Officialsportsbetting.com Golf Betting Players react to Bryson DeChambeau’s new look: ‘It was nuts’

Players react to Bryson DeChambeau’s new look: ‘It was nuts’

HILTON HEAD, S.C. – Webb Simpson’s reaction was just like the rest of ours. He was stunned when he saw Bryson DeChambeau 2.0 at the Charles Schwab Challenge. “I put my hands on his shoulders last week, just because he looks like a different person,â€� Simpson said. RELATED: Analyzing bulked-up Bryson’s big drives DeChambeau came off the COVID-19 break about 40 pounds heavier. But he certainly wasn’t sitting on the sofa eating junk food during the hiatus. He was working out, downing five protein shakes a day and transforming his body into one that would make an NFL linebacker proud. Thank goodness Puma had some extra XL shirts on hand. At Colonial Country Club, DeChambeau averaged 340.4 yards off the tee and tied for third, missing a putt on the 18th that would have put him in a playoff. He now leads the PGA TOUR in driving distance at 323.8 – which leaves him on pace to snap the highest single-season total in history. “It’s really impressive to be able to change your body that fast and put on that — you know, that much weight and still not have it affect your game in a negative way,â€� Simpson said. “… I mean, he was tearing apart Colonial in terms of distance and still hitting it really straight. “So, a lot of props to Bryson for being able to do that and letting his body handle it.â€� Not everyone sees the weight gain – DeChambeau expects to settle in at 230 pounds now that the TOUR has resumed play – and power surge as sustainable, though. He says his spin rate is now in the 4,000 range, and the man they call the Mad Scientist has had to deloft all his irons. World No. 1 Rory McIlroy saw the transformation up close and personal when he played with DeChambeau on Sunday. The SMU grad hit several drives that afternoon that left the Northern Irishman and his caddie stunned – like the one into the wind on the 11th hole that flew McIlroy’s own lengthy poke by an estimated 40 yards. “It was nuts. It’s unbelievable,â€� he said. “I mean, it’s impressive what he’s doing. There’s going to be courses where it works, and there’s going to be courses where it won’t. I can’t see him hitting that many drivers this week, for example.â€� Whatever happens at Harbour Town, the tight Pete Dye layout, during the RBC Heritage, don’t expect McIlroy to start the same kind of fitness regimen. He says he feels more supple and has more speed when he is lighter. As for DeChambeau, well, more power to him. “Look, it’s impressive,â€� McIlroy said. “He’s big. He’s sort of gone down a path, and he’s …. got a conviction, and he’s following it. That’s what he’s done. He’s always thought outside the box and thought a little differently to most people. “He’s really put his mind at wanting to get longer, and he’s definitely done that.â€� Rickie Fowler appears to be of the same mindset. He spent the first month of the three-month break working out six days a week. During those sessions, he often used a weight vest that clocks in at 45 or 50 pounds – and he says he wouldn’t want to carry that much extra weight around all day long. “Just walking a golf course with that extra weight, let alone doing some workout at the house, that’s enough for 45 minutes to an hour,â€� Fowler said. “It’s been really impressive to see what he’s done over, say, the last year or so with his transformation and obviously some serious gain in speed and power. “But it will be interesting to see kind of … where the peak is. Where does it become almost counterproductive as far as like too much speed, where dispersion becomes too great?â€� Simpson joked that he’d probably put on 75 pounds if it meant he could add 20 mph in ball speed. He has tried to get stronger in recent years and has seen some more modest gains. “But our games are different,â€� Simpson said. “I have to rely on shot making, distance control, more than Bryson. He was already long before he did all this. I’ve never really been long. “So, I’ve got to go about it, I think, in a more methodical way than he’s doing. Yeah, it definitely makes me think it’s possible. We’ll see. He thinks he can get stronger. So, time will tell.â€� Jim Furyk, the two-time RBC Heritage champ who recently turned 50, also plays a game predicated on accuracy rather than length. But that doesn’t mean he’s not intrigued by the game’s power players like the beefed-up DeChambeau. “I think what he’s doing is really interesting, to be honest with you,â€� Furyk says. “… I only saw him hit one shot on TV last week. It was, I think, on the second day off the first tee. I think his ball speed was 185. The player that hit right in front of him was Dustin Johnson, and his ball speed was 177. “So, for me, that was kind of an eye-raiser. Dustin is pretty big, pretty strong, athletic, hits it pretty far. If you’re gaining 8 miles an hour on Dustin Johnson, that’s moving it. “It’s interesting. I think we’re in an era right now with golf, the way it’s played, the way our golf courses are set up, it’s quite an advantage to be able to hit the ball far like that. I can see why so many guys are kind of chasing distance, using technology, using launch monitors for launch and spin for equipment to gain distance. “It’s definitely affecting the game.â€�

