Richy Werenski (39); 2019: Collin Morikawa (47); 2018: Andrew Putnam (47); 2017: Chris Stroud (44); 2016: Greg Chalmers (43); 2015: J.J. Henry (47); 2014: Geoff Ogilvy (49); 2013: Gary Woodland (44); 2012: J.J. Henry (43); 2011: Scott Piercy (-15); 2010: Matt Bettencourt (-11).
Lead Score Progression:
- 2020: Round 1 +14 (Pts); Round 2 +22; Round 3 +33; Round 4 +39.
Tournament Stats: We’ve published some key player statistics for this week’s event that are well worth a look. Naturally they’ll help to shape a view on players who could go well this week: Current Form | Tournament Form | First Round Leader | Combined Stats.
Published Predictor Model: Our published predictor is available here. You can build your own model using the variables listed on the left hand side. Top 10 of my published predictor are Gary Woodland, Adam Hadwin, Brian Stuard, Pat Perez, Chez Reavie, Brandt Snedeker, Brendan Steele, Richy Werenski, Mito Pereira and Emiliano Grillo.
Recent Player Strokes Gained Rankings: These top 25 in the field rankings are based on an 8-tournament window that stretches back to the Palmetto Championship, which includes PGA Tour, European Tour events and the Olympics. Players’ rankings are based on performance relative to the rest of the field:
- Top 25 SG Off The Tee: 1) Taylor Pendrith; 2) Davis Riley; 3) Thomas Pieters; 4) Mito Pereira; 5) Patrick Rodgers; 6) Joel Dahmen / Branden Grace; 8) Davis Thompson; 9) Charlie Beljan; 10) Maverick McNealy; 11) Greyson Sigg; 12) Tom Lewis; 13) Tyler McCumber; 14) J.J. Spaun; 15) Kyle Stanley; 16) Beau Hossler / Adam Schenk / Aaron Wise; 19) Chez Reavie; 20) Tyler Duncan / Emiliano Grillo; 22) Paul Barjon; 23) Lee Hodges / Michael Thompson; 25) Ryan Armour.
- Top 25 SG Approach: 1) Michael Gellerman; 2) Chez Reavie; 3) Cameron Percy / Kyle Stanley; 5) Stephan Jaeger; 6) Ryan Moore / Mito Pereira; 8) Charlie Beljan; 9) Bo Hoag / Thomas Pieters; 11) Joel Dahmen; 12) Branden Grace; 13) Brendan Steele; 14) Mark Hubbard / Russell Knox / Vaughn Taylor; 17) Doc Redman / Brandt Snedeker / Shawn Stefani; 20) Joseph Bramlett / Lee Hodges; 22) Scott Brown / David Lingmerth; 24) Ryan Armour / Austin Eckroat.
- Top 25 SG Around The Green: 1) Andres Romero; 2) Aaron Baddeley; 3) Kevin Tway; 4) Nate Lashley; 5) Camilo Villegas; 6) Thomas Pieters; 7) Michael Thompson; 8) John Daly; 9) Brandt Snedeker; 10) Roger Sloan; 11) Brian Stuard; 12) Beau Hossler / Padraig Harrington; 14) Mark Hubbard / Rob Oppenheim; 16) Parker McLachlin / Greyson Sigg; 18) Chase Seiffert; 19) D.A. Points / Martin Trainer; 21) Mito Pereira / Nick Taylor; 23) Jonathan Byrd / Chez Reavie; 25) Johnson Wagner.
- Top 25 SG Tee to Green: 1) Thomas Pieters; 2) Mito Pereira; 3) Chez Reavie; 4) Kyle Stanley; 5) Joel Dahmen; 6) Maverick McNealy; 7) Taylor Pendrith; 8) Patrick Rodgers; 9) Brendan Grace / Mark Hubbard; 11) Ryan Armour / Michael Gellerman; 13) Ryan Moore; 14) Joseph Bramlett / Lee Hodges; 16) Gary Woodland; 17) Bo Hoag / Cameron Percy / Aaron Wise; 20) Charlie Beljan / Beau Hossler; 22) Brendan Steele; 23) Davis Riley / Davis Thompson / Camilo Villegas / Xinjun Zhang.
- Top 25 SG Putting: 1) Stephan Jaeger; 2) John Senden; 3) Kevin Tway; 4) Pat Perez; 5) Adam Hadwin; 6) Jonathan Byrd; 7) Rhein Gibson; 8) Sahith Theegala / Erik van Rooyen; 10) Martin Trainer; 11) Aaron Baddeley / Michael Gligic; 13) Beau Hossler; 14) D.A. Points; 15) Sam Ryder; 16) Luke Donald; 17) Ricky Barnes / Maverick McNealy; 19) Tom Lewis / Brian Stuard; 21) Troy Merritt; 22) Brandon Hagy; 23) Rafa Cabrera Bello / Greg Chalmers; 25) Taylor Pendrith.
