Just two weeks after Tiger Woods shook up the world of golf (again) with a historic win at the Tour Championship, the 2018-19 PGA season gets underway when the 2018 Safeway Open gets underway on Thursday, live from the North Course at Silverado Resort and Spa in Napa, California.
While this tournament doesn’t pack the punch of having a ton of top-ranked players competing in it, there are some world class golfers in the field, headlined by the legendary Phil Mickelson first and foremost. More importantly, I believe the 2018 Safeway Open is offering some excellent betting value for golf bettors looking to cash in.
Patrick Cantlay is the Vegas favorite at 14-1 and he’s followed by Brandt Snedeker at 20-1, Ryan Moore at 22-1 and then Joaquin Niemann and Mickelson, both 25-1 picks. Okay, let’s take a look at some of the golf odds and then get to me top three picks to bring home the bacon in this event.
2018 Safeway Open Odds & Betting Preview
The PGA TOUR season kicks off @SafewayOpen.
Look for some shots to shake up this list by week’s end. pic.twitter.com/W0xnhhiAjd — PGA TOUR (@PGATOUR) October 4, 2018
When: Oct. 4-7 Where: Silverado Country Club — Napa County, California TV: Golf Channel Radio: PGA Tour Radio Live Stream: PGA Tour Live
Latest 2018 Safeway Open Odds
- Patrick Cantlay 14-1
- Brandt Snedeker 20-1
- Ryan Moore 22-1
- Joaquin Niemann 25-1
- Phil Mickelson 25-1
- Denny McCarthy 28-1
- Emiliano Grillo 28-1
- Abraham Ancer 33-1
- Adam Hadwin 33-1
- Sangmoon Bae 33-1
- Beau Hossler 40-1
- Brendan Steele 40-1
- Cameron Davis 40-1
- Hunter Mahan 40-1
- Patrick Rodgers 40-1
- Peter Uihlein 40-1
- Luke List 50-1
- Russell Knox 50-1
- Harold Varner III 50-1
Past Winners
- 2017: Brendan Steele
- 2016: Brendan Steele
- 2015: Emiliano Grillo
- 2014: Sangmoon Bae
- 2013: Jimmy Walker
My Top Three Picks
Brendan Steele (40-1)
Despite winning this event in each of the past two years, the odds on Brendan Steeler making it three in a row apparently aren’t very good. No matter, I’m going with the California native to pull off the hat trick. Yes, I know that no golfer has won the same event in three consecutive years since Steve Stricker did it at the John Deere Classic from 2009-2011, but I see no reason why the 35-year-old Steele won’t have a great shot to do so. Steele ranked a fantastic 12th in driving distance this past season (310.6 yards) while also ranking 31st in greens in regulation (69.6%) and 59th in eagles per hole. Steele looks like he’s about due for another win too after three top 10 finishes, seven in the top 25 and his win at this event a year ago.
Patrick Cantlay
There’s no denying that the 26-year-old Californian is supremely gifted. He won the Shriners Hospital for Children Open last season while also finishing fourth at the Memorial and an identical T4 at the Genesis Open. More importantly, Cantlay ranked eighth in greens in regulation while also ranking 33rd in driving distance (303.6 yards), 39th in birdie average (3.83) and 17th in scoring average (69.89). many golf observers believe he’s the best player in the field at this event and that alone means he’ll have a shot.
Longshot Pick
Cameron Champ
You might not know who 23-year-old Cameron Champ is, but he’s one of the most gifted young players in the world and he’ll be coming to a living room near you soon. This tournament marks the first chance for the PGA Tour’s new arrivals from its junior circuit Web.com Tour to show off and Champ remains a rookie despite having played in six PGA Tour events this past season. Champ drives it a ton (325.6 yards) and has superstar potential according to everyone that has watched him. I could have gone with someone like Mickelson or maybe Hunter Mahan as my longshot pick, but Champ is offering great odds and he’s super hungry!
