Austin Championship picks 2026: Why Brian Harman is a sneaky good bet
After a quiet Fall Swing for the expert panel, Steve Hennessey stayed hot and got us back on the board with Blades Brown at the World Wide Technology Championship. That gives us nine collective winners in 2026, and we have two more chances to make it an even 10.
We like our chances at the Austin Championship, formerly known as the Good Good Championship. The field is by no means stacked, but it does have some potential star power at the top in Jackson Koivun and Brown. Our experts are hunting a bit further down the board, however.
The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, Ryan Noonan of Betsperts, David Gordon of ESPN, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2026 Austin Championship:
| Experts | Pick to Win | Dark Horse | Miscellaneous Prop of the Week | Pick to Finish Top-10 | Matchups |
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Austin Championship picks 2026: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions
Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: David Ford (40-1, BetMGM) — No player has been better off the tee in the Fall Swing than Ford. And it really hasn’t mattered about the venue. He crushed at airport-hangar sized fairways in Utah and Mexico just as much as the club-down fest in Bermuda. The irons and putting have been surging as well. Really, the thing that’s letting him down is the short game. He’s never been Seve from greenside, but he’s now dropped strokes in seven straight starts around the green. The solution: Simply hit more greens and not worry about it. If Ford needs to rely on his around-the-green prowess, chances are, he’s not making enough birdies to contend for a win in Austin.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Brian Harman (33-1, DraftKings) — In the last five years, Brian Harman has played five tournaments (total) on the fall calendar. Harman finished T-4 at the Baycurrent last month, entered the Austin Championship, and still has his home event left at Sea Island on the schedule. No. 70 on the FEC points list, Brian knows he is playing well and fits the Canyon Course at Barton Creek. A win or high finish may get Harman in the AON Next 10 and those first two Signature Series events. That level of motivation has caused Harman to put his hunting trips on hold and compete. Venues that require accuracy and have Bermudagrass agronomy give this Georgia Bulldog a great chance to win against a weaker field.
Read The Line's Keith Stewart and Pat Mayo discuss the keys to handicapping the 2026 Austin Championship:
Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Ben Kohles (45-1, BetMGM) — Perhaps the image of Ben Kohles giving away the John Deere Classic is etched too much into people’s heads. But we’re talking about the leader in Good Drives Gained percentage over the past 36 rounds and the best player in SG/approach over the past year. He’s also a top birdie-maker in this field. The number is too good to pass up.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: David Ford (40-1, BetMGM) — Pat already nailed it, but just to reiterate, this UNC Tar Heel has been a machine tee-to-green this Fall Swing. In just 14 starts on the PGA Tour in 2026, Ford has finished inside the top 25 five times. The more reps he gets, the more chances he’s going to give himself. At 112 in the FEC standings, he’s two more really good weeks away from earning his tour card, too. Ford Country, Let’s Ride.
Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Zach Bauchou (40-1, BetMGM) — I have been riding Zach Bauchou a ton this Fall Swing, and I’m going to give him one more chance after another great ball-striking week in Mexico. Despite a disappointing Sunday, Bauchou still gained 2.3 strokes off the tee and 4.9 strokes on approach. There is even less top end talent in the field in Austin this week, and Bauchou’s market price of 40-1 is more than fair.
David Gordon, ESPN Research: Johnny Keefer (40-1, BetMGM) — Keefer was five under through his first six holes last week and played the next 30 holes at three over to miss playing the weekend, which gives us a great figure for a potential bounce-back win this week. Doesn't hurt that the Baylor alum has a long history of winning in Texas including his first KFT win.
Past results: With Steve Hennessey’s correct prediction of Blades Brown to win the WWT Championship, Andy Lack’s correct prediction of Scottie Scheffler to win the Tour Championship at +345, the panel now has nine outright winners in 2026. That marked Hennessey’s fourth winner this year, tying him with Ryan Noonan. Andy Lack, Keith Stewart and Pat Mayo each have one, too. Let’s finish ‘26 strong.
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Austin Championship picks 2026: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win
Mayo: Kevin Yu (80-1, BetMGM) — Whatever demons caused primo ball striker Kevin Yu to lose his ability to hit an iron that were thought to have been exorcised after the West Coast Swing earlier this year have seemingly returned. Maybe he’s not cut out for resort course life? Regardless, Yu’s long-term form shows he’s one of the better ball-strikers in the field, at a course which should reward his aggressive nature.
Stewart: Austin Eckroat (80-1, BetRivers) — Austin Eckroat gained over five strokes on approach at El Cardonal last week. The Oklahoma native knows southern Midwest golf. Eckroat’s two wins on the PGA Tour combine the need for ball-striking accuracy and prolific scoring. Tee-to-green Austin popped at the Biltmore and last week at the WWT. Eckroat has missed one cut on the PGA Tour since March. His 200-plus yards approach acumen is really what sets him apart when looking at this field and the Canyons challenge. Not to mention, when he wins on Sunday, the headline writes itself!
