Diane Knox Balas
Show Bio
We had a terribly unsuccessful week last week at the CJ Cup. Well, apart from Rory McIlory who successfully defended his title, lifted the trophy at Congaree and went back to World No.1 for the ninth time. It was his first event of the new season, but after lifting the FedExCup back in August there was not a speck of rust to be seen.
This week has a very different vibe to it. It’s off to Bermuda for the Butterfield Bermuda Championship, so get ready for stunning views, a short course and a very different calibre of field.
I personally love this tournament, as the course is truly spectacular. Bermuda is definitely on my list of places to visit one day and Port Royal showcases the island in all its glory. The closing three holes may look beautiful, but they’re challenging with the par-3 16th consistently playing as the toughest on the course.
Last year, Australian Lucas Herbert got his debut PGA Tour victory here; the blustery Sunday weather clearly didn’t phase him and he held off a challenge from Patrick Reed. Brian Gay won in 2021, and the ’20 champion was Brendon Todd.
This is the third year the tournament is offering up the full 500 FedExCup points, so it’s really a big week for the players who are teeing it up. Look out for some fun additions to the tee sheet, including the legend that is John Daly who’s in on a sponsor exemption. We’re talking island vibes, tropical golf and all that goes with it – including the wind.
Port Royal Golf Club: What you need to know
Port Royal GC is the longest course on the island of Bermuda, yet plays as the second shortest on the PGA Tour schedule (behind Pebble Beach Golf Links). Measuring 6,828 yards, this par 71 sits right on the coast and possess a number of elevation changes.
The weather plays a huge role here, making the course fairly unpredictable at times. It’s not just the strength of the wind, which is forecast to gust 20mph this week (yet I’m sure will feel like more), but the wind direction can change suddenly too.
Accurate driving is going to be key here, along with solid overall tee-to-green and good putting on Bermuda greens. Unfortunately we don’t have detailed, historic ShotLink data to look back on for this tournament, but I’m also going to be looking at experienced wind players (Lucas Herbert last year was a great example).
Having said all that, Herbert only hit 51% of his fairway en route to his victor and used his length and excellent scrambling to plot his way around the course, combined with top-15 putting for the week. Great putting really is the common denominator at this event.
Knox’s Knockout Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks
Thomas Detry (+1800)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
The Belgian has been having a good start to the season on the PGA Tour, recording two top-12s in two of his three starts after obtaining his card through the Korn Ferry Tour finals. Thomas Detry is a longer hitter who will have to reign it in this week, but this seasoned pro on the DP World Tour should enjoy the conditions that Bermuda presents. He said himself that he’s been playing more aggressively since the summer, and the results show that his tactic seems to be paying off. I really like him to give it a good run this week in Bermuda.
Seamus Power (+2500)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
When looking at excellent wind players to take on this coastal course, I couldn’t overlook an Irishman! Seamus Power is currently sitting inside the OWGR Top-50, and hasn’t done anything remarkable in his three events of the new season. However, with a generally weaker field this week, Power could take advantage of the conditions and get his second PGA Tour win. He ranks just outside the top-10 in putting, and finished T12 here last year.
S.H. Kim (+3300)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
Watch out for this rising star on the PGA Tour! 24 year old S.H. Kim is quickly making a name for himself after finishing T4 at the Shriners and T13 at the Sanderson Farms Championship. He sits at 7th in total putting this season, 4th in total birdies and has to be inspired by his buddy Tom Kim’s success. I’m definitely not leaving him off my card this week on a course where good putting is so important.
Justin Lower (+3000)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Justin Lower started hot in his first event of the season with a T4 in Napa, and has since backed it up with a top-20 in Vegas. He’s 5th in birdie average this season and just outside the top-20 in putting. It’s a great opportunity week for a player like Lower.
We’ll have Golf picks and predictions for EVERY event in the 2022-23 PGA Tour season!
Butterfield Bermuda Championship Prop Bets
Russell Knox top-10 (+400)
Odds available at Bet365 Sportsbook at time of publishing
I haven’t had much success when picking my brother, Russell Knox, but bear with me – or just ignore me! He’s coming off two pretty dismal events on the PGA Tour, but he’s switched out his driver and feels a lot better off-the-tee. Plus, his putter has been his savior, which is encouraging! He’s finished T11, T12 and T16 over the last three years and thrives in these windy conditions after growing up in Scotland. I’m also taking him at +3500 for the outright win (Bet365).
Akshay Bhatia top-20 (+900)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
Akshay Bhatia is in the field on a sponsor exemption this week, and has had some recent success on the island. Bhatia won the Korn Ferry Tour’s The Bahamas Great Exuma Classic earlier this year at age 19 and narrowly missed out on a PGA Tour card on the points list. Maybe those tropical island vibes will motivate him to success again this week!
Brian Stuard top-10 (+1100)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing
When looking at the shortest, straightest hitters on the PGA Tour, Brian Stuard has to come into the conversation. After regaining his card through the Korn Ferry Tour Finals, he’ll be looking to capitalize on a short course that fits his style of play. His best finish in a long time came at the Fortinet Championship to kick off the season, where he finished T12, and hopefully he can get something going in Bermuda this week.
The Pickswise golf handicappers are on hand with expert Golf Picks and Golf Predictions as well as tournament previews and analysis throughout the PGA Tour, including all of the majors.
