It’s been a bit since I wrote one of these bad boys but let’s be honest.. It’s been a while since there was a tourney we really gave a shit about. That being said, the holidays are over and everyone got some Christmas money from their parents and grandparents, so let’s deposit that straight into the Sportsbook and look into some golf futures. We have 4 Majors, 34 PGA events, 14 LIV events and the Ryder Cup all in the next nine months – so let’s get ready.
Before we get into my favorite bets ahead of the season, let’s try a new segment presented by Blue Tees Golf (Code: ThreePuttBogeys for 10% Off). Yes, there are ads now, I am trying to expand the page so if you like the page or win bets with me, please buy something and help out. We are also close to finalizing a new logo for merch so please keep an eye out for that as well.
Hot Takes by the TPB Board of Advisors:
El Jefe: A LIV Golfer Will Win a Major in 2023
It’s not the hottest of takes by any means, but I do think it will add for some fantastic drama in the golf world. There is definitely some added pressure on these guys ahead of each major due to the world rankings issue we’ve covered before — how the OWGR is currently set, ranking points are given out based on collective field rankings, so all the LIV players can really only maintain their rankings in majors. It’s stupid but until they sort something out and find a way to give the LIV golfers the points they deserve, it is what it is. There are a lot of strong golfers that could pull this off, especially with Cam Smith and DJ playing top 10 golf, but watch out for guys like Niemann, Brooks or Bryson to potentially step up as well. Whether you love, like or hate LIV, we all know that watching the LIV players root on their guys and all the PGA guys low key root against them would be must watch content.
Mr. Right Now: Viktor Hovland will win an Elevated PGA Event
This one goes out to all the haters that say my guy Hovland hasn’t won in the states. First of all, that’s a mean comment. Second of all, the fun is over and Hovland is about to show why he’s the king. I still stand on the take that he’s better than Morikawa, and all he needs is a couple big name wins to start materializing the argument.
Warden of the Lou: Bryson Dechambeau is Back
After a few bad performances and his decision to move to LIV, a lot of people wrote Bryson off thinking he has moved on from competitive golf. Personally, I think Bryson is one that will benefit from the down time more than anyone else in the golf world. He cut down and is much leaner, and has finally given himself the time to fully recover from his injuries. Bryson had a strong finish in the Open Championship and there’s a lot more where that came from.
Jaltz: Greg Norman will Step Down from CEO
I’m not one to call for another man’s job but this looks to be written in the stars. You have to imagine that both tours want to find a way to coexist and work together but unfortunately the PGA is demanding for third leg Greg to step down. Between Tiger, Rory and Monahan all saying that he is the main hindrance to peace talks, it seems that this might be mandatory. Let’s at least hope that if he does, we are looking at a more amicable golf world.
Editor in Chief: Don’t Sleep on Rickie Fowler and His New Swing
I will be the first to say that Big Dick Rick has had a pretty bad stretch the last few years. I won’t even sugarcoat it, he’s fucking sucked…BUT.. I think he’s back. Rickie has shown some bright spots since switching caddies and coaches and I think it’s been very good for him. Sometimes guys just need a change in scenery and I really am rooting for Rickie to come full circle and get himself back at the top of the leaderboards.
Banksi: Tom Kim and Sungjae Im will be Household Names after 2023
After representing the international team in the president’s cup, I foresee Kim and Sungjae having very impressive seasons on the PGA Tour. I am betting on an even better 2023 for the two Korean golfers. Tom Kim is my pick to win the 2023 Players Championship at TPC Sawgrass in March. Not to be outdone by his fellow countryman, Sungjae Im who I expect to win multiple tournaments in 2023.
The Elder: JT Will Win a Major in 2023
Coming off a 2022 major win at the PGA championship, JT is flying high and ready to take another major in 2023. It’s time to diversify the trophy case for JT. The #8 World Ranked (soon to be #7 once the OWGR takes all of Cam Smith’s points) is eyeing up one of the two “more” prestigious Majors taking home either a Green Jacket or the Claret Jug. I’m leaning towards the Claret Jug for JT. He’ll ship out to Royal Liverpool, chug a beer out of the Jug in Rory’s face, and smoke a …cig (watch out JT, even though they use that word there I’d be careful).
