The FedExCup Playoffs get underway this week in Jersey City with The Northern Trust hosting the top 125 players in the points standings. A change to the 2019 schedule has just three playoff events instead of four, and The Northern Trust is the only one with a cut so you can expect to see some competitive action. Only the top 70 players are eligible to compete next week and that means 55 players will see their quest for the end-of-season bonus money come to an end at The Northern Trust. Brooks Koepka leads the FedExCup standings and is the betting favorite at top online golf sportsbooks.
The Northern Trust Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
Rory Sabbatini -110 vs. Marc Leishman -120
Kevin Kisner -103 vs. Matthew Wolff -127
Sergio Garcia -116 vs. Bubba Watson -111
Tyrrell Hatton +100 vs. Charles Howell III -130
Billy Horschel -116 vs. Louis Oosthuizen -114
Chez Reavie -133 vs. Joaquin Niemann +103
Patrick Reed -123 vs. Shane Lowry -108
Adam Scott -171 vs. Jordan Spieth +136
Ian Poulter -105 vs. Sungjae Im -125
Matt Kuchar -127 vs. Tony Finau -103
Xander Schauffele -117 vs. Francesco Molinari -113
Jon Rahm -128 vs. Justin Rose -102
Justin Rose -141 vs. Justin Thomas +111
Brandt Snedeker +113 vs. Gary Woodland -142
Rickie Fowler -115 vs. Tiger Woods -115
Brooks Koepka -102 vs. Dustin Johnson -128
Collin Morikawa -135 vs. Hideki Matsuyama +105
Patrick Cantlay -129 vs. Tiger Woods -101
Jason Day -119 vs. Bryson Dechambeau -111
Jon Rahm -158 vs. Justin Thomas +126
Patrick Cantlay -116 vs. Rickie Fowler -114
Brooks Koepka +115 vs. Rory McIlroy -145
Rory McIlroy -146 vs. Dustin Johnson +116
Webb Simpson -131 vs. Tommy Fleetwood +101
Need To Know
We rested up for the playoffs last week and it showed in our matchup picks. The Wyndham Championship was a strange event so it wasn’t overly surprising that only one of my five matchups came through. That mess is in the rearview and I’m ready for this week just like the field in Jersey. Liberty National Golf Club is hosting just its third PGA Tour event and the track underwent a major facelift after some negative reviews following the 2009 Barclay’s. The property was once an industrial wasteland, among other things. Now it offers the best views in sports with the New York skyline and the Statue of Liberty in full view. Manmade water hazards and strategically placed bunkers make this a difficult layout. There is the standard 36-hole cut, but if more than 78 golfers survive, they are all guaranteed to play the weekend.
The Northern Trust Matchup Picks
Billy Horschel -116 vs. Louis Oosthuizen
A former FedExCup champ, Horschel enters at No. 44 in points. Like we saw last year, though, he can make a run in the playoffs and he’s coming off a T6 at the Wyndham with his scores improving by a shot in each round. Entering the playoffs last year at No. 41 and with similar form, he climbed to fifth in the standings. He’s a longshot to win the tournament but I like him in this matchup against an inconsistent partner.
Brooks Koepka -102 vs. Dustin Johnson
Koepka is the best player in the world right now, so is it wise to bet against him? I say no, that’s why I’m laying down on Koepka in an intriguing matchup. He’s the points leader heading into the playoffs and we all know about his success on the major stage. This isn’t a major championship, but it sure feels like it with the talent assembled. Any concerns about his non-major struggles were laid to rest with a win at the WGC last month, his third victory of the season. He’s also in the driver’s seat to get a head start on the field at the Tour Championship, which should be enough to keep the juices flowing.
Tiger Woods -115 vs. Rickie Fowler
I’ve stayed away from Tiger at his last few events, but this one has a different feel. We haven’t seen much of the Big Cat this season and his play has been sporadic since winning The Masters. But he’s still Tiger and you can’t overlook him in big tournaments. This will be just his fifth start since April, so fatigue isn’t an issue. And he has a history on this track with runner-up finishes in 2009 and 2013. Oh, he also needs to rack up some points to have a chance at defending his Tour Championship title.
Justin Rose -102 vs. Jon Rahm
It’s been a quiet season for Rose, at least by his standards, and he’s getting overlooked with guys like Koepka and Rory McIlroy having impressive seasons. The former world No. 1 and the defending FedExCup champion, Rose has embodied consistency on Tour. His only win came early in the year, but he’s finished among the top-25 nine times in 14 starts with four of those in the top-three. Rose finished T2 at Liberty National in 2013 and he’s in position to make a move up the standings.
Gary Woodland -142 vs. Brandt Snedeker
Here I am going with all the favorites on the matchups, and why not after the dogs let me down last week. It’s a tough tournament and the cream typically rises to the top, which I’m counting on. I’m also banking on Woodland getting over the hangover from his maiden major victory two months ago. He missed two cuts in three starts since, but the stakes are higher now. Fifth in the points standings, Woodland can pressure the fellas ahead of him and sniff the green that’s at his fingertips.
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