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Kensei Hirata (170-1, DraftKings) — Hirata finished fourth last week, following up on a T-11 in Mexico. He’s gained over 11 strokes on approach over his past three events ... just don’t look at the results beyond that. I’m willing to bet on this elite accurate driver found something with his irons that should translate to Barton Creek.
Powers, Golf Digest: Alvaro Ortiz (78-1, DraftKings) — From late August to early October, here’s what Alvaro Ortiz did on the Korn Ferry Tour – win/T-14/T-24/T-9. That stretch helped him earn his PGA Tour card, and it clearly gave him some confidence to make a serious run last week in Mexico, where he tied for sixth. And that was with an ice-cold putter. This is a hot player who has already proven he can win at the highest level (two KFT wins in 2026). Good price to try and cash in on here.
Lack: Sudarshan Yellamaraju (60-1, BetMGM) — Sudarshan Yellamaraju is coming off an impressive 12th-place finish at the World Wide Technology Championship where he gained nearly seven strokes off the tee and 2.5 strokes on approach. Yellamaraju’s elite driving should be accentuated once again in Austin.
Gordon: Trace Crowe (80-1, FanDuel) — Back-to-back weeks with Crowe as my dark horse for those keeping track at home. Finished T-50th last week despite posting all four rounds under par, and two weeks ago his 28 birdies led the entire field. Prior to that he finished T-3 in Utah with a similar profile of 27 birdies or better. This guy can fill it up.
Austin Championship picks 2026: Miscellaneous prop
Mayo: Seamus Power Top-5 Finish (+920, DraftKings) — Since there are only two events remaining in the season, I may as well just keep donating to the Power fund. The form is clearly there. Power has posted three top 10s (including a playoff loss) in his four Fall Swing starts, with his worst finish a T-21 at the Bank of Utah, where he rebounded after dropping almost five strokes on approach in Round 1.
Stewart: Ricky Castillo Top-20 Finish (+270, FanDuel) — When a course calls for 200-plus yard approach shots, there’s a cheat code on the PGA Tour, take Ricky Castillo. The Florida star is one of the best long distance approach players on Tour with a T-3 at the recent Biltmore Championship and a win at the 2026 Puerto Rico Open. No doubt this Gator can also score on Bermudagrass and get inside the top 20.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Taylor Moore Round 1 Leader (75-1, FanDuel) — Moore can get scorching hot with his irons and is a first-round leader king. Plus, he has an early tee time on Thursday—a great recipe for a first-round lead in windy Texas.
Powers, Golf Digest: Sam Stevens Top-20 Finish including ties (+245, DraftKings) — We haven’t seen Stevens since the FedEx St. Jude. You could look at that in one of two ways – 1. there will be some serious competitive rust, or 2. he’ll be fresh and ready to get after it. I’m willing to take a risk on No. 2 considering his track record in Texas, his birthplace.
Lack: Lucas Glover Top-20 Finish (+650, FanDuel) — Lucas Glover’s continued putting struggles prevent me from playing him in any other market than a top 20, but the veteran still remains one of the better iron players in the field. Glover has also been one of the largest risers during the Fall swing over the past few years and has a few excellent finishes on similar courses to Fazio Canyons Course, such as Quail Hollow and TPC San Antonio.
Gordon: Davis Thompson Round 1 Leader (70-1, FanDuel) — On paper there's a lot of boring finishes for Thompson over the last several months but he's shot 66 or better in at least one round in five of his last seven starts. Continues to be sharp with his approach play and figures to pop one of these Thursdays, if not tomorrow.
Misc. Prop Results from the World Wide Technology Championship: Lack: 0 for 1; Mayo: 0 for 1; Powers: 0 for 1; Stewart: 0 for 1; Gordon: 0 for 1; Hennessey: 0 for 1
Misc. Prop Results from the 2026 season: Lack: 5 for 10 (up 7.92 units); Noonan: 4 for 8 (up 5.8 units); Mayo: 1 for 10 (down 1 unit); Powers: 2 for 10 (down 2.32 units); Stewart: 2 for 10 (down 2.4 units); Gordon: 0 for 6 (down 6 units); Hennessey: 0 for 10 (down 10 units)
Austin Championship picks 2026: Matchups
Mayo: Jackson Koivun (-115) over Doug Ghim (Coolbet) — The winner of this matchup will have to make some putts, you’d think? Since that’s my hypothesis, I’ll take Koivun, who I’ve seen make a few over 10 feet in his career.
Stewart: Sudarshan Yellamaraju (+100) over Christiaan Bezuidenhout (FanDuel) — In an all-time “name” matchup, the key is going to be off the tee skill. Sudarshan Yellamaraju’s ball-striking will keep him in play more often than Christiaan Bezuidenhout. Throw in the fact Yellamaraju’s putter is trending while C-Bez’s has gone cold only compounds the opportunity of the positive odds head-to-head tournament matchup.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Ben Kohles (-110) over Pierceson Coody (FanDuel) — I spoke about my love for Kohles this week, who has been in better longer-term form that Coody.
