THE CJ CUP: Best Longshot Picks & Predictions (2022)
With the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP in the rearview mirror, we look forward to this week’s THE CJ CUP in Ridgeland, South Carolina. For the first time ever, Congaree Golf Club will host this event.
Congaree has hosted just one TOUR event, which was the Palmetto Championship in 2021. Looking at the top of that leaderboard, the metrics that predict the most success at this course include SG: Tee-to-Green and Greens in Regulation percentage (GIR%).
A par 71, 7,655-yard track, Congaree is a monster of a course that rewards strong and consistent iron play and long hitters. Below, I will give out my two best longshot bets to win the 2022 THE CJ CUP.
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These plays are 0.2u and 0.1u, or 0.2% and 0.1% of your betting bankroll. Odds Courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook
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Mito Pereira (+7000): 0.2u
The first golfer we target this week is Mito Pereira, who sits at 70/1. Currently ranked 26th in the FedEx Standings and 43rd in the OWGR, Pereira has been searching for his first TOUR victory after becoming a commonly-known name with his T3 finish at last year’s PGA Championship.
We are getting such a long number because he struggled toward the end of last season following that big finish at the PGA Championship. However, he appears back in form at the start of the 2022-23 season with a T4 finish at the Shriners Children’s Open and a T45 finish at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP.
The main reason for this success has been his terrific iron play. To start the season, he ranks first on TOUR in SG: Tee-to-Green and 20th in GIR%. These are not outlier figures either, as he finished the 2021-22 season ranked 16th in SG: Tee-to-Green and 14th in GIR%.
Also a big hitter, Pereira is currently 29th in Driving Distance. With a long drive and tremendous, consistent iron play, Pereira is worth a shot to win this tournament at 70/1.
Luke List (+15000): 0.1u
Another golfer we are backing this week is Luke List, who is listed at a whopping 150/1. We are getting such a large number here partly because he missed the cut at this course last year, but we should not be shocked at all if he sees some positive regression this week.
Last week, List finished T29 at the ZOZO CHAMPIONSHIP, which was played at a track that rewards strong iron players. This season, he ranks 50th in SG: Tee-to-Green and 51st in GIR%.
While there are concerning parts of List’s game, his iron play is not one of them. Finishing the 2021-22 TOUR season ranked sixth in SG: Tee-to-Green and 13th in GIR%, List established himself as one of the best ball strikers on the planet.
Last year, he was also a big hitter as List finished 12th in Driving Distance. The game typically prevents him from winning events, but his irons should keep him competitive this weekend at a minimum, which makes 150/1 an intriguing proposition.
Other Outright Winner Plays:
- Rory McIlroy (13/2): 0.4u
- Tom Kim (28/1): 0.3u
Best of luck!
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Tony Sartori is a featured writer at BettingPros. For more from Tony, check out his archive and follow him @tony_sartori.