With only 70 players invited to the WGC this week in Memphis there is a need for another tournament. Voila, the Barracuda Championship fills the void as an alternate field event. That also means a less than sparkling field will assemble at the Tahoe Mountain Club. This is the only PGA Tour stop featuring the Modified Stableford scoring system, which credits points based on how players perform at each hole. For example, an eagle is worth five points, a birdie is worth two points and no points are awarded for par. Points are deducted for plus-strokes on a hole. Branden Grace and Olympian Mito Pereira opened as the betting favorites, but it’s really anyone’s game. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of updated betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Odds to Win Barracuda Championship
Branden Grace +1600
Mito Pereira +1600
Emiliano Grillo +1800
Maverick McNealy +1800
Troy Merritt +2200
Aaron Wise +2500
Patrick Rodgers +2500
Thomas Pieters +2800
Gary Woodland +3000
Brandt Snedeker +3000
Ryan Moore +3000
Taylor Pendrith +3000
Adam Hadwin +3000
Adam Schenk +4000
Brian Stuard +4000
Chez Reavie +4000
Harold Varner III +4000
Mark Hubbard +4000
Ryan Armour +4000
Beau Hossler +5000
Bo Hoag +5000
Doc Redman +5000
Joel Dahmen +5000
Kyle Stanley +5000
Nick Taylor +5000
Pat Perez +5000
Richy Werenski +5000
Scott Stallings +5000
Lee Hodges +6000
Sam Ryder +6000
Brandon Hagy +6000
Brice Garnett +6000
Stephan Jaeger +6000
Tom Lewis +6000
Brendan Steele +7000
Davis Riley +7000
Erik van Rooyen +7000
Greyson Sigg +7000
Matt Kuchar +7000
Michael Thompson +7000
Odds Analysis
Troy Merritt +2200
Maybe the third time proves to be the charm for Merritt, who finished as runner-up in each of the two previous editions. He held the 54-hole lead in 2019 only to finish behind Collin Morikawa. He was in contention last year but failed to convert on any of his final 10 birdie opportunities to lose by a single point. He continues to be a threat in events with a similar field most recently grabbing a T2 in the Rocket Mortgage Classic last month.
Doc Redman +5000
Redman has scored particularly well on par 3s and par 4s this season, and that’s something that will help in the scoring system. He’s also performed well in similar events placing among the top-5 in the Safeway Open, Bermuda Championship and Palmetto Classic. I was a little surprised to see his price this high and jumped on the chance to back him despite missing the cut in his last two starts. The past five winners were all first-timers so why not make it six in a row.
Erik van Rooyen +7000
The South African has enjoyed some success during his career with three international titles, including his maiden European Tour victory in 2019 in the Scandinavian Invitation. Playing exclusively on the PGA Tour this year has been challenging, but when van Rooyen is on he has to be considered. He’s made the cut just four times in his last 10 starts finishing inside the top-17 three times, but he’s another player who could benefit from the watered down field and I’m willing to take that risk.
Richy Werenski +5000
His only Tour win came in this event last year in dramatic fashion so why not dip your toes in that well again? It could be a stretch since his game has been erratic at best leading up to this week, but if anyone has fond memories of the Tahoe Mountain Club its Werenski. And it’s not like he’s been completely off the charts this season grabbing a couple of top-10s among his six top-25s. Outside of the 3M Open last time out he hasn’t played poorly, just not good enough to make the cut or place higher on the leaderboard. I’ll drop some change on him to rekindle the magic from last year.
Gary Woodland +3000
One of the few major winners in the field, Woodland is looking to make it back to the winner’s circle for the first time since claiming the 2019 U.S. Open. He was in contention last time out at the 3M Open until a closing 72 dropped him to T11, his best showing since a top-5 three months ago in the Wells Fargo Championship. Last year we saw Werenski claim the title after a T3 at the 3M so maybe it’s Woodland’s turn.
Course: Tahoe Mountain Club – 7,425 yards, Par 71
After 21 years at the Montreux Golf and Country Club in Reno, the Barracuda moved to its new digs for last year’s playing. One thing that hasn’t changed is the elevation. Situated in the Sierra Nevada Mountains, the Old Greenwood Course at the Tahoe Mountain Club plays at 7,425 yards and par 71. But that’s irrelevant since the altitude allows balls to fly. A number of short par 4s are perfect for the Modified Stableford giving players a chance to collect points and make up ground. Conversely, the par 3s can be nasty with tricky, rolling greens. And a reminder that players want to be on the plus side in this system.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel
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