Since 2011 every winner has had round 1 on the South Course, round 2 on the North Course.
Theory being that you get a round in on the tough course, and then turn around and have a low round on the easier North course on Friday.
So be careful when making round bets, and tourney bets.
I put NC next to the golfer that starts on the north course thursday, and SC next to the golfer that starts on the south course on thursday.
*Playing this one full tourney and first round
Russell Knox (NC) ov Alex Noren (SC)
Not sure why Russell Knox is the underdog here at +115, but I’m happy to be on the dog here. Knox is off to a good start this year, and it could signal a resurgence for him this year. 2017 was pretty disappointing for him, but he’s started off 2018 with a top 10 at the Sony at 13 under, and then a top 30 finish at the CareerBuilder at 13 under as well. I’ve always been a little underwhelmed by Alex Noren…in fact he lost his head to head matchup against Tiger at the Hero World Challenge, and he hasn’t played golf since then. He also has never played this tournament, so he’s playing a weird tournament he’s never played…Knox hasn’t played this tourney in a couple year, but he definitely has the experience edge, and this could be a chance for us to back a golfer like Knox who was bad last year, and if he’s actually back to his 2016 forms, we can get a few soft matchups now until the books catch up.
*Playing full tourney and first round
Ollie Shenanigans (NC) ov Phil Mickelson (NC)
I think Phil and Bones splitting was a signal that Phils competitive days are over. Bones leaves, and goes to the booth, and Phil picks his brother to caddy for him. So he plays in the Career Builder, and misses the cut by 4 shots…it turns out he’s trying a new driver. He said he felt good, and that he’s optimistic for the year. So now we go to this tournament where the South course is really long, and he’s going to have to swing for the fences. Meanwhile, Ollie is part of the new generation of golfers, and he started 2018 with a 7th place finish at the Sony Open shooting 14 under par…and also, he’s finished ahead of Phil the last 2 years at this tournament.
*Playing full tourney only
Kevin Streelman (SC) ov Bill Haas (NC)
If someone can explain to me why Kevin Streelman is the underdog here, I’d love to hear it. I made the case against Bill Haas at the Sony Open and he was terrible and missed the cut. Then at the Career Builder, he was terrible again, and missed the cut. Haas has always disappointed, I think he gets a pass because of his last name, but the fact is he isn’t playing good golf now, he didn’t last year, and we get a matchup against a guy who is playing good golf. Kevin Streelman missed the cut one time since May of 2017, and he’s finished ahead of Haas in 5 straight tournaments, and in the last 2 tournaments, Streelman has finished an average of 9 shots better than Haas. Haas didn’t play in this tournament last year, missed the cut the year before…Streelman 2 straight made cuts at this tournament.
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