- Top 25 SG Total: 1) Maverick McNealy; 2) Thomas Pieters; 3) Mito Pereira; 4) Chez Reavie; 5) Branden Grace; 6) Taylor Pendrith; 7) Beau Hossler; 8) Ryan Moore; 9) Mark Hubbard / Pat Perez; 11) Gary Woodland; 12) Ryan Armour; 13) Patrick Rodgers; 14) Kevin Tway / Brian Stuard; 16) Kyle Stanley / Erik van Rooyen; 18) Brandt Snedeker; 19) Cameron Percy / Adam Schenk; 21) Lee Hodges; 22) Aaron Baddeley / Sean O’Hair; 24) Michael Gellerman; 25) Sam Ryder.
Winners & Prices: 2020: Richy Werenski 33/1; 2019: Collin Morikawa 12/1; 2018: Andrew Putnam 28/1; 2017: Stroud 80/1; 2016: Chalmers 300/1; 2015: Henry 80/1; 2014: Ogilvy 66/1; 2013: Woodland 40/1; 2012: Henry 40/1; 2011: Piercy 50/1; 2010: Bettencourt 200/1. Past 7 Renewals Average: 86/1; Overall Average: 84/1.
Historical Weather:
- 2020: Thursday: Sunny. High of 85. Wind W/SW 10-20 mph. Friday: Sunny. High of 86. Wind W/SW 12-22 mph. Saturday: Sunny. High of 87. Wind W/SW 12-22 mph. Sunday: Sunny. High of 85. Wind W/SW 12-22 mph.
Weather Forecast: The latest weather forecast for Truckee, California, is here.
Nothing too major to report, in essence we’re dealing with high altitude, desert conditions this week. Rain in these parts is pretty rare, so the condition of the course will be dictated by the Course Superintendent and the PGA Tour. So expect fairways with some roll and responsive, soft greens to help with scoring.
Temperatures will top out at 29 degrees Celsius with low humidity, so will be very pleasant. A 15-25 mph south-westerly will be a feature on Thursday, with similar direction 10-15mph breezes kicking up every afternoon for the rest of the tournament.
Tournament Trends & Key Factors: Analysing the final stats of the winner here at Old Greenwood gives us a little more insight into the requirements for this:
- 2020, Richy Werenski (39 Pts). 67.9% fairways (32nd), 76.4% greens in regulation (7th), 58.8% scrambling (33rd), 1.66 putts per GIR (8th).
Let’s take a view from players as to how Old Greenwood sets up and what skill sets the course favours:
Seamus Power (2020): “Like I said, it’s a beautiful golf course. You stand on some of those tees and it’s just lined with those tall, I don’t know, pine trees of some sort, I guess. It’s just beautiful, the whole backdrop. But it’s a good test. The fairways are generous, but then if you kind of get away from it a little bit at all, you’re going to find some nasty spots. I think driving is going to be huge this week..
Emiliano Grillo (2020): “Yeah, I played this tournament last year. It’s only like I think 150 feet higher than Montreux, so it’s kind of the same. It plays a bit shorter in the morning when the ball is wet and it’s maybe a bit cold, but once you get around 9:00 a.m. the ball gets going again. It’s tricky when you see the flag being so far and then all of a sudden you’re hitting an iron. Besides that, it’s pretty easy.”
Troy Merritt (2020): “You’re going to have a lot of birdie looks out here. If you find the fairway, you’re going to have a lot of putts inside 20 feet, and obviously you’re not going to make them all, but if you can hole three, four, maybe five of them, you’ll be doing just fine. If you can give yourself 14, 15 looks, you’ll be doing just fine and make a par putt every now and then. Yeah, the key to the game out here is fairways and greens, especially with this system. You can’t let a bogey bother you too much because birdies are worth two and a bogey just the minus one. You can get them back a little more quickly, just got to just let those bogeys go and make some more birdies.”
Path to Victory: Below are the end of round positions for the last 11 winners of the Barracuda Championship:
- 2020 – Richy Werenski: Round 1: 32nd, Round 2: 5th, Round 3: 1st.
- 2019 – Collin Morikawa: Round 1: 2nd, Round 2: 2nd, Round 3: 2nd.
- 2018 – Andrew Putnam: Round 1: 30th, Round 2: 3rd, Round 3: 1st.
- 2017 – Chris Stroud: Round 1: 15th, Round 2: 38th, Round 3: 22nd.