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3rd Round 2-Balls - B. Schmit / J. Scrivener
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Jason Scrivener-115
Ben Schmidt+125
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - J. Luiten / B. Robinson Thompson
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Joost Luiten-110
Brandon Robinson Thompson+120
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - D. Van Driel / T. Merritt
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Darius Van Driel+100
Troy Merritt+110
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - J. Parry / A. Wilson
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
John Parry-110
Andrew Wilson+120
Tie+750
Senior PGA Championship
Type: Winner - Status: OPEN
Richard Bland+500
YE Yang+500
Padraig Harrington+650
Stewart Cink+800
Vijay Singh+800
Cameron Percy+850
Angel Cabrera+1600
Soren Kjeldsen+1600
Thomas Bjorn+1800
Miguel Angel Jimenez+2200
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3rd Round 2-Balls - M. Penge / E. Ferguson
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Ewen Ferguson+105
Marco Penge+105
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - H. Higgs v I. Salinda
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Isaiah Salinda-140
Harry Higgs+115
Ben Griffin
Type: Ben Griffin - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish-300
Top 10 Finish-750
Top 20 Finish-2500
Matti Schmid
Type: Matti Schmid - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish-150
Top 10 Finish-350
Top 20 Finish-1000
Tommy Fleetwood
Type: Tommy Fleetwood - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+165
Top 10 Finish-150
Top 20 Finish-455
Akshay Bhatia
Type: Akshay Bhatia - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+180
Top 10 Finish-140
Top 20 Finish-400
Chris Gotterup
Type: Chris Gotterup - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+185
Top 10 Finish-125
Top 20 Finish-350
J J Spaun
Type: J J Spaun - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+225
Top 10 Finish-110
Top 20 Finish-330
Ryo Hisatsune
Type: Ryo Hisatsune - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+230
Top 10 Finish-105
Top 20 Finish-300
3rd Round 2-Balls - J. Spieth v L. Glover
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Jordan Spieth-130
Lucas Glover+110
3rd Round Match-Ups - H. English vs J. Spieth
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Harris English-120
Jordan Spieth+100
John Pak
Type: John Pak - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+250
Top 10 Finish+105
Top 20 Finish-275
Scottie Scheffler
Type: Scottie Scheffler - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+320
Top 10 Finish+125
Top 20 Finish-250
J.T. Poston
Type: J.T. Poston - Status: OPEN
Top 5 Finish+335
Top 10 Finish+135
Top 20 Finish-225
3rd Round 3-Balls - M. Meissner / B. Harman / L. List
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Brian Harman+110
Mac Meissner+185
Luke List+275
Riviera Maya Open
Type: Winner - Status: OPEN
Hye Jin Choi+375
Miranda Wang+850
Jenny Bae+900
Jenny Shin+1200
Carlota Ciganda+1400
Chisato Iwai+1400
Gabriela Ruffels+1400
Jing Yan+2200
Jeongeun Lee5+2500
Yahui Zhang+2500
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3rd Round 3-Balls - H. Springer / W. Chandler / S. Stevens
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Sam Stevens+115
Hayden Springer+180
Will Chandler+275
3rd Round 3-Balls - S. Power / D. Wu / R. Hoey
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Rico Hoey+150
Seamus Power+160
Dylan Wu+230
3rd Round 3-Balls - N. Echavarria / K. Mitchell / T. Moore
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Keith Mitchell+135
Taylor Moore+190
Nico Echavarria+210
3rd Round Match-Ups - K. Mitchell vs R. MacIntyre
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Keith Mitchell-120
Robert MacIntyre+100
3rd Round 3-Balls - F. Capan / M. Kim / A. Eckroat
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Michael Kim+125
Austin Eckroat+160
Frankie Capan III+280
3rd Round 3-Balls - E. Van Rooyen / C. Villegas / K. Roy
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Erik Van Rooyen+120
Kevin Roy+150
Camilo Villegas+320
3rd Round 3-Balls - S. Ryder / J. Svensson / E. Cole
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Eric Cole+150
