The Loop
FedEx Cup odds: Vegas makes Jason Day and Dustin Johnson favorites, disses Adam Scott
US PGA TOUR
Jason Day didn't win a major in 2016, but he's still the man to beat in the FedEx Cup Playoffs, according to Westgate Las Vegas Superbook. The World No. 1, who also ranked first in FedEx Cup points through the conclusion of the regular season, has been made a 7-to-2 betting favorite entering the PGA Tour's postseason.
That shouldn't come as a surprise, especially since Day began the 2015-2016 season at 5/1, only trailing Jordan Spieth at 4/1. Neither should the fact that Dustin Johnson, No. 2 to Day in both the OWGR and FedEx Cup list, is the second favorite to win the PGA Tour's four-event finale at 5/1.
What's a bit puzzling is that Adam Scott, No. 3 in the FedEx Cup rankings entering this week's Barclays, is only listed at 20/1. It makes more sense, however, when you factor in that the Aussie has just one top 10 (a T-10 at the WGC-Bridgestone Invitational) since winning back-to-back tournaments in late February-early March. No. 4 Russell Knox, though, has to be the best value at 50/1. He's one of just five players to win twice on tour this season.
Spieth, the defending FedEx Cup champ, and the pre-season favorite is tied with Rory McIlroy for the fourth-lowest odds at 10/1. Reigning British Open champ and Olympic silver medalist Henrik Stenson checks in third (7/1). Gold medalist Justin Rose is 30/1 and Jimmy Walker, who won the PGA Championship earlier this month, is 50/1.
One of the more interesting cases is Phil Mickelson, who began the season as a 100-to-1 long shot, but who has moved up to 25/1 on the strength of six top fives that have him eighth in the FedEx Cup standings. To show how far Mickelson has come, Tiger Woods was listed at 50/1 before the season started.
As for this week's Barclays at Bethpage Black, Day is a 7-to-1 favorite. He's followed by Dustin Johnson (9/1), Rory McIlroy and Henrik Stenson (10/1) and Jordan Spieth (15/1).