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Butterfield Bermuda Championship Preview and Picks
Your Weekly Guide to PGA Tour Insights, Stats, and Picks
⛳ Welcome to This Week’s GolfStats Insider
Welcome back to GolfStats Insider, your guide to navigating this week's PGA Tour action. The fall stretch is almost over, and we're heading to one of the tour's most challenging venues—not because of the course design, but because Mother Nature tends to have other plans.
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🏆 A Thin Field in Paradise
This week's field includes just nine players from the top-100 in the latest Official World Rankings, led by #40 Michael Brennan, #58 Nico Echavarria, and #97 Sahith Theegala. That's down from 13 top-100 players last year.
Of the five past champions, only three are teeing it up: defending champion Rafael Campos, 2023 winner Camilo Villegas, and 2022 winner Seamus Power. Perhaps most telling? Of the 44 PGA Tour winners in 2025, only two are here: Steven Fisk (Sanderson Farms) and Michael Brennan (Bank of Utah).
Check out our performance chart to see how players have fared at Port Royal, and don't miss the full blog post for deeper insights.
⛳ Why the Stars Are Staying Home
So why isn't anyone excited about a trip to Bermuda? A few reasons:
The Wind: Expect sustained winds of 23 mph throughout the week. Last year saw gusts up to 31 mph on Sunday. Professional golfers despise wind because it forces subtle swing adjustments that can linger for weeks.
The Location: Despite Bermuda's reputation, it's actually pretty far north. This week's forecast? Highs in the low 70s with rain expected Sunday. Plus, accommodations are pricey, and it's a long haul from the mainland.
The Course: Port Royal GC is fine, but it's not exactly on anyone's bucket list. You won't hear many pros saying, "I can't wait to get back there."
The bottom line? Most players here are fighting to keep their cards, not chasing glory.
📊 The Battle for Status
The real drama is in the standings. Here's what's at stake:
Top 60 Watch: Players ranked 51-60 in the FedExCup fall standings earn spots in elevated events like the Sentry and AT&T Pebble Beach. Rico Hoey (#58) and Kevin Yu (#60) are both here and need strong finishes. Nico Echavarria (#62) has two straight top-14s and just needs one more solid week to crack the top 60.
Card Chasers: To keep your PGA Tour card for 2026, you need to finish in the top 100 (not 125). Matt Wallace (#97), Beau Hossler (#98), and Max McGreevy (#100) are all here grinding it out. David Lipsky has slipped from 93rd after Procore to 101st and desperately needs a good week.
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🌍️ What You Need to Know About Port Royal
At 6,828 yards, Port Royal is the shortest course on the 2025 PGA Tour schedule. But don't let that fool you—length doesn't help here.
The course features sharp doglegs on nearly every hole, forcing players to throttle back off the tee. Past champions like Brian Gay, Brendon Todd, Camilo Villegas, and Rafael Campos are among the tour's shorter hitters, proving that finesse trumps firepower here.
Key Stats for Success:
Windy Conditions: Look for players from Texas, Florida, Australia, or Great Britain/Ireland who grew up battling the breeze. Lucas Glover, Alex Smalley, and Russell Knox fit this profile perfectly.
Par-4 Performance: The course features 14 par-4s, and winners dominate on these holes. Last year's champ Villegas was 13-under on par-4s, while 2021 winner Brian Gay was 15-under.
Putting: Recent winners have ranked in the top five in putts per round. The narrow layout creates plenty of wedge opportunities, leading to crucial 10-15 foot birdie putts. Converting these mid-range looks is essential.
Experience: This isn't typically a breakthrough venue. Look for veterans who've won before and know how to manage themselves in challenging conditions.
🔑 Bottom Line
This week is all about survival, both for the players fighting for their cards and for anyone trying to tame Port Royal in a gale. The course will yield birdies if you can keep the ball on the short grass and convert your mid-range putts, but the wind will punish anyone who gets out of rhythm.
For fantasy players and bettors, focus on experienced players comfortable in the wind with strong par-4 scoring and putting numbers. Check out our custom formula to identify the best plays this week.
