Now that we’ve gotten past the absolutely embarrassing showing from the US in the Ryder Cup, we can turn our full attention to the FedEx Cup Fall. Its second event takes place in the good ol’ South at The Country Club of Jackson. Sanderson Farms is a fitting sponsor, as you’ll need plenty of birdies to win the coveted rooster trophy.
When looking at the betting board, you might find some newer names towards the top. Ludvig Aberg is undoubtedly the most talented player in the field and will go off as an 11/1 favorite. After going 2-2 and helping Team Europe coast to an easy Ryder Cup victory, most would expect there to be a hangover effect for the 23-year-old. Ludvig is set up to have a very decorated career and I will definitely be backing him in the future, but at this low price and the potential for a slow start, I will wait to bet him at a much higher price against tougher fields. I will, however, be betting the next name on the board: Eric Cole.
Best Bets for the Sanderson Farms Championship
Eric Cole (+2000)
Eric Cole’s ascension on the PGA Tour has been incredibly quick and equally impressive. In less than 1 season, he has gone from being nonexistent in the rankings, sitting somewhere close to 1000 in the OWGR, to being a Top 50 player in the world. At 35 years old, the late bloomer has truly competed and contended with the PGA’s best. He kicked off the Fall Swing with a 4th place finish at the Fortinet, where his putter was the only thing keeping him from being neck and neck with Theegala.
Statistically, Eric Cole is exactly who you want to have on your card this week, especially in a field as weak as this one. Cole’s approach play is one of the most consistent on Tour. He’s gained strokes to the field approaching the green in 25 of his last 28 tournaments. Only Scottie Scheffler and Collin Morikawa can match that number. Unlike Scheffler and Morikawa, Cole has also been incredible with the putter. He has gained more than 4 strokes to the field in 6 of his last 11 events.
Eric Cole’s game is about as good as it gets in both approach and putting. At a place like CC of Jackson, where driving capabilities aren’t as tested, his game matches the blueprints perfectly. Similar to Aberg, I will definitely be betting on Cole at much higher odds this season. But I still think he’s the best golfer this weekend, and I‘ll take him at the 20/1.
Charlie Hoffman (+15000)
With taking a favorite like Cole, I usually like to back it up with a long shot that can make a run. Charlie Hoffman fits that bill perfectly. He has both a good history in Jackson and an upward trend in his game. In the past 3 years, he finished at T6, T23, and T39. He missed the cut at The Fortinet, thanks to his worst driving week of his 18-year career. Before that, his ball-striking was its usual consistent form. Putting has been Hoffman’s real Achilles’ Heel.
Luckily for Hoffman, and those that back him at 150/1, Charlie typically performs well at the Sanderson Farms. Well…truthfully he’s had some of his best putting performances, and then some average ones. But as long as he doesn’t lose the 4-6 strokes he’s grown accustomed to losing, Charlie Hoffman can 100% compete in this tournament.
If you can get past the ugly outing at The Fortinet, Charlie Hoffman is one of the best players in this field at getting the ball on the green. And with his history at the CC of Jackson, a good putting week will put Hoffman in the mix come Sunday. 150/1 is simply too high to pass up on.