The return of the PGA Tour after a three-month hiatus brings a major-like feel to it. The best players in the game are aching to get on the course and we’ll see a number of them competing in the Charles Schwab Challenge. It’ll be interesting to see what effect the shutdown had since few golfers played competitively since THE PLAYERS Championship was shut down after a round, and that also makes it difficult to handicap matchups. We do know that Rory McIlroy is the best player on the planet. He also got some swings in the charity event last month. Not surprisingly Rory is the favorite to win the event, which opens Thursday at famed Colonial Country Club. He’s also featured in a number of tournament matchups. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of matchup betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Charles Schwab Challenge Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
Joel Dahmen -108 vs. Kevin Kisner -122
Jason Day -128 vs. Louis Oosthuizen -102
Kevin Na +104 vs. Viktor Hovland -134
Gary Woodland -135 vs. Scottie Scheffler +105
Patrick Reed -113 vs. Rickie Fowler -117
Tony Finau -133 vs. Marc Leishman +103
Sung-Jae Im +115 vs. Xander Schauffele -145
Dustin Johnson -120 vs. Sung-Jae Im -110
Dustin Johnson -102 vs. Xander Schauffele -128
Bryson Dechambeau -154 vs. Brooks Koepka +123
Webb Simpson -132 vs. Brooks Koepka +102
Rory McIlroy -122 vs. Jon Rahm -108
Rory McIlroy -158 vs. Justin Thomas +126
Jon Rahm -150 vs. Justin Thomas +120
Jon Rahm -164 vs. Bryson Dechambeau +131
Justin Thomas -135 vs. Bryson Dechambeau +105
Justin Thomas -146 vs. Webb Simpson +116
Bryson Dechambeau -130 vs. Webb Simpson +100
Bryson Dechambeau -132 vs. Dustin Johnson +102
Webb Simpson -130 vs. Dustin Johnson +100
Brooks Koepka -109 vs. Patrick Reed -121
Sungjae Im -111 vs. Rickie Fowler -119
Xander Schauffele -173 vs. Marc Leishman +137
Scottie Scheffler +116 vs. Tony Finau -146
Justin Rose -160 vs. Jordan Spieth +127
Collin Morikawa -202 vs. Kevin Na +159
Gary Woodland -127 vs. Viktor Hovland -103
Need to Know
Colonial Country Club has hosted this event since 1946 while remaining relatively unchanged, so there won’t be many surprises. The course plays at 7,209 yards and has always been a par-70, making it average in terms of length when compared to other layouts on Tour. It’s a stock course that’s perfect for reentry for most golfers. Of course, some will have to chisel off the rust from a three-month layoff. The players competing in charity events last month would seem to have an advantage having played in the unusual surroundings. The par-4 fifth has been the most difficult hole in every playing since 2005 and is part of what’s called the “Horrible Horseshoe.” Scoring has cooperated over the years and with near perfect conditions expected should be better than last year.
Charles Schwab Challenge Matchup Picks
Kevin Na +104 vs. Viktor Hovland
The field is much stronger than what Na faced last year on his way to victory at Colonial, but he’s got the game to master the layout regardless of who’s on it. Na has a strong short game perfect for this track and he’s recorded a number of low-60s in his past appearances. Na appears to be getting better with age and should have a nice tournament on one of his favorite courses.
Rory McIlroy -122 vs. Jon Rahm
The top two golfers in the world in a head-to-head matchup in the first tournament in three months is a treat. Under normal circumstances McIlroy wouldn’t be here, but these are not normal times. It’s Rory’s first appearance at Colonial, though he’s enters with seven straight top-5s before the shutdown. Another plus for McIlroy is that he played last month in a charity event getting the feel for what is now the new normal on Tour.
Sung-Jae Im +115 vs. Xander Schauffele
Im has proven himself on Tour over the last two years and was one of the hottest players pre-shutdown. What concerns me most is that he likes to play a lot of golf and the break could be more disruptive for him than anyone else. It’s hard to argue with his numbers, though. He broke through with his first Tour victory just before the hiatus and will be looking to make up for a MC here last year.
Scottie Scheffler +105 vs. Gary Woodland
Any little bit helps that’s why I’m looking at Scheffler in this matchup. He’s at plus odds, which helps the bankroll, and he’s played a number of rounds on the mini-tours during the shutdown to stay sharp. Putting has been a problem and that needs to be cleared up this weekend, but average days with the flat stick will complement his ball-striking and approach.
Jordan Spieth +127 vs. Justin Rose
If Spieth is going to emerge from his slump the chance is now. The break gave him time to clear his head and Colonial is a track that’s treated him well in the past. He won here in 2016, has two runner-up showings and an additional two top-10s in seven starts. This might be a risky play, but the numbers back up Spieth.
Golf Betting Lines
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