The Match V Preview: DeChambeau and Koepka Get It On “Friendsgiving”

We never did get the gauntlet of matches we wanted out of the memorable “feud” between Bryson Dechambeau and Brooks Koepka. Instead, we’ll just have to settle for a good ol’ game of one-on-one golf, which we can bet online. And just like every “superfight” in combat sports, this comes at a time when the fan interest has fizzled.

Leave it to these heavyweights to re-engage to get the blood flowing again. Koepka and DeChambeau have both revisited their hug in the Ryder Cup claiming it was “forced by the team” and that the bad blood between the two is very much still alive.

Date: Friday, Nov. 26, 4 p.m. ET
Course: Wynn Golf Club, Las Vegas, NV, United States
Watch on: TNT, TBS, truTV, HLN

So does this mean we’re having “Friendsgiving” #CapitalOnesTheMatch x @turnersportspr pic.twitter.com/nkuKLivHxN

— Brooks Koepka (@BKoepka) October 6, 2021

Bryson DeChambeau vs Brooks Koepka

Rounds: 12
Moneyline: Bryson DeChambeau -125, Brooks Koepka +105
Stakes: Bragging rights, donation to charity

Since this is still a grudge match and a one-on-one, we’ll break this down like we break down boxing and MMA fights: who wins between these studs? The golf odds have DeChambeau aka. “The Scientist” as the slight favorite while Koepka comes in just above the even-money price.

Additionally, we can bet on a slew of props for this event. Who has the edge?

Bryson DeChambeau: Brains Meet Brawn

DeChambeau did not get his moniker for no reason. The 28-year-old Californian has eight PGA Tour victories including winning the 2020 U.S. Open, his first and only major so far. Ranked 7th in the FedEx Cup, DeChambeau’s fame comes from his powerful driver: he consistently leads the tour in driving distance and shots gained off the tee.

That’s why you’ll find his longest drive props juiced to the gills at -600. But DeChambeau is more than just a powerful driver, his calculated approach to the game has allowed him to make the cut in 20 of the 22 events he’s played. If DeChambeau has an advantage here, it will be starting strong or breaking par first (+190).

Pick: Leader After 1st Hole – Bryson DeChambeau +275

Brooks Koepka: Always the Wild Card

Koepka may not be a household name yet, but the 31-year-old has the potential to be one of the greats of his current generation. He already has four majors and had it not been for a knee injury in 2019, he may have more. Thus, we should look at his stats from 2020 onwards with a grain of salt.

In his heyday, Koepka would consistently rank in the top-10 in several categories off the tee, approaching the green, and around the green. He does not have that eye-popping specialty DeChambeau possesses but his all-around talent has allowed him to stay competitive and it could be how he edges DeChambeau.

Pick: Leader After Six Holes – Brooks Koepka +190

And The Winner Is…

DeChambeau is likely getting the lean here because of his prolific driver, his consistency over the past years, and his experience playing in “The Match.” He also has a better record in match play tournaments like the WGC-Dell Match Play tournaments, consistently tracking a 1-2-0 record for the past three tournaments.

This may seem modest, but Koepka did not win a single round when he last played in 2019. Despite all this, we’re siding with the underdog to best DeChambeau. He holds an edge in the intangibles or the “trash talking” that will go between them and in this one-off game, we like the more spontaneous golfer to pull through on the sportsbook.