2021 Fortinet Championship Preview

Jon Rahm is our top pick to win the 2021 Fortinet Championsip

 

 

Despite golf being perceived as a sport that takes too long to play, what isn't long is the break between PGA Tour seasons...

Just two weeks removed from the 2021 Tour Championship and official end of the PGA Tour season, the 2021-2022 PGA Tour season kicks off this week at Silverado Country Club in Napa, California for the 2021 Fortinet Championship (formerly known as the Safeway Open and Frys.com Open). 

 

It's the start of a new season and everyone is trying to kick off on the right foot. On the line this week is a $7 million purse, with $1.26 million going to the winner and 40 World Golf Rankings points.

TOURNAMENT HISTORY

The tournament was first contested back in 2007. At the time, it was part of the PGA Tour Fall Series, a group of tournaments played after the Tour Championship but before the end of the season. Scheduling was different then, with the season starting in January and ending in November, giving players the month of December off. 

 

In 2013, the PGA Tour changed its scheduling to start the season in October. The Frys.com Open, as it was known then, was selected to be the inaugural tournament of the season and has held the title since.

Since 2007, several courses have played host, including Grayhawk Golf Club in Scottsdale and CordeValle Golf Club near San Jose. 

 

Since 2014, the tournament has been contested on Silverado Country Club's North Course, which plays as a par 72 measuring 7,166 yards, making it one of the shorter courses on tour. Last year, Stewart Cink set the tournament scoring record to par, winning with a 21-under par.

WHO DO WE THINK WILL WIN?

The Fortinet Championship sits in a unique position this year, in terms of scheduling. As stated prior, we're coming off a great FedEx Cup Playoffs and the Ryder Cup is being played next week. Some players will perhaps be looking to capitalize on some momentum they have left from the playoffs, while some (one really) will be looking to get into Ryder Cup form. At the same time, this is the start of a brand new PGA Tour season. New season, new opportunities, a chance to start out strong. 

Wrapping all of this together, here are our picks to win the 2021 Fortinet Championship:

1) Jon Rahm

2) Kevin Na

3) Will Zalatoris

Rahm is coming off an impressive playoff run and is the Number One Golfer in the World. He's riding a huge wave of momentum and is perhaps using this event as Ryder Cup prep. He hands down has to be the favourite to win this week. Kevin Na may have missed out on a Ryder Cup pick, but he also performed well during the playoffs. Lastly, Will Zalatoris, newly named Rookie of the Year, is now a full PGA Tour member, with some serious game, as we saw last year,

***

Play kicks off at 10AM Eastern time Thursday morning, officially ending one of the shortest off-seasons in professional sport. Be sure to check out our Weekend Update post to see what the drama and storylines are after the first two rounds.

 

 

-Nick

Toronto Golf Reviews