Ariya Jutanugarn wins LPGA Tour playoff at Kingsmill

Byeong Hun An (+400 for a Top 20) … For some, it probably doesn’t feel like it was all that long ago that they teed it up at Congaree; for him, it probably feels like it’s been a minute. In the PGA TOUR season in between editions, he forged forward on the Korn Ferry Tour and promptly regained status in the big leagues just in time for this second appearance in the Lowcountry (T52). Opened this season with a reminder of his talent in the form of a T4 at Silverado, so he’s back with some momentum piggybacking the purpose. He’s also representing his homeland in the only TOUR stop positioning South Koreans in the spotlight, so the 31-year-old also is buoyed by national pride this week. J.J. Spaun (+350 for a Top 20) … Breakthrough winner in San Antonio just six-and-a-half months ago, it’s basically an insult to drop him in here, but value is value. He scuffled for a while after the coronation at the Valero Texas Open but has since reconnected with the kind of form that yielded the career-defining experience. In his last seven starts, he’s cashed six times, four of which for a top 25, including in each of the last two times out. While he missed the cut at Congaree in 2021, the experience was invaluable for him to get an edge on where to miss and from where to make. Luke List (+275 for a Top 20) … Another first-time winner from earlier this year, when considering the champion of the Farmers Insurance Open for any outcome, it’s best to lean all the way into one direction or the other. Since he relies as much on power and precision from tee to green as anyone, the hope is for no worse than a push with the putter. In a week like this, when only 19 in the field competed at Congaree in 2021, including him (MC), understanding the nuance and undulations of the greens requires time for course debutants. That increases the value of his skill set. The exercise isn’t unlike how it was at Narashino last week, albeit on a much shorter track. Naturally, he led the field in measured drives (ShotLink wasn’t utilized) and ranked T12 in greens hit, but he finished second-to-last in putts per GIR. A final-round 72 bumped him 12 spots on the leaderboard to a T29, his best finish in eight starts. Keith Mitchell … His active narrative can be traced all the way back to about a month before the PGA TOUR first swung through town. It was at the Wells Fargo Championship in May of 2021 when he eliminated pressure of qualifying for the Playoffs and keeping his card. Although he’d missed the cut at the Palmetto Championship at Congaree, he’s gone on record 11 top-15 finishes on the shoulders of a strong, balanced bag. He’s missed only three cuts in individual competition in the last 12 months and only one (Open Championship) in his last 11 starts. Alex Smalley … Among the throng of those who call the Carolinas home, the resident of Greensboro, North Carolina, and Duke University product has emerged quietly and comfortably as a touring professional on the biggest stage. He advanced to the second leg of the FedExCup Playoffs as a rookie last season and has opened 2022-23 with a pair of paydays in three starts, including a T25 last week in Japan. Already proven to improve closer to the hole, so he shouldn’t be playing from behind off the tee at forgiving Congaree. Odds were sourced on Tuesday, Oct. 18, 2022. For live odds, visit BetMGM. Responsible sports betting starts with a game plan. Set a budget. Keep it social. Play with friends. Learn the game and know the odds. Play with trusted, licensed operators. CLICK HERE to learn more at HaveAGamePlan.org.

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Collin Morikawa grew up 30 miles from The Riviera Country Club but had no interest in visiting one of the most pristine courses in the country. Now, the 25-year-old five-time PGA TOUR winner can’t get enough of it. And BetMGM bettors can’t get enough of Morikawa this week at The Genesis Invitational. “It was never my interest when I was a kid to go and watch golf. That was just never my thing. I went a couple times to Sherwood, but other than that I never came here,” Morikawa said prior to last year’s tournament. “I loved playing Riv in the U.S. Am [in 2017], I liked it, but last year I actually fell in love and I know why my caddie [J.J. Jakovac] loves this golf course. I keep falling in love with it and it just makes it a little more special being in L.A.,” he added. Morikawa’s love for the 96-year-old course isn’t reciprocated, however; he lost in the Round of 16 at the 2017 U.S. Amateur and has finishes of 26th and 43rd in two appearances at The Genesis Invitational. Half of his Genesis rounds ended with a 73, including the final round in 2020 after going 67-68 on Friday and Saturday to sit in 17th place, just five strokes behind the leaders. Despite the relative lack of success and experience the public is pounding Morikawa at the BetMGM sportsbook. His eight PGA TOUR rounds at Riviera are tied for 69th-most in this year’s field and he hasn’t played in five weeks, which was a fifth-place finish in the Sentry Tournament of Champions. As of Tuesday, Feb. 15, 11.8% of the tournament’s total handle (on a field-leading 8.5% of tickets) is on Morikawa (+2000) to win his first event since the 2021 Open Championship. Handle: Collin Morikawa – 11.8% Dustin Johnson – 8.5% Will Zalatoris – 7.6% Jon Rahm – 7.1% Justin Thomas – 6.1% Patrick Cantlay – 6.1% Tickets: Collin Morikawa – 8.5% Will Zalatoris – 5.9% Dustin Johnson – 5.4% Patrick Cantlay – 5.4% Justin Thomas – 5.3% Despite the heavy action – and position as BetMGM’s biggest liability – Morikawa’s odds haven’t moved, nor have the odds for defending champion Max Homa (+4000). Elsewhere, it’s been an unusually active market. Since the Genesis Invitational odds opened on Sunday night, the odds for more than 20 golfers have moved, including Cantlay (+1200 to +1100), Johnson (+1800 to +1600) and Rory McIlroy (+1800 to +2000). You can view updated golf odds for The Genesis Invitational winner, top American finisher, wire-to-wire winner, and more at the online sportsbook. * Visit BetMGM.com for terms and conditions. 21+ years of age or older to wager. BetMGM available in AZ, CO, DC, IA, IN, LA, MI, MS, NJ, NV, NY, PA, TN, VA, WV, or WY only. All promotions are subject to qualification and eligibility requirements. Paid in free bets. Free bets expire in 7 days from issuance. Minimum deposit required. Excludes Michigan Disassociated Persons. Please Gamble Responsibly. Gambling problem? Call 1-800-NEXT-STEP (AZ), 1-800-522-4700 (CO, DC, LA, NV, WY, VA), 1-800-270-7117 for confidential help (MI), 1-800-GAMBLER (IN, NJ, PA & WV), 1-800-BETS OFF (IA) or call (877-8-HOPENY) or text HOPENY (467369) (NY), call or text the Tennessee REDLINE: 800-889-9789 (TN) or call 1-888-777-9696 (MS). Sports betting is void where prohibited. Promotional offers not available in Nevada.

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Below are the biggest movers up the FedExCup ranks following The Greenbrier Classic. MORE: Latest FedExCup standings

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