Jesper Svensson+175
Sam Ryder+200
3rd Round Score - Scottie Scheffler
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 67.5-120
Under 67.5-110
3rd Round 3-Balls - L. Hodges / S. Scheffler / G. Woodland
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler-190
Gary Woodland+330
Lee Hodges+375
3rd Round Match-Ups - S. Scheffler vs T. Fleetwood
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler-210
Tommy Fleetwood+175
3rd Round 3-Balls - T. Olesen / R. Gerard / B. Silverman
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Thorbjorn Olesen+145
Ryan Gerard+165
Ben Silverman+230
3rd Round 3-Balls - H. Norlander / R. Castillo / J. Paul
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Henrik Norlander+165
Ricky Castillo+165
Jeremy Paul+200
3rd Round Six Shooter - B. Griffin / H. Hall / J J Spaun / J.T. Poston / S.W. Kim / T. Fleetwood
Type: 3rd Round Six Shooter - Status: OPEN
Tommy Fleetwood+350
Ben Griffin+425
J.T. Poston+425
Si Woo Kim +425
J J Spaun+450
Harry Hall+475
3rd Round 3-Balls - C. Bezuidenhout / W. Simpson / V. Whaley
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Christiaan Bezuidenhout+145
Vince Whaley+165
Webb Simpson+230
3rd Round Score - Robert MacIntyre
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5-145
Under 69.5+110
3rd Round 3-Balls - P. Rodgers / H. Matsuyama / R. MacIntyre
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Hideki Matsuyama+125
Robert MacIntyre+175
Patrick Rodgers+250
3rd Round 3-Balls - P. Malnati / K. Ventura / S. Fisk
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Steven Fisk+125
Kris Ventura+170
Peter Malnati+260
3rd Round Score - Beau Hossler
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5-120
Under 70.5-110
3rd Round Six Shooter - A. Bhatia / B. Cauley / M. Wallace / M. Greyserman / R. Fowler / T. Kim
Type: 3rd Round Six Shooter - Status: OPEN
Akshay Bhatia+375
Bud Cauley+400
Rickie Fowler+425
Tom Kim+425
Max Greyserman+450
Matt Wallace+475
3rd Round 3-Balls - B. Hossler / H. English / T. Kim
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Harris English+115
Tom Kim+185
Beau Hossler+260
3rd Round 3-Balls - M. Kuchar / M. McGreevy / M. Greyserman
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Max Greyserman+160
Matt Kuchar+175
Max McGreevy+190
3rd Round Score - Si Woo Kim
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5+115
Under 69.5-150
3rd Round 3-Balls - V. Perez / S.W. Kim / A. Svensson
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Si Woo Kim+125
Victor Perez+200
Adam Svensson+225
3rd Round Match-Ups - D. Ghim vs V. Perez
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Doug Ghim-115
Victor Perez-105
3rd Round Match-Ups - J.T. Poston vs S.W. Kim
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Si Woo Kim-115
J.T. Poston-105
3rd Round Score - Andrew Novak
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5-120
Under 69.5-110
3rd Round Score - Matt Wallace
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5+105
Under 70.5-135
3rd Round 3-Balls - A. Potgieter / A. Novak / M. Wallace
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Andrew Novak+130
Matt Wallace+185
Aldrich Potgieter+220
3rd Round Match-Ups - A. Potgieter vs P. Coody
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Pierceson Coody-145
Aldrich Potgieter+120
3rd Round Match-Ups - A. Novak vs M. Wallace
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Andrew Novak-125
Matt Wallace+105
3rd Round 3-Balls - K. Kitayama / Pi. Coody / Q. Cummins
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Kurt Kitayama+150
Pierceson Coody+160
Quade Cummins+220
3rd Round Match-Ups - K. Kitayama vs M. Hubbard
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Kurt Kitayama-115
Mark Hubbard-105
3rd Round 3-Balls - M. Hubbard / A. Putnam / K. Vilips
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Andrew Putnam+150
Mark Hubbard+165
Karl Vilips+210
3rd Round 3-Balls - N. Hardy / J. Suber / C. Young
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Carson Young+135
Nick Hardy+185
Jackson Suber+210
3rd Round Match-Ups - C. Young vs N. Hardy
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Carson Young-140
Nick Hardy+115
3rd Round 2-Balls - D. Fichardt / F. Aguilar
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Darren Fichardt-165
Felipe Aguilar+180
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - M. Jimenez / K. Horne
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Miguel Angel Jimenez-165
Keith Horne+180
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - L. Duncan / K. Gillman
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Lindy Duncan-130
Kristen Gillman+145
Tie+750
3rd Round Score - Bud Cauley
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5-145
Under 69.5+110
3rd Round Score - Harry Hall
