Tuesday 28 July 2015 14:34, UK
Ben Coley casts his eye over the field for this week's Quicken Loans National, where he expects Justin Rose to impress...
Justin Rose looks by far and away the most likely winner of the Quicken Loans National and should be backed accordingly.
The Englishman tees it up for the first time since finishing sixth in the 144th Open, his best performance in the event since 1998, and can make it two wins for the season having landed the Zurich Classic soon after the Masters back in the spring.
Rose is already a two-time winner of this week’s event, one weakened by a move from June to July, and the move to Robert Trent Jones Golf Club shouldn’t hinder him too much given that he’s won it at both Aronimink and Congressional already.
So far in his career, 34-year-old Rose hasn’t successfully defended a title but with only Rickie Fowler and Jimmy Walker close to his quality this looks an excellent opportunity to land another first.
Heading the dangers is in-form Johnson Wagner, who has been inside the top-20 on each of his last three starts.
This three-time PGA Tour winner fell down the leaderboard in Canada on Sunday but is more than capable of putting that right now returning to Virginia, where he studied at college and met his wife, Katie.
Wagner’s ball-striking is as good as it has ever been right now and he’s a much better closer than most of those around him in the betting.
It’s been a long time since Stewart Cink last tasted victory but fifth place in Canada puts him on the front foot as he returns to an event in which he’s enjoyed previous success.
Cink has three top-25 finishes from as many starts in what’s now the Quicken Loans National and while a switch in course poses a new question, with his tee-to-green game in excellent shape he’ll adapt better than most if continuing in a similar vein.
Similar remarks apply to Ricky Barnes, who has finished third and 11th in his last two starts and needs to keep it up if he’s to reach the FedEx Cup Playoffs, while Charles Howell III won when last the PGA Tour visited Virginia and shot a final-round 66 when last seen.
Both are good value for an each-way bet but this could be all about Rose, who is expected to go very close.
