The PGA TOUR heads to Illinois this week for the John Deere Classic. TPC Deere Run will be the host, and measures as a 7,268-yard par 71 with Bentgrass greens. We have another full field, 156-man event on tap with a 36-hole cut.
Below I have outlined my two favorite bets for the week.
Maverick McNealy to win (+3000)
McNealy did not have his best stuff with his irons last week in Detroit, losing 2.91 strokes on approach. However, I am willing to give him a pass since he had gained in that department in three of his past four starts. The two things McNealy excels at — driving and putting — he was dominant with again last week, gaining 4.3 strokes on the greens and 2.3 strokes off the tee.
After not playing for three weeks, it was expected that McNealy might be a bit rusty at the Rocket Mortgage, which is exactly how it went, as he settled for a T44 finish. Now one week removed, he will head back to TPC Deere Run, a course he’s finished T18 and T8 at in each of his past two starts.
McNealy has been knocking on the door of his first career PGA TOUR victory this season, posting three top-10 finishes in 15 starts, along with two additional top-17s. Only Aaron Rai in this field has gained more total strokes over the past 48 rounds than McNealy has, and he’s 10 points shorter on DK Sportsbook.
I will gladly take this 30/1 number at a course that’s suited the California native in the past.
Beau Hossler to win (+5000)
Hossler finally broke through with his irons last week, gaining 4.3 strokes on approach for the first time since the Obama administration. While that’s of course facetious, it has been a long time since we’ve seen some ball-striking chops from Hossler, meaning we need to strike while the iron may still be hot.
Ironically, Hossler was awful last week with the one club in his bag that never lets him down, his putter. That likely will not stick for very long, and a bounce-back performance on the greens is very likely this week, especially when you consider that Jordan Spieth and Dylan Frittelli are the only golfers in this field (min 8 rounds) who have averaged more strokes putting per round at TPC Deere Run than Hossler.
In three career starts at the JDC, the visored-wearing Texan has a pair of top-28 finishes sandwiched between a missed cut. If his ball-striking performance from last week sticks, he will absolutely be in the mix come Sunday.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25263747/IMG_9722.jpeg)
Bet at a top rated Sportsbook!
View the latest odds and bet online legally at a top rated Sportsbook! Place a bet now at DraftKings Sportsbook!*
*Odds and lines are for illustrative purposes only.
Place your golf bets at DraftKings Sportsbook or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is Lan1228) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.