2020 CJ Cup Betting Preview And Expert Tips

October 15th – 18th, 2020

Shadow Creek Golf Course, Las Vegas, Nevada.

Par: 72 / Yardage: 7,527

Purse: $9.75 million with $1,755,000 to the winner

Defending Champion: Justin Thomas

With DJ out due to a positive Corona test, in form Jon Rahm assumes the favourite mantle at 8/1.  For me though Matt Wolff looks a very tempting bet at 18/1.  T4 at the PGA Championship and solo second in the US Open with an average driving distance of 334 yards, I can't wait to see what he does this week at altitude.

Ruled out of The Shriners, again by a Covid alert, a rested Tony Finau returns to what is essentially a virgin Tour venue (Tiger and Phil played The Match here) where nobody will have the advantage of experience of the greens.  This could play into Tony's hands as he's averaged 117 putts in his last three events and still contended. Another mammoth hitter from the tee, he comes in off three top-10 finishes in his last five starts and everything is aligned for a tilt at a win. 

Struggled on Sunday at Wentworth slipping to a T13 finish but I think Tommy is back approaching his best.  T3 in Portugal and 2nd in Scotland, a win would tee him up nicely for Augusta in November.  Hit 52 greens last week in Surrey, another good week with a warmer putter on bentgrass and he will do nicely.

Again going with the philosophy that lack of greens knowledge is a field leveller brings Bubba into the mix and he's overpriced at 66/1.  Still a prodigious hitter from the tee what often goes unnoticed is his prowess with his irons.  Topped the Greens In Regulation stats at the US Open hitting 48 greens but didn't convert leading to a T31.  Expect a much better performance with the flatstick this week.

Super impressive on his trip back home, I think Ian Poulter is eyeing a late season win.  T6 at the Renaissance Club and solo fifth last week at Wentworth where he finished with a clip of T7 in Greens Hit and T3 Putting.  If the transatlantic hop and the altitude of Vegas haven't the old codger exhausted he's playing well enough to grab a sneaky W.

T13 last time out at the US Open for Victor who bossed it tee to green.  Same exact scenario as at the Tour Championship where he again led in greens on his way to a T20.  It's really a case of that old Tour pro's line of “I'm playing well enough to win, I'm just waiting for the week the putts drop.”  33/1 says this week would be a good one.