Powers, Golf Digest: Ben Kohles (-122) over Johnny Keefer (DraftKings) — I’ll take the uber-consistent Kohles over the boom-or-bust Keefer, who has busted each of the last two weeks.
Lack: David Ford (-125) over Max Greyserman (FanDuel) — David Ford was one of the off-the-tee leaders in the field last week in Mexico, while Max Greyserman’s finish was far more dependent on his putting. Greyserman’s sustainability metrics are far weaker than Ford, whose driving skill should carry over well this week.
Gordon: Kevin Yu (-114) over Sudarshan Yellamaraju (DraftKings) — The track at Barton Creek seems to be very similar to TPC San Antonio, and Yu ranks second in total strokes-gained there among all players in the field this week. Yellamaraju had a nice finish last week (T-12) but that was his only top 25 in his last 10 worldwide starts.
Matchup Results from the World Wide Technology Championship: Mayo: 1 for 1 (Keefer (+100) over Penge); Stewart: 1 for 1 (Fisk (+100) over Bezuidenhout); Gordon: 1 for 1 (McCarthy (-150) over Hojgaard); Powers: PUSH (Mitchell (+132) over Gerard); Lack: 0 for 1; Hennessey: 0 for 1
Matchup Results from the 2026 season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Mayo: 21-16-2 (up 5.03 units); Noonan: 20-14-4 (up 3.84 units); Lack: 22-15-2 (up 2.63 units); Stewart: 20-14-3 (up 3.89 units); Powers: 20-18-1 (up 0.48 units); Gordon: 3-3-0 (down 0.59 units); Hennessey: 15-21-3 (down 7.49 units)
Austin Championship picks 2026: Top 10s
Mayo: Pierceson Coody (+375, DraftKings) — Whatever had been plaguing him for six months, like other things, seemed to have gotten flushed from his system in Mexico. It’s always dicey trusting open fairway, resort course stats and translating them back to a mainland track, but it’s hard to overlook how well he has been striking it. Despite a T-33 last week, Coody was fourth tee-to-green, dropping an ungodly seven shots to the field with the putter. Here’s to hoping a Texas guy can figure out how to putt in Texas.
Stewart: Chris Kirk (+350, BetRivers) — In his past six starts, Chris Kirk has three top 10s and a recent T-12 on Sunday in Cabo San Lucas, Mexico. The irons have been impeccable and now the putter has come around. Place Kirk on a Bermudagrass venue with a strong iron play requirement, and I’ll take the 10 places right to the winner’s window.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Chris Kirk (+350, BetRivers) — I’m with Keith Stewart here, I’d expect Kirk to excel on another ball-striking track, even if the putter isn’t enough to get him into the winner’s circle.
Powers, Golf Digest: Pierceson Coody (+375, DraftKings) — If not for a horrid week on the greens at the WWT, Coody might be working on a top-10 streak right now. Come back to the median this week and he might contend again given how well he’s hitting it off the tee and with his irons.
Lack: Max McGreevy (+850, FanDuel) — Max McGreevy continues to impress with his ball-striking, gaining over 1.5 strokes off the tee and on approach last week in Mexico. As is often the case with McGreevy, his putter held him back. Still, the putting woes are always baked into McGreevy’s price, and +850 is a great number for him to finish in the top 10.
Gordon: Ben Kohles (+430, FanDuel) — Twelve straight made cuts and all of them have been top-30 finishes for Kohles, who I'll take for a top 10 with a juicy potential payout. He's been eighth or better through 36 holes in three straight starts and four of his last five.
Top-10 results from the World Wide Technology Championship: Mayo: 1 for 1 (Seamus Power +500); Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Seamus Power +500); Lack: 1 for 1 (Blades Brown +335); Stewart: 1 for 1 (Blades Brown +335); Gordon: 0 for 1; Powers: 0 for 1
Top-10 results from the 2026 season: Mayo: 11 for 39 (up 36.55 units); Lack: 10 for 39 (up 8.55 units); Noonan: 11 for 39 (up 4.6 units); Stewart: 10 for 39 (up 4.4 units); Gordon: 2 for 6 (up 1.1 units); Hennessey: 8 for 39 (down 5.86 units); Powers: 7 for 39 (down 7.43 units)
About our experts
Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME.
Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor and content partner with Golf Digest. Stewart is a co-founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the PGA Tour, LPGA and TGL. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter for the industry's best betting narratives. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.
Ryan Noonan is the Betting Content Manager for 4for4 and Betsperts Golf, writing articles and hosting multiple shows under the Betsperts Group umbrella, including Move The Line and our Betsperts Golf Betting Show. Find him on Twitter: @RyNoonan.
Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.
David Gordon is a research producer at ESPN with a specialty in golf and betting research. The two-time Emmy winner has served as ESPN’s broadcast researcher for the Masters dating back to 2020 and the PGA Championship since 2021. Find him on Twitter: @dgord_tweets.