There’s no need to worry for those who didn’t get an invitation to the WGC. That’s because the PGA Tour is holding an alternate tournament this week. For the first time the Barracuda Championship will be held at the Tahoe Mountain Club. The full field consists of young players looking to make their mark on Tour, much like last year’s winner Collin Morikawa, along with veterans chasing valuable FedExCup points. And once again the tournament will use the Modified Stableford scoring system, which awards points for how players perform on each hole. The field lacks big names but it won’t be short of matchup wagering options. BookMaker.eu has a complete updated list of matchup odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Barracuda Championship Matchup Odds at BookMaker.eu
Joseph Bramlett -150 vs. Seamus Power +130
J.J. Spaun -105 vs. Wes Roach -115
Kyoung Hoon Lee +130 vs. Adam Schenk -150
Chase Seiffert -110 vs. Austin Cook -110
Cameron Davis -140 vs. Ben Martin +120
Kurt Kitayama +110 vs. Sam Burns -130
Sam Burns -120 vs. Richy Werenski +100
Kurt Kitayama +105 vs. Richy Werenski -125
Aaron Wise -130 vs. Chesson Hadley +110
Ryan Armour +100 vs. Troy Merritt -120
Lanto Griffin -145 vs. Will Gordon +125
Si Woo Kim -110 vs. Scott Stallings -110
Jhonattan Vegas -135 vs. Kyle Stanley +115
Vaughn Taylor +100 vs. Russell Knox -120
Charley Hoffman -105 vs. Wyndham Clark -115
Branden Grace -130 vs. Maverick McNealy +110
Brandon Hagy +115 vs. Bronson Burgoon -135
Kristoffer Ventura +120 vs. Talor Gooch -140
Peter Uihlein +115 vs. Denny McCarthy -135
Sam Ryder -130 vs. Nick Watney +110
Robby Shelton +105 vs. Matthew NeSmith -125
Patrick Rodgers -110 vs. Emiliano Grillo -110
Patrick Rodgers -130 vs. Martin Kaymer +110
Russell Henley -115 vs. Alex Noren -105
Alex Noren +105 vs. Ryan Moore -125
Russell Henley -105 vs. Ryan Moore -115
Brendan Steele +120 vs. Ryan Moore -140
Russell Henley -130 vs. Brendan Steele +110
Pat Perez -105 vs. Matthias Schwab -115
Brendan Steele -105 vs. Alex Noren -115
Martin Kaymer -105 vs. Emiliano Grillo -115
Bud Cauley -150 vs. Brian Stuard +130
Need to Know
For the first time in two decades the Barracuda will have a new venue. It’s not that far from the old one and the elevation is remarkably similar. The Old Greenwood Course at the Tahoe Mountain Club plays at just under 7,400 yards, shorter than its predecessor, but it really doesn’t matter since the balls will fly in the thin air. Those familiar with the course say it’s perfect for the Stableford scoring system. The Jack Nicklaus design has three par 5s and as many as three reachable par 4s. Those are important with eagles worth five points and birdies worth two points. Remember, players want to be on the plus side this week. The scoring allows and almost requires players to be more aggressive, creating a fun and interesting tournament. On top of a Tour victory there’s added motivation of a trip to next week’s PGA Championship for the winner, if that golfer has not already qualified.
Barracuda Championship Matchup Picks
Martin Kaymer -105 vs. Emiliano Grillo
I get the feeling that Kaymer is being overlooked. How that happens is perplexing for the two-time Major winner. I guess when it’s been five years since your last victory that tends to happen. The German is just 35 and should be in the prime of his career. He’s been steady on the Euro Tour this season with four top-20s in five starts. Those all came before the shutdown and Kaymer has been silent since. The inactivity is a reason, but I still like his credentials.
Ryan Moore -115 vs. Russell Henley
The way Moore worked his way around TPC Twin Cities was a beautiful sight and there’s reason to believe more is on the way. He topped the field in GIR and ranked sixth in strokes gained: tee-to-green. Similar results on this course will set him up nicely. His lack of distance off the tee will be helped by the altitude and dropping a few more putts will put him among the leaders come the weekend.
Sam Burns -120 vs. Richy Werenski
This is the kind of event where Burns feels right at home. He’s young and may have been intimidated with stronger fields. That will soon pass as he’s moved on from the Korn Ferry Tour into a regular spot. He can hit and he can putt neutralizing the misgivings in between. But even those areas have shown improvement. T32 last week should have been better with a number of missed opportunities. Excellent ball-striking can lead to a bushel of points, and that’s why I’m backing him.
Talor Gooch -140 vs. Kristoffer Ventura
Gooch has impressed in similar-field events and recent form has me leaning toward him not only in this matchup but to be hanging around the top of the leaderboard come Sunday. He will have to overcome a disappointing weekend at the 3M where he fell to T18 after opening 66-65. That alone was a positive sign. He grabbed a T4 at the Houston Open and is trending up with a pair of top-20s in his last three starts.
Alex Noren -115 vs. Brendan Steele
Strong work with the flat stick put Noren on the podium at the 3M. He also led the field in scrambling making him a player to watch this week. Noren is one player that needs a win to qualify for the PGA Championship next week giving him added incentive. Steele had a great time when the event took place in Reno, but we don’t know how the change of scenery will affect him.
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