Bet the PGA: Kern's Sanderson Farms picks include Will Zalatoris, Henrik Stenson and a few bucks on a few longshots
Last week the winner was a 200-1 shot, which happens. So no, we didn’t have him. But probably not many others did either. At least, though, one of the things we threw out there was Jon Hahn to finish in the top 10, at 11-1. Which he did. So I hope at least you had that, to get at least some of your money back if not even make a little bit of a profit.
Now it’s on to the Sanderson Farms Championship, in Jackson, Miss. Where I once played in the pro-am, in Brendon Todd’s group. Yes, we finished next-to-last. Hey, it wasn’t Brendon’s fault. What that means I’m not sure, but there’s a connection there somewhere. Hope it helps.
Scottie Scheffler is the favorite, at 10-1. He was playing about as well as almost anyone before testing positive for Covid, which forced him to withdraw from the U.S. Open. Before that he had three top fives in his last six starts. So there is that. But this is his first appearance since. So there’s also that.
Sungjae Im is next, at 12-1, followed by Will Zalatoris at 20-1. He was the fave last week, and closed with a 65 to sneak into the top 10. Sam Burns is 22-1. He was third here two years ago, and has been playing well. Zach Johnson is 22-1 as well.
Sebastian Munoz, the defending champ, is 25-1. He beat Im in a playoff. Doc Redman is 30-1. Byeong Hun An is 33-1, along with Corey Conners, Brian Harman and Adam Long, who’s coming off a real good performance. Dylan Frittelli and Chez Reavie are 40-1.
Cameron Davis and Lucas Glover are 45-1. So are Emiliano Grillo, Pat Perez and Si Woo Kim. Oops, and Henrik Stenson, who played OK last week after not playing much since the spring.
Sergio Garcia, Luke List and Bud Cauley are 50-1.
I’m not going to get into all the other names, but I will mention a few when it comes to longshots. And in a week like this, you could probably try a few of those.
Im was 11th at the Tour Championship and 22nd at the U.S. Open. And I’ve taken him enough times to know he often gives you a good run for your money.
Same with Scheffler. But I think I’m going to stick with Zalatoris, who my one friend has liked for awhile now. He’s one of those guys where it’s going to happen. You’re just not sure when. At 20-1 I’ll take a chance it’s this week. He’s also +500 to get a top five. That’s worth a little bit of an investment too.
There’s not really a mid-tier bloke that I’m in love with. But Stenson at 45-1 might be worth a little. Ditto him being +1,200 to get a top five. Or even +550 for a top 10. Not too much. But you don’t get those kind of numbers on someone like that too often in this kind of field.
I’m going to throw several longer odds at you, just because. Start with Carlos Ortiz, at 66-1. He tied for third in 2018, and was fourth last year. And he’s +650 to get a top 10, and +1,400 for a top five. I’d play him across the board.
Kristoffer Ventura is 70-1. He was seventh the week before the U.S. Open, and had two Korn Ferry Tour wins a year ago. Another one of those promising youngsters. He’s also +1,400 for a top 10. I would try both. Not for much, just enough to keep you interested in case he contends.
For what it’s worth, Brandt Snedeker has missed three straight cuts. But he has the kind of putter that can make something happen, if it gets hot. He’s 100-1, and might just MC again. But on the basis that you never know for sure, a buck or two might not be a bad whatever. And he’s +2500 to get a top 10. Again, another buck or two. And you can probably kiss it goodbye. But goofy stuff does occasionally take place out there. Ask Hudson Swafford, who surprised most everyone last week in the Dominican Republic. That’s why it’s called gambling. But hey, he’s only 90-1 this time. So do you believe in back-to-back miracles?