New course alert on the PGA Tour!
The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course will make its Tour debut this weekend, playing host to the year’s sixth signature event: the Truist Championship.
In: Rory McIlroy. Out: Scottie Scheffler. Take a random guess as to the favorite to claim the lion’s share of the large purse.
You probably guessed right. Here are the other top contenders and some wager ideas from NBCSports.com betting expert Brad Thomas.
Patrick Cantlay to win: +2000
With little data for the Philadelphia Cricket Club, I leaned more on guys playing really good golf and less on course fits. With a handful of top-five finishes this season and a few weekends in contention, Cantlay is a golfer who deserves consideration.
Since the start of February, Cantlay has been striping the ball. He’s been a gainer off the tee in five of seven events. He’s also gained strokes on approach in all seven events.
His most significant issue in that span has been his putter. He hasn’t putted poorly, but his putter has cost him serious opportunities for contention. Good news for Cantlay and his backers: This course has bentgrass greens. There aren’t many golfers who are better putters on bentgrass than Cantlay.
Over the last 100 measured rounds, the difference in success on bentgrass versus other surfaces is significant. He’s averaging +0.04 strokes gained on Bermuda, +0.18 on poa annua, and +0.30 on bentgrass.
Given his success on these surfaces, a great week tee-to-green could mean serious contention.
Keith Mitchell First Round Leader: +4500
When you get a nickname that starts with “Thursday,” you are almost expected to have the lead after the first round. This week, I’m going back to the well with Thursday Keith in the first-round leader market.
This season, Mitchell has been scorching hot on Thursdays. He’s shot 68 or better to open the tournament in seven of his last 10 events. He’s also shot 64 or better in five straight first rounds.
After cashing multiple first-round leader tickets this year, there’s no reason not to back Mitchell at such a great price.
Truist Championship odds (as of Wednesday morning, courtesy DraftKings):
- Rory McIlroy: +400
- Collin Morikawa: +1400
- Xander Schauffele: +1600
- Ludvig Åberg: +1600
- Justin Thomas: +1600
- Patrick Cantlay: +2000
- Jordan Spieth: +2500
- Viktor Hovland: +2500
- Tommy Fleetwood: +2500
- Russell Henley: +3000
- Hideki Matsuyama: +3000
- Corey Conners: +3000
- Shane Lowry: +3500
- Sepp Straka: +4000
- Daniel Berger: +4000
- Keegan Bradley: +4000
- Maverick McNealy: +4000
