PGA Picks: Palmetto Championship at Congaree Predictions and Betting Odds
Even if you are a golf fan and bettor, you are probably asking what the Palmetto Championship is and where the heck Congaree is. This tournament is being held on a golf course in Ridgeland, SC, and they are subbing for the Canadien Open, who for a second straight year had to pull out with virus concerns.
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Someone else’s bad luck is good fortune for the next, and that is true for Congaree Golf Club that has only been in existence for four years but would like to be added to the list of courses that would hold a President’s Cup in the future.
With the U.S. Open next week, the field did not attract many of the top names. However, those that did come to the Palmetto State are trying to get their game in order for this year’s third major and want to have a momentum-building week.
A Look at the Field
Here is a look at the Top 12 with ties with the lowest golf odds to win it all.
Brooks Koepka +800 - Dustin Johnson +800 - Tyrrell Hatton +1400
Matthew Fitzpatrick +1800 - Sungjae Im +2000 - Tommy Fleetwood +2000
Harris English +2800 - Alex Noren +3300 – Harold Varner III +3300 - Brandt Snedeker +4000
Garrick Higgo +4000 – Lucas Glover +4000 - Ian Poulter +4000
Keith Mitchell +4000 - Patton Kizzire +4000
Nothing easy about Koepka and Johnson as the top choices for golf picks from online sportsbooks. Koepka’s knee issues have made him difficult to predict, as his last nine starts have comprised of four missed cuts and a T38, but also a win and two runner-ups. Brooks' hit or miss focus at lesser tournaments has not been good. Johnson has one Top 40 in his last six stroke-play starts. Gulp.
Hatton has been a non-factor with one Top 10 and one Top 20 in seven U.S. starts. Does he take advantage of a weak field?
In February and March, Fitzpatrick had four straight Top 11’s. Since, a single Top 5, two Top 34’s and two missed cuts. Last week’s missed cut at Memorial was bizarre with eight birdies in the first two rounds along with nine bogeys and a double. Capable against a below-average field? Yes, with plenty of “buts”.
Im, Fleetwood and English are all in poor form. Does that mean that it will continue for each player? Not necessarily. However, predicting who can play well for three rounds with an average one mixed is difficult.
Noren has five Top 25’s in his past half-dozen starts, so he figures to be in the mix against lesser competition.
Varner is in the 50’s on the PGA Tour for driving average and scoring, and he’s 29th in strokes gained: tee-to-green. Maybe.
Snedeker and Poulter used to be studs in their younger days, yet deserve mention for past glories if not current play.
Course Characteristics of Those Who Can Win or Secure Winning Golf Bets
Congaree is a Tom Fazio design that opened in 2017 and has a links-style look and feel to it. If this is played under normal conditions, it is both firm and fast. The par is 72, and the length is up the scale at 7,655 yards.
Though this sounds extremely long, the course will yield itself to drives that have a lot of forward spin, which could add significant yardage leading to shorter iron shots. Players who can crank the ball off the tee and steer it relatively straight will have an edge.
For those that cannot keep the ball on the fairway, the number of waste areas could be tricky. However, there is not much information to relate to for this joint’s first PGA Tour stop.
The setup of the course follows the modern version of long holes because of the improved technology of drivers and golf balls. You have four par 4s that play over 490 yards. All three of the par 5s play over 580 yards, and that includes the fourth hole, which sounds like a par six to amateurs at an unthinkable 645 yards.
At the same time, there are two par 4s that play just 360 yards and offer the risk/reward aspect.
The greens should be an acceptable speed for these players, and don’t look for many hard or difficult pin placements because the players expect a fair test of golf before a major, not a challenging one.
Golfers who can go deep from the tee box, hit the dance floor regularly, and roll it with authority, will do well this week.
Golf Picks: Who to Consider This Week
This has all the making of an unknown long shot swooping in and winning this tourney on a new layout.
Koepka, Johnson, Hatton and Fitzpatrick are all very capable of Top 5 finishes. However, can you trust even one of them?
For this tournament, Top 10 and Top 20 plays should hold more value. A Noren or Varner could put it together, or even Lucas Glover, who is striking the ball well and putting much better, which is the weak link in his game.
Poulter is streaky. And in his last visit to the States, he was T3 at the Charles Schwab and is Top 20 or better material.
In a week of uncertainty, the best college player in the world, John Pak, makes his pro debut and is +550 to reach the Top 20. Never know.
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Doug Upstone of Doc’s Sports was in the golf business for over 20+ years and understands the ins and outs of what it takes to find winners on the Tour. Doug is off a second straight Winning Week ($1,290) and has won four of the past five weeks in golf!
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Doug Upstone of Doc’s Sports has - 21 Documented No. 1 Titles - 94 Documented Top 10 Finishes - 25 Handicapper of the Month Awards. (Latest: MLB May 2021) Doug as a professional handicapper/writer has written for various well-known sports betting websites and several football newsletters.