PGA picks: DJ gets playoffs started with win at Northern Trust

It's playoff time on the PGA Tour, as the top 125 players on the points list head to the Northern Trust at Glen Oaks Club to begin the run to the FedEx Cup.

While competing for the tournament title may be at the forefront of players' minds, ensuring a spot in the top 100 for next week's Dell Technologies Championship is essential too.

It's the first time the Tour has gone to Glen Oaks, making this week difficult to pick since there are no previous results to rely on.

Here's the betting board for the week in upstate New York.

Favorite to watch (odds less than 20-1)

Dustin Johnson

It seems odd that the world No. 1 would fly under the radar, but it feels like that's exactly what Dustin Johnson's done lately. Lost in the drama of Jordan Spieth's and Justin Thomas' epic major wins is the fact Johnson has posted three straight top-20 showings and is rounding into form. A final-round 67 at the PGA Championship makes Johnson a trendy pick this week, and at 12-1, the value is as good as it's been all year.

Odds to win: 12-1
Top-5 odds: 7-2

2nd tier (odds greater than 20-1)

Louis Oosthuizen

Louis Oosthuizen's second-place showing at the PGA Championship means the South African has completed the career runner-up slam in the majors. The 34-year-old has now finished second in all four of golf's biggest events, and commemorated the event with a hilarious lip-synch performance. Oosthuizen is a threat to win whenever he tees it up, and usually performs best when the stakes are highest. At 40-1, he's a solid play to be in contention this week.

Odds to win: 40-1
Top-5 odds: 10-1

Long shot (odds greater than 50-1)

Gary Woodland

Gary Woodland comes to Glen Oaks with a great deal to play for - the FedEx Cup is obvious, but the 33-year-old is also on the cusp of qualifying for the Presidents Cup squad. Woodland sits 14th in the standings with the top 10 players automatically qualifying for the event at the end of September, and will want to impress captain Steve Stricker with a strong showing this week. That motivation makes him a great pick at 66-1.

Odds to win: 66-1
Top-5 odds: 16-1

Super long shot (odds greater than 80-1)

Kevin Na

It certainly hasn't been Kevin Na's best season on the PGA Tour, but the 33-year-old is hot coming to Glen Oaks with a fourth-place showing last week at the Wyndham Championship. The tight layout this week places a premium on accuracy over distance, and Na should be able to negotiate the tricky fairways to take advantage of his premium iron play. He ranks 21st on Tour in strokes gained approach-the-green, and should give himself plenty of birdie chances this week.

Odds to win: 100-1
Top-5 odds: 20-1

Hit this bet, buy a car (odds greater than 125-1)

Richy Werenski

Richy Werenski has quietly put together a solid run of form of late, with three top-25 showings in his last five events. The 25-year-old was born in Springfield, Mass., and will want to qualify for the field next week at TPC Boston. That'll take a strong showing at Glen Oaks, and that makes him a good pick for a long shot at 200-1.

Odds to win: 200-1
Top-5 odds: 25-1

Last event's picks

Rory McIlroy: T-22
Jon Rahm: T-58
Phil Mickelson: MC
Bubba Watson: MC
Robert Streb: T-22

Season record (through 28 events)

Wins: 5
Top 5: 26

(Odds courtesy: Bodog)
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)