PGA Tour Betting: Three Against the Field at The Barclays

Three Against The Field / Dan Geraghty / 24 August 2011 /

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Gary Woodland has had a very impressive year on tour

"Gary Woodland was a latecomer to golf, he's learning all the time, and he really could be a dominant force in years to come. This week's tournament is played on a new course to the tour, so perhaps Woodland's inexperience won't be such a disadvantage."

It's the first event of the FedEx Cup play-offs and Dan Geraghty sees more success for homegrown talent

OK, so the US put a stop to their Major Championship mini drought with Keegan Bradley's PGA Championship win and last week Webb Simpson claimed the debut win that his fantastic season has deserved. Now is the time for the US golfers to kick on and reassert themselves as the dominant force in World golf.

This week I am selecting the three youngsters who I think hold the key to the future of American golf.

Webb Simpson [30.0] is a young man full of confidence, and why not, he certainly believes he has a little help from above. Webb truly is the tour's greatest disciple (and that's saying something), he even has Aaron Baddeley beat. His relentless quoting of bible passages forced me to stop following him on twitter a while back. However, I think that might not be the only number one position Webb is occupying in a year or two. He could well be the great American hope at Majors and could even be the man to put Christianity back on the map. I wouldn't put an almost unthinkable two wins in a row past pious Webb. Watch this space.

Gary Woodland [60.0], man this guy is good. Each week his reputation grows and grows. This is his first full season on tour and he's won, come second and racked up a further eight top-25 finishes. Woodland was a latecomer to golf, he's learning all the time, and he really could be a dominant force in years to come. This week's tournament is played on a new course to the tour, so perhaps Woodland's inexperience won't be such a disadvantage. I'm backing him to finish the season strongly.

Lest we forget Mr Fowler [40.0]. Oh Rickie, put us out of our misery. Only last week Webb Simpson told us he couldn't believe how hard it was to win on tour, well, Rickie knows how hard it is and the longer he goes without winning, the harder it is going to be. Perhaps watching his peers Bradley and Simpson enhance their reputations will inspire Rickie. He's in a good FedEx Cup position and I expect him to competitive all the way to the Tour Championship. Rickie has had a consistent two years on tour and he ended last year strongly, he'll be eager to experience the season opening Tournament of Champions for the first time next year, I expect him to be there.

Dangers: The field may be missing Lee, Rory and Tiger but there is plenty of strength in depth, make no mistake about that. World number one Luke Donald [13.0] is to be feared (he nearly pocketed the FedEx Cup winners cheque last year) as are youngsters Nick Watney [28.0] and Jason Day [28.0] who have both had fantastic seasons. Of the players verging on triple figures, Ryan Moore [95.0] and a (sort of) resurgent Ernie Els [130.0] should give you a run for your money.

Selections: Webb Simpson [30.0], Gary Woodland [60.0], Rickie Fowler [40.0]

*follow me on twitter @dangeraghty10

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