A smaller field than normal professional golf tournaments means fewer waging opportunities, but it’s a much stronger field overall and just a few months ago we didn’t even have the option to wager on the new Saudi-backed golf league. The second tournament of the scheduled eight to be played this season and first of five straight in the U.S. takes place in the Pacific Northwest with the LIV Golf Invitational Portland from the Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club just outside the city. The field has only 48 players, but no cut and only 54 holes makes for a quick finish in matchup betting. And the field is much stronger with former major champions Brooks Koepka, Bryson DeChambeau and Patrick Reed joining the lineup. And guess what? All three are included in the matchup odds posted at BookMaker.eu. The first event in London last month was a success, especially for Charl Schwartzel, who took home the $4 million first place prize with a one-shot victory over fellow South African Hennie Du Plessis. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of matchup betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
LIV Golf Invitational Portland Matchup Odds
Brooks Koepka -130 vs. Bryson Dechambeau +100
Bernd Wiesberger -150 vs. Justin Harding +120
Hennie du Plessis -105 vs. Adrian Otaegui -125
Abraham Ancer -116 vs. Talor Gooch -114
Dustin Johnson -145 vs. Louis Oosthuizen +115
Patrick Reed -130 vs. Kevin Na +100
Sam Horsfield +105 vs. Branden Grace -135
Charl Schwartzel -105 vs. Ian Poulter -125
Sergio Garcia -180 vs. Pat Perez +143
Matt Jones -139 vs. Carlos Ortiz +109
Need to Know
There are a few differences between LIV Golf Series events and other professional tournaments worth noting from a betting standpoint. First, only 54 holes are played meaning no Sunday drama on the 72nd hole. There needs to be a sense of urgency from most players and it’s something that will take some getting used to since most have played the traditional style throughout their careers. But it is something that a majority of players like, that and the hefty payouts. Also, with the field capped at 48 players there is no cut line, which certainly helps bettors when making pre-tournament wagers. Playing host this week is Pumpkin Ridge Golf Club located just outside Portland at the base of the Cascade Mountains. Two championship courses line the property with both being used this week. The setup is scheduled to use 12 holes from the 6,839 Ghost Creek course and six on the longer Witch Hollow layout. Pumpkin Ridge hosted notable amateur events in the past and was a stop on the LPGA Tour and Korn Ferry Tour. There is a good chance we see low scores on a course with few obstacles and calm conditions.
LIV Golf Invitational Portland Matchup Picks
Abraham Ancer -116 vs. Talor Gooch
Playing only three rounds would have helped Ancer in his last start on the PGA Tour. He was hovering around the top of the leaderboard before a closing 77 dropped him well off the pace at the Memorial. It’s been hit or miss for Ancer for a while now with five MCs this season. But when he’s on he’s pretty good. He performed well at the PGA Championship earning his second top-10 in a major and he’s one player with a history at Pumpkin Ridge posting a runner-up in 2017 when the Korn Ferry Tour visited.
Charl Schwartzel -105 vs. Ian Poulter
Schwartzel was a nice 30/1 longshot in the debut LIV event surviving a closing 72 to win by one swing. He was able to build a big enough lead over the first 36 holes going 65-66 showing the consistency needed to win in a shortened tournament. This is kind of a risky bet since Schwartzel won more money in three days in London than he probably did all season in other professional league’s and it would be fine for him to let out a heavy sigh and relax. But getting a taste of that only makes competitors want more, and Schwartzel is in a groove.
Justin Harding +120 vs. Bernd Wiesberger
Since the South African contingent had such a good run in London why not stick with it? He didn’t finish in the top three in London rather taking a share of 10th and Harding looks to build off that momentum. He had good results on the European Tour and his game seems like a good fit at Pumpkin Ridge where accuracy off the tee and strong putting are rewarded. And since I’m always looking for value picks, Harding certainly has that going for him at his current price.
Kevin Na +100 vs. Patrick Reed
If I was disappointed in Na’s performance in London imagine how he felt. A solid performer on the PGA Tour with a top-20 at the Masters in April and a T23 at the PGA Championship before finishing seventh at the Charles Schwab, Na stumbled badly finishing 10-over in London. His accuracy off the tee should set him up for scoring chances on a relatively short combined layout, now all he has to do is take advantage of those chances. And I think Na is too good not to.
Louis Oosthuizen +115 vs. Dustin Johnson
I wasn’t impressed with Johnson in the first LIV event and he wasn’t at the top of his game before making the move so fading him makes sense. He finished six shots off the pace in London in his first start since a MC at the PGA Championship. Oosthuizen has his own struggles, but I still can’t forget the run he had in majors last year with a pair of seconds and a third. He was hampered by injury earlier this year but showed signs of regaining his form with a T8 in the BWM International Open. I have no issues dropping a few bucks on Oosthuizen at his current price.
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