Bank of Utah Championship Predictions, Golf Picks & Best Bets from Joe Champion
After a brief interlude in which Team USA produced a Sunday comeback to retain the Presidents Cup, the PGA Tour Fall Series resumes with the Bank of Utah Championship.
Young star Jackson Koivun is the sole member of the US team in action at Black Desert Golf Course. He is poised to go off as the betting favorite but, after an emotional rollercoaster at Medinah last week, others could make faster starts at a wide-open course that has lent itself to a birdiefest.
Let's break down my expert golf predictions for the Bank of Utah Championship this week, starting by looking at the odds.
Bank of Utah Championship odds
Odds courtesy of bet365 and available at time of publishing.
- Jackson Koivun +1200
- Michael Brennan +1500
- Ben James +1900
- Maverick McNealy +1900
- Marco Penge +2200
- Doug Ghim +2400
- Matt Wallace +2400
- Jackson Suber +3000
- Matt McCarty +3000
- Harry Hall +3200
- Kevin Yu +3200
- Davis Thompson +3500
- Johnny Keefer +3500
- Rasmus Hojgaard +3700
- Jordan Smith +4500
- Mac Meissner +4500
- Max Homa +4500
- Chris Kirk +5000
- HaoTong Li +5000
- Kristoffer Ventura +5000
- Max Greyserman +5000
- Neal Shipley +5000
- Rico Hoey +5000
Koivun enters as the hot favorite but faces pressure from a number of other seasoned PGA veterans. It awaits to be seen whether Koivun's efforts in the Presidents Cup will give him unwanted fatigue or if it will propel him to glory.
Bank of Utah Championship best bet: Ben James (+2000)
Odds available at FanDuel Sportsbook and DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Ben James found only Jacob Bridgeman too strong in the Biltmore Championship a fortnight ago, picking up where he left off after a third-place finish in the Wyndham Championship in the final event before the FedEx Cup playoffs.
James is powerful enough off the tee, but his accurate iron-play and above-average putting are arguably more important for the demands of Black Desert, where a hot flat-stick is almost essential.
Bank of Utah Championship prediction: Matt McCarty (+4700)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Matt McCarty won this tournament two years ago, then finished third last year. His results have been moderate since back-to-back top-ten finishes in Signature Events in the spring, but a return to Utah, coupled with a break following the FedEx Cup playoffs, could help him rediscover top form.
Bank of Utah Championship pick: Kristoffer Ventura (+6200)
Odds available at DraftKings Sportsbook at time of publishing.
Kristoffer Ventura finished 11th last year and has two top-five finishes in his last six PGA Tour starts. He will need to putt better than he did when missing the Biltmore cut, but the Norwegian is a contender at this level.
Bank of Utah Championship longshot pick: Austin Eckroat (+8500)
Odds available at bet365 at time of publishing.
Two-time PGA Tour winner Austin Eckroat struck the ball well when 24th at the Biltmore and could make his presence felt after a spell in the doldrums.
