By The Numbers: The New Big Three at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational

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Jason Day and Jordan Spieth, part of the famed Big 3. They will headline the WGC-Bridgestone, along with U.S. Open champ Dustin Johnson. Credit: Getty

With the 100th edition of the French Open being held concurrently across the pond, the field this week at the World Golf Championship’s Bridgestone Invitational is slightly weaker than what you would expect at a WGC event.

Nonetheless, there should be plenty of excitement at Firestone Country Club with the NEW Top-3 players headlining the all star professional golf event.

Dustin Johnson made a strong case to be a part of golf’s Big Three with his phenomenal performance at the US Open. Two time major winner, Jordan Spieth has two wins already this year. And World No. 1 Jason Day is the only three-time winner on tour this year.

2016 Top Level Rankings

This is how things stand with the three headliners, in the big picture, as we enter the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational week.

OWGRFEDEX CUPMONEY LISTTOP 10s
JASON DAY1117
JORDAN SPIETH2445
DUSTIN JOHNSON3329

Even with a much-needed week off, US Open champion Johnson may come in with the proverbial Major Hangover. But someone with his talent, can surely spring in a surprise or two.

Spieth is coming off lackluster performances at both the Memorial and US Open, failing to crack the Top-35 in either of these events.

After shooting a 6-over (76) in the first round at Oakmont, Day somehow figured out a way to get his groove back and eventually finished at T-12.

Statistics To Watch

Here is how the three compare this year in statistics that should factor in at Firestone.

SG:
Tee to Green
SG:
Putting
GIR
( % / Rank )
FW Hit
( % / Rank )
Jason Day24167% / 4656% / 163
Jordan Spieth17864% / 13660% / 96
Dustin Johnson34668% / 2857% / 148

Among the three of them, they’ve had success at the WGC events, but at Firestone none of them has ever really mounted a serious run.

Day, has two WGC Titles to his credit, both of them coming at the Dell Match Play event, including this year where he beat Louis Oosthuizen in the finals.

Jordan Spieth, on the other hand, hasn’t really been at his best at any of the WGC events. In his eight previous appearances at WGC Stroke Play events, he has one Top-10 to show off, a T-10 here at Firestone last year. Dustin Johnson is a two-time WGC Winner, but at Firestone – a course which should ideally suit his game – he’s never been in contention.

The New Big Three at Firestone

Here’s a quick look at how Day, Spieth, and Johnson have performed at Firestone CC over the years.

Events PlayedTop-10'sBest FinishScoring Average
Jason Day61T4 (2011)69.91
Jordan Spieth2110 (2015)70.13
Dustin Johnson6015 (2010)70.29

Did You Know?

  • Jason Day has seven wins in the last 12 months. That’s the most on tour over this time span.
  • Jordan Spieth has 8 PGA Tour wins, and he’s just 22. (He and Tiger Woods are the only players with at least 7 wins before the age of 23.)
  • Dustin Johnson has won every year since he turned professional, that’s nine years in a row. (For historical comparisons, Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer each went 17 consecutive seasons with a victory, while Billy Casper went 16. Tiger Woods won in 14 consecutive seasons from 1996 to 2009.)
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