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5-110
Under 69.5-120
3rd Round Score - J.T. Poston
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5+105
Under 69.5-135
3rd Round 3-Balls - B. Cauley / H. Hall / J.T. Poston
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
J.T. Poston+160
Harry Hall+170
Bud Cauley+200
3rd Round Match-Ups - B. Griffin vs H. Hall
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Ben Griffin-115
Harry Hall-105
3rd Round Match-Ups - B. Cauley vs E. Grillo
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Bud Cauley-110
Emiliano Grillo-110
3rd Round 2-Balls - A. Yubol / H. Kang
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Arpichaya Yubol-165
Haeji Kang+180
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - S. Cink / B. Dredge
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Stewart Cink-195
Bradley Dredge+220
Tie+750
3rd Round Score - Emiliano Grillo
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5+125
Under 70.5-165
3rd Round Score - J.J. Spaun
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5-105
Under 69.5-125
3rd Round Score - Tommy Fleetwood
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 68.5-145
Under 68.5+110
3rd Round 3-Balls - J.J. Spaun / E. Grillo / T. Fleetwood
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Tommy Fleetwood+130
J J Spaun+185
Emiliano Grillo+220
3rd Round Match-Ups - A. Bhatia vs J J Spaun
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Akshay Bhatia-110
J J Spaun-110
3rd Round 2-Balls - C. Iwai / E. Szokol
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Chisato Iwai-150
Elizabeth Szokol+165
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - J. Leonard / R. Bland
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Richard Bland-215
Justin Leonard+240
Tie+750
3rd Round Score - Brice Garnett
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5-145
Under 70.5+110
3rd Round Score - Doug Ghim
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5+125
Under 70.5-165
3rd Round Score - Rickie Fowler
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5+125
Under 70.5-165
3rd Round Six Shooter - B. Garnett / C. Gotterup / D. Ghim / J. Pak / M. Schmid / R. Hisatsune
Type: 3rd Round Six Shooter - Status: OPEN
Ryo Hisatsune+320
Doug Ghim+350
Chris Gotterup+375
Matti Schmid+400
Brice Garnett+550
John Pak+700
3rd Round 3-Balls - D. Ghim / B. Garnett / R. Fowler
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Doug Ghim+150
Rickie Fowler+150
Brice Garnett+240
3rd Round Match-Ups - B. Garnett vs M. Schmid
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Matti Schmid-120
Brice Garnett+100
3rd Round 2-Balls - O. Cowan / B. Pagdanganan
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Olivia Cowan-120
Bianca Pagdanganan+130
Tie+750
3rd Round Score - Akshay Bhatia
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5-115
Under 69.5-115
3rd Round Score - Christopher Gotterup
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5+115
Under 70.5-150
3rd Round Score - Ryo Hisatsune
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5+125
Under 70.5-165
3rd Round 3-Balls - C. Gotterup / R. Hisatsune / A. Bhatia
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Akshay Bhatia+150
Ryo Hisatsune+180
Chris Gotterup+200
3rd Round Match-Ups - C. Gotterup vs R. Hisatsune
Type: 3rd Round Match-Ups - Status: OPEN
Ryo Hisatsune-120
Chris Gotterup+100
3rd Round 2-Balls - Y. Zhan / A. Krauter
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Yahui Zhang-140
Aline Krauter+150
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - A. Cabrera / D. Clarke
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Angel Cabrera-125
Darren Clarke+140
Tie+750
3rd Round Score - Ben Griffin
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 69.5-120
Under 69.5-110
3rd Round Score - Matti Schmid
Type: 3rd Round Score - Status: OPEN
Over 70.5-145
Under 70.5+110
3rd Round 3-Balls - B. Griffin / M. Schmid / J. Pak
Type: 3rd Round 3-Balls - Status: OPEN
Ben Griffin+105
Matti Schmid+170
John Pak+335
3rd Round 2-Balls - C. Masson / C. Ciganda
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Carlota Ciganda-165
Caroline Masson+180
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - S. Bertsch / R. Karlsson
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Robert Karlsson-110
Shane Bertsch+120
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - H.J. Choi / J. Shin
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Hye Jin Choi-160
Jenny Shin+170
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - J. Caron / P. Harrington
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Padraig Harrington-170
Jason Caron+185
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - J. Lee5 / G. Ruffels
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Gabriela Ruffels-135
