Jordan Spieth Among Popular Golf Bets for the Charles Schwab Challenge
After a few months off, the PGA Tour returns Thursday for the Charles Schwab Challenge, which includes one of the strongest fields of the season. 16 of the top 20 golfers in the world are making the trip to Fort Worth, Texas, but it’s not just golfers who are excited.
Fans might be noticeably absent at Colonial Country Club, but sports bettors are flocking to U.S. sportsbooks to get in on four days’ worth of golf betting action. In recent years, golf has grown in popularity in both the sports betting and DFS industry, and now, in light of the circumstances, with the NBA, MLB, and NHL still sitting on the bench, the PGA Tour has a unique opportunity to build on that momentum.
DraftKings and FanDuel are preparing accordingly. Looking at the DraftKings PGA DFS lobby, based on the prize pools you might mistake this week for Masters week if you didn’t know better.
An opportunity that is typically only available during a major tournament, one lucky DraftKings user will be a millionaire come Sunday afternoon. Yes, that’s right. DraftKings is hosting a Millionaire Maker contest for the Charles Schwab Challenge, which will have nearly 180K entries at $20 a pop. The contest’s total prize pool adds up to $3 million, paying out the top 22.34% of contestants a minimum of 1.5x their buy-in.
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Along with DFS lineups, sports fans are also placing their Charles Schwab Challenge golf betting picks at FanDuel and DraftKings.
Charles Schwab Challenge Betting Report: Sportsbooks Adjust Odds for Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth, who lives close to Fort Worth, is among the most popular bets for the Charles Schwab Challenge, according to a spokesman from FanDuel Sportsbook.
Once the No. 1 player in the world, Spieth has tumbled down the Official World Golf Rankings in recent years. Before the PGA Tour season came to a halt due to the global coronavirus pandemic, Spieth finished 59th at the Genesis Invitational and 58th at WGC Mexico.
His last victory came in 2017 when he won the Open Championship at Royal Birkdale. But bettors are optimistic that the 26-year-old can end his drought this weekend. The Texan is receiving the third-most outright bets at FanDuel. In terms of handle, bettors are placing more money on Spieth than 143 of the other 147 golfers in the field.
The reason for Spieth’s popularity is likely his impressive course history. Along with a victory in 2016, Spieth has two runners up and a handful of top-15 finishes at the venue. He’s clearly comfortable at Colonial and it shows.
If Spieth can end the slump, early bettors will cash larger than 40-1 outright betting tickets. For those late to the party, they can still bet on Spieth 32-1 at FanDuel. But quite frankly, those odds are too short to consider at this point.
In front of Spieth at the ticket counter are Brooks Koepka and Rory McIlroy. The largest bet on any single golfer for the Charles Schwab Challenge at FanDuel is a $2,000 wager to pay out $14,000 on Rory McIlory +700.
As of noon Wednesday, McIlroy and Koepka (+2500) are tied when it comes to the amount of money wagered on outright odds, leading Jon Rahm (+1200), Justin Thomas (+1600), and Spieth.
Of the five golfers, Spieth is the only one not considered a bomber. Interestingly, Colonial is by no means a bomber’s course. Winning at Colonial requires precision off the tee, shot-shaping, premier ball striking, and a healthy short game. Considering these golfers haven’t truly played a competitive round in three months, among other unique factors this week, it may be prudent to avoid the guys at the top of betting boards.
Bettors Backing McIlroy to Beat Rahm in Matchups
While Rahm is right behind McIlroy and Koepka to win the Charles Schwab Challenge, in FanDuel’s head-to-head market, it is McIlroy who has received an overwhelming amount of support from matchup bettors.
Despite making his first appearance at Colonial, McIlroy is a -146 favorite and is receiving 86% of bets over the Spaniard. It is worth noting, Rahm had two top-five finishes, including a second-place, before missing the cut here in 2019.
The enthusiasm behind McIlroy might have more to do with Rahm than anything. In a presser earlier this week, Rahm told reporters he went seven weeks without picking up a club. McIlroy, on the other hand, faced off with teammate Dustin Johnson in a charity skins match against Rickie Fowler and Matthew Wolff a few weeks ago.
If you’re looking to get in on the Rahm matchup fade, sign up at PointsBet where McIlroy is still -125. For Rahm action, stick with FanDuel to bet on Rahm +110.
Win or lose, golf fans can finally rejoice. And with reports that Tiger Woods’ yacht is heading to Harbour Town for next week’s RBC Heritage, things only get better from here.
Image Credit: USA Today Sports Images