OAD

Zurich Classic of New Orleans Betting Angles

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Zurich Classic of New Orleans

TPC Louisiana

Avondale, Louisiana

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Rob Bolton’s Fantasy Insider

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseTPC Louisiana
Yards (per official scorecard):7,425.
Par:72 (36-36).
Greens:Poa Trivialis overseed; 5,225 square feet.
Stimpmeter:12 feet.
Rough:Ryegrass Overseeded at 2 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play106/5/8
Architect(s):Pete Dye (2004)
Defending Champion (event):Ben Griffin/Andrew Novak (-28)
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Billy Horshcel won this event on his own ball and has won it with a partner.
Fourballs Event Record:58; Isaiah Salinda/Kevin Velo (both not entered), Round 1, 2025.
Foursomes Event Record (last):63; Davis Riley/Nick Hardy (2024).
Fact of the Week:Fourballs in Rounds 1 and 3; Foursomes in Rounds 2 and 4.
Fact of the Week II:The top 33 teams and ties play the weekend.

TPC Louisiana

Pete Dye is back, again!

The four Par-3 holes play over 200 yards.

The four Par-5 holes play 585 or shorter.

The winning score is 25-under or better in the last four editions.

Have fun this week. Countrymen will proudly represent the Motherland. Former college teammates will don the colors of Alum U. Neighbors, randoms, and everything else will be represented.

Guys who are NOT hitting it well will probably not find it this week. There is nowhere to hide when playing alternate shot on Friday to make the cut. The pressure of letting down your teammate is 1000000 times worse than navigating your own mind.

Guys who are hitting it well, please, jump in with both feet. TPC Louisiana is defended by water and wind, but is not set up to yield high scores.

Notes:

  • Field of 74 two-man teams
  • $9.5 million – $1.372,500 million each – 400 FedExCup points each.

Recent Winners – Zurich Classic of New Orleans

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Ben Griffin &     Andrew Novak (-28)Posted 27-under after 54 holes. Both players won for the first time on TOUR.
2024Shane Lowry &       Rory McIlroy (-25)Defeated Chad Ramey/Martin Trainer in a playoff. Lowry earned his first win since the 2019 Open Championship.
2023Davis Riley &           Nick Hardy (-30)Set the tournament scoring record; First TOUR win for both players.
2022Patrick Cantlay & Xander Schauffele   (-29)Set the tournament scoring record. Won by two shots over Billy Horshcel/Sam Burns.
2021Marc Leishman & Cameron Smith (-22)Defeated Louis Oosthuizen & Charl Schwartzel in a playoff.

Recent Winners

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup (2)
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmCollin Morikawa
Cognizant ClassicNico Echavarría
Arnold Palmer InvitationalAkshay Bhatia
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipCameron Young
Valspar ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick
Texas Children’s Houston OpenGary Woodland
Valero Texas OpenJ.J. Spaun
Masters TournamentRory McIlroy
RBC HeritageMatt Fitzpatrick (2)

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

Whatever.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760
WM Phoenix OpenSahith TheegalaT18122,720
AT&T Pebble BeachPatrick CantlayT14342,500
The Genesis InvitationalTommy FleetwoodT7603,200
Cognizant ClassicDaniel BergerT3254,816
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie SchefflerT24157,000
THE PLAYERSCollin MorikawaWD0
Valspar ChampionshipJacob BridgemanT14161,525
Houston OpenChris GotterupT6322,987
Valero Texas OpenSudarshan YellamarajuT14159,250
MastersJon RahmT38101,250
RBC HeritageRussell HenleyT30142,750

Last WEEK – RBC Heritage

No rest for the wicked after the first major championship of the season!

THE CHOICE: Russell Henley – T25

It would have been way too easy to ride with Matt Fitzpatrick…

Henley posted four rounds of 70 or better, including 68-68 to open, but never contended, just like me in this format in 2026.

This Week – Zurich Classic

THE CHOICE: Alex Fitzpatrick

If there are 200 guys in the league, I would expect 197 to play him this week.

Others

Karl Vilips, Aaron Rai, Shane Lowry, Chad Ramey, Sudarshan Yellamaraju

Horses for Courses

Billy Horschel, David Lipsky, Keith Mitchell, Taylor Moore/Wyndham Clark, Garrick Higgo  

Betting Angles – RBC Heritage

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Welcome to the fourth Signature Event of 2026.

RBC Heritage

Harbour Town Golf Links

Hilton Head Island, South Carolina

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Mike Glasscott’s DraftKings Prop Bets – coming soon

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Rob Bolton’s Fantasy Insider

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseHarbour Town Golf Links
Yards (per official scorecard):7,243 (three new tee boxes for 2026).
Par:71 (36-35).
Greens:Poa Trivialis overseed; 3,700 square feet.
Stimpmeter:11.5 feet.
Rough:Ryegrass Overseeded at 1.5 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play51/18/18
Architect(s):Pete Dye (1969)
Defending Champion (event):Justin Thomas (-17)
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None.
Course Record (latest):61; Justin Thomas (Round 1, 2025).
72 Hole Tournament Record (Spring):264 (-20); Brian Gay, 2009.
Fact of the Week:The last SIX winners are all major champions.
Fact of the Week II:This will be the third consecutive event at Harbour Town without a 36-hole cut.

Harbour Town

Pete Dye is back!

Small greens. Small targets off the tee. Big penalty areas.

This is the week for veterans and patience.

The driver will not be the required club on most holes.

Score when you can, make par when you cannot.

The weather annually dictates the scoring.

This week, the forecast is perfect. Winds from the Southwest all four days. Go low, my friends!

Notes:

  • Field of 82
  • $20 million – $3.6 million – 700 FedExCup points.

Notables

  • The field of 82 players includes 41 of the top 50 from the Official World Golf Rankings.
  • The winners from 2024 and 2023 both posted 63 in Round 3. Last year, Thomas tied the course record in Round 1.
  • In 2024, Scottie Scheffler joined Bernhard Langer as the only two players to win this event after donning the green jacket the week prior. That streak will continue as Rory McIlroy is not in the field.
  • Boo Weekley (2007-2008) was the last player to win back-to-back events.
  • Wesley Bryan (2017) is the only native South Carolinian to win the event.
  • Thomas is the only winner in the last five years to rank inside the top 20 (3rd) in SG: Putting.
  • The scoring averages of 69.351 in 2024 and 69.368 are the two lowest April totals since the putting surfaces were regrassed in 2016.
  • Extra holes were required to determine three of the last four winners.
  • There is not a 36-hole cut this week.

Recent Winners – RBC Heritage

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Justin Thomas (-17*)Defeated Andrew Novak in a playoff to win in his seventh attempt.
2024Scottie Scheffler (-19)Won by three shots to become the second player to win the Masters and the RBC Heritage in back-to-back weeks.
2023Matt Fitzpatrick (-17)Knocked out reigning champion Jordan Spieth in a playoff.
2022Jordan Spieth (-13)Eliminated Patrick Cantlay in a playoff. He is the last winner to not play from the final group.
2021Stewart Cink (-19)At 47, just missed becoming the oldest winner. Won for the THIRD time.
2020Webb Simpson (-22)June event due to COVID-19. Easiest conditions in memory.

Recent Winners

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup (2)
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmCollin Morikawa
Cognizant ClassicNico Echavarría
Arnold Palmer InvitationalAkshay Bhatia
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipCameron Young
Valspar ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick
Texas Children’s Houston OpenGary Woodland
Valero Texas OpenJ.J. Spaun
Masters TournamentRory McIlroy

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first-time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

Whatever.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760
WM Phoenix OpenSahith TheegalaT18122,720
AT&T Pebble BeachPatrick CantlayT14342,500
The Genesis InvitationalTommy FleetwoodT7603,200
Cognizant ClassicDaniel BergerT3254,816
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie SchefflerT24157,000
THE PLAYERSCollin MorikawaWD0
Valspar ChampionshipJacob BridgemanT14161,525
Houston OpenChris GotterupT6322,987
Valero Texas OpenSudarshan YellamarajuT14159,250

Last WEEK – Masters

Welcome aboard to all the top 50 players in the OWGR!

Time to break glass in case of an emergency!

THE CHOICE: Jon Rahm – T38

He looks pissed. He sounds pissed. He probably is pissed that he’s stuck in the desert while the rest of the guys head back to civilization.

I hope he takes it out on the field.

He opened with 78. The end.

Unbelievable.