Jeongeun Lee5+150
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - T. Bjorn / S. Kjeldsen
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Soren Kjeldsen-130
Thomas Bjorn+140
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - B. Do / J. Yan
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Jing Yan-145
Brianna Do+160
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - Y.E. Yang / P. Archer
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Y E Yang-200
Phillip Archer+225
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - J. Bae / M. Wang
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Miranda Wang-115
Jenny Bae+125
Tie+750
3rd Round 2-Balls - V. Singh / C. Percy
Type: 3rd Round 2-Balls - Status: OPEN
Vijay Singh+100
Cameron Percy+110
Tie+750
Major Specials 2025
Type: To Win A Major 2025 - Status: OPEN
Bryson DeChambeau+500
Jon Rahm+750
Collin Morikawa+900
Xander Schauffele+900
Ludvig Aberg+1000
Justin Thomas+1100
Joaquin Niemann+1400
Shane Lowry+1600
Tommy Fleetwood+1800
Tyrrell Hatton+1800
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US Open 2025
Type: Winner - Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+350
Rory McIlroy+600
Bryson DeChambeau+800
Jon Rahm+1200
Xander Schauffele+2000
Collin Morikawa+2200
Ludvig Aberg+2200
Justin Thomas+2800
Brooks Koepka+3000
Viktor Hovland+3000
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The Open 2025
Type: Winner - Status: OPEN
Scottie Scheffler+450
Rory McIlroy+500
Xander Schauffele+1200
Ludvig Aberg+1400
Collin Morikawa+1600
Jon Rahm+1600
Bryson DeChambeau+2000
Shane Lowry+2500
Tommy Fleetwood+2500
Tyrrell Hatton+2500
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Ryder Cup 2025
Type: Winner - Status: OPEN
USA-150
Europe+140
Tie+1200

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In his Draws and Fades for the RBC Heritage on Tuesday, Rob detailed how the champion of PGA TOUR Pick ‘Em Live for the Masters, Pault27, got the job done. It was an exercise in elegant simplicity. Make three picks – yes, only three! – and nail ‘em. Just like that, a deposit for $2,500 is processing. At the conclusion of the tournament, 10,356 entries were counted. No, not all were in by the first tee ball on a delayed opening round on Thursday, but you don’t have to be to have success. And no, it’s not easy to finish inside the top five, but it sure isn’t as hard as you think it is. Play often enough and you just might experience it. Remember, Rob himself already has placed third (Honda) and 10th (PLAYERS). If he can do it… Glass came out on top of our tandem in the first major of the year, so he’s regained bragging rights. He has the first swing at Harbour Town. Register for PGA TOUR Pick ‘Em Live here and monitor Rob’s and Glass’ progress as Influencers. For a broader explanation of the format and FAQs, click here. Before you dive into the advice and banter, please be advised that PGA TOUR Pick ‘Em Live will be in play for next week’s Zurich Classic of New Orleans. WEEKLONG Outright Glass … Denny McCarthy (+10000) From the leadoff spot, I’ll remind gamers that this pick SHOULD BE a longshot! It’s the beauty of this game. So, like golf itself, use the rules to your advantage! Harbour Town produced first-time TOUR winners in the last four editions before the pandemic. McCarthy has cashed in five straight and eight of nine on the PGA TOUR, and it’s not lost on me that his best result was at Pete Dye’s Stadium Course at PGA WEST. The short game stands up and he’s more than accurate off the tee. T33 in spring of 2019 was followed by T13 in spring of 2021, so he’s moving in the right direction here. Go big! There’s no downside! Check the pre-tournament odds from past winners in Horses for Courses just in case. Rob … Shane Lowry (+2000) I’m simplifying after last week’s thumping (because Glass connected for one 2-ball on Sunday). As noted here most weeks, I agree with his strategy for the opening value play that’s supported by our ongoing power to make in-tournament changes, but I’ll counter with the No. 1 in my Power Rankings. The best thing about Lowry not winning lately is that he’s still chasing that rabbit. He’s doing everything well and in deep fields no less. He’s also been loyal to the RBC Heritage where he has a pair of top 10s, so there’s nothing foreign to him on the property. He’s a proper fit for the track. Another reason why I’m launching in at short odds is because the field is thick, so someone in his vicinity likely will prevail. I’ll be on board with a big, crooked number when Glass is hoping to get plus odds at the turn on Sunday. Rob … Beau Hossler (+1100) Here’s where I’ll cannonball into the deep end because odds will remain reasonable when the 36-hole cut falls. If you’ve been monitoring the same over time, you know. The 27-year-old has been terrific