All the pomp and circumstance of The Players Championship is now in the past, as the PGA Tour heads back to Texas this week for the AT&T Byron Nelson.
This will be one of the most unique events on the schedule this season, as it will be played at the brand new Trinity Forest layout for the first time. The links-style course will be firm and fast, and unlike anything the players see throughout the rest of the tour schedule.
That makes handicapping this week very difficult, so it’s best to lean on players who practice and play out of the new course, or who've enjoyed past success on links-style setups.
Favorite to watch (odds shorter than 25-1)
Jordan Spieth
Not that you need extra reasons to pick Jordan Spieth, but he's a member at Trinity Forest and knows the place as well as anybody in the field. And with an Open Championship already under his belt, Spieth has shown he's more than comfortable at adapting his game from the usual “target golf” we see on a weekly basis. Outside of a couple big numbers last week at The Players Championship, Spieth put together some solid golf, and even though his price is just 5-1 this week, he's gotta be one of the names on your betting card.
Odds to win: 5-1
Top-5 odds: 11-10
Second tier (odds 25-1 or longer)
Adam Scott
Scott's enjoyed success in Texas before and grew up playing courses similar in style to Trinity Forest. Meanwhile, after a dreadful stretch on the greens saw him dip below the top 50 in the world, Scott returned to the long putter last week at The Players Championship and fired three rounds in the 60s en route to an 11th-place showing. That has to be very encouraging for the Australian star before he tees it up this week. Get him at 25-1 now, because it’s likely he won’t stay at that price for long.
Odds to win: 25-1
Top-5 odds: 9-2
Long shot (odds 50-1 or longer)
Joaquin Niemann
With a sixth-place showing at the Texas Open last month, the young Chilean sensation showed he's more than comfortable in the windy conditions the state can present. His well-rounded game could make him a threat at Trinity Forest, and the former top-ranked amateur in the world has the talent to win any time he tees it up.
Odds to win: 75-1
Top-5 odds: 16-1
Super long shot (odds 80-1 or longer)
Seamus Power
The Irishman should feel right at home with the layout at Trinity Forest, as one would think they were in Ireland on the course, rather than outside of Dallas. Power is also trending in the right direction after a tough start to the season, posting two top-10 finishes in his last five appearances. At 100-1, it's wise to take a player who should be familiar with the conditions and is showing signs of good form. Power fits the criteria for a long-shot bet.
Odds to win: 100-1
Top-5 odds: 18-1
Hit this bet, buy a car (odds 100-1 or longer)
Cody Gribble
After missing his last seven cuts in individual events, Gribble regained some form with a 30th-place showing last week at The Players Championship. That suggests a decent stretch is on the horizon, and the fact that he plays and practices at Trinity Forest should help him continue trending upward this week. At 150-1, he's definitely worth a look.
Odds to win: 150-1
Top-5 odds: 35-1
Last event's results
Rickie Fowler: MC
Tiger Woods: T-11
Emiliano Grillo: T-37
Brooks Koepka: T-11
Pat Perez: MC
Season record (18 events)
Wins: 5 (Paul Casey 25-1, Bubba Watson 50-1, Dustin Johnson 15-2, Jon Rahm 8-1, Billy Horschel/Scott Piercey 40-1)
Top 5: 9
(Odds courtesy: Bodog)
(Photos courtesy: Getty Images)