PGA Betting Predictions
The 2013 FedEx Cup get underway Thursday from Liberty National in New Jersey. The Barclays Classic will bring together the top 125 point getters on TOUR with eyes on the big prize – the Cup and the enormous first prize that goes along with it.
2013 Barclays Classic
Location: New Jersey City, New Jersey, United States
Course: Liberty National Golf Course
Date: Aug 22-25, 2013
Total Purse: US $ 8,000,000
Winner’s Share: US $ 1,440,000 (18% of total purse)
Odds from Bovada
Defending Champion
: Nick Watney ($1,440,000)
Liberty National last hosted the Barclays Classic in 2009 when it was the most difficult par 71 played that year. The rough was ridiculous and the fairways were near impossible to hit. The smallish greens were the source of their share of criticism.
So this year fairways have been widened, the rough has been cut to a manageable level, some hole have been shortened and greens were leveled out. Yup – somebody listened to a little criticism and did something about it!
Everyone in the field this week deserves to be there – they earned it week in and week out on TOUR. Let’s take a look at some of the bigger names and who should emerge victorious on Sunday.
The Favorites:
Tiger Woods 5/1
The Barclays isn’t a Major so Tiger should have a good chance here. He failed to win a Major this year so you can bet that he will be motivated this week for a strong finish. He currently leads the TOUR in adjusted scoring and was the co-runner-up at Liberty National in 2009. Tiger has been good winning five times this year but against the better fields he has looked lost in the shuffle at times.
Adam Scott 16/1
Finished T5 at the PGA Championship after a win in the British Open and a T3 in the US Open – this guy knows how to elevate his game! You gotta love his game – his motivation comes from his chance to become Player of the Year – a distinction that he would dearly love to seize over his buddy Tiger.
The Contenders:
Henrik Stenson 20/1
You simply can’t deny his recent form – two seconds and two thirds in his last four starts. He is due. His experience in the FedEx Cup or lack thereof is the only thing standing in the Swede’s way.
Phil Mickelson 20/1
Phil is a member here and has had a terrific season, albeit a slightly inconsistent one on TOUR. He has two wins, two seconds and two thirds in 17 starts in 2013 but did have a disappointing T52 the last time the PGA visited Liberty National. Phil was due for a let-down and it started at the PGA – hard to back but I wouldn’t be shocked to see him win either!
Rory McIlroy 20/1
Rory looks poised – and we all know what that means! He finished T8 at Oak Hill and finally appears comfortable. He will likely be the most motivated guy heading into the Barclays and although I don’t like the price, I certainly like Rory to do well this week. He is 47th in greens in regulation, 22nd in adjusted scoring, T23 in the all-around and 13th in par breakers.
Dustin Johnson 28/1
Has a pretty good history in the FedEx playoffs and with the ladies as well!!!! Congrats Dustin. He is coming off a T8 at Oak Hill for his fifth top 10 this year. I just wonder where his head is at!
Matt Kuchar 28/1
His history on the FedEx Cup playoff track isn’t all that great but Matt’s all around game has really propelled him to the forefront. He enters having finished in the top 10 seven times this year with two wins and two seconds – he simply can’t be counted out anywhere, anytime. [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Jason Day 33/1
Is coming off a T8 at the PGA for his sixth top 10 of the season and his record in the FedEx playoffs has been good in the past. He finished T12 at the Barclays last time it was held here and is another player long overdue for some success this week.
Webb Simpson 33/1
Has three straight top 25s including a T11 at the Wyndham last week as part of a season in which he has four top 10s and eight other top 25s. Last time the Barclays was held here Simpson briefly held the lead en route to an eighth place finish. He is playing well at the moment and can’t be overlooked.
Jason Dufner 33/1
Has to be mentioned but I fully expect a PGA Championship hangover.
Hunter Mahan 33/1
Enters having four top 10s and eight other top 25s this year already and had a T20 the last time this event was held at Liberty National. His game had been on a serious uptick before fatherhood. With the adjustment period dwindling down, I like him to get back into form this week.
Keegan Bradley 40/1
Has top 20s in each of his last three starts – the best being a T2 at the Bridgestone. He has done well in the FedEx in the past and finds a way to peak at this point of the season.
The Sleepers (50/1 or higher):
Jim Furyk 50/1
Watch out for Furyk! He finished T9 at the Canadian Open and the Bridgestone and went on to a second at the PGA Championship. He has been as solid a player as there is on TOUR the last month and will certainly be motivated to avenge his PGA heartbreak. He finished T15 the last time the Barclays was held here in 2009.
Bill Haas 66/1
Has nine top 10s this year – best on TOUR and has another five top 25s. He has finished inside the top 25 the last two weeks and is consistent as any player on TOUR right now. He is 10th in greens in regulation on TOUR, 17th in adjusted scoring and T1 in par-4 scoring and he finished T24 at Liberty National in 2009.
Ernie Els 66/1
Finished T2 the last time this tournament was played at Liberty National but his form is questionably. He missed the cut at the PGA and was T20 last week in the Wyndham.
Robert Garrigus 125/1
Super Sleeper has top 25s in his last two starts – a T25 at Oak Hill and T11 at Sedgefield. His putter has been a difference maker – he ranks fifth on TOUR in that regard. His present form is good – his 125/1 price s even better!
The Pick:
My pick this week is Jason Day at 33/1. His has had a knack of raising his game on the biggest stages this year and deserves a better fate than he’s had. Karma catches up to Day this week.
My sleeper is Bill Haas at 66/1. He has been very good in FedEx Cup Championship play and has remained consistent throughout the year. The price is right to take a gamble on Haas.
2013 Barclay’s Odds
Tiger Woods 5-1
Adam Scott 15-1
Rory McIlroy 15-1
Phil Mickelson 15-1
Henrik Stenson 20-1
Justin Rose 25-1
Dustin Johnson 25-1
Jason Day 25-1
Jason Dufner 25-1
Matt Kuchar 25-1
Brandt Snedeker 25-1
Lee Westwood 30-1
Hunter Mahan 30-1
Keegan Bradley 30-1
Webb Simpson 30-1
Jim Furyk 40-1
Bill Haas 40-1
Charl Schwartzel 40-1
Sergio Garcia 50-1
FIELD (all others) 5-1