since a solo third at Pebble Beach. He’s added three top 20s, including a T4 two weeks ago at TPC San Antonio. Best of all, he’s playing on house money, er, FedExCup points. Saddled with conditional status, he’s currently 50th and headed back to the Playoffs. The confidence of his recent form sharpens the singular focus of winning on the PGA TOUR for the first time, but I don’t need that for these coins. Glass … Troy Merritt (+725) I like heat and love a bit of Horse for Course and he lines up quite nicely. Similar to THE HOSS, Merritt finished one shot behind the former Longhorn at Pebble Beach on the smallest greens on TOUR. Similar to THE HOSS, Merritt finished T4 last time out at Valero. Merritt arrives on six of seven, and his last four are trending in the proper direction. I guess I’m paying a premium for solo third in 2015, which included tying the course record of 61, and a T10 in 2019. Hell, maybe we’ll just tie! Top 20 Rob … Danny Willett (+550) His class should be permanent, but there he is lounging outside the perimeter of the notables. It’s baffling, so we might as well exploit it. Yes, he finished T12 at the Masters and T18 at last year’s RBC Heritage, so the obviousness of those results would suggest converging trends, but there’s nothing trendy about it, which, again, is why he’s available with that inflated kickback. I target this value at the cut line, anyway, but it might be more difficult to find at that time given the talent in play. Glass … Ben Martin (+1100) We all saw how tough it was not to close the deal at Corales (T2) on the final hole. The South Carolina native regrouped and made the cut the following week. That showed me all that I needed to know. He cashed five of seven here, including a T3 back in 2014. Receiving a sponsor exemption in his backyard should have this former Clemson Tiger ready to repay the faith in the locals. As we’ve learned in this game, changing Top 10 and Top 20 markets isn’t guaranteed but we’ve also learned nothing ventured, nothing gained. Oh, and perfect games are for baseball! Fortune favors the bold! Or something… R1 Leader Rob … Kevin Streelman (+6600) What Glass is trying to say is that fortune favors the Bolton. He can thank me later; I’ll be here all week. Harbour Town is a par 71 with three par 5s, two of which on the outward nine, but each side is balanced in the aggregate. So, if you wanted to be persnickety about momentum, open with a morning waver going off 1. That’s my play. Streels brings big stick energy to the Lowcountry. He beat par in his most recent eight rounds (on Copperhead and TPC San Antonio) and he’s been terrific in this tournament time and again. And yes, he’s goes off 1 on Thursday at 7:21 a.m. ET. Glass … Tom Hoge (+6600) R1 scores 65 = RSM 66 = Sony 65 = Amex 63 = Pebble Beach 66 = THE PLAYERS Career year has been buoyed by fast starts. I’m on board with Rob – earlier is better because you have all day to, ahem, correct any errors made with early tee times! Hoge is off No. 10 at 8:05 a.m. ET, but we hardly live in a perfect world. Make the Cut Glass … Matt Kuchar (-250) It’s 17 straight at Harbour Town, and he’s found form with T16 at Valspar backed with T2 at Valero. Didn’t have the grind of Augusta on his bones, either, but I bet he was a bit salty not to be invited. I could have used KOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOCH in a few of these categories this week! Rob … Alex Noren (-250) One word per coin for how many this rewards – 10. 3-Ball Glass … Corey Conners over Daniel Berger and Mackenzie Hughes Conners has sat in second place after 36 holes in the last two editions, so he’s used to getting off to hot starts here. Working the golf ball isn’t his problem; neither his form after another top 10 at the Masters that backed up a solo third at the Match Play. Berger hasn’t bounced back since his Honda Sunday struggle, and Hughes hasn’t posted lower than 70 in the first round in seven events in 2022. Rob … Russell Henley over Henrik Norlander and Stephan Jaeger To my trained eye, and no doubt to the same among hardcore fans, you know a mismatch when you see it, even when we’re considering only one round. Henley has seven straight rounds under par at Harbour Town. He placed T9 here last year. He’s 13-for-13 this season, sits 21st in the FedExCup and ranks third in first-round scoring with an average of 67.75! Norlander has limited experience in this tournament (72-74=MC last year). He’s 130th in the FedExCup and T126 in R1 scoring (70.47). Jaeger has failed to capitalize on his status north of the Korn Ferry Tour graduate reshuffle category and arrives for his debut at Harbour Town slotted 160th in the FedExCup. He’s T124 in R1 scoring (70.44), and that’s easily his best among all rounds.

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