Who knew that Tyrrell Hatton was the best player over there?

This Week – RBC Heritage

Since I sacrificed Cantlay on the other coast with small greens, it’s back to the drawing board this week.

Yogi Berra once remarked, “It’s getting late early”, and I feel that with OAD.

This season has been nothing short of a dumpster fire. If I charged you to read this, which I don’t, I would probably provide a refund. PROBABLY.

Whatever.

The pick this week is Russell Henley.

My God have mercy on his soul.

Others

Cameron Young, Matt Fitzpatrick, Jacob Bridgeman, Brian Harman

Horses for Courses

Patrick Cantlay – T13-T3-3rd-2nd L4Y

Brian Harman – T3-T12-T7 L3Y

J.T. Poston – Worst payday from four weekends is T11

Sepp Straka – T13-T5-MC-T3 L4Y

Denny McCarthy – Cashed in five straight

Tony Finau – Cashed in five straight

Tom Hoge – T18 on last two visits

Si Woo Kim – 54-hole leader in 2025; lost a big lead in 2018 (P2)

Maverick McNealy – Two T4 or better since 2021

Valero Texas Open Betting Angles

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Brian Harman returns to defend his 2025 title at The Oaks Course at TPC San Antonio via @ValeroTXOpen

Valero Texas Open

TPC San Antonio (The Oaks Course)

San Antonio, Texas

*Rob Bolton joins me LIVE every Wednesday at 4 pm at TheZoneBloomington.com

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Mike Glassscott’s Odds Outlook

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Expert Picks

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Rob Bolton’s Sleepers

Rob Bolton’s Fantasy Insider

Extra Players to watch for Top 10, Top 20, Top 30, and Top 40

You do you. Stick ‘em wherever. Not listed in my columns above.

Bronson Burgoon, Ryo Hisatsune, Thorbjorn Olesen, Rico Hoey, Carson Young

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseTPC San Antonio – The Oaks Course
Yards (per official scorecard):7,438.
Par:72 (36-36).
Greens:Overseeded Poa Trivialis; 6,400 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter:11-plus feet.
Rough:Overseeded ryegrass at 3 inches (up from 2.25” in 2025).
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play64/3/3
Architect(s):Greg Norman (2010).
Defending Champion (event):Brian Harman (-9).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None.
Course Record:62; Trey Mullinax, Round 3, 2018.
72 Hole Tournament Record:268; Akshay Bhatia & Denny McCarthy (2024); Corey Conners (2019).
Fact of the Week:The event has been the week before the Masters since 2019.
Fact of the Week II:The four Par-5 holes rank, as a group, one of the hardest quartets on TOUR.
Fact of the Week III:The last two winners have been left-handed wind specialists.

Notes:

  • Field of 132.
  • No significant course changes for 2026.
  • The top 65 and ties play the weekend.
  • $9.8 million – $1.764 million – 500 FedExCup points.
  • For those not already qualified for Augusta National next week, the only way to book a tee time is to win.

Notables

  • The last three champions owned the outright lead after 18 holes.
  • The last six winners T4 or BETTER in Par-4 Scoring.
  • TPC San Antonio has played under par just twice in 16 previous events.
  • The ryegrass/fescue fairways average 25 to 30 yards in the landing area.
  • Poa Trivialis overseeded greens average 6,400 square feet and will not run more than 11.5 feet on the Stimpmeter (wind).
  • The course tips at 7,438 yards for the fifth consecutive season.
  • The Official World Golf Ranking is represented by 15 of the top 50 players, led by No. 4 Tommy Fleetwood, the highest-ranked player in the field this week.

Stat of the Week: Putting: Birdie or Better Conversion Percentage

The previous 10 champions have all ranked T10 or better in this category. Once GIR are found, it’s time to cash in! Birdies are NOT plentiful here; Take advantage of the opportunities presented.

Recent Winners

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup (2)
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmCollin Morikawa
Cognizant ClassicNico Echavarría
Arnold Palmer InvitationalAkshay Bhatia
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipCameron Young
Valspar ChampionshipMatt Fitzpatrick
Texas Children’s Houston OpenGary Woodland

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first-time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – Valero Texas Open

Italics – not entered this week;

YearWinnerNotes
2025Brian Harman (-9)Shot 72-75 on the weekend and still defeated Ryan Gerard by THREE shots. Rough weather muted scoring.
2024Akshay Bhatia (-20)Knocked off Denny McCarthy in a playoff. Both matched the tournament scoring record and were NINE SHOTS CLEAR of third place.
2023Corey Conners (-15)Defeated Sam Stevens by one shot to become the first two-time winner at The Oaks Course.
2022J.J. Spaun (-13)Won by two shots to earn his first PGA TOUR victory.
2021Jordan Spieth (-18)Circled 24 birdies and won by two.
2019Corey Conners (-20)Monday Qualifier won for the first time on the PGA TOUR.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

Whatever.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760
WM Phoenix OpenSahith TheegalaT18122,720
AT&T Pebble BeachPatrick CantlayT14342,500
The Genesis InvitationalTommy FleetwoodT7603,200
Cognizant ClassicDaniel BergerT3254,816
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie SchefflerT24157,000
THE PLAYERSCollin MorikawaWD0
Valspar ChampionshipJacob BridgemanT14161,525
Houston OpenChris GotterupT6322,987

Last WEEK – Texas Children’s Houston Open

There’s no reason to save Chris Gotterup.

With two victories already, he won’t be playing many courses, if any, from this point forward, where he can black out and just pump driver all day.

He can this week!

THE CHOICE: Chris Gotterup – T6

Others to consider:

Any of the European ball-strikers who were in it last week at Valspar.

Nicolai Hojgaard (2nd), Jake Knapp (T6), Sam Burns (T21), Wyndham Clark (MC)

I guess MY SECOND GUESS was better than my first! Too bad Gotterup didn’t WD!

Sigh.

Congrats to the Woodland Mafia on their incredible win. Is it dusty in here???

THIS Week – Valero Texas Open

What a mess.

WHERE IS COREY CONNERS WHEN YOU NEED HIM?????

Imagine winning this event twice since 2019, yet not playing!

The last two winners are left-handed players, right?

Let’s make it three in a row!

THE CHOICE: Sudarshan Yellamaraju

He wasn’t bothered by Pete Dye’s mind games against the deepest field in golf at TPC Sawgrass (T5).

A bit of length, 7,475 yards, last week in Houston didn’t slow him down (T6).

I am not sure he cares about what’s at stake this week with a win.

Hot golf is hot golf, and I’m riding the hottest player in the field.

I will save the top players for rainier days.

Others to consider:

Michael Thorbjornsen, Sepp Straka, Johnny Keefer, Denny McCarthy

Horses for Courses

Elder statesmen Charley Hoffman and Matt Kuchar are the top money winners entered.

Jordan Spieth owns four top-10s from eight starts.

Andrew Novak has a pair of top-10 paydays from the last three.

Here are the top finishers from the last three years:

202520242023
Brian Harman (-9)Akshay Bhatia (-20)Corey Conners (-15)
wins by 3 (Gerard)wins PLAYOFF (McCarthy)wins by 1 (Stevens)
Par 72 – 7,438 ydsPar 72 – 7,438 ydsPar 72 – 7,438 yds
   
02 Ryan Gerard -6P2 Denny McCarthy -20 02 Sam Stevens -14
T3 Maverick McNealy -504 Russell Henley -10T3 Matt Kuchar -13
T3 Andrew NovakT5 Adam Schenk -9T3 Sam Ryder -13
T5 Bud Cauley -4T5 Brendon Todd05 Patrick Rodgers -11
T5 Patrick FishburnT7 Hideki Matsuyama -8T6 Lee Hodges -10
T5 Thorbjorn OlesenT7 Tommy Fleetwood09 Andrew Novak -9
T5 Ryo HisatsuneT10 Jordan Spieth -6T10 Chris Kirk -8
T5 Chad RameyT10 Mac MeissnerT10 Rickie Fowler
T5 Tom HogeT14 Ludvig Aberg -5T15 Hideki Matsuyama -7
T12 Jordan Spieth -3T14 Andrew PutnamT15 Nick Taylor
T12 Alejandro TostiT14 Sam StevensT15 Alex Noren
T12 Keith MitchellT14 Alex NorenT15 SH Kim
T12 Sami ValimakiT14 Keith MitchellT22 JJ Spaun -6
T18 Doug Ghim -2T14 SH KimT22 Sepp Straka
T18 Chandler PhillipsT14 T B OT22 Peter Malnati
T18 Matt KucharT14 Rico HoeyT22 Charley Hoffman
T18 Emiliano GrilloT25 Brian Harman -4 
T18 Corey ConnersT25 Max Homa 
T18 Denny McCarthyT25 Lucas Glover 
T26 Matt Wallace -1T25 Corey Conners 
T26 Eric ColeT25 Mark Hubbard 
T26 JT Poston T25 Justin Lower 
T26 Harry Hall  

Valspar Championship Betting Angles

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Valspar Championship

Innisbrook Resort

Copperhead Course

Palm Harbor, Florida

PGATOUR.com Links

Odds Outlook

DraftKings Markets

Expert Picks

Rob Bolton’s Power Rankings

Rob Bolton’s Sleepers

Rob Bolton’s Fantasy Insider

Thoughts on Valspar

It’s difficult. Really difficult.

