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Farmers Insurance Open Picks (Bet on Will Zalatoris at Torrey Pines)

By Iain MacMillan

January 5, 2023; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Will Zalatoris acknowledges the crowd after making his putt on
January 5, 2023; Maui, Hawaii, USA; Will Zalatoris acknowledges the crowd after making his putt on / Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports
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Scottie Scheffler made a run at the win, but fell short at last week's The American Express.

As a result, I fall to 2-7 for (+0.9 units) after two straight 0-3 weeks after a strong opening event to the calendar year. Thankfully, we have the Farmers Insurace Open this week, and I feel like I have a strong beat on this tournament.

Lets dive into the top 20 odds to win via BetMGM Sportsbook, and then I'll give you my best bet.

Odds to Win The Farmers Insurance Open

  • Jon Rahm +450
  • Xander Schauffele +1200
  • Collin Morikawa +1400
  • Tony Finau +1400
  • Justin Thomas +1600
  • Will Zalatoris +1600
  • Max Homa +2200
  • Sungjae Im +2200
  • Jason Day +2500
  • Taylor Montgomery +2500
  • Hideki Matsuyama +3300
  • Maverick McNealy +3500
  • Si Woo Kim +4000
  • Adam Hadwin +5000
  • J.J. Spaun +5000
  • Sahith Theegala +5000
  • Justin Rose +5500
  • Keegan Bradley +6000
  • Cam Davis +6600
  • Hayden Buckley +6600

Farmers Insurance Open Best Bets

Will Zalatoris to win +1600 and Top 10 +175

For as long as Will Zalatoris is on the PGA Tour, I will bet on him at the Farmers Insurance Open. I got the chance to interview him last year, and I asked him which course on Tour is his favorite and fits his style of play the best.

He said it was Torrey Pines, home of this week's tournament.

His results at the event prove his love for the course. He finished in seventh here in 2021, and then followed it up with a runner-up finish last year. For a little bit of insurance on him winning the event, I'm also going to bet on him to finish in the Top 10 at +175.

Taylor Pendrith Top 20 +220

To succeed at Torrey Pines, driving distance is absolutely key. Focusing in on golfers in the top 100, if not the top 50, in driving distance is a good strategy this week.

That's why I'm eyeing Taylor Pendrith to finish in the top 20. He's 9th on the PGA Tour in driving distance this year, and he thrives when his approach shots are longer than 150 yards, which is exactly what the South Course at Torrey Pines offers.

His shot game is a disaster, which is why I'm sticking to a top 20 bet, but a 16th place finish at this event last year gives me enough confidence to fire a bet on him at +220 odds.

Brendan Steele Top 20 +360

Another dark horse contender to finish in the top 20 this week is Brendan Steele. He's inside the top 50 in driving distance this season, and he ranks 22nd on Tour in approach shots from 150-175 yards and 12th in approach shots from 175-200 yards.

My main concern is that he has missed the cut at this event the past two times he's competed here, but before that he played on the weekend in six straight starts and he finished 17th here all the way back in 2011.

Based on his numbers this season, I think he's worth a shot to finish inside the Top 20 at +360.

Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change.

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