PGA Picks: The American Express Golf Odds and Expert Betting Predictions
The PGA Tour moves from Hawaii’s island paradise to a desert oasis for the American Express in La Quinta, California, to start the West Coast Swing. World No. 1 Scottie Scheffler leads the pack with star names such as Patrick Cantlay, Xander Schauffele, Justin Thomas, and Rickie Fowler, amongst others, trying to stand in the winner’s circle on Sunday. So far, through two tournaments, the name of the game has been underdogs. Chris Kirk started the season with a win on Maui at 200-1 odds, and last week we saw Grayson Murray stand victorious in Oahu as a 400-1 longshot. Doc’s Sports will break down some of this week’s best wagers at The American Express.
Get sports picks for every league and nearly every matchup on Doc’s free picks page.
A Look at the Field
Here is a look at the Top 12 and ties with the lowest golf odds to win it all at online sportsbooks
Scottie Scheffler +550 – Patrick Cantlay +1000 – Xander Schauffele +1200 – Justin Thomas +2200
Sungjae Im +2200 – Min Woo Lee +2500 – Tom Kim +2500 – J.T. Poston +3000
Sam Burns +3000 – Eric Cole +3500 – Tony Finau +3500 – Jason Day +4000
Course Characteristics of Those Who Can Win or Secure Winning Golf Bets
The American Express uses three courses throughout the entirety of the event. Each player will play one round at La Quinta Country Club, the Nicklaus Tournament Course at PGA West, and the Pete Dye Stadium Course before the 54-hole cut on Saturday. Sunday’s final round will also take place at the Stadium Course. Each course measures in at less than 7,200 yards and all rank amongst the easiest courses on the Tour. Pin placement and difficulty is scaled back for this event as the first three rounds is a pro-am.
Sungjae Im +2200
If you have followed Doc’s Sports golf picks, you know last season I was tailing an Im victory, and unfortunately it did not pan out. He has the tools and experience to stand victorious, and this could be the week it happens. You can also say at this event, Im has been the definition of consistent. His results at the American Express are 18th, 11th, 12th, 10th, and 12th. He finished fifth at The Sentry two weeks ago and should be well rested after taking last week off. Im does everything well and enters this week ranked 26th in the Official World Golf Rankings. Be confident Im will be in contention on the weekend.
J.T. Poston +3000
Poston is one of the hottest golfers on Tour with three top-six finishes in his last four starts. He struggled with his putter the first two rounds of the Sony Open before hitting the accelerator for his last 30 holes. He gained almost seven strokes on the field on Sunday, which led to another top-10 finish. Poston has tallied two top-7 finishes at this event before, so look to back him again this week.
Eric Cole +3500
The PGA Tour Rookie of the Year picked right up where he left off in the fall. He registered a 14th-place finish at The Sentry and followed that up with a 13th at the Sony. This week’s courses could be even a better fit for Cole as he was one of the best birdie-makers on Tour last season and ranks No.1 in this field over the last 24-rounds. He is above average off the tee, ranks 10th in Strokes Gained: Putting, and ranks eighth in Strokes Gained: Approach. He has proven he can compete for victories with a fifth-place finish last year in Mexico and third at TPC Summerlin for the Shriners Children’s Open in Las Vegas.
