And just like that, we’re back. It’s time for the start of the 2022-23 PGA Tour season and the boys are in Napa, California, for the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course).
Last season, Max Homa came from behind to take the title from Maverick McNealy for his first of two wins on Tour during the 2021-22 campaign (he’d go on to win the Wells Fargo Championship in May).
Understandably, Homa enters this year’s event as the betting favorite at +1300 (13/1). Hideki Matsuyama and Corey Conners are next on the list, tied at +1500 (15/1). Last year’s runner-up, McNealy, sits at +2000 (20/1).
Let’s dive into our first Tour preview of the season.
Fortinet: PGA Tour Live streaming on ESPN+
Golf course
Silverado Spa and Resort (North) | Par 72 | 7,123 yards
A general view of the course during round one of the Fortinet Championship at Silverado Resort and Spa on September 16, 2021, in Napa, California. (Photo by Meg Oliphant/Getty Images)
Key stats
- Strokes Gained: Tee to Green
- Total driving
Data Golf Information
Course Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfer attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who performs well at each course – DataGolf): 1. Annandale GC, 2. Memorial Park Golf Course, 3. TPC Scottsdale
Percent chance to win (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Max Homa (4.8 percent), 2. Corey Conners (4.7 percent), 3. Taylor Pendrith (3.7 percent)
Betting preview
Ireland’s Shane Lowry poses with the trophy after his victory on the final day of the BMW PGA Championship at Wentworth Golf Club. (Photo by GLYN KIRK/AFP via Getty Images)
First week back after the FedEx Cup playoffs and we grabbed an outright, Shane Lowry at the BMW PGA Championship.
Full card:
Shane Lowry to win (+1500): Win
Adam Scott to win: Loss
Tommy Fleetwood to win: Loss
+13 units at Wentworth
| Player | Odds | Player | Odds |
| Max Homa | (+1300) | Alex Noren | (+5000) |
| Hideki Matsuyama | (+1500) | Gary Woodland | (+5000) |
| Corey Conners | (+1500) | Brendan Steele | (+5000) |
| Maverick McNealy | (+2000) | Troy Merritt | (+5000) |
| Cameron Davis | (+3000) | Thomas Detry | (+5000) |
| Taylor Pendrith | (+3000) | Denny McCarthy | (+5000) |
| Davis Riley | (+3000) | Taylor Montgomery | (+5000) |
| Sahith Theegala | (+3000) | Jason Day | (+6000) |
| Emiliano Grillo | (+4000) | Webb Simpson | (+6000) |
| Tom Hoge | (+4000) | Chris Kirk | (+6000) |
Sahith Theegala tees off during the FedEx St. Jude Championship at TPC Southwind in Memphis.
Sahith Theegala looks poised to be the next young star on the PGA Tour. He finished on a high note last season, using back-to-back top-15 finishes in the first two playoff events to make it to East Lake.
He came close to winning on multiple occasions including a runner-up at the Travelers and a T-3 at the WM Phoenix Open.
I bring up those two tournaments because I expect Silverado to play a lot like TPC River Highlands and TPC Scottsdale (DataGolf has Scottsdale ranked as the No. 3 course comparison).
He’s 2/2 making the weekend in Napa, including a T-14 in 2020.
Bets to consider: Outright (+3000), Top 20 (+155)
Taylor Pendrith tees off on the par 3 eleventh hole during the third round of the Rocket Mortgage Classic golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raj Mehta-USA TODAY Sports
After the Players Championship, Taylor Pendrith missed some time due to injury. However, once he returned, he played some fantastic golf. Starting at the Barbasol, the Canadian grabbed five T-13 or better finishes in six starts including a T-2 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic.
Last season, Pendrith made the cut at the Fortinet and tied for 36th.
Bets to consider: Outright (+3000), Top 20 (+170)
Davis Riley plays his shot from the sixth tee during the third round of the Charles Schwab Challenge golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Raymond Carlin III-USA TODAY Sports
Davis Riley missed the weekend last season in Napa, but that shouldn’t concern you too much. He’s an incredibly consistent player who should thrive on a short golf course.
He didn’t have his best stuff during the playoffs but tied for 13th at the Wyndham Championship, the last event of the regular season.
Bets to consider: Outright (+3000), Top 20 (+200)
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