Well, what do you know? First week back in print, first check in the winner’s column! Sure, putting money on Rory McIlroy at this point is about as sure a thing as the sun rising, your tax return being smaller than expected and getting stuck behind a school bus when you’re in a hurry.
This week, I’ll be looking for win No. 2 — and if you didn’t try anything stupid (like Pete Carroll!) then you should be going for your second consecutive W as well. If you’re ready for this week’s picks, get your pencils ready.
Farmers Insurance Open
Torrey Pines Golf Course – San Diego, Calif.
February 5-8, 2015
ODDS to Win:
|
|
Jordan Spieth | 10/1 |
Jason Day | 12/1 |
Jimmy Walker | 15/1 |
Hideki Matsuyama | 20/1 |
Rickie Fowler | 20/1 |
Justin Rose | 25/1 |
Brandt Snedeker | 25/1 |
Graham DeLaet | 25/1 |
Bill Haas | 30/1 |
Dustin Johnson | 30/1 |
Phil Mickelson | 30/1 |
Brooks Koepka | 30/1 |
Justin Thomas | 30/1 |
Marc Leishman | 40/1 |
Gary Woodland | 40/1 |
Chris Kirk | 40/1 |
Keegan Bradley | 40/1 |
Charley Hoffman | 40/1 |
Tiger Woods | 40/1 |
Billy Horschel | 50/1 |
Harris English | 50/1 |
Martin Laird | 50/1 |
Nick Watney | 60/1 |
Russell Knox | 60/1 |
Scott Piercy | 60/1 |
Pat Perez | 60/1 |
K.J. Choi | 60/1 |
Brendan Steele | 60/1 |
Jamie Donaldson | 80/1 |
Ian Poulter | 80/1 |
Paul Casey | 80/1 |
Luke Donald | 80/1 |
Charles Howell III | 80/1 |
Kevin Chappell | 80/1 |
Seung-Yul Noh | 80/1 |
Scott Stallings | 100/1 |
Sang-Moon Bae | 100/1 |
John Senden | 100/1 |
Ben Martin | 100/1 |
Aaron Baddeley | 100/1 |
Brendon de Jonge | 100/1 |
Angel Cabrera | 100/1 |
Tony Finau | 100/1 |
Daniel Berger | 100/1 |
Jonas Blixt | 125/1 |
Brian Harman | 125/1 |
Shane Lowry | 125/1 |
Morgan Hoffmann | 125/1 |
Ryo Ishikawa | 125/1 |
Field (all others) | 3/1 |
The first name I have for you this week is one I’ve picked a lot in the past but regrettably passed on last week — Brooks Koepka. Repeating on the PGA Tour is next to impossible unless you’re Rory McIlroy, it seems, but Koepka could get it done this week. He’s making his first career start in the Farmers and has already picked up two more top 1o’s on the PGA Tour this year to go along with his win. At 30/1, this could be the last week he pays this well all year.
Next up is the guy I really thought would win last year and didn’t — Graham DeLaet. DeLaet is arguably the best player on tour without a win, but that could all change this week. He plays well this time of year, is coming of a T-7 last week in Phoenix and finished T-2 here last year. At 25/1, he’s certainly worth a look.
In keeping with the hot hands, I’m going to be putting some cash on tour rookie Justin Thomas this week as well. It’s hard to ignore what he’s done so far in his rookie campaign — three top 10’s and was likely a water ball on Sunday away from either getting into a play off with Bill Haas or winning the Humana Challenge outright. I wish Thomas were paying better than 30/1, but he’s still worth a bet.
My two long shot picks this week are Scott Stallings and Ian Poulter. The Poulter pick is self explanatory. He’s still a top-tier player who hasn’t played awful in his last handful of starts and is somehow going off at 80/1. I wouldn’t bet heavy, but he’s certainly worth a look.
Stallings is the defending champion of this event and is getting 100/1 money this week. Sure, he’s been down-right mediocre so far this year, but 100/1? He won here last year. You’d be nuts not to put a couple bucks on Stallings.
Draft Kings
Last week, my Draft Kings roster didn’t do so hot, but I think I’ve got the hang of it this week. For a change, I actually incorporated a couple of my Vegas bets into my team picks. I suggest you do the same. If you want to see how you stack up against ol’ Golfstradamus and the rest of the internet betting world, head over to DraftKings.com and enter the PGA $25K Chip Shot. Here’s a look at the winning team:
Brooks Koepka
Graham DeLaet
Dustin Johnson
Max Homa
Erik Compton
Justin Thomas
There you have it friends and degenerate wagers. Now if you’ll excuse me, I have to get back to binge watching “House of Cards” in my boxers. Until next time, go and choose wisely. – Golfstradamus.
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