The flat tracks of PGA National, Bay Hill, and TPC Sawgrass have been replaced with oak-lined rolling hills and significant elevation changes.

The last four winners have all ranked in the top 10 in Strokes Gained: Putting and top 15 Greens in Regulation.

Par is a decent score again this week. Exactly five players have posted 10-under or better over the last three events.

Five.

This is not a hit-and-giggle or walk in the park after THE PLAYERS Championship. The cut during the last three editions was 2-over, even, and 1-over.

Survive and advance and enjoy the third-hardest three-hole closing stretch on TOUR, “The Snake Pit”.

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseCopperhead Course
Yards (per official scorecard):7,352.
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:Poa Trivialis overseed; TifEagle Bermuda; 5,822 square feet.
Stimpmeter:12-plus feet.
Rough:Overseeded ryegrass 3.75 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play74/8/9.
Architect(s):Larry Packard (1971).
Defending Champion (event):Viktor Hovland (-11).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None.
Course Record:61; Matt NeSmith (Round 2, 2022) & Padraig Harrington (Round 1, 2012). Neither player is in the field this week.
Tournament Scoring Record267 (-17); Sam Burns (not entered), 2022.
Fact of the Week:Since moving to March on the schedule in 2007, the winning margin has been two or fewer shots in every year save 2022.
Fact of the Week II:The course has five Par-3 holes and three Par-5 holes.

Notes:

  • Field of 135.
  • No significant course changes for 2026.
  • The top 65 and ties play the weekend.
  • $9.1 million – $1.638 million – 500 FedExCup points.

Recent Winners

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup (2)
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmCollin Morikawa
Cognizant ClassicNico Echavarria
Arnold Palmer InvitationalAkshay Bhatia
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipCameron Young

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – Valspar Championship

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Viktor Hovland (-11)Broke a three-way tie on 7-under after 54 holes with a final round 67 to defeat Justin Thomas by a shot.
2024Peter Malnati (-12)Shot a final round 67 to win for the second time on TOUR.
2023Taylor Moore (-10)The first of three consecutive champions to post 67 in the final round. Defeated Adam Schenk by one shot.
2022Sam Burns (-17)Defeated Davis Riley in a playoff to successfully defend his title. His tournament scoring record was one of many broken in PERFECT, windless weather.
2021Sam Burns (-17)The event finished in May and Burns won on TOUR for the first time.
2019Paul Casey (-8)The Englishman became the last winner in single digits.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

LAST WEEK – THE PLAYERS Championship

MY CHOICE: Collin Morikawa – WD

I have no words.

Missing the cut is one thing. Quitting after one hole is another. Glad to see the online sportsbooks refund folks’ money. That was the right thing to do.

As for One and Done, if you tee it, you played. It sucks, but it’s the right call.

Nobody said you didn’t need a little luck in life, but I feel for the McIlroy/Morikawa contingent the last two weeks. Go buy a lottery ticket or two and see if Karma has returned.

Whatever.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760
WM Phoenix OpenSahith TheegalaT18122,720
AT&T Pebble BeachPatrick CantlayT14342,500
The Genesis InvitationalTommy FleetwoodT7603,200
Cognizant ClassicDaniel BergerT3254,816
Arnold Palmer InvitationalScottie SchefflerT24157,000
THE PLAYERSCollin MorikawaWD0

THIS WEEK – Valspar Championship

Xander Schauffele will be on my short list of TWO for the U.S. Open. Brooks Koepka is the defending champion at Shinnecock Hills.

Justin Thomas makes sense this week, but I am not taking my chances on a guy who has just returned from back surgery.

Corey Conners has two wins at Valero, so he stays in the stable.

The Hojgaards have never made a cut here.

Jordan Spieth – Colonial or Augusta.

MY CHOICE: Jacob Bridgeman

Proven in Florida, proven in California.

He played from the final group in 2025 and secured third.

His form is T18 or better in every event this year.

LFG.

Others to consider

Viktor Hovland, Sahith Theegala, Lucas Glover, Billy Horschel, Ryo Hisatsune

Recent Form at Valspar

202520242023
Viktor Hovland (-11)Peter Malnati (-12)Taylor Moore (-10)
wins by 1 (JT)wins by 2 (Cam Young)wins by 1 (Schenk)
Par 71 – 7,352 ydsPar 71 – 7,340 ydsPar 71 – 7,340 yds
156 players156 players144 players
   
02 Justin Thomas -10T3 Chancler Phillips -902 Adam Schenk -9
03 Jacob Bridgeman -9T3 Mackenzie HughesT3 Jordan Spieth -8
T4 Bud Cauley -8T5 Adam Hadwin -8T7 Webb Simpson -4
T4 Ryo HisatsuneT5 Xander SchauffeleT7 Matt Wallace
T4 Billy HorschelT9 C Bezuidenhout -7T10 Justin Thomas -3
07 Davis Riley -711 Lucas Glover -6T10 Nick Taylor
T8 Seamus Power -6T12 Billy Horschel -5T10 Patton Kizzire
T8 Lucas GloverT12 Taylor MooreT10 Zac Blair
T8 Corey ConnersT12 Kevin RoyT19 Davis Riley -1
T12 Eric Cole -5T17 Matt Wallace -4T19 Denny McCarthy
T12 Xander SchauffeleT17 Akshay BhatiaT27 Chad Ramey E
T12 Ricky CastilloT17 Ben GriffinT27 Alex Smalley
T16 Matt McCarty -4T17 Keith MitchellT27 Kevin Streelman
T22 R N P -3T17 Matti SchmidT27 Stephan Jaeger
T22 Emiliano GrilloT17 Andrew NovakT27 Andrew Novak
T22 Joe HighsmithT26 Seamus Power -3 
T22 Jeremy PaulT26 Lee Hodges 
 T26 Kevin Streelman 

Arnold Palmer Invitational Betting Angles

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Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by Mastercard

Bay Hill Club & Lodge

Orlando, Florida

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NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseBay Hill Club & Lodge
Yards (per official scorecard):7,466
Par:72 (36-36).
Greens:TifEagle Bermuda; 7,500 square feet.
Stimpmeter:13-plus feet.
Rough:Overseeded ryegrass at FOUR inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play84/8/9
Architect(s):Dick Wilson (1961); Arnold Palmer (2009; 2016).
Defending Champion (event):Russell Henley (-11).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Scheffler (2024, 2022).
Course Record:62; Adam Scott (2014, Bentgrass greens) is the only player to post this total since 1984.
72 Hole Tournament Record (post 2016 switch to TifEagle):270; Rory McIlroy (-18, 2018).
Fact of the Week:The last 10 winners have produced seven champions 30 or younger.
Fact of the Week II:The last five champions are from the USA.

Hot weather will make the ball go far this week, but Bay Hill has played over par for the last NINE seasons, regardless of the composition of the field.

The TifEagle Bermuda greens, which have not been overseeded, will be the best and fastest on TOUR yet. Big greens are surrounded by big penalty areas, so don’t be surprised to see balls, especially from the rough, finding the safest tiers on the putting surfaces. Lag putting will be a recipe for success this week.

Notes:

  • Field of 72.
  • The second of three Legacy Signature Events, the API cut will be made after 36 holes. The top 50 and ties play the weekend.
  • The OWGR is represented by 41 of the top 50, BUT 28 of the top 30.
  • $20 million – $4 million – 700 FedExCup points.

