CIMB Classic: Schauffele riding wave of momentum

Few players in the world have played as well the last four months as Xander Schauffele.

Schauffele capped off his Rookie of the Year campaign a couple weeks ago with a victory at the Tour Championship. That followed his breakthrough win at the Greenbriar Classic in July.

Now we'll get to see what Schauffele can do for an encore. I think he's ready to go out and continue that hot play, so I've started my card with him at 25-1. This is the lowest number of his career, so it's definitely a spot where I'm buying high on a guy, but given his play of late and the overall weakness of the field, I think he's one of the top five guys in the CIMB Classic.

Next up for me is Gary Woodland at 30-1. Again, this a low number for Woodland, who is usually in the 50/80-1 range. But this is a place he has played very well in the past, finishing second to Ryan Moore twice, in 2013 and 2014.

My third play is Rafa Cabrera Bello at 40-1. He's still looking for the first PGA Tour win, so I expect him to come out ready to go on a course he's played well at before. RCB owns two top-five finishes at the Malaysian Open, in 2011 and 2012. He also finished 10th at this tournament a year ago.

My final play among this group is Grayson Murray at 50-1. I like Murray here because his game is a little like Justin Thomas' was two years ago. He's an elite driver and can get hot enough with the irons to give himself a lot of birdie opportunities on a course this easy.

I'll be back later this week to take a deeper look at our long-shot plays.

Joshua has spent the last five years writing about sports and the last 10 years betting them, mostly on golf. He's one of approximately five people who will watch the PGA over the NFL in November. Follow him on Twitter @JoshuaPerry22

Photo: © Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

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