High-flying Brooks Koepka has a 572-point lead over Rory McIlroy heading into the FedEx-Cup’s first playoff.
It’s the Northern Trust at Liberty National Golf Club in New Jersey starting Thursday. It’s also the first of this year’s only three playoff events, instead of the traditional four, that decide who wins the FedEx Cup. They culminate with the Tour Championship in Atlanta.
It’s no surprise that the hot American is once more, a strong favorite at +800 on most New Jersey sportsbooks.
His St. Jude Invitational triumph two weeks back earned him his third win this year—one more than anyone else. Among them is a major, the US PGA. He finished high in all the other three. He took second place in the Masters and US Open and was fourth in the British Open.
He also happens to be the current world No 1. However, what might have most influenced NJ sports bookmakers is the substantial lead he holds in the FedEx Cup standings. With 2 887 points, he leads second-placed McIlroy by all of 572.
Kuchar three points behind McIlroy in FedEx Cup standings
Matt Kuchar is just three points behind McIlroy in third place with 2 313. They are followed by Xander Schauffele (1 858), Gary Woodland (1 795), Patrick Cantlay (1 730) and Dustin Johnson (1 686).
Oddly enough, the Northern Trust odds don’t really replicate the FedEx Cup standings. On the odds list, Johnson’s up there behind Koepke and McIlroy at +1400. Cantlay squeezed in behind Jon Rahm (also +1400) and Justin Thomas (+1800). But Kuchar at +4200 does not even feature in the top eight. Rickie Fowler (+2200) and Tiger Woods (+2700) are the final two.
While highlighting Koepke’s heroics this year, we shouldn’t fail to mention that he’s also had three stumbles in his last six starts. One of them was at the Royal Canadian Open.
He finished 50 places below the winner, Rory McIlroy, who himself has had one or two blow-outs this year. His stunning missed-cut at the British Open was the standout. But as it is in life where your only safe bet is that you won’t live forever, sports wagering has its risks.
Koepke and McIlroy have both had bad days this year
Koepke and McIlroy have had their bad days this season, but their good ones have far exceeded them. The secret has been to know when and where they’ll shine.
The man who shone brightest in the Northern Trust last year is defending champion, Bryson DeChambeau. This year he is a +4000 (40/1) shot to win.
Tiger Woods, the 21st-Century’s biggest golf winner by the proverbial mile, won this year’s Masters. Time has taken its toll on the 40-something, however. He hasn’t done too much since. But then nor has he been forgotten. The bookies have placed him above DeChambeau and Kuchar as their No. 8 favorite at +2700.