Recent Winners

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup (2)
AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-AmCollin Morikawa
Cognizant ClassicNico Echavarria

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – Arnold Palmer Invitational

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Russell Henley (-11)Followed T4 in 2024 with his fifth win on TOUR. Beat Morikawa by a shot in the final group.
2024Scottie Scheffler (-15)Second title in three years.  Won by five shots.
2023Kurt Kitayama (-9)First debut winner since 1990.
2022Scottie Scheffler (-5)One of four players broke par in the final round. Course played No. 1 most difficult on TOUR in 2022.
2021Bryson DeChambeau (-11)First of five straight USA-USA-USA winners.

Notables

  • Adam Scott is the only player since 1985 to post 62 (2014) and is one of four to share the course record.
  • Tiger Woods (not entered) has won this event eight times, the most in history. Scheffler is the only multiple winner in the 2026 field.
  • The fairways are 30 yards wide, two yards wider on average than last week at PGA National and overseeded.
  • None of the Par-5 holes plays longer than 590 yards.
  • Since 2016, only Scheffler in 2024 ranked OUTSIDE the top SIX in Par-3 scoring. All four Par-3 holes extend 199 yards or longer.
  • The last seven winners have ranked in the top 10 in Greens in Regulation.
  • After adding TifEagle greens for 2016, nine of 10 winners have ranked in the top 15 in SG: Putting, and all were T21 or better. No weaknesses allowed in the bag this week!

LAST WEEK – Cognizant Classic

MY CHOICE: Daniel Berger – T32

Opening with 67, I was encouraged. After two middle rounds of 71-71, I was DISCOURAGED.

After watching Lowry capitulate in the final three holes with a three-shot lead, T32 is easier to stomach than losing $1 million in 30 minutes.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760
WM Phoenix OpenSahith TheegalaT18122,720
AT&T Pebble BeachPatrick CantlayT14342,500
The Genesis InvitationalTommy FleetwoodT7603,200
Cognizant ClassicDaniel BergerT3254,816

THIS WEEK – Arnold Palmer Invitational

The third of eight Signature Events precedes the biggest payday in golf, THE PLAYERS Championship next week in Ponte Vedra Beach. This week and next will require a podium finish or victory to absorb the dog days of summer.

These are the events to release the hounds and shoot your shot with the biggest and the baddest available. Of the two events spread over the next two weeks, Bay Hill is the more “predictable” of the bunch. TPC Sawgrass, minus the recent McIlroy/Scheffler domination, has produced a cadre of winners, which appeared to be drawn out of a hat.

Also, there is a cut in both events, which SHOULD NOT bother the world’s best, but here we are.

Remember, LIV players, if that is your angle, return for the Masters, PGA Championship, and Open Championship.

MY CHOICE: Scottie Scheffler

Time to kick it into gear for the No. 1 player in the world.

No more farting around on Thursday.

No more Poa annua to piss him off.

The familiarity of Bermuda and two previous victories on a track he loves (nothing worse than T15 in five starts) is the recipe I am looking for this week.

I would not talk you out of playing McIlroy, but this comes down to preference, and I will ride the steadier of the two on a course where hazards do affect play.

I will also remind you that the Truist Championship returns to Quail Hollow Club in May. McIlroy has won that event, a Signature Event, approximately 49,390 times. See you in May, Rors!

Others to consider

Jake Knapp, Russell Henley, Tommy Fleetwood

Longshots

Sepp Straka, Shane Lowry, Ryan Fox

Horses for Courses

PlayersTopTopScrBay Hill HFC Finishes/Notes
(cuts made/starts)1025Avg 
     
Scottie Scheffler (5/5)3570.60T15 is his worst payday; Only 2x winner playing.
Rory McIlroy (11/11)61070.508 rounds of 66 or better; 2018 winner.
Tommy Fleetwood (7/9)3571.91T11 2025; T3 2019
Justin Rose (13/20)6971.70T8 2025 followed 4 -> MC
Collin Morikawa (3/5)2272.132nd 2025 after 2-> MC; T9 2020
     
Chris Gotterup   First Appearance
Russell Henley (6/9)2371.872025 winner followed T4; 5 –>
Robert MacIntyre (2/2)0171.75T11, T36 L2Y
Xander Schauffele (4/4)0272.63Best payday T24 2020
JJ Spaun (4/5)0073.11T31 2025 best
     
Ben Griffin (2/2)0172.13T45-T14 L2Y
Hideki Matsuyama (10/11)1671.86Only top 10 2016 (T6); T22-T12 L2Y
Sepp Straka (2/6)1173.69T5 2025 with 1st Rd  77!!!
Justin Thomas (4/4)0271.56T12 2024 best; T36 2025
Harris English (9/13)2572.306–> busted 2025; T2 2023, T9 2020
Alex Noren (4/5)0072.72T36 best; First visit since 2023 (T61)
Viktor Hovland (6/7)2272.356–> busted 2025; T10 2023, T2 2022
Keegan Bradley (13/14)5671.50T11 or better 4 of last 5; cashed 13 straight
Jacob Bridgeman (1/1)0171.25Closed 69-68 for T15 on debut 2025
Cameron Young (3/4)1272.50T10 2023; 82-71 MC 2025
Matt Fitzpatrick (8/11)4771.71T27 worst; 2nd 2019 first of 4 straight T10
Ludvig Aberg (3/3)0371.83T22-T25-T24 (a) L3Y
Maverick McNealy (3/5)0073.7573-80 MC 2025; T46 (a) 2016 best
Ryan Gerard   First Appearance
Si Woo Kim (6/10)0173.19T19 2025 best; 4–>
Sam Burns (6/8)1172.93T9 2022; T48, T30 L2Y
Kurt Kitayama (1/2)1171.67MC-WIN; Nobody defends well first time anywhere
Patrick Cantlay (3/3)1171.67T31, T36, and T4 L3Y
Shane Lowry (3/7)2272.207th 2025, 3rd 2024; AWFUL before!
Min Woo Lee (1/4)0075.3073 or WORSE in 9 of 10 rounds
Jason Day (10/12)3771.302016 winner; T8 2025, T10 2023
PlayersTopTopScrBay Hill HFC Finishes/Notes
(cuts made/starts)1025Avg 
Corey Conners (5/7)2571.463rd ’25, 3rd ’21; T21 > last 5
Akshay Bhatia (0/1)   79-73 MC
Matt McCarty   First Appearance
Ryan Fox (1/1)0171.0071-67 to close T14
Andrew Novak (1/1)0072.50T34 debut 2025 included 65 Saturday
Jake Knapp (1/1)0075.00T57 2025 debut
Sam Stevens (1/1)0073.00T40 2025 debut
Pierceson Coody (1/1)0171.00T14 2023 debut; 66 Saturday
Michael Kim (2/3)1271.204th 2025; T17 2017 (a)
Michael Thorbjornsen   First Appearance
Adam Scott (11/15)2471.813rd 2014; T36-MC last 2
Brian Harman  (6/12)0472.58T40-T12 L2Y; T12 best
Nicolai Hojgaard (0/2)0074.003 of 4 rounds > 71
Nick Taylor (5/8)0172.69T31-T12 last 2 best 2
Harry Hall   First Appearance
Daniel Berger (2/3)0271.20T15 2025; T13 2015
Taylor Pendrith (1/3)0074.75T42 2022 debut best
Ryo Hisatsune   First Appearance
JT Poston (3/5)0074.38T50-T55 last 2 best 2
Rickie Fowler (12/13)1472.12Only top 10 2013; T31 best in last 4
Sungjae Im (7/7)2771.46T21 or better in all 7; 2 podiums

The Cognizant Classic in The Palm Beaches Betting Angles

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Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches

Champion Cours at PGA National

Palm Beach Gardens, Florida

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NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseThe Champion Course
Yards (per official scorecard):7,223 (new 2026)
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:TifEagle Bermuda; 7,000 square feet.
Stimpmeter:12 feet.
Rough:Overseeded ryegrass at 3 iinches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play60/20/15
Architect(s):George Fazio (1981); Jack Nicklaus (2002, 2014 redesign; 2018).
Defending Champion (event):Joe Highsmith (-19)
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Zero in 19 events at this course.
Course Record:59; Jake Knapp (not entered), Round 1, 2025.
72 Hole Tournament Record19-under (265).
Fact of the Week:5 of the last 7 champions are first-time winners on TOUR.
Fact of the Week II:The tournament scoring record has been broken in three consecutive events (2023-2025).

The biggest defenses of the course are the Florida breeze and water penalty areas, seemingly everywhere. Better be able to shape and control the golf ball.

