Butterfield Bermuda Championship Preview: Scott, Todd and Herbert among market leaders

We have a quirky course to sink our teeth into this week as the Butterfield Bermuda Championship returns as the penultimate event of the season. Players will be looking to retain their cards at the Port Royal Course that’s protected by the ocean breezes and thick Bermuda rough around the greens. 

The pressure is on for the top 125 in the FedEx Cup Fall standings, and after the Butterfield Bermuda Championship and the RSM Classic these guys will retain exempt status on tour in 2024. It goes to show what motivation can do as we saw Eric Van Rooyen on a mission last week to take down the World Wide Technologies Championship to secure his place for next season and get back to his homeland for a friend in need. 

No surprise to see Brendon Todd, 23.0, amongst the market leaders while course and current form bandits dominate the betting as usual. Ben Griffin, 29.0, is on the radar but too close to fair price in my estimations. Lucas Herbert, 27.0, is a former winner and looks a little short as well in the general market. Having said that, on SBK we do get some extra ticks of value. It’s Aussie Adam Scott, 20.0, heading the betting.

Bubble boys going to Port Royal include Doug Ghim, C.T. Pan, Jimmy Walker, Patton Kizzire and Harry Higgs. Chesson Hadley, who I quite fancied this week, has dropped out of the field.

The Course

Port Royal golf course is a 6,828-yard track playing to a par 71 with elevation changes throughout so perhaps it’s no surprise to see players like Brian Gay and Brendon Todd the with stand out form here. The strength of the wind will dictate the scoring for the week. Todd’s score of 260 over four rounds is the tournament record here and we are set for the fifth edition at the track where the FedEx Cup winner will receive 500 points. The elevation changes and the sea breeze are the defence of the track while strong wedgers and putters have gone well here in previous renewals.

The Contenders

It was interesting to note some low scoring rounds in Mexico last time out, and on Sunday in particular. Chesson Hadley closed with a 63 in Mexico and was on the radar, but he’s pulled out, as has MacKenzie Hughes – my other fancy! Andrew Putnam doesn’t take part.

Austin Cook 200.0 or 9.4 the top 10 is my notable rank outsider here. He fired a bogey free -10 on Sunday at the World Wide Technologies Championship for a top 10 which is his first decent card in a while. Cook has form with this type of golf, and his previous best (recent) finish came in Punta Cana. Cook’s PGA Tour win came with a flawless display at the RSM Classic on a windy Sea Island and I’m going to take a chance he’s found something. Cook competed here last year where he was in contention after 54 holes.

I’ll add in stalwart and PGA Tour wind specialist Ryan Palmer into the portfolio with the absence of Hughes and Hadley. The Texan looks a decent price at 65.0 or 6.2 here off the back of a t5 in Mexico, going 66-65-64 over the weekend. The forecast is for some wind which will be to Ryan’s advantage, albeit it’s his first time playing this event here.

Recommended Bets

Back Austin Cook to win @ 200.0 or t10 @ 9.4
Back Ryan Palmer to win @ 65.0 or t10 @ 6.2