New course alert on the PGA Tour!
The Philadelphia Cricket Club’s Wissahickon Course makes its Tour debut this weekend, hosting the year’s sixth signature event: the Truist Championship. With Scottie Scheffler sitting this one out, Rory McIlroy has emerged as the clear favorite. Here are the top contenders and some betting insights from NBCSports.com expert Brad Thomas.
Patrick Cantlay to win: +2000
With limited data available for Philadelphia Cricket Club, I’m focusing more on players showing excellent current form rather than specific course fits. Cantlay deserves serious consideration with multiple top-five finishes this season and several weekends in contention.
Since February, Cantlay’s been striping the ball. He’s gained strokes off the tee in five of seven events and has gained strokes on approach in all seven tournaments.
His biggest issue lately has been putting. He hasn’t been terrible with the flat stick, but his putter has cost him serious opportunities to contend. The good news for Cantlay backers: Wissahickon features bentgrass greens, and there aren’t many golfers who putt better on bentgrass than Cantlay.
Over his last 100 measured rounds, the surface differences are telling. He’s averaging +0.04 strokes gained on Bermuda, +0.18 on poa annua, and +0.30 on bentgrass.
Given his success on these surfaces, a strong week tee-to-green could put him right in the mix come Sunday.
Keith Mitchell First Round Leader: +4500
When you’ve earned a nickname that starts with “Thursday,” you’re practically expected to lead after the first round. This week, I’m going back to the well with Thursday Keith in the first-round leader market.
Mitchell has been absolutely scorching hot on Thursdays this season. He’s shot 68 or better to open the tournament in seven of his last 10 events. Even more impressive, he’s carded 64 or better in five straight first rounds.
After cashing multiple first-round leader tickets this year, there’s no reason not to back Mitchell at such a great price.
Truist Championship odds (as of Wednesday morning, courtesy DraftKings):
- Rory McIlroy: +400
- Collin Morikawa: +1400
- Xander Schauffele: +1600
- Ludvig Åberg: +1600
- Justin Thomas: +1600
- Patrick Cantlay: +2000
- Jordan Spieth: +2500
- Viktor Hovland: +2500
- Tommy Fleetwood: +2500
- Russell Henley: +3000
- Hideki Matsuyama: +3000
- Corey Conners: +3000
- Shane Lowry: +3500
- Sepp Straka: +4000
- Daniel Berger: +4000
- Keegan Bradley: +4000
- Maverick McNealy: +4000
