The 2019-20 PGA TOUR season picks back up on Thursday with the 2020 RBC Heritage at Harbour Town Golf Links.
Just like last week, this field is loaded with star power and while casual fans and other media outlets spend most of their time talking about the big names, we here at GolfBet know that the beauty of betting on golf is that every player is important to someone, whether he's at the top of the odds or at the bottom.
RBC HERITAGE PROMO! Win $100 if Rory McIlroy makes just ONE birdie all week
That includes matchup betting and the good news is that sportsbooks across the country are starting to offer more and more matchups each week.
Talking about a hypothetical Rory vs. Rahm matchup is fun watercooler fodder, but finding value on Bud Cauley vs. Joaquin Niemann is what this is all about.
Here are our favorite matchup bets for the 2020 RBC Heritage:
Jason Sobel
Adam Hadwin (-110) over Harold Varner
I think — and hope — HV3 won over a lot of fans last week, after being repeatedly asked about our country’s race relations, maintaining that just because he’s a professional golfer doesn’t mean he’s an expert, then speaking eloquently on the topic each time.
Those questions, combined with a title contention on the weekend, had to leave him wiped out by Sunday evening. He’s going to win at some point, but don’t be surprised if he doesn’t have much gas left in the tank this week.
Meanwhile, Hadwin eased his way back into the second half of the season with a T-43, but should have better luck this week on a course that undoubtedly suits his game.
Joshua Perry
Branden Grace (+115) over Tyrrell Hatton
Odds via The Westgate SuperBook
I’ll take the guy who played last week at a plus-number here.
Grace faded on Sunday, but overall had a solid week. He’s also won on this course and has three top-11 finishes in four starts.
Hatton was in great form the last time we saw him, but Harbour Town has been a mixed bag for him with a 29th and MC in two starts.
I’d probably make Grace a small favorite given what we saw last week from him and the unknown state of Hatton’s game.
Bryan Mears
Bud Cauley (-114) over Joaquin Niemann
In general, given the uncertainty of golf handicapping right now following the layoff, I prefer to target plus-money values. But I do think this one is too good to pass up.
Cauley and Niemann had different weeks last week at Colonial; the former was superior from tee-to-green, while the latter made up most of his strokes with his putter — not usually a strength for him.
I like the course fit for Cauley, who has superior ball-striking metrics and has the better short game, which will be important at Harbour Town. Niemann is a talented young golfer I want to buy long-term — man is golf loaded with young talent — but he isn’t yet consistent enough to grind this type of course. His advantage with the driver should be negated, too.
