Welcome to the NFL offseason. We’ll be coming at you throughout the month of March with some previews of Golf Tournaments (this and The Players) as well as March Madness and MLB Futures. Be sure you’re subscribed (probably are if you’re reading this) and pay attention to your inbox.
This weekend we’ve got ourselves a signature event in the PGA. What is a signature event? I don’t really know, sounds cool though. I think it means there’s a lot of money in the pot so the tournament attracts the best players in the world. I like my golf fields like I like my baked potatoes from Wendy's - LOADED.
I did some research on this course. By that I mean I read 3 articles and watched a 20 minute YouTube video. But beyond that, I’ve actually been here. If you’re a longtime Degen newsletter reader then you might recall my largest golf future ever was in 2022 on Viktor Hovland at Bay Hill. He blew a 3 stroke lead on Sunday to Scottie, and not only that - I was boots on ground for it. Fun!
(Crunching chips in Billy Ho and Scotties backswing. Didn’t work)
I’ve walked this course (twice actually, went on Thursday) and I feel like I know it fairly well. If I had to use one word to describe this course it would be LONG. Walking from hole 8 to hole 13 felt like it took 2.5 hours. Could have been because I stopped to pee four times.
(It gets hot in Florida)
Upon my research, I noticed most of the players used the word “test”. This course was designed to test the players, per the players. It ranked as the 10th hardest course on the PGA TOUR in 2024 (1st in 2020). There’s plenty of challenges with water on nine holes, and it is indeed very long.
Arnold Palmer designed this course. If you’re not familiar with Arnold, he was a fucking G. I can’t pretend like I personally know that from experience because I didn’t watch a ton of golf in the 60’s, but his nickname is “The King” and his drink - a combo of Iced Tea and Lemonade - is absolutely delicious. Imagine a life lived where you played golf, were good at golf, referred to as “The King” and people still say your name when they order a delicious beverage. Hard to top that. So if you’re attending or watching this event, be sure to put some fucking respect on Arnold. Also how cool is this photo? I mean come on…
Here are a few quotes about Bay Hill from some fellas you may have heard of:
“This golf course sets up well for anyone who can drive the ball long and keep it in play” - Tiger Woods (8 time API Winner)
“I’ve never had so many 6 foot putts for bogey” - Rory (2018 API Winner)
“Great golf shots are rewarded, but mediocre golf shots you’re going to have to scramble” - Willy Z (0 API wins yet somehow is 45/1 on DK)
The more I dig into this course, the more I think it’s likely that either Scottie or Rory run away with it. Scheffler has won 2 of the last 3 years, and Rory won in 2018. Their games are perfect fits, and they have what seems to be a quality that’s most important when capping this tournament: good course history.
After a lot of thinking, I’ve elected to go the route of Cantlay and a few other losers. Let’s get into my card…
You can watch myself and resident GALF guy BK talk API on YouTube here:
Patrick Cantlay +3000 (BetOnline) — There’s a song by Sabrina Carpenter called “Please Please Please”. When I hear it, I think of Patrick Cantlay. The chorus goes a little like this…
Heartbreak is one thing, my ego’s another
I beg you don’t embarrass me, mother fucker
Cantlay hasn’t won a golf tournament in what feels like forever, yet I continue to bet him. I don’t even really like the look or vibe of Cantlay. Maybe he’s low-key a good dude and fun guy to get a beer with, but like Joel Embiid’s status I would say that’s HIGHLY DOUBTFUL. But I can’t resist this fuckface. He’s played well this year and at this course. The players say this course is a test. Cantlay looks like the kind of guy who can pass a test. He doesn’t necessarily do anything all that great, but also doesn’t make a ton of mistakes.
Hideki Matsuyama +3300 (BetOnline) — Just because you see me bet guys like Cantlay and JT does not mean I’m a Cantlay or JT guy. I am, however, a Deki guy. First and foremost I have no idea if he’s injured or not. I understand there tends to be lingering back issue with him, so please do your own research regarding that. All I know is that he’s played some damn good golf, including a win at The Sentry earlier this year. He hasn’t played since The Genesis two weeks ago. I fucking love that. Deki has posted four finishes with at T25 or better this season, and now he’s shut it down till the SIGNATURE event.
Other guys I’m betting but not worth writing up because they aren’t winning:
Keegan Bradley +7000
Robert MacIntyre +7000
Billy Horschel +125000
Editors Note: if Viktor Hovland wins I will absolutely fucking kick and scream.
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Thanks for reading and good luck. Betting golf is the best. Gambling is the best. But please and I mean PLEASE do it responsibly.