There’s no need to worry for those who didn’t get an invitation to the WGC. That’s because the PGA Tour is holding an alternate field tournament this week. The Barracuda Championship returns to Tahoe Mountain Club for the second straight playing with the full-field consisting of young players looking to make their mark and veterans trying to stockpile valuable FedEx Cup points. As a reminder since this is the only event on Tour that uses the Modified Stableford scoring system so a plus score is good. Points are awarded for how players perform on each hole. The field lacks big names but it won’t be short of matchup wagering options. BookMaker.eu has a complete updated list of matchup odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Barracuda Championship Matchup Odds
Emiliano Grillo +106 vs. Maverick McNealy -127
Emiliano Grillo -115 vs. Branden Grace -105
Emiliano Grillo -114 vs. Mito Pereira -106
Maverick McNealy -122 vs. Branden Grace +102
Maverick McNealy -127 vs. Mito Pereira +106
Branden Grace -110 vs. Mito Pereira -110
Troy Merritt +107 vs. Gary Woodland -128
Troy Merritt -114 vs. Brandt Snedeker -106
Gary Woodland -128 vs. Brandt Snedeker +107
Ryan Moore +120 vs. Thomas Pieters -144
Ryan Moore +103 vs. Patrick Rodgers -123
Thomas Pieters -128 vs. Patrick Rodgers +107
Harold Varner III -157 vs. Adam Hadwin +130
Harold Varner III -116 vs. Chez Reavie -104
Adam Hadwin +114 vs. Chez Reavie -137
Aaron Wise -165 vs. Brian Stuard +137
Taylor Pendrith -133 vs. Adam Schenk +111
Ryan Armour -105 vs. Mark Hubbard -115
Scott Stallings -160 vs. Beau Hossler +133
Joel Dahmen -145 vs. Bo Hoag +121
Kyle Stanley -120 vs. Pat Perez +100
Richy Werenski -105 vs. Brandon Hagy -115
Brice Garnett -117 vs. Nick Taylor -103
Doc Redman +103 vs. Erik Van Rooyen -123
Matt Kuchar -117 vs. Tom Lewis -103
Sam Ryder +114 vs. Roger Sloan -137
Brendan Steele -114 vs. Michael Thompson -106
Lee Hodges -102 vs. Joseph Bramlett -118
Russell Knox -140 vs. Stephan Jaeger +117
Kevin Tway +121 vs. Wyndham Clark -145
Vincent Whaley -120 vs. Vaughn Taylor +100
Cameron Percy -148 vs. Austin Eckroat +123
Greyson Sigg -117 vs. Sahith Theegala -103
Scott Piercy +121 vs. Tom Hoge -145
Need to Know
After two decades being played in nearby Reno, the Barracuda relocated last year to the Tahoe Mountain Club. Not far from the previous course there is one familiar theme between the two layouts. Both are at high elevation allowing golf balls to fly through the atmosphere. The Old Greenwood Course at TMC stretches to over 7,400 yards, but it really doesn’t matter since elevation zero-factors most tee shots. And those familiar with the course say it’s perfect for the Stableford scoring system. The Jack Nicklaus design has three par 5s and as many as three reachable par 4s. Those are important with eagles worth five points and birdies worth two points. Remember, players want to be on the plus side this week. The scoring allows and almost requires players to be more aggressive, creating a fun and interesting tournament.
Barracuda Championship Matchup Picks
Troy Merritt +107 vs. Gary Woodland
Merritt fancies either the course or the scoring system, or maybe it’s both. He hasn’t done much elsewhere but seems to find a groove in this tournament and it doesn’t matter where it’s being played. Two years ago at Montreux Golf and Country Club in Reno, Merritt had the 54-hole lead only to fall to Collin Morikawa. At TMC last year he again finished as runner-up losing to Richy Werenski by one point. Maybe he gets it right the third time around.
Branden Grace -105 vs. Emiliano Grillo
If Merritt has unfinished business in this event then so does Grace, who had to withdraw due to COVID last year while holding the lead at the midway point. Though he missed the cut in The Open, recent form has been solid making me jump at backing him. In two starts before Royal St. George’s Grace was T7 in the U.S. Open and solo fourth in the Memorial. Grace also toppled the field at the alternate Puerto Rico Open back in February making him a standout in these events.
Richy Werenski -105 vs. Brandon Hagy
Is it too cliché to back the defending champ? Well, if anyone has fond memories of the first Barracuda at Tahoe Mountain it’s Werenski, who won by a single point in dramatic fashion last year for his first and so far only Tour victory. That has to mean something and his confidence level is high approaching this week.
Chez Reavie -137 vs. Adam Hadwin
Being a first-timer in Tahoe shouldn’t be a drawback since it’s only the second time the tournament has been held here. And looking at the advanced metrics Reavie should do well if he performs like he can. Plus, he seems to be in a much better spot with his game since coming out of a funk with a T14 at Congaree. Including that event he’s 6 for 7 with four top-25s, including a T11 most recently in the 3M Open.
Ryan Moore +103 vs. Patrick Rodgers
There are a few players chasing FedEx Cup points with Moore being one of them. The playoffs are within reach thanks to a runner-up finish in the John Deere Classic last month and he’s running out of time. This is a good spot for him to make a charge and the motivation of playing later this month should be all the inspiration he needs. That and plus-odds make me a backer in this matchup.
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