Big greens, when found, get more difficult the closer to the hole, a la Jack Nicklaus designs.

Jack Nicklaus is the only player to win this event in consecutive seasons on the same course (1977, 1978).

Nobody has won twice since moving to The Champion Course (20th edition 2026).

Notes:

  • Field of 123.
  • The cut will be made after 36 holes. The top 65 and ties play the weekend.
  • The OWGR is represented by 6 of the top 50.
  • $9.6 million – $1.728 million – 500 FedExCup points

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup (2)
The Genesis InvitationalJacob Bridgeman (first time winner)
  • 2025 Season Winners
EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – Cognizant Classic

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Joe Highsmith (-19)Set the tournament scoring record to win for the first time on TOUR.
2024Austin Eckroat (-17)Making his second start, he set the new scoring standard on the NEW Par-71 track. Won by 3 and became the fourth first-time winner in six events.
2023Chris Kirk (-14)Needed an extra hole to defeat Eric Cole and produced the lowest winning total in the final season of the Par-70 layout.
2022Sepp Straka (-10)Outlasted Shane Lowry, Kurt Kitayama, and Daniel Berger in a deluge late on Sunday to win for the first time on TOUR.
2021Matt Jones (-12)Won by five in the big breezes.
2020Sungjae Im (-6)Became the youngest winner (21 yrs) and won for the first time on TOUR.
2019Keith Mitchell (-9)Held off Rickie Fowler by a shot to add his name to the list of four UGA Bulldog winners since 2014.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event (plus a backup pick if your guy get kidnapped on Wednesday night and doesn’t make it to the first tee Thursday).

1 use per year.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760
WM Phoenix OpenSahith TheegalaT18122,720
AT&T Pebble BeachPatrick CantlayT14342,500
The Genesis InvitationalTommy FleetwoodT7603,200

This Week – Cognizant Classic at the Palm Beaches

MY CHOICE: Daniel Berger

A late entry after missing the cut at Riviera, the hometown lad knows this place inside and out. In a limited field, I will ride familiarity and #FloridaMan.

Just Missed

Shane Lowry, Michael Thorbjornsen, Luke Clanton, and any players from Denmark.

The Genesis Invitational Betting Angles

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Tiger’s tournament is the second of eight Signature Events in 2026. The Riviera Country Club returns to host an elite field of 72 players.

2024 champion at The Riviera Country Club: Hideki Matsuyama (TheGenesisInvitational on X)

The Genesis Invitational

The Riviera Country Club

Pacific Palisades, California

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NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseThe Riviera Country Club
Yards (per official scorecard):7,383.
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:Poa annua; 7,500 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter:13 feet plus.
Rough:Kikuyu grass at 2 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play58/0/0.
Architect(s):George C. Thomas (1926).
Defending Champion (event):Ludvig Aberg (Torrey Pines South)
Defending Champion (course):Hideki Matsuyama (2024).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Adam Scott (2020; 2005 unofficial – weather).
Course Record (last):61; Ted Tryba (1999).
72 Hole Tournament Record:264; Lanny Watkins (1985).
Fact of the Week:The Genesis Invitational was held at Torrey Pines South in 2025. Please be aware.
Fact of the Week II:Since 2008, only TWO players younger than 30 have won this event (Rahm, Niemann).

Notes:

  • Field of 72.
  • Second of eight Signature Events.
  • The OWGR is represented by 27 of the top 30.
  • $20 million – $4 million – 700 FedExCup points.

Recent Winners

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose
WM Phoenix OpenChris Gotterup (2)

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – The Genesis Invitational

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Ludvig Aberg (-12)Hosted at the venerable Torrey Pines South, the Swede held off California native Maverick McNealy by a shot to win for the second time on TOUR.
2024Hideki MatsuyamaClosed with 62, the lowest round for a winner, to overcome a six-shot deficit. Won by three strokes.
2023Jon Rahm (-17)Defeated 2021 winner Max Homa by two shots.
2022Joaquin Niemann     (-19)Became just the fourth wire-to-wire winner in event history.
2021Max Homa (-12)Defeated Tony Finau in a playoff.
2020Adam Scott (-11)Held off Matt Kuchar and two others by two shots.
2019J.B. Holmes (-14)Justin Thomas was 18-under with 17 holes to go. He finished second on 13-under.
2018Bubba Watson (-12)Won for the third time holding off Tony Finau by two shots.

Angles:

Masters champions have won this event 12 times since the turn of the century.

The last nine winners needed four or more starts before raising the trophy.

The last player to win on debut was Adam Scott in 2005. The victory was unofficial as the event, canceled due to weather, only could play 36 holes.

The trio of Par-5 holes ranked as some of the friendliest on TOUR.

The Par-4 holes are not, including the very famous No. 10.

With difficult fairways to find off the tee, using the 7,500 square feet to land approaches is critical.

Bunkers this week are penal. Getting it close is rare. Getting it up and down is a struggle.

The Riviera Country Club is nestled in the Santa Monica Canyon. The layout provides only 150 feet of elevation change. Without putting surfaces exposed to the coastline, the Stimpmeter will be pushing 13 or better, the fastest speed on TOUR yet in 2026.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event, plus a backup selection if your original choice does not tee off.

1 use per year.

Sign up here

LAST WEEK – AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am

MY CHOICE: Patrick Cantlay

After opening with 66, I thought I was on my way! His 71-69 sandwich saw him fall off the pace before a Sunday 65 cashed T14.

I would guess he wins THIS week!

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760
WM Phoenix OpenSahith TheegalaT18122,720
AT&T Pebble BeachPatrick CantlayT14342,500

THIS WEEK – The Genesis Invitational

The power players will be happy to have room to swing the driver early and often at the Par-71, 7,383-yard layout.

Experience is a huge factor this week, and with a loaded field there are plenty of choices.

I would start in Southern California if you are chasing. Patrick Cantlay and Xander Schauffele have better records at other venues and events, but both have been close here. Max Homa and Tony Finau make excellent long-shot contenders, but I will remind you there is a cut this week (Top 50 and anyone 10 shots off the lead) after two rounds.

If you are going to play Scheffler or McIlroy, I won’t stop you. I will point out that there are six other Signature Events, four major championships, and a pair of FedExCup Playoff events to plan for accordingly.

I’m not a fan of playing guys of that magnitude on tracks where they have never won before. The list of winners here suggests those who have had results at Augusta National, and that covers both No. 1 and No. 2. The rumblings about Scheffler not enjoying his time on Poa annua have been noted. McIlroy and Quail Hollow are tough to separate. Both play Arnold Palmer and TPC Sawgrass well.

Good luck!

MY CHOICE: Tommy Fleetwood

The Englishman fits the mold of recent international winners who have lifted the trophy. Matsuyama, Rahm, and Niemann followed SoCal native Max Homa as the last four winners. Fleetwood opened his PGA TOUR schedule last week at Pebble Beach and finished T4. As usual, he bludgeoned GIR and finished the week second in Strokes-Gained: Tee to Green. Keeping the ball out of trouble off the tee and into the greens are keys this week.

Yes, The Open Championship is in his backyard at Royal Birkdale, in Southport, England, got it. Has McIlroy won at Royal Portrush yet?

Right.

You do you. I’ll do me.

