August is among the busiest months on the PGA Tour schedule as the regular season winds down into the FedEx Cup playoffs.
While most of the attention is focused on the final major of 2017 next week at Quail Hollow, the top players in the world are gathered in Akron, Ohio this week for the WGC-Bridgestone.
At 7,400 yards and playing to a par of 70, Firestone is one of the most grueling tracks on Tour, so the betting board is loaded with top ball-strikers.
Favorite to watch (odds less than 20-1)
Rickie Fowler
It's almost guaranteed that Fowler will be in contention at Firestone this week, since the 28-year-old has three top-10s over his last three starts in Akron. Fowler comes to the event in good form with two top-five finishes in his last three events, and is ranked third on Tour in strokes gained putting. His ball-striking has been strong all season, but the advantage on the greens will keep Fowler near the top of the leaderboard through the weekend.
Odds to win: 16-1
Top-5 odds: 7-2
2nd tier (odds greater than 20-1)
Jason Day
While he hasn't won the WGC-Bridgestone, Day's been a solid performer close to his residence in Columbus. The Australian finished third last year in the event and has two other top-15 finishes in the past. The 29-year-old rebounded from back-to-back missed cuts with a 27th-place showing at The Open, giving a glimpse of a potential return to form. Day already has two wins in WGC events, and will walk away with his third on Sunday evening.
Odds to win: 28-1
Top-5 odds: 5-1
Long shot (odds greater than 50-1)
Thomas Pieters
Pieters has never played in the WGC-Bridgestone, but if he performs like he did at the WGC-Mexico earlier in the season, expect the Belgian to be in contention. The 25-year-old was threatening Dustin Johnson the entire tournament before finishing fifth, a sign that he's among the best in the world when on his "A" game.
Odds to win: 55-1
Top-5 odds: 10-1
Super long shot (odds greater than 80-1)
Bubba Watson
After an up-and-down start to the 2017 season, Watson appears to have turned the corner as of late with four straight cuts made. The long-hitting Floridian opened last week with a 66 at the Canadian Open before fading to 42nd place, but showed his game is rounding into form heading to Akron. Watson has performed well at the WGC-Bridgestone in previous years, including a second-place showing in 2015.
Odds to win: 80-1
Top-5 odds: 12-1
Hit this bet, buy a car (odds greater than 125-1)
Emiliano Grillo
With three missed cuts in his last four events, Grillo certainly isn't coming to Akron in top form. Despite that, the Argentinian should benefit from the familiar setting after he finished 14th in the event last year. In a limited-field event like the WGC-Bridgestone, it's difficult to find a quality sleeper, but Grillo's past success makes him a good pick at 150-1.
Odds to win: 150-1
Top-5 odds: 28-1
Last week's picks
Dustin Johnson: T-8th
Tony Finau: T-5th
Gary Woodland: 4th
Luke List: T-30
Hunter Mahan: MC
Season record (through 26 events)
Wins: 5
Top 5: 25
(Odds courtesy: Bodog)
(Photos courtesy: Action Images)
