Barracuda Championship tips: Chan Kim and Rico Hoey look to dominate weakened line-up

Barracuda Championship key stats:

• When: July 18 - 21 2024
• Where: Old Greenwood Course, Tahoe Mountain Club, California 
• How long: 7,480 yards - par 70
• What to expect: Set in pine forest, so tree-lined, driving accuracy key but low scoring expected 
• Who won last year: Akshay Bhatia +40 pts (Stableford) 

We have an alternate event on the USPGA tour this week, which means a weakened field, full of non-qualifiers for The Open Championship.

In a refreshing break from the usual medal play, this tournament operates a modified Stableford scoring system, where five points are awarded for an eagle, two for a birdie, 0 for par, -1 for a bogey and -3 for double-bogey or worse. That should encourage golfers to go for their shots this week, as points mean prizes.

In what appears to be a wide-open contest, Keith Mitchell has been installed as the clear 16/1 favourite, despite not being in the best of form in recent times. 

Then we have Michael Thorbjornsen, who until last week, when he missed the cut, was trending as a winner during his first foray on the main PGA Tour. Can we put that down as a blip, or has his run of form now left him?

Chan Kim was a back-to-back winner on the Korn Ferry Tour, and built a reputation as a highly-rated college golfer who is now working his way through the tours. 

After three straight missed cuts, Kim showed he can rise to the top of these weakened fields, tying for 12th at the John Deere Classic, and finishing strongly to make the top ten at last week’s ISCO Championship. His 28/1 odds might be generous in this field.

Suggested bet (1): Chan Kim each-way in the Barracuda Championship

 

 

Carrying 22/1 odds is Canadian Taylor Pendrith, who has plenty of experience and these weaker events give him his best chances to clock up a Tour win. 

Newcomer Sam Stevens has been showing up on leaderboards from time to time in his first season on Tour. He has plenty of potential and needs to convert that to a win to secure his place on the professional circuit.

In the ISCO Championship last week, up-and-coming talent Rico Hoey lost in a five-man play-off. That was another major step for this blossoming talent, who had finished sixth in stronger company at the Rockat Mortgage Classic two weeks earlier. He may be being disrespected at 40/1 this week?

Suggested bet (2): Rico Hoey each-way in the Barracuda Championship

Jake Knapp also catches the eye after enjoying a run of form that landed him a first Tour success when winning the Mexico Championship in February. His form has since dropped off, but as a long driver he may well be suited to a course where low scoring is the answer to score points.

Another golfer who lost out in the five-man play-off at Keene Trace Golf Club last weekend was Pierceson Coody, the twin brother of Parker Coody, with both college star forging promising careers and clearly going places.

Suggested bet (3): Pierceson Coody each-way in the Barracuda Championship

Suggested bet summary:

• Chan Kim (28/1) - 2.5 points each-way
• Rico Hoey (35/1) - 2 points each-way
• Pierceson Coody (50/1) - 1 point each-way

All listed prices are from Planet Sport Bet and are correct at time of article publication, but could be subject to change

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