There may not be as much hype surrounding this week’s World Wide Technology Championship on the PGA Tour, but that doesn’t mean it doesn’t matter. There are Signature Events to qualify for, world ranking points to collect (with year-end invitations to Augusta National at the top), and just a chance for a breakthrough, especially for those who haven’t done it yet… or haven’t done it in a long time.
Below we have listed eight players and their specific interest for Sunday’s final round. It’s time to choose your fighter.
Garrick Higgo: 22 under, leader
Interest: The International Presidents Cup team needs Higgo to take another step towards stardom. Technically it’s now a Presidents Cup year, with the biennial event taking place in just ten months. The Internationals, decimated by LIV Golf, could use him.
Carson Young: 21 under, one shot back
Rooting interest: If you like first time winners, or just people who literal need to make a name for themselves, this is your man. Young is the rare Tour pro who has not yet achieved enough fame for a Wikipedia page. That could change on Sunday.
Ben Griffin: 20 under, two shots back
Rooting interest: Benny Booms is one of the stories of the year. His story from rags (mortgage loan officer) to riches (PGA Tour winner) was a lot of fun to watch. With one more win things could get even better.
Nick Dunlap, 17 under, five shots back
Rooting interest: Anyone who has ever had the driver yips should take comfort in the fact that it has gripped the minds of PGA Tour players as well. Dunlap had one of his worst days as a golfer at the Masters earlier this year, but has grown considerably in the months since.
Francesco Molinari, 15 under, seven shots back
Rooting interest: the 2018 Open Champion has been in the wilderness since the 2019 Masters. He hasn’t finished in the top 20 of a Tour event since this time last year. It would take about 61 to put him in winning contention, but I’m sure he’d be happy to take a top 10.
Patrick Rodgers, 17 under, five shots back
Rooting interest: If you’re a college golf fan, you want to see Rodgers break through. He won as much as anyone during his time at Stanford, arriving on the PGA Tour alongside the crew of Jordan Spieth, Justin Thomas and Xander Schauffele… only to never cross the line for a win. He’s long overdue.
Sami Valimaki, 19 under, three shots back
Rooting interest: Most weeks of the year there is a lot of interest in Nordic roots, in the form of Viktor Hovland, Ludvig Aberg or even Alex Noren. This week it is the Finnish Sami Valimaki. The 27-year-old has never won on the PGA Tour and has had an up-and-down season. He could change it all with a 65 Sunday.
Matti Schmid, 18 under, four shots back
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