Many fans believe the PGA TOUR season wraps up with the major tournaments, like the British Open. Yet, the FedExCup Playoffs begin this week with the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis, Tennessee.
This tournament welcomes the top 69 golfers in the FedExCup standings, after Daniel Berger’s withdrawal. Without a cut, players vie for massive playoff points. Only the top 50 will advance to the next round, the BMW Championship.
Course Overview
TPC Southwind offers a 7,288-yard, par-70 course that leans on precision. Water hazards abound and Bermuda greens can pose challenges. Errant shots can quickly lead to bogeys, making ball-striking and course management essential for success here.
Betting Strategy
This week, I focus on strategic bets to profit 20 units on a golfer’s outright win, supplemented by top-10 and top-20 bets. Here are my picks for the first playoff round:
- Hideki Matsuyama: +3300 (0.61u) DraftKings, Top-10 +240 (0.5u) Kalshi
- Viktor Hovland: +4356 (0.46u) Kalshi, Top-10 +275 (0.5u) BetMGM
- Justin Thomas: +5146 (0.39u) Polymarket, Top-10 +275 (0.5u) BetMGM
- Tom Kim: +5500 (0.36u) DraftKings, Top-20 +146 (0.75u) Kalshi
- Rickie Fowler: +8481 (0.24u) Polymarket, Top-20 +189 (0.75u) Kalshi
Player Insights
Hideki Matsuyama boasts excellent form at TPC Southwind, finishing T20 or better in his last five appearances. His recent outings show strong performance, highlighted by accurate driving and consistent iron play. Matsuyama’s history at this venue makes him a valuable bet.
Viktor Hovland recently won at another TPC course, reflecting his strong form. Despite struggles with chipping, his precise iron play stands out. If he maintains accuracy, Hovland should be competitive this weekend.
Justin Thomas, a prior winner at TPC Southwind’s St. Jude Invitational, fits courses with water challenges well. His performance in driving accuracy has improved, showing promise for this event.
Tom Kim, fresh from a top-5 Wyndham finish, presents a strong game for TPC Southwind’s demands. Known for precise ball-striking, Kim consistently gains strokes in key areas, bolstering his chances for a top finish.
Rickie Fowler arrives with solid form, showing ten top-20 finishes this season. His impressive ball-striking at last year’s St. Jude suggests potential for success again as he contends this weekend.
‘One-and-Done’ Pick
For the Mayo Cup, Viktor Hovland is my pick, currently standing at 4,307th in season rankings.
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