The world’s best golfers head to East Lake in Atlanta this week with a chance to win the FedEx Cup.
The Tour Championship is always an exciting tournament, and with the staggered start, it makes for even more excitement.
Following his tremendous playoff win in the BMW Championship, Patrick Cantlay starts with a two-shot lead over Tony Finau at -10. Bryson DeChambeau starts three shots back so can they reel in Cantlay?
Golf odds are available for the Tour Championship, which tees off on Thursday.
DeChambeau to Reel in Cantlay
DeChambeau had numerous chances to put away Cantlay away at the BMW Championship on Sunday but was unable to convert.
He had a putt to win the first five playoff holes, including one on the second playoff hole. DeChambeau had a short uphill putt to win, similar to the one he missed when shooting 60 on Friday.
“I liked Bryson’s chances of making that six-footer up the hill,” Cantlay told USA Today. “I thought he was going to make that putt. That was maybe the only time that I really thought I was done. But he didn’t make it. That’s golf.”
Bryson DeChambeau: Patrick, can you stop walking?
Patrick Cantlay: Walks in birdie putt.
Here for it. pic.twitter.com/tWyaLe0cdc
— The Plugged Lie (@PluggedLiePod) August 29, 2021
The playoff loss resulted in a three-shot difference at the Tour Championship, but we think the big-hitting American can bridge the gap early in Round One.
Three shots is a lot, especially against Cantlay, who is putting lights out. However, losing always seems to spur on DeChambeau and he’s hitting the ball well enough to contend.
He will need to work on his wedge play, which was awful for a player of his level. It’s typical for big hitters to struggle around the greens, so he needs to rediscover his touch around the greens.
Bettors shouldn’t be deterred with the three shot deficit. It means DeChambeau pays more at the sportsbook, and he’s a player who won’t be worried about giving someone a head start.
Cantlay isn’t the only player standing in Bryson’s way. Finau separates them at -8, but we don’t think Finau will be near the top of the leaderboard after four rounds.
Take the value with DeChambeau, who is always must-see TV.
Pick: Bryson DeChambeau
Rahm to Make Move
He has been the most consistent player all season, so we wouldn’t be leaving Jon Rahm off our ticket.
The Spaniard choked two weeks ago at The Northern Trust, which ended up costing him shots at the Tour Championship. Rahm starts at -6, four shots back of Cantlay, but he’s capable of bridging the gap.
He recorded a top-10 finish at the BMW Championship despite not playing best golf. He likes to strike in the big tournaments, and it doesn’t get much bigger than East Lake, especially in terms of prize money.
Those who bet online know that Rahm always gives a good sight and it should be no different at the Tour Championship. He knows how to shoot low numbers and he would love to add a $20 million payday to his already incredible season.
Pick: Jon Rahm
Can Johnson Make Incredible Comeback?
It hasn’t been an overly impressive season for former world number No. 1 Dustin Johnson. He hasn’t won since the 2020 US Masters in November, which is a significant drought for the American.
Johnson starts seven shots back, so it requires a huge performance to win. However, he won the 2020 Tour Championship on his way to winning the FedEx Cup.
Given his ability to shoot incredibly low numbers at East Lake, he’s never out of the running. He shot -21 last year, and it could have been a lower score if he did not shoot 70 in the second round.
When asked who is the best goldfish out here, without skipping a beat he said “Dustin Johnson”
— Kira K. Dixon (@KiraDixon) August 26, 2021
Winning from behind isn’t something Johnson is used to, but we wouldn’t be leaving him off our ticket.
Pick: Dustin Johnson
How Far is Too Far?
The likes of Justin Thomas, Harris English, Abraham Ancer, Jordan Spieth and Sam Burns are six shots back. They are closer to Patrick Cantlay than Rory McIlroy and Johnson, so can they make a move?
It all depends on how well Cantlay, Finau, DeChambeau and Rahm play. If they all struggle, it’s anyone’s game. If Cantlay plays well, the guys sitting five or six shots back have little chance of catching him.
We would love to see Brooks Koepka make a run from -2. Should he catch DeChambeau, it would make for great viewing, especially with the Ryder Cup approaching.
He’s our best pick to make his way up the field from eight shots behind. Koepka has an ability to produce world-class golf from out of nowhere, and he’s silently going about his business.
Koepka is a player worth following over the weekend.
Pick: Brooks Koepka
