About this Video

• Video Title: BMW Championship Mega Preview | Picks, Storylines, Best Bets
• Channel: The Second Cut Golf Podcast
• Speakers: Rick Gaiman, Mark Illeman, Greg Ducharme
• Duration: 01:17:56

Introduction

This podcast episode provides a comprehensive preview of the BMW Championship. The hosts discuss key storylines, player performances, course changes, and offer betting picks and DFS lineup suggestions.

Key Takeaways

• Rory McIlroy's absence from the first playoff leg: The hosts discuss the strategic implications of McIlroy skipping the first playoff event, arguing that it highlights flaws in the playoff format rather than criticizing McIlroy's decision.
• Ryder Cup implications: The podcast analyzes the current Ryder Cup standings and discusses the players on the bubble, highlighting the potential for significant changes in the coming weeks. The discussion emphasizes the importance of upcoming performances in securing a spot on the team.
• Patrick Cantlay's season: Cantlay's season is assessed, with a grade of C- given due to inconsistent performance despite strong statistics in some areas. His recent putting struggles and missed cuts in major championships are noted.
• Caves Valley Course Changes: Significant changes to the Caves Valley course since the 2021 BMW Championship are detailed, impacting par values and green conditions. These changes are predicted to lead to a higher winning score.
• Betting Picks and DFS Lineup Suggestions: The hosts offer their picks for the tournament, including matchups, finishing positions, and outright winners. They also provide detailed DFS lineup strategies, focusing on various price ranges and player performances.

The hosts offer numerous player and bet suggestions throughout the podcast. Here's a summary, categorized for clarity:

Players the Hosts Like (with some reasoning provided):

• Rory McIlroy: Highlighted for his recent hot putting and strong driver, making him a good fit for the course. Considered a strong contender despite not being the favorite.
• Scotty Scheffler: Despite not being included in one host's outright picks due to a perceived lack of risk, he is considered by all to be a top contender due to his overall skill and strong performance. His putting is particularly noteworthy.
• Ricky Fowler: Praised for his excellent recent driving and improving putting. The hosts consistently highlight his strong performance and believe he's playing the best golf he has in a long time.
• Cameron Young: His recent improved driving and strong putting make him a high-value pick across multiple betting markets and DFS lineups. A significant improvement in ball striking is also noted.
• Patrick Cantlay: While his season is graded as a C-, his history of success at Caves Valley and recent improvement makes him a viable option, particularly for those considering the "without" market.
• Brian Harman: His strong driving and putting, coupled with his success at long courses, make him a solid pick, especially given his price point in DFS lineups.
• Andrew Novak: His recent showing of "gumption" and consistent performance are highlighted.
• Hideki Matsuyama: Despite inconsistent recent performance, his pedigree and potential for a "hot" streak make him an interesting long-shot pick.
• Ludvig Aberg: His recent strong ball striking and improving short game are noted, making him a worthwhile consideration.
• Ben Griffin: His recent consistent performance and strong ball-striking, particularly his iron play, make him a solid pick, even though he is not a long hitter.
• Chris Kirk: His consistent performance and strong ball striking are noted.
• Harris English: His strong ball-striking and ability to perform well on courses with long iron shots are highlighted.
• Thomas Detry: His long hitting, putting ability, and overall profile make him a good value pick.

Bets the Hosts Like:

• Ricky Fowler Top 20: Multiple hosts like this bet due to his strong driving and improving putting.
• Brian Harman Top 20: His strong driver and putter combo make this a worthwhile risk.
• Cameron Young Top 20: His recent improvement across multiple facets of the game makes this bet attractive.
• Rory McIlroy Outright Win: Highlighted for his ability to drive and putt well.
• Scotty Scheffler Outright Win: Though one host initially left him off their picks, he is still considered one of the best and many still favor him to win.
• Patrick Cantlay Outright Win (Without Market): His history of success at Caves Valley makes him an appealing option in the "without" market.
• Cameron Young Outright Win: His recent surge in form and strong ball-striking make him a worthwhile long shot bet.
• Hideki Matsuyama Outright Win: A long-shot pick based on his pedigree and potential.

Note: The hosts' preferences are subjective and based on their analysis of player performance and course characteristics. They acknowledge the inherent uncertainty in golf and encourage listeners to conduct their own research before making betting decisions.