Others to consider

Hideki Matsuyama, Collin Morikawa, Cameron Young, Jake Knapp

Longshots

Rickie Fowler, Ryan Fox

Horses for Courses

Top Players OWGR (Cuts made/starts)Top 10Rds 60sTop 25Event Notes
Scottie Scheffler (5/6)29/224T30 or better in 5 straight
Rory McIlroy (7/8)318/306T29 or better
Justin Rose (11/13)215/444MC-T56
Tommy Fleetwood (4/4)15/161T10 2024; 1 of 16 rounds ABOVE par
Chris GotterupFirst Appearance
Russell Henley (6/9)012/302T17 best 2020
JJ Spaun (2/7)03/180T33 2023
Robert MacIntyre (1/1)02/41All four rounds 71 or better
Ben Griffin (1/1)02/40T37 2024
Xander Schauffele (7/7)213/28626 of 28 rounds 71 or better; T4 2024 best
Hideki Matsuyama (8/10)415/34662 to close to win 2024; 64; plays annually
Harris English (6/9)212/3037th-T12 last two events
Sepp Straka (3/5)03/141T15 2022; T43 next best
Viktor Hovland (4/4)28/144T19-T20-T4-T5 last 4
Alex Noren (4/5)04/182T12 2021
TopRdsTopNotes
 1060s25 
Keegan Bradley (8/14)2 4Last T50 or better was T34 in 2017
Collin Morikawa (5/5)211/203T19-T6-T2 last 3
Ludvig Aberg (1/1)0 1Event defending champion at Torrey Pines
Cameron Young (3/3)17/12362 on debut for T2 2022; T16-T20 L2Y
Maverick McNealy (1/2)14/61T7 2022; MC 2021
Matt Fitzpatrick (2/4)13/121T5 2021 after T30 2020; MC L2Y
Ryan Gerard   First Appearance
Si Woo Kim (5/9)110/2613rd 2019; MC 2 of last 4
Aaron Rai (3/3)03/120T37-T29-T61 3 of last 4
Sam Burns (3/6)25/183T10-MC-MC-3rd-T23-MC last 6
Shane Lowry (1/3)03/71T14 2023 last visit
Patrick Cantlay (7/9)315/326T4-3rd L2Y; 54 hole leader 2024
Marco Penge   First Appearance
Corey Conners (2/5)02/141T24-T61 L2Y
Jason Day (4/7)26/2229th 2024; T9 2023
Andrew Novak   First Appearance
Matt McCarty   First Appearance
Sam Stevens   First Appearance
Michael Kim (0-4) 0/8 Never broke par here
Kurt Kitayama (1/2)02/60T39-MC L2Y
Pierceson Coody   First Appearance
Sami Valimaki   First Appearance
Brian Harman (7/10)110/341T3 2014 only Top 40
Max Greyserman   First Appearance
Akshay Bhatia   First Appearance
Ryan Fox   First Appearance
Min Woo Lee (0-1)   77-70 MC 2022
Daniel Berger (0-2) 0/4 Last visit 2018
Jacob Bridgeman   First Appearance
Wyndham Clark (3/5)16/142MC-T33-DQ-T8-T17 last 5
Nick Taylor (7/9)011/321T39-T33-T20 last 3; T20 best
Harry Hall   First Appearance
Taylor Pendrith (0/1)   73-72 MC 2022
JT Poston (5/7)18/242T10 2024 best; 3 other T30 >
Jake Knapp   First Appearance
Nico Echavarria   First Appearance
Max McGreevy (0/1)   73-72 MC 2023
Garrick Higgo   First Appearance
Adam Scott (15/16)7 112020 Winner; T2 2016; 11 straight
Lucas Glover (4/12)0 1MC 8 straight before T35 2024
Rico Hoey   First Appearance
Rickie Fowler (6/8)08/2824 straight T20 best in run, career
Ryo Hisatsune   First Appearance
Bud Cauley (2/6)02/201Last visit 2020
Brian Campbell   First Appearance
Denny McCarthy (3/5)04/16164 in 2023 T14; L2B2
Patrick Rodgers (6/10)09/283MC last 3; T30> 5 straight before that
Jordan Spieth (9/12)215/375DQ-MC last 2; last top 10 2018
Sahith Theegala (4/4)17/121T37-T6-T48-T49 last 4
Aldrich  Potgieter   First Appearance
Jhonattan Vegas (6/10)08/322T56-T55 L2V
Tom Hoge (6/7)16/2428th 2024, T14 2023
Matti Schmid   First Appearance
Kevin Yu (0/1)   75-75 MC
Tom Kim (2/2)03/61T24-T45 L2Y
Max Homa (6/8)413/285T16-2nd-T10-WIN-T5 last 5 here
Tony Finau (8/10)212/3657 straight; 5 T20 or better; 2nd twice

WM Phoenix Open Betting Angles 2026

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WM Phoenix Open

TPC Scottsdale

Stadium Course

Field

Scottsdale, Arizona

** ROB BOLTON – LIVE 4PM ET WEDNESDAYS TheZoneBloomington.com **

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NOW PLAYING:

Host Course (Since 1987)The Stadium Course at TPC Scottsdale
Yards (per official scorecard):7,261.
Par:71 (35-36).
Greens:Poa trivialis, creeping Bentgrass, perennial Ryegrass; 7,100 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter:12 feet.
Rough:Overseeded Rye and Fine Fescue at 3.5 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play67/3/6.
Architect(s):Tom Weiskopf & Jay Morrish (1986); Tom Weiskopf (2014 renovation for 2015 event).
Defending Champion (event):Thomas Detry, -24 (tournament scoring record; no longer eligible for the PGA TOUR).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:Scottie Scheffler (2022-23), Brooks Koepka (2015, 2021), and Hideki Matsuyama (2016-17).
Course Record:60; Nick Taylor, Round 1 (2024).
72 Hole Tournament Record (post-2014 renovation)24-under 261 (Thomas Detry, 2025).
Fact of the Week:Only five international players (six wins) have lifted the trophy this century, including the last two winners.
Fact of the Week II:Only two players have won on debut this century.

Notes:

  • Field of 123.
  • The top 65 and ties play the weekend.
  • The OWGR is represented by 32 of the top 50.
  • $9.6 million – $1.728 million – 500 FedExCup points – Sentry, PLAYERS, and Masters ticket punched.

Recent Winners

2026 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American ExpressScottie Scheffler
Farmers Insurance OpenJustin Rose

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – WM Phoenix Open

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Thomas Detry (-24)Smoked the field by seven shots to become the first champion to win by more than two strokes since the 2014 renovation. No longer eligible for the PGA TOUR.
2024Nick Taylor (-21)Held off Charley Hoffman to become the sixth winner in the last nine to need extra holes. The duo established the new tournament scoring record.
2023Scottie Scheffler (-19)Tied the tournament scoring record defending his title. Won by two shots over Nick Taylor. Third place was five back.
2022Scottie Scheffler (-16)Defeated Patrick Cantlay in a playoff to win for the first time on TOUR.
2021Brooks Koepka (-19)Matched the tournament scoring mark while holding off KH Lee and Xander Schauffele by a shot.
2020Webb Simpson (-17)Defeated Tony Finau in a playoff.
2019Rickie Fowler (-19)Sat 20-under after 54 holes before eventually winning by two shots in cool, rainy, conditions.
2018Gary Woodland (-18)Defeated Chez Reavie in a playoff; Circled 26 birdies.
2017Hideki Matsuyama    (-17)Successfully defended his title knocking out Webb Simpson in a playoff.
2016Hideki Matsuyama     (-14)Won in his third attempt, defeating Rickie Fowler in a playoff.
2015Brooks Koepka (-15)First win on TOUR on debut; defeated a trio of players, including Hideki Matsuyama, by a shot.

Notables

  • The highest winning total since 2015 is 14-under par, from 2016.
  • The last three champions have set the tournament scoring record.
  • Eight of the last nine winners have ranked eighth or better in Ball-Striking.
  • Detry, Taylor, and Matsuyama joined Aaron Baddeley (2007) and Vijay Singh (2003) as the only international winners this century.
  • Only two players won on debut this century, including 23-year-old J.B. Holmes (not entered) in 2006, and none since Koepka in 2015.
  • Holmes and Matsuyama are the youngest winners at 23.
  • Kenny Perry (not entered) is the oldest winner at 48 in 2009.
  • Tom Weiskopf designs features on TOUR at TPC Craig Ranch and Black Desert Golf Club, where Michael Brennan (2025) and Matt McCarty both broke their maidens.
  • Every winner in the last decade ranked T13 or better in Greens in Regulation.

Thoughts on WM Phoenix Open

Pay the “Winner without Scheffler” Tax.

Perfect weather = golf ball gonna go and conditions will be ideal for scoring.

Leave the kids at home. Only two players this century, as noted above, have won on debut here. Detry’s masterclass in 2025 is all it took to become a first-time TOUR winner at this event. His numbers were Scheffler-ian. Good luck finding a repeat of that.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event, plus a backup selection if your original choice does not tee off.

1 use per year.

LAST WEEK – Farmers Insurance Open

My Choice: Jason Day (T38)

WE ARE GOING THE WRONG WAY.

I picked the wrong “old” one-time major champion with great course history.

Shit happens.

He played the weekend in four-under-par, but that’s of no consolation when the winner posted 22-under. He had a fantastic week with his approach play, but was in the bottom 10 in putting. That was NOT the combination I envisioned.

Sigh.

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American ExpressBen GriffinT2481,420
Farmers InsuranceJason DayT3841,760

THIS WEEK – WM Phoenix Open

Although I’m disappointed with my last three weeks, this game will be won and lost at THE PLAYERS, the four major championships, and the first two events of the FedExCup Playoffs.

