5 Longshots Who Could Shock the Golf World and Win the Charles Schwab Challenge
Rory McIlroy is the clear favorite to win the Charles Schwab Challenge this weekend. And why wouldn’t he be? McIlroy already has a win in 2020, and he hasn’t placed worse than fifth in any tournament so far this year. He’s the best golfer in the world right now, but he’s not who we’re here to talk about. There are a few longshots at the Charles Schwab Challenge that offer tremendous betting value. Here are five lesser-known players to keep an eye on at Colonial CC this weekend.
Sungjae Im: 29/1
Sungjae Im isn’t a household name on the PGA Tour yet, but he will be soon. At just 22 years of age, Im is already the 23rd ranked golfer in the world. Before the COVID-19 pandemic forced the PGA Tour into a suspension, he was one of the hottest players on the planet.
As a rookie in 2019, Im led the Tour in birdies (480), eagles (18), and hole outs (25). He was named Rookie of the Year and finished tied for 19th in the FedEx Cup standings.
Im finished his last two events in 2020 with a win at the Honda Classic and a third-place finish at the Arnold Palmer Invitational. If he’s in the same form as he was a few months ago, Im will be a factor come Sunday.
Collin Morikawa: 34/1
Collin Morikawa is another player poised to become a popular worldwide name soon. He already has a PGA Tour win as a 23-year-old, and he hasn’t missed a single cut in 2020.
Morikawa is as steady as they come on Tour. The youngster has notched seven top-25s in 11 events played so far this season.
Morikawa has never played Colonial as a pro, so he’s a risky bet, but he’s put together some impressive finishes already at new courses.
Kevin Na: 50/1
Fifty to one odds on the reigning champion of the Charles Schwab Challenge? Yes, please.
Kevin Na is back at Colonial to defend his 2019 title, and who’s to say he can’t repeat as the winner? Na won the Charles Schwab Challenge last year with a final score of -13, highlighted by a blistering 62 on Friday.
Na has played 13 events at Colonial over the course of his career. He has eight top-25 finishes and has only missed the cut once. Na can go low at any point, and all he needs is one hot round to vault to the top of the leaderboard.
Kevin Kisner: 65/1
Sticking with the theme of former winners at Colonial, Kevin Kisner is up next. Kisner won the DEAN & DELUCA Invitational at Colonial in 2017 with a final score of -10.
In his career at the course, Kisner has three top-10 finishes and four rounds of 66. At 65/1 odds, Kisner is a great value bet to recapture his magic from 2017 and conquer Colonial once more.
Zach Johnson: 150/1
Usually pulling the trigger on a 150/1 longshot is a lost cause. They’re priced so ridiculously for a reason — they don’t really have any chance to win.
That might not be the case for Zach Johnson, though. Johnson is out of his prime, sure, but his track record at Colonial speaks for itself. In 14 events played, Johnson has won twice and recorded five top-10 finishes at Colonial CC.
From 2009-2013, Johnson finished inside the top 10 in all five trips to Colonial. If you’re betting on someone with such massive odds, it’s encouraging to see that kind of consistency at a single course.
Will he win this weekend? Probably not. Is he worth a couple of bucks at 150/1 odds? Absolutely.
