Olympics Men’s Golf Tournament Odds and Picks

• The Olympic Men’s Golf competition tees off Thursday, July 29th (Wednesday in North America)
• Collin Morikawa is the +650 favorite to win Gold for the USA; teammate Xander Schauffele is +800
• We’ve narrowed down the golfers with the best chance of emerging victorious and provided the best value bets below

Golf will be featured yet again in the Olympics, after the successful run four years ago in Rio, which was the first time golf was played in the Olympics since 1904. This time around, the venue will be Kasumigaseki Country Club, which opened way back in 1929. It plays to a par-71, and is almost 7,500 yards long.

60 golfers from 35 nations are expected to compete – with each country able to send up to four golfers, as long as they’re in the top-15 of the world rankings. Otherwise, each nation is limited to just two golfers. Jon Rahm was the heavy favorite and Bryson DeChambeau was among the top tier competitors, but both tested positive for COVID-19, leading to them withdrawing.

The format is the same as it is most weeks on the PGA Tour, with 72-hole, stroke play being used. Each golfer will play 18 holes per day, as is custom for nearly every golf tournament.

Men’s Olympic Golf Odds to Win Gold

Odds as of July 26th

Will Patrick Reed Go Full Captain America?

Originally, Patrick Reed wasn’t going to be part of the four golfers from the United States teeing it up this week. However, once Bryson DeChambeau was forced to withdraw due to COVID, “Captain America” got the call. He doesn’t take that nickname lightly, as his heroics for USA in the Ryder Cup are the stuff of legend.

Though Reed hasn’t dominated this season, with just the one victory at the Farmers Insurance Open in January, he’s been solid with six top-10’s. In the last 24 rounds, he’s been very consistent in several key strokes gained categories.

Patrick Reed’s Strokes Gained Stats Last 24 Rounds

Reed’s odds are a little bit longer because he originally wasn’t expected to play, but that’s where you can get him at solid value. He has an innate ability to play better when the stakes are higher. Among his nine PGA Tour wins, one is a major (2018 Masters), two are World Golf Championships and two are FedEx Cup playoff events.

Reed focuses on winning upper echelon events, and he’s already accustomed to playing in the Olympics, where he was T-11 in 2016. He’s the only American competing this go around that teed it up five years ago, and at +1400, he sports intriguing value.

2020 Olympic Men’s Golf Best Value Picks

1. Shane Lowry (+2200): The 2019 Open Champion Shane Lowry has been a model of consistency, making 14 of his last 15 weekends worldwide. In that span, he has four top-10’s at premier tournaments (PGA Championship, Players Championship, Memorial, RBC Heritage). When the stakes get higher, the Irishman plays even better. In the last 24 times teeing it up, he’s seventh in total strokes gained
2. Alex Noren (+6000): Consistency has not been Alex Noren’s calling card in his last five starts, as he’s missed three cuts. In the other two tournaments, he’s been T-4 (a shot out of a playoff), and T-13. Though he hasn’t won on the PGA Tour, he’s a proven champion, winning ten titles on the European Tour. In last 24 rounds, he’s second in strokes gained short game, fourth in putting and ninth in total strokes gained.
3. Jhonattan Vegas (+7000): Venezuelan Jhonattan Vegas has been playing very well lately, making eight straight cuts, and has four top-15 finishes, including a T-2 at the 3M Open last weekend and another runner-up at the Palmetto Championship. He’s won three times on the PGA Tour so he’s no stranger to the winner’s circle. In last 24 rounds, he’s second in SG: ball striking and off-the-tee.