- 2016 – Greg Chalmers: Round 1: 5th, Round 2: 1st, Round 3: 1st.
- 2015 – J.J. Henry: Round 1: 3rd, Round 2: 3rd, Round 3: 1st.
- 2014 – Geoff Ogilvy: Round 1: 2nd, Round 2: 2nd, Round 3: 1st.
- 2013 – Gary Woodland: Round 1: 1st, Round 2: 1st, Round 3: 1st.
- 2012 – J.J. Henry: Round 1: 4th, Round 2: 3rd, Round 3: 1st.
- 2011 – Scott Piercy: Round 1: 47th, Round 2: 45th, Round 3: 1st.
- 2010 – Matt Bettencourt: Round 1: 1st, Round 2: 1st, Round 3: 7th.
Incoming form of winners since 2010:
- Richy Werenski: 3rd TPC Twin Cities/35th Workday Open/ 21st Detroit/ 46th River Highlands.
- Collin Morikawa: 4th Deere Run/2nd TPC Twin Cities/36th River Highlands/35th US Open.
- Andrew Putnam: 8th Canada/MC Deere Run/MC Greenbrier/27th TPC Potomac.
- Chris Stroud: MC Canada/35th Barbasol/19th Deere Run/20th Greenbrier.
- Greg Chalmers: MC Air Capital Classic/MC Nashville Open/27th Rust-Oleum/MC Puntacana.
- J.J. Henry: 63rd RTJ/41st Canada/23rd Barbasol/MC Deere Run.
- Geoff Ogilvy: 34th Canada/55th Congressional/MC US Open/MC St Jude.
- Gary Woodland: 61st Canada/48th JDC/62nd Old White TPC/18th Congressional.
- J.J. Henry: 37th Canada/21st Annandale/13th Deere Run/MC Old White TPC.
- Scott Piercy: MC Old White TPC/6th Canada/18th Annandale/45th Deere Run.
- Matt Bettencourt: 49th Deere Run/MC Aronimink/MC TPC River Highlands/70th US Open.
First Round Leader Analysis: First round leader(s), their wave and winning score since 2019. Full First Round Leader stats are here.
- 2020 – Schenk/Moore – AM/PM 14 Points – 66/1 & 35/1.
- 2019 – Lingmerth – AM 17 Points – 125/1.
For the record, here’s the breakdown of pure Poa Annua and Bentgrass/Poa Annua mix PGA Tour victors in the field since 2008:
- 4 – Brandt Snedeker.
- 2 – J.J. Henry, Scott Piercy, Brendan Steele, Nick Watney, Gary Woodland.
- 1 – Aaron Baddeley, Sangmoon Bae, Greg Chalmers, Emiliano Grillo, Bill Haas, Padraig Harrington, Russell Knox, Matt Kuchar, Nate Lashley, Sean O’Hair, Andrew Putnam, Chez Reavie, Scott Stallings, Nick Taylor, Vaughn Taylor, Kevin Tway, Bo Van Pelt, Richy Werenski.
This week is all about attacking golf. With eagles worth 5 points and bogeys -1 point, players who can create numerous scoring chances and convert plenty of them will gravitate to the head of the leaderboard. Such a format also rewards those who can take advantage of the altitude which, at 5,800 feet, is the highest tournament location on the PGA Tour.
In the last 3 champions of the Barracuda Championship, Richy Werenski, Collin Morikawa and Andrew Putnam, we’ve seen a huge swing in quality and price of winner.
Werenski was a 33/1 chance coming directly to California from Minnesota where he’d finished 3rd at the 3M Open. Morikawa hardly needs introduction and he won this as the 12/1 favourite in 2019, his maiden PGA Tour win. 4th at the John Deere Classic and 2nd at the 3M Open was face-palm obvious form, but naturally many a punter was put off by the lack of value in his price.
Andrew Putnam was similar in 2018 as he arrived at the Barracuda direct off an 8th place finish in the RBC Canadian Open at Glen Abbey – a Jack Nicklaus design. He’d already had a great season finishing 5th at Corales, 8th at the Valero Texas Open and 2nd behind Dustin Johnson at the FedEx St Jude Classic. At 138th in the OWGR he had already jumped over 200 spots in 2018.
Both of these wins also destroyed a long Barracuda trend. Before Putnam, no winner had been ranked inside the top 100 in the FedEx Cup when arriving here – indeed Scott Piercy (142nd), Geoff Ogilvy (151st), J.J. Henry (151st), Greg Chalmers (229th) and Chris Stroud (144th), were well outside the top 125 when triumphing.
My selections are as follows:
Barracuda Championship – Featured Bookmaker:
