St. Jude/Barracuda – Matchup Bets
VegasInsider Staff Sports Betting Expert
PRIME MATCHUPS
Each week we'll take a look at the best round matchups to try and build up a nice bankroll.
WGC - Cameron Smith (-110) vs. Matthew Wolff: Smith was the Top Australian at Royal Portrush last weekend in The Open Championship, much to my dismay. I was in on Adam Scott, who didn't even make the cut. Smith's lack of accuracy off the tee is a bit of a concern, as TPC Southwind ranked No. 1 in water balls in 2018. However, he is a solid scrambler and putter, and his Par 4 Scoring Average is adequate. Wolff surprised at the 3M Open with a victory, but he'll face a much tougher hill to climb in a rather star-studded field.
WGC - Brandt Snedeker (+125) vs. Sergio Garcia: I am banking on Snedeker's locale for this particular matchup, as the 38-year-old is a Volunteer State native. He brings it when he plays in Memphis, including a sixth-place finish on this course last season. Before that, he was 15th in 2011 and 29th in 2010. He isn't a banger, but you do not need to be for success in Memphis. He is solid in the accuracy department, and he ranks a solid 54th in Par 4 Scoring Average. He also checks in third in Strokes Gained: Around the Green, and 45th in Scrambling, while ranking 11th in Putts Per Round (28.30). The latter will be helping on the Bermudagrass dance floor in Memphis.
WGC - Phil Mickelson (-105) vs. Alexander Noren: Lefty has been wildly erratic this season, and just hasn't been himself. But if there is a course to snap him back into form, it's TPC Southwind. He finished 12th at this event last season, and he has finished 12th or better in each of his past six showings at this tournament. That includes a pair of runner-up finishes in 2013 and 2016, and a third-place run in 2014.WGC - Patrick Reed (+125) vs. Jason Day: Another solid underdog matchup this week is Reed over Day. Reed posted a top-10 showing at Portrush last week, and Day had another lackluster performance, missing the cut. He has just been OK this season, and that's not good enough to eat chalk. Take the 'dog, who is playing better golf than Day right now.
Barracuda - Cameron Tringale (-110) vs. Jhonattan Vegas: Tringale does solid work avoiding bogies, and he rolls in this week ranking 12th in Greens In Regulation, an area of focus for Barracuda bettors. He is a so-so scrambler and putter, but he ranks fourth on Tour in Par 4 Scoring Average (3.97), so he won't hurt himself in that area.
Barracuda - J.J. Spaun (-110) vs. Brendan Steele: The latter, Steele, is a dismal 127th in Birdie-to-Bogey ratio, and that's not good in a tournament which rewards points for under-par holes and penalizes those over par. The Stableford scoring method will be more of a friend to Spaun this week, as he shoots far more holes under par than his opponent.
Barracuda - Wes Roach (-120) vs. Roger Sloan: Roach is the play in this one, as he'll fare better with the Stableford scoring with fewer mistakes than Sloan, who checks in 113th in Birdie-to-Bogey ratio.
Last event (The Open): 1-3 (-300)
This season: 32-31-2 (-325)
OTHER BETS
WGC - Top 20 Finish - Phil Mickelson (+177): I am banking on FIGJAM to do what he does best at TPC Southwind and that's rattle off top-20 finishes. He has managed six in the past six years, so why not one more?
WGC - Top 20 Finish - Brandt Snedeker (+167): I've always been a big fan of Snedeker's even-keel playing style and his attention to detail. He is a cerebral player who doesn't bang, but is smart and is sharp with the irons. He'll perform well in his home state.
Barracuda - Top 20 Finish - Denny McCarthy (+150): McCarthy is an interesting play at the Barracuda Championship, mainly for his solid work in the Birdie-to-Bogey Ratio. He is tied for 11th on Tour with a 1.71 ratio, and that will come in handy in the Modified Stableford scoring method, which rewards five points for eagles and two points for birdies.
Barracuda - Top 20 Finish - Cameron Tringale (+137): Using the same Birdie-to-Bogey rationale, Tringale is also a strong play at Montreux, as he is tied for 14th on Tour in the category.
Barracuda - Top 20 Finish - Sam Ryder (+150): Ryder is strong in the Birdie-to-Bogey ratio area, too, and he checks in 40th in Eagles and 34th in Birdies, and he is solid on the greens ranking 40th in Putts Per Round (28.64).
Last event: 1-2 (+30)
This season: 22-47 (-1708)
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