Paddy the Baddy: Daniel Berger Will Finish the Season with LIV
Berger managed to avoid the spotlight and rumors throughout the season but now that he’s back from injury things should get a little more interesting. After his confrontation at The Players with Hovland and Dahmen, I’m not sure everyone on the tour really vibes with @db_straitvibin as much as he thinks everyone does. Berger is part of the Jupiter crew with DJ and Brooks so I imagine he’s jealous of their new boats and wants in. I think Berger plays at least two if not all of the majors but eventually finds his way over to LIV.
Favorite Futures (Presented by ShotScope. Code: 3PUTTBOGEYS for 15% OFF)
Matt Fitzpatrick to win the FedEx Cup +3300
Fitz had his coming out party in 2022 when he won the US Open but I think this year is his true time to shine. He racked up a bunch of top 10’s on the tour but still hasn’t found his first PGA Tour win. Catching him at +3300 feels like a steal to me and I don’t see a world where he isn’t at the very least in the Top 10 going into the playoffs giving himself a strong chance to win it all. My prediction is Fitz wins two tour events this year on his way to secure the Championship.
Joaquin Niemann to Win LIV Golf Individual Championship
Unfortunately we are still living in a world where LIV is not available on Sportsbooks, but I do still like to bet on any golf tournament I can. The extremely easy and obvious pick here is to take Cam, who will probably win, but I think Niemann can make a very strong run here. Niemann is one guy that everyone saw a lot of potential in after he won the Genesis last year and I think he is building momentum towards a strong streak. As I mentioned earlier, the LIV guys will need to over-perform in the majors and I think Niemann will prove, through his LIV tournaments, that he’s ready to do just that. Look out for Niemann to win at least one tournament and if he gets his boy Mito to join him, watch out for Torque to make a run at the Team Championship…
Europe to Win the Ryder Cup +190
I’m not gonna lie to you, when the Ryder Cup comes around I will be labeling every American that takes Europe to win the Ryder Cup either a commy or a terrorist – but right now I am giving you the right pick. Before September we will find out which LIV players will be allowed to play in the Ryder Cup, which will activate a few leadership players for Europe (which they need). Stenson, Poulter and Sergio have played on the teams that have absolutely dominated the US in Europe for six straight wins, and are all well familiar with the playbook repeat again. The US is in a golden generation for up and coming golfers, but as we’ve seen before, I think that something happens over there that breaks our guys like no other. The U.S. also didn’t look very strong in the Presidents’ Cup, so even if LIV golfers aren’t allowed I don’t think these odds will hold. Expect this to be closer to Europe +130 or even lower when September hits.
Major Winners (Presented by Primo Golf 15% Off with Code: THREEPUTT)
Masters – Tiger Woods +6000
I’ve been saying this since the day of Tiger’s accident and while there have been some speedbumps, I’m just as confident as I have been in the GOAT. You can say that he can’t walk, you can say he doesn’t have the stamina, his body isn’t ready or even that he can’t handle the hills of Augusta; all I will say is you were the same hater that said he could never win in 2019. We are just under 100 days from history my friends, either be a part of it and take the bet, or always remember you passed up on a +6000 winner because the guy had a limp.
PGA Championship – Sam Burns +4000
Burns has yet to really prove himself with a strong finish in a major but I think that the time has finally come for him to step up and get one. He took home the most underappreciated three wins on the PGA Tour last year and still seems to get disrespected by Vegas. Let’s see if Burns can pull this one off for us.
US Open – Will Zalatoris +2000
The season that Will Zalatoris had last year was one of the craziest roller coasters we have seen in history. Willy Z was so close in the PGA Championship then went ahead and ran it back with another second place finish in the US Open. After finally getting his first win and getting the monkey off his back… he fucking broke his back. Let’s hope that he has come back fully recovered and as long as he’s healthy, I am very confident in him winning his first major.
The Open Championship – Dustin Johnson +2000
I said that a LIV player would win a major and this is probably my favorite pick of the year. DJ went on an absolute fuckin heater throughout the entire LIV season and I don’t see him slowing down any time soon. He is going to be well rested and ready to finally secure his first Open Championship. He had a strong finish back in 2014 at Royal Liverpool and I think he is going to be the one that creates pure and utter chaos as the first ever LIV player to raise a major trophy.
MAJORS PICKS OF THE BOARD
Three Putt Bogeys 