Johnson Headlines Rebel Tour
Dustin Johnson is the narrow favorite to win LIV Orlando, which features a much better field than the PGA Tour does this week.
Golf lines have Johnson at +1100, but just behind him at the sportsbook are the likes of Joaquin Niemann, Cameron Smith and MitoPereira. Check on LIV Orlando Odds.
1. Lead By Example
Johnson has a chance to lead by example for his 4 Aces team. They have been going well since the LIV Tour was introduced, but Johnson has won only once.
He’s a better golfer than that, which is why online gambling markets have him at the top of betting lines. However, he needs to improve his form, especially with the Masters just one week away.
The former Masters champion will want to knuckle down and play well this week, to act as a preparation for Augusta. He would love to win the Masters against the PGA Tour players, so there is a lot at stake.
Golf news writer Kyle Porter suggested he hadn’t played enough golf to be competitive.
“One thing I’ve been thinking about as it relates to the Masters is how sharp players like Dustin Johnson are going to be at the biggest event of the year,” Porter said. “DJ has played just 22 rounds since The Open last year and has one top 10 worldwide since last September Will that matter?”
We think he will be fine-tuned for LIV Orlando, so put him on top.
- Pick: Dustin Johnson (+1100)
2. Going with our Reed
Patrick Reed often finds form at this time of the year, so there’s no reason to leave him out of your golf picks.
The American, a former Masters winner, loves winning in April so he should be nearing his peak at Orlando.
His form since arriving at LIV hasn’t been too bad, given the limited opportunities, but he’s one of the best situational golfers in recent history. He loves a battle, and much like Johnson, he wants to play well before hitting Augusta.
This course should play to his strengths, and golf odds this week have Reed at +2500. Those odds can’t be overlooked against this quality of opposition.
- Pick: Patrick Reed (+2500)
3. Pieters in the Press
There has been a lot of press about Thomas Pieters, who said the PGA Tour was a lonely place.
He only recently made the move to LIV after being left out of an invitational event, so there is some bad blood. However, he could make a statement on the golf course with a win at LIV Orlando this weekend.
The Belgian is a six-time European Tour winner, including the 2022 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship. He also owns two top-10 finishes at the majors with a T4 at the 2017 Masters and T6 at the 2018 PGA Championship.
His 2022 majors form included a T27 at the U.S. Open, but he will be hoping to return to winning form this week.
He’s a +3300 chance of winning and we’re happy to include him.
- Pick: Thomas Pieters (+3300)
4. Ortiz for Top 10
Carlos Ortiz is always near the top of the leaderboard, so his odds of +150 to finish in the top 10 is excellent value.
The Mexican is a one-time PGA Tour winner when taking out the 2020 Houston Open, beating Johnson and Hideki Matsuyama by two strokes.
He comes off a playoff loss to Kiwi Danny Lee at LIV Tucson, so he was a little unlucky not to prevail, but bettors get value odds.
We thought he would be around -110, given the size of the field.
- Pick: Carlos Ortiz Top 10 (+150)
