Starting with the 2020 Honda Classic, a series of four PGA events kicks off in Florida.
Although some golfers may have an advantage with their “home-course” familiarity at The Champion Course at PGA National, West Virginia sportsbooks seem to place greater importance on a contender’s ability to handle the current conditions this week.
Brooks Koepka, an American, and Tommy Fleetwood, hailing from England, are viewed as the top contenders as they head into Thursday.
In order to succeed and gain from those lines, they will need to demonstrate their unwavering reputations.
However, there is a discrepancy on the lines offered by the three online sports betting apps in West Virginia for the event starting on Thursday, Feb. 27.
Why Fleetwood and Koepka are favored at the Honda Classic
As of Tuesday at 10 a.m. ET, the odds of Fleetwood and Koepka winning outright were:
| Sportsbook | Golfers | Lines |
|---|---|---|
| BetMGM | Tommy Fleetwood Brooks Koepka |
+1000 +1400 |
| DraftKings | Tommy Fleetwood Brooks Koepka |
+1100 +1300 |
| FanDuel | Brooks Koepka Tommy Fleetwood |
+1100 +1200 |
Late last week, Koepka discussed the obstacles posed by the course.
It’s quite evident that if you’re feeling nervous, it will be noticeable. On this golf course, approximately five to seven holes provide excellent opportunities if you manage to hit the fairway and have an ideal distance to the flag. To progress, it’s crucial to capitalize on these opportunities. As for the remaining holes, you’ll mostly be trying to maintain par and perhaps achieve a few birdies here and there.
Koepka, being a Floridian, has a unique advantage at this course due to his extensive experience. As last year’s runner-up in this event, he practically considers it a “home game.”
Despite Koepka’s ability to handle the expected conditions, Fleetwood’s skills may surpass his. Fleetwood’s strengths align perfectly with the projected weather and the course’s playing style.
Koepka hinted that having accuracy with irons is vital for achieving success on this course. Fleetwood proved this during his previous play in 2018, securing a solo fourth place finish.
Fleetwood’s capability to manage unexpected wind gusts further solidifies his position as a formidable contender.
On Thursday and Friday, wind gusts are expected to range from 10 to 18 miles per hour, according to the forecast.
Rickie Fowler, like Koepka, is also well acquainted with the course, making him another strong contender.
As a result, his chances of winning the tournament on BetMGM WV Sportsbook are now equal to Koepka’s, and his odds on FanDuel Sportsbook match those of Fleetwood.
If you’re new to betting on golf, the 2017 champion at West Virginia sportsbooks serves as a compelling example of the value that extends beyond the favorites in the outright winner category. Hence, it might be worth giving a try for WV online sports betting customers.
Attractive props and alternative bets at WV books
Emiliano Grillo, the Argentinian golfer, is often overlooked as a strong contender in the field. However, his impressive performance on bermudagrass in the PGA sets him apart from others. Grillo boasts one of the most significant splits that favor his play on this surface.
Having participated in this event in 2018, he managed to improve his short game by 5.5 strokes, which has historically been his greatest weakness leading up to Thursday. If he is able to reproduce that performance, he stands a good chance of repeating his eighth-place finish from two years ago.
BetMGM offers odds of +1400 for him to finish in the top five, while they offer +600 for a top 10 finish. On the other hand, DraftKings Sportsbook WV is slightly more generous with odds of +650 for a top 10 finish.
One of the most enticing proposition bets is the possibility of South Korean golfer Sungjae Im emerging as the leading Asian player. FanDuel offers odds of +250 for this outcome, considering Im’s potential to outperform his fellow compatriot Byeong Hun An, who was the 2019 Rookie of the Year.
BetMGM has Justin Rose, an American golfer, listed at +120 in a head-to-head market against Fowler. With Rose potentially scoring some birdies and Fowler not performing exceptionally well, this seems like a straightforward opportunity to make a profit since the difference between the two players is not significant.
DraftKings is offering an enticing +1400 line for the daring bettor who believes that one player will lead the field wire-to-wire. However, the presence of multiple capable contenders diminishes the probability of this bet being successful.
There are abundant opportunities to participate in the PGA action this weekend at all three sportsbooks in West Virginia. The golf course caters to the strengths of many golfers, further increasing the number of available opportunities.
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