Getting it right for those events, plus the Signature Events, remains the main thing.

MY CHOICE: Sahith Theegala

The 54-hole leader, or co-leader, twice in four years, enters the week off back-to-back top-10 paydays and looks to have found his early-season groove.

I’m going to let Koepka get comfortable. Matsuyama was a tough lay-down here, but he also loves Riviera. Scheffler? No chance. Majors or THE PLAYERS. Remember when nobody won THE PLAYERS back-to-back? Yeah, no chance I’m writing him off for three straight.

Others to consider:

Cameron Young – big hitter, GREAT putter, hotter than a match.

Si Woo Kim – As long as his pal Scheffler is nowhere near him on Sunday, he has desert bonafides.

Maverick McNealy – Back-to-back Top 10s here.

Jake Knapp – Another who can overpower the angles and roll the rock.

Chris Gotterup – Free as a bird and should love this environment.

Pierceson Coody – Closed with 65 last week at Torrey Pines and led the TOUR in SG: Off the Tee in 2025.

Horses for Courses

PlayerTopScoringTopNotes
(cuts made/starts)10Avg25 
Scottie Scheffler (5/6)467.2552x winner; T3 2024.
Nick Taylor (7/11)269.833T25-WIN-T2 last 3 = best 3.
Hideki Matsuyama (11/12)368.249T29 or better in 10 of 11.
Rickie Fowler (11/17)569.097WD/MC 4 of last 5; 2019 WIN, 2016 2nd.
Brooks Koepka (5/5)368.153T3 last visit ’22.
Jordan Spieth (7/9)668.506T6 or better 4 of last 5; 3 straight T6>.
Gary Woodland (11/16)369.525Win 2018; T7 defense; T21 2025.
Xander Schauffele (6/6)467.9263 straight top 10; worst is T17; 1st start since 2023.
Daniel Berger (7/10)468.945T2 2025; T9 2020.
Sam Burns (4/7)269.053T49-T3-T6 last 3.
     
Sahith Theegala (4/4)268.562See above.
Cameron Young (4/4)169.192T12-T8 (-26) last 2 years; 4 straight paydays.
Maverick McNealy (2/3)268.442T9-T6 (-28) last 2 years.
Matt Fitzpatrick (3/4)168.932MC-T15-T29-T10 last 4.
Corey Conners (6/6)069.831T17 best; 7th straight year.

The 67th American Express

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Read more: The 67th American Express

The American Express

The Stadium Course at PGA West (Host)

Nicklaus Tournament Course

La Quinta Country Club

La Quinta, CA

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Rob Bolton joins me each Wednesday at 4pm on TheZoneBloomington.com

Course rotation & tee times →

@theamexgolf

R1) Stadium; R2) La Quinta; R3) Nick Tourney

R1) La Quinta; R2) Nick Tourney; R3) Stadium

R1) Nick Tourney; R2) Stadium; R3) La Quinta

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseStadium Course at PGA West
Yards (per official scorecard):7,210
Par:72 (36-36).
Greens:Overseeded Poa annua (TifEagle); 7,000 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter:11 feet.
Rough:Overseed at 1 inch. Dormant Tifgreen Bermuda at 2 inches.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-PlayOver 90 bunkers, seven holes with water in play.
Architect(s):Pete Dye (1986).
Defending Champion (event):Sepp Straka (-23).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None.
Course Record (last):61; Justin Thomas (Round 3, 2024), Patrick Cantlay (Round 4, 2021).
72 Hole Tournament Record (2016-current rotation):259; Nick Dunlap (-29).
Fact of the Week:Only seven international winners from the previous 66 events.
Fact of the Week II:Johnny Miller is the only player to defend the title (1975-76).

Notes:

  • Field of 156.
  • First multi-course event of 2026 and first pro-am.
  • The OWGR is represented by 27 of the top 50.
  • Top 65 and ties will make the cut and play the weekend after 54 holes (play each course once).
  • $9.2 million – $1.656 million – 500 FedExCup points – Sentry and Masters ticket punched.

Recent Winners

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryNo Event
Sony Open in HawaiiChris Gotterup
The American Express 
Farmers Insurance Open 

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – The American Express

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Sepp Straka (-23)Bogeyed two of the last three holes to win by two. Cake walk.
2024Nick Dunlap (-29)First amateur to win on TOUR since 1991; First TOUR start (sponsor’s exemption); Tournament scoring record.
2023Jon Rahm (-27)Played in the final group with Davis Thompson and beat him by a shot to win for the second time.
2022Hudson Swafford      (-23)Defeated Tom Hoge by two shots to win for the second time.
2021Si Woo Kim (-23)Only made two bogeys for the week on the SC/NT rotation to win by one.
2020Andrew Landry (-26)Tied the tournament scoring record winning by two.
2019Adam Long (-26)Became the first rookie to win since Jhonattan Vegas (2011).
2018Jon Rahm (-22)Needed a playoff to knock off Andrew Landry.
2017Hudson Swafford      (-20)Wet, windy weekend produced the highest winning total to date in the new rota.
2016Jason Dufner (-25)Saw off David Lingmerth in a playoff in the first iteration of Stadium Course, Nicklaus Tournament Course and LQCC

Angles

  • The Nicklaus Tournament Course plays to Par-72 and 7,210 yards. Playing 7,000 square feet on average, the Overseeded Poa annua greens are the largest of the three courses. Dylan Wu (2023) and Will Zalatoris (2022) have posted 61 here.
  • La Quinta Country Club is known for premium putting surfaces and plays the easiest of the trio. All three courses have minimal rough and green speeds that won’t exceed 11 feet. Playing to Par-72 and 7,060 yards, it is one of the easiest tracks on TOUR annually. Adam Hadwin posted 59 in Round 3 in 2017.
  • All 10 winners have posted 20-under or better to win, and nine of 10 champions ranked in the top 10 in Par-4 and Par-5 scoring.
  • The HIGHEST cut in this rotation in the last three editions was 7-under. The LOWEST cut in this rotation was 13-UNDER-PAR in 2024.
  • First tournament with overseeded Poa annua greens.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

1 player per event, plus a backup selection if your original choice does not tee off.

1 use per year.

Sign up here

LAST WEEK – The Sony Open in Hawaii

MY CHOICE: Robert MacIntyre – T4

The Scotsman

EventSelectionPlaceEarnings
    
Sony Open in HawaiiRobert MacIntyreT4409,500
The American Express   
Farmers Insurance   

THIS WEEK – The American Express

Back to the mainland this week for the first Pro-Am and multi-course event of the year.

20-under is the worst winning score on this three-course rotation, which began in 2016.

I’m looking for guys who are hot and make a shit ton of birdies.

MY CHOICE: Ben Griffin

The last time there was a shootout on the PGA TOUR, Griffin posted 29-under to win the WorldWide Technology Championship at Los Cabos. He ranked in the top 15 in Birdies and Eagles in 2025 and painted the top 10 on his last two visits.

The last thing I need to do in the second event of the year is overthink it.

Others to consider

J.T. Poston, Si Woo Kim, Patrick Cantlay, Harry Hall, Max Greyserman

Longshot – Alex Smalley

Sony Open in Hawaii Scoop

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First event of the year, let’s roll!

Read more: Sony Open in Hawaii Scoop

Sony Open in Hawaii

Waialae Country Club

Honolulu, Oahu, Hawaii

NOW PLAYING:

Host CourseWaialae Country Club.
Yards (per official scorecard):7,044.
Par:70 (35-35)
Greens:TifEagle Bermuda; 7,100 square feet on average.
Stimpmeter:12 feet.
Rough:Celebration Bermuda; three inches and growing.
Bunkers/Water Hazards/In-Play83/4/5.
Architect(s):Seth Raynor (1927).
Defending Champion (event):Nick Taylor (-16; 264).
Multiple Champion(s) Entered:None. Only five multiple winners since 1965 (Last: Jimmy Walker).
Course Record (last):59; Justin Thomas (Round 1, 2017).
72 Hole Tournament Record (last):253 (-27); Justin Thomas (2017).
Fact of the Week:Waialae CC has been the only course to host this event. There was no event in 1970.
Fact of the Week II:The last player to win on debut was Russell Henley in 2013. Experience matters, gang.

Notes:

  • Field of 120.
  • The OWGR is represented by 20 of the top 50.
  • Top 65 and ties will make the cut and play the weekend.
  • $9.1 million – $1.638 million – 500 FedExCup points – Sentry and Masters ticket punched.

