The PGA Tour holds four World Golf Championship events each year, and this week brings the WGC-Workday Championship. The event was scheduled to be the WGC-Mexico, but COVID-19 moved the tournament to Florida with a new sponsor.
The field teed off on Thursday morning and included the best golfers in the world. Dustin Johnson entered the tournament as the favorite at DraftKings Sportsbook, with Jon Rahm, Rory McIlroy, and Justin Thomas right behind him in the odds list.
Coming out of the first day, Webb Simpson and Matthew Fitzpatrick were tied for the lead at -6. They were followed by Brooks Koepka, Billy Horschel, Sergio Garcia, and Kevin Kisner at -5. Brad Kennedy struggled mightily with a +9 to bring up the rear of the field, followed by Harris English, JC Ritchie, and Andy Sullivan at +6.
Although 28 golfers finished the first round with a plus number, they have no fear of being unable to compete into the weekend. Most PGA Tour events have a cut following Friday’s second round in which upwards of half the field is eliminated from competition. The four World Golf Championship events do not have a cut line, which means the entire field will get to play through the weekend. The field is limited to invitation only, thus constraining the size of the field. There were 72 entrants, and after Matthew Wolff withdrew following round 1, we’ll have 71 eligible to head into the weekend.
Kennedy and others are highly unlikely to get back into this tournament, they’ll get a chance to play all four days.