AT&T Byron Nelson picks 2022: Justin Thomas is as ‘due’ as ‘due’ gets
At this point, there is not much left to say. Yet another close-call finish for one of our experts last week at the Wells Fargo (Christopher Powers picked Cameron Young as his outright selection). The week before that, two experts (Powers and Stephen Hennessey) had Cameron Champ in Mexico. The week before that, Pat Mayo, Brandon Gdula and Lee Alldrick had Sam Burns and Billy Horschel, the runner-up squad at Zurich. The week before that, our anonymous caddie had Patrick Cantlay at RBC Heritage, where he lost to Jordan Spieth in a playoff.
Such is life in the outright betting game, where racking up the runner-ups doesn’t line your pockets. All it takes it one outright hit to erase weeks of bad memories though, and our expert panel is confident that that outright hit is coming soon. Two of us are on Justin Thomas at the AT&T Byron Nelson, two others on Will Zalatoris and two others on Dustin Johnson, so it’s safe to say we’d love if the winner came from one of that trio.
Our panel consists of an anonymous caddie; Brandon Gdula of numberFire/FanDuel; Rick Gehman of RickRunGood.com; Lee Alldrick of FanShare Sports and your two authors. This week, DraftKings betting analyst Reid Fowler (an OG member of this panel when it launched in 2018) is filling in for Pat Mayo, who is enjoying a much-deserved vacation. We’d like to think you’re reading one of the best collections of golf handicappers in the industry. If we hit a winner this week, we know you’ll agree.
Scroll down to see who we like this week at the 2022 AT&T Byron Nelson.
AT&T Byron Nelson picks 2022: Our experts’ outright selections
Anonymous Caddie Picker of the week: Dustin Johnson (22-1, BetMGM) — Nope, I’m not concerned about a wedding/honeymoon hangover. Word is that his honeymoon might’ve occurred at a golf destination. DJ’s length and accuracy off the tee will put him in prime position to make the boat load of birdies that it will take to win this week. And I actually think the time off since Hilton Head will leave him refreshed to battle the Texas heat and get back in the winner’s circle.
Reid Fowler, DraftKings analyst: Justin Thomas (9-1, DraftKings) — I know all you hipsters want to take your longshots this week, but with seven of the top 15 in the field, I’ll side with the best ball-striker over the last dozen rounds. It’s been over a year since Thomas has won—too long for a golfer of his caliber. Anybody would love to go into a major with a win, which is precisely what Thomas needs. Few are hitting their irons purer, and he seems to have found something with the flat stick, gaining in three of his previous four measured events. We’ve seen him win birdie-fests and shoot course-record scores (59, 2017 Sony Open) on easy courses; don’t be surprised if it happens again this week.
Brandon Gdula, FanDuel/numberFire managing editor: Justin Thomas (13-1, FanDuel) — If last year is any indication, then we need golfers who can go low. Not only that, but putting here is pretty easy, via datagolf. That suits Thomas…
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