Look, predicting a pre-tournament Sportsbook in golf isn’t easy. While it’s true sports bettors can find fantastic value, it’s incredibly frustrating when one of your picks doesn’t even make the cut. That’s why I’m here to help.
Every week I’ll highlight three golfers who have a good chance to win the hardware for the upcoming weekend. This week it’s the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational.
For a full breakdown of the tournament, check out my betting preview.
Odds courtesy of Sportsbook
My favorite pick: Justin Rose +1200
You’re never going to find much value in backing Rose, but there’s a reason for that. The guy is a threat to win any tournament he enters, and this week is no different. When you examine his track record at Firestone, it makes sense why he’s tied with the second-best odds to win the hardware.
In 12 career starts at the WGC-Bridgestone, Rose has a T-2, T-3, T-4 and T-5. All that’s missing is a win, and I think he has a great chance to do it in the course’s last year as the setting for the event. Fresh off a T-2 showing at the British Open, the Englishman is in excellent form right now.
Solid value: Bubba Watson +4500
Watson is the definition of a boom-or-bust pick on the PGA Tour. When he’s on his game, he’s nearly unbeatable. When he’s off, well, your Sportsbook will be collecting your money before the weekend. At this point it’s all about comfortability for Watson, and the 39-year-old is more than comfortable in his surroundings in Akron.
Watson finished second at the WGC-Bridgestone in 2015 and has notched top-20s in the last two editions of the tournament. A poor performance at last week’s RBC Canadian Open will likely deter many people from backing him, but I’m more than comfortable taking him at the +4500 price.
My favorite sleeper pick: Tyrrell Hatton +10000
Hatton is better known across the pond than he is in North America, and oddsmakers consistently undervalue him as a result. Due to the loaded field at Firestone, his +10000 price is one of the best bargains on the board, in my opinion.
Hatton’s putter failed him at the Open Championship, and his T-51 finish was much better than it looks on paper. He was on fire prior to the major, however, evidenced by showings of T-9, T-16 and T-6 over his previous three starts. If Hatton can get his putter working once again, look out.