Recent Winners

2025 Season Winners

EventWinner
The SentryHideki Matsuyama
Sony Open in HawaiiNick Taylor
The American ExpressSepp Straka
Farmers Insurance OpenHarris English
AT&T Pebble BeachRory McIlroy
WM Phoenix OpenThomas Detry (LIV)
The Genesis InvitationalLudvig Aberg
Mexico Open at VidantaBrian Campbell (first time)
Cognizant ClassicJoe Highsmith (first time)
Arnold Palmer InvitationalRussell Henley
Puerto Rico OpenKarl Vilips (first time)
THE PLAYERS ChampionshipRory McIlroy
Valspar ChampionshipViktor Hovland
Texas Children’s Houston OpenMin Woo Lee (first time)
Valero Texas OpenBrian Harman
88th Masters TournamentRory McIlroy (career grand slam)
RBC HeritageJustin Thomas
Zurich ClassicBen Griffin & Andrew Novak (first time winners)
THE CJ CUP Byron NelsonScottie Scheffler
Truist ChampionshipSepp Straka (2)
Mrytle Beach One FlightRyan Fox
106th PGA ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (2)
Charles Schwab ChallengeBen Griffin (2)
The 50th Memorial TournamentScottie Scheffler (3)
RBC Canadian OpenRyan Fox (2)
124th United States OpenJ.J. Spaun
Travelers ChampionshipKeegan Bradley
Rocket Mortgage ClassicAldrich Potgieter (first time)
John Deere ClassicBrian Campbell (2)
Genesis Scottish OpenChris Gotterup
ISCO ChampionshipWilliam Mouw (first time)
152nd Open ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (4)
Barracuda ChampionshipRyan Gerard (first time)
3M OpenKurt Kitayama
Wyndham ChampionshipCameron Young (first time)
FedEx St. Jude ChampionshipJustin Rose
BMW ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (5)
The TOUR ChampionshipTommy Fleetwood (first time)
  
FedEx Cup Fall 
Procore ChampionshipScottie Scheffler (6)
Sanderson Farms ChampionshipSteven Fisk (first time)
Black Desert ChampionshipMichael Brennan (first time)
Baycurrent ChampionshipXander Schauffele
World Wide Technology ChampBen Griffin (3)
Butterfield Bermuda ChampAdam Schenk (first time)
The RSM ClassicSami Valimaki (first time)

Recent Winners – Sony Open in Hawaii

Italics – not entered this week.

YearWinnerNotes
2025Nick Taylor (-16)Defeated Nico Echavarria on the first playoff hole for his fifth win on TOUR. 54-hole leader J.J. Spaun finished one shot out of a playoff.
2024Grayson Murray (-17)Knocked out Byeong Hun An and Keegan Bradley with a 48-foot birdie on the first playoff hole. May he rest in peace.
2023Si Woo Kim (-18)Shot 64 on Sunday to make up a three-shot deficit and knock out 54-hole leader Hayden Buckley by a shot.
2022Hideki Matsuyama     (-23)Won a playoff over 54-hole leader and 2013 winner Russell Henley.
2021Kevin Na (-21)Shot 61 in Round 3 and held on to beat Chris Kirk by one.
2020Cameron Smith (-11)Matched the second highest winning score since 2000. Rain and windy conditions all weekend.
2019Matt Kuchar (-22)Won comfortably by four over Andrew Putnam.
2018Patton Kizzire (-17)Needed a playoff to win in just his second visit.

Angles

  • Waialae Country Club stretches to just 7,044 yards, one of the shortest courses on TOUR, and plays to Par-70.
  • Par-70 was established for the 1999 edition, the only tournament to produce a single-digit winning score (-9). The two highest winning scores since are 11-under in 2005 and 2020.
  • Bermudagrass fairways, rough, and greens are in play again this week, just like The RSM Classic to end 2025.
  • With greens averaging 7,100 square feet, the putting surfaces at Waialae are well-above average for the PGA TOUR.
  • Experienced players flourished in this event from 1997 through 2019. All but three winners were under the age of 30. Over the last five years, four winners have been 30 or younger.
  • The course record, 59, was set in 2017 by Justin Thomas (not entered), in Round 1. He would go on to win and smash the tournament scoring record by three shots as he posted 253 (-27).
  • Five of the last six winners previously represented the International team in the Presidents Cup.
  • Six of the last seven champions needed four prior starts before cracking the code.     
  • 10 of the last 11 winners have registered in the top 10 in Par-4 Scoring.
  • Taylor is the only winner in 11 not to register in the top 20 in Proximity (25th). None were in the top 10 of Driving Accuracy.
  • Four of the last five and six of the previous 10 events have required a playoff to determine a champion.

One and Done – Spotter’s Game

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EventSelectionEarnings
Sony Open in Hawaii  
The American Express  
Farmers Insurance Open  

THIS WEEK – Sony Open in Hawaii

The Opening Drive in Hawaii takes the TOUR to a familiar stop. Waialae has hosted the event since 1965 and has not changed the par or yardage since 2007.

The first of 30-odd events in Spotter’s game, Sony gives us a chance to grind on our first at bat.

I will remind you that finishing on the podium in a signature event and/or major championship is about the same haul as winning a “normal” TOUR stop these days.

YOU WILL NOT win the war by winning the battle this week, but $1.6 million will not hurt the bottom line.

Saving guys for down the road also brings headaches into play. Injury, caddie firings, slumps, and babies being born are just some of the REAL-LIFE CHALLENGES we must navigate from January to August.

My approach is more art than science.

There’s an old saying that guys peak for six to eight weeks per year, usually around the big events for the biggest of players.

Remember, Scottie Scheffler won just about everything last year. Just make sure you pick him during one of the weeks when he does win! By all accounts, you should have a handful of chances not to screw it up!

MY CHOICE: Robert MacIntyre

The red-hot Scot racked up a win and a pair of top-10 results in the DP World Tour portion of the fall. A world star who finished second at the U.S. Open and the BMW Championship, I will ride him in a breezy, coastal set-up.

Horses for Courses

All Time Money ListTopTopNotes
(cuts made/starts)1025 
    
Russell Henley (10/13)47Won on 2013 debut; T10, T4, T32, and 2nd last four years; T17 > 7x
Chris Kirk (10/15)56MC 2025; T18-3rd-T27-2nd before; 4 top 5 career
Nick Taylor (7/9)34Win-T7-T7-T11 last 4 years; 5 straight
Si Woo Kim (6/8)232023 winner; 4th on debut 2016; MC 2025
Hideki Matsuyama (9/12)142022 winner; 9 consecutive cuts made; 5 of last 6 T30 or better
Webb Simpson (14/15)49T16 2025; T4 2021, T3 2020 recent bests
Keegan Bradley (9/13)25T6-T2 last 2; T12 or better 4 of last 6
Nico Echavarria (3/3)12P2-T66-T12 Last 3 years
Gary Woodland (6/10)35T16 in 5 of 6 weekends
Brian Harman (12/14)166 straight;  11 of 12
Corey Conners (6/7)144x T12 or better; T3 best
    
JJ Spaun (3/8)12T3, MC 2024, T12 2023
Zac Blair (6/6)22NEVER missed in 6 tries
Keith Mitchell (6/8)14T30 or better in four of last 5.
Eric Cole (3/3)125th-T13-T61
202520242023
Nick Taylor (-16)Grayson Murray (-17)Si Woo Kim (-18)
wins by Playoff (Echavaarria)wins by 1 (Bradley, An)wins by 1 (Buckley)
Par 70 – 7,044 ydsPar 70 – 7,044 ydsPar 70 – 7,044 yds
   
P2 Nico EchavarrriaP2 Ben An03 Chris Kirk -15
T3 JJ Spaun -15P2 Keegan BradleyT4 David Lipsky
05 Eric Cole -14T4 Russell Henley -16T7 Maverick McNealy
T6 Adam Schenk -1306 JT Poston -15T7 Nick Taylor
T6 Keegan BradleyT7 Nick Taylor -14T12 Corey Conners -12
T10 Russell Henley -12T7 Emiliano GrilloT12 Nico Echavarria
T10 Nick DunlapT10 Harris English -13T12 Austin Eckroat
T10 Harry HallT10 Taylor PendrithT12 Ben Griffin
T10 Lee HodgesT10 Andrew PutnamT12 JJ Spaun