PGA Preview: 2020 QBE Shootout Predictions

One of the most fun tournaments of the year is next up on the schedule. The QBE Shootout is set for this week in Naples, Florida complete with its unique “everyday man” tournament format.

In case you didn’t know, the Shootout puts regular PGA tournament format aside and goes with a mixture across several days. And, the players are limited to twelve two-man teams! The event features three different team scoring formats over three days.

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This year the team favored to win outright, and teams/players are different or rotated every year, are Abraham Ancer and Matthew Wolff who come in at +550. They are followed closely by the duo of Cameron Champ and Tony Finau at +600. Complete odds according to Intertops listed below.

About the Formats

Here’s what makes the QBE Shootout a player and fan favorite every year – the format across five days. Things kick off with a two-day Pro-Am “Shamble” format tournament.

Then, the real fun starts with three days of team play using three different formats for each day. These are formats anyone can relate to who has ever played in a local charity golf tournament at their local set of links.

Day One, First Round – The Scramble! This is also known best-shot play. That’s where each player in a team tees off on each hole. Then the team decides which ball to play. They pick up one ball and take the next shot, again – both players on a team – from a club-length drop no closer to the hole – from where the previous select shot came to rest.

Day Two, Second Round – Greensomes! This format goes by a bunch of names such as modified alternate shot. Modified best shot, Scotch Doubles or Foursome. Here’s how it works. Each team member tees off and they select the best shot and pick up the other ball. Then, they alternate shots between teammates. This requires some thinking on every hole. Who has the better mid-shot, better wedge play, hot hand with the putter?

Day Three, Final Round – Better Ball! A classic also known as “fourball” for local tournament players with four man teams. Each player tees up and plays their own ball all the way from tee to cup. Normal PGA tournament style rules apply. Then, each team records the lowest score between them as the team score. Player one on two man team scores par on a par five while player two cards a birdie. The two man team then scores a birdie for their team.

I’m not sure if any of the rounds have a closest to the hole prize of beer chug event… but in 2020 – they should!

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2020 QBE Shootout Preview

Where: Naples, Florida.

Course: Tiburon Golf Club – Gold Course

Par: 72

Length: 7,288 (PGA), more like 6,995.

When: December 9 –13, 2020

Purse: $3.2 million

TV Coverage: NBC, Golf Channel

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The Tiburon Golf Club – Gold Course is a Greg Norman designed layout so expect spectaulator views. It is also a Certified Audubon Cooperative Sanctuary by Audubon International!

Norman is the tournament host and put’s his layout style front and center. The course is essentially flat, but that’s not a bad thing. There are a few rolls in the terrain but not much and fairways are lined with towering Florida pines.

Those fairways range from open to tight with hazards changing from water and sand bunkers to island greens and natural grass areas. Roughs are medium to high but dump quickly into some of those natural grass and sand areas.

Greens are medium to large but well protected so a good amount of targeted golf will come into play. Teams will have to plan their approach shots during all three days and different formats.

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2020 QBE Shootout Picks

Cameron Champ – Tony Finau +600

Cameron Champ and Tony Finau are two players that have the feel of two young guys that can fit right into a weekend local best ball tournament. Both of their playing styles can fit perfectly into the three formats where they can pick and choose which ball best fits their abilities. Champ finished T8 at the ZOZO and T19 at the Masters. Finau comes in with a T8 at both the U.S. Open and last week at the Mayakoba Golf Classic scoring all four rounds 69 and under; 67,66,69,67.

Harris English – Matt Kuchar +750

Both of these players have had strong points during the season and Harris English has been on a streak of top-ten finishes. Six in his last ten events. Kuchar brings a solid set of irons to the duo and both should be strong with their putters. This is their sixth time as a team in this event – they’ve won twice (2013/2016) and finished in second twice (2014/2015).

Sebastian Muñoz – Joaquin Niemann +700

I really like this duo for three rounds of “best ball style” golf. Sebastian Muñoz and Joaquin Niemann both can post a whole bunch of birdies in these formats. Both are strategic players – as all pros are to some extent. But Muñoz and Niemann are known for calculating next shots. Don’t be surprised if they are among the leaders heading into Sunday.

Others I Like

Ryan Palmer – Harold Varner III +1400: This week is a bit different due to the limited number of players and the format. I think Ryan Palmer and Harold Varner III will do great during one of the three days. And, with this course and their playing styles, I fully expect both of these guys to make some highlight reel shots.

2020 QBE Shootout Odds

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Abraham Ancer – Matthew Wolff +550

Cameron Champ – Tony Finau +600

Louis Oosthuizen – Bubba Watson +650

Marc Leishman – Cameron Smith +650

Sebastian Muñoz – Joaquin Niemann +700

Harris English – Matt Kuchar +750

Billy Horschel – Brendon Todd +800

Daniel Berger – Steve Stricker +1100

Lanto Griffin – Mackenzie Hughes +1200

Ryan Palmer – Harold Varner III +1400

Rory Sabbatini – Kevin Tway +1600

Kevin Na – Sean O’Hair +3300