Sobel’s Hero World Challenge Matchup Bets: Justin Thomas vs. Tiger Woods in Round 1?

Sobel’s Hero World Challenge Matchup Bets: Justin Thomas vs. Tiger Woods in Round 1? article feature image
Credit:

Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports. Pictured: Tiger Woods and Justin Thomas

  • Jason Sobel details three matchup bets that have value in Round 1 of the 2018 Hero World Challenge.
  • His picks analyze the following matchups: Tiger Woods vs. Justin Thomas, Rickie Fowler vs. Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson vs. Patrick Reed.

I'm starting a new feature this week that I think you’ll enjoy…

Very simple: My three favorite matchup bets each round.

Let’s kick things off with the Hero World Challenge opening round.


Bubba Watson (+110) over Patrick Reed

I don’t love Bubba this week. In fact, I listed him last in my ranking of the 18-man field. So why do I like him in this Thursday-only matchup? A few reasons. At a course he’s won on before, with fewer spectators than most events, he should feel more comfortable inside the ropes.

Really, though, this is a P-Reed fade. He’s been all over the world during the past month and it started to show effects with an opening-round 75 in his most recent appearance in Hong Kong.

At plus-money, give me Bubba here.

Rickie Fowler (-106) over Dustin Johnson

He gets criticism for not being a closer, but Fowler has figured out how to start tournaments. His past five opening-round scores: 66-68-65-65-65.

As I wrote in that ranking, I’m always a bit skeptical of DJ’s motivation in a late-year event like this, so this bet is an easy call.

Justin Thomas (-110) over Tiger Woods

Tiger looked lethargic and a bit off his game in "The Match" last week. Couple that with the fact that he’s often started slow in the past year, and it’s not hard to see why I like JT in this matchup.

Thomas should be a nice combination of well-rested and motivated against his buddy and the guy who inspired him to first start getting serious about the game.

And as he told me recently, he’s got a few tricks up his sleeve when trying to beat Tiger.



How would you rate this article?

This site contains commercial content. We may be compensated for the links provided on this page. The content on this page is for informational purposes only. Action Network makes no representation or warranty as to the accuracy of the information given or the outcome of any game or event.