Why Jordan Spieth can shine at Genesis Scottish Open

The PGA TOUR begins the European swing at the Genesis Scottish Open, the links-style lead-up tournament prior to the British Open, the final major of the season.

Most of the game’s top stars are in the field, which is led by odds-on favorite Scottie Scheffler, with Rory McIlroy, Patrick Cantlay, Viktor Hovland, Xander Schauffele, Max Homa, Rickie Fowler, and Jordan Spieth all featured in Scotland as well.

Coming off our Sepp Straka spoils at 50/1 to win the John Deere Classic, let’s try to go for the European double from the Home of Golf.

2023 Genesis Scottish Open: Picks and Best Bets

Note: Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook. Odds refresh periodically and are subject to change. For more sports and betting insight be sure to check out Betsided. 

(Tournament Winner / Top 10 Finish)

Jordan Spieth  (+2200 / +240)

We’re riding the Spieth roller-coaster across the Atlantic. Why? Spieth is a very underrated Links golfer. The #30 player in the FedEx Cup standings finished T10 at last season’s edition of the Genesis Scottish Open. He’s also 9/9 in cuts made at the British Open, with a win, and five top 10s at a variety of links courses.

Jordan is having an above-average season putting, ranks #43 on TOUR in “Scrambling” (key for links golf), and is #21 in “Strokes Gained – Total”. Spieth is due for a win.

Tom Kim  (+5000 / +450)

One of my favorites on TOUR, young Tom Kim returns to The Renaissance Club with excellent history. En route to a solo third finish at last season’s Genesis Scottish Open, Kim scared the leaders here with a 67 on Sunday.

Now that Kim has played the majority of a PGA schedule, he’s no longer a course neophyte at most of the properties played on TOUR. The #25 ranked golfer in the FedEx Cup standings has vaulted to #10 on TOUR in “Strokes Gained – Approach To Green” and #7th in “Driving Accuracy”.

If the putter catches heat, Kim poses a major threat this weekend.

Rasmus Hojgaard  (+7500 / +650)

The Genesis Scottish Open always features one or two European contenders who play a lot more links golf than most PGA players (think Min Woo Lee), so why not invest in the young great Dane who just won on the DP World Tour this past weekend?

Hojgaard, ranked #20 in the DP Tour standings, is on Ryder Cup watch and is loaded with confidence entering Scotland. He finished 10th in his only appearance at the Renaissance Club in 2022.

He’d love to gain full-time PGA TOUR membership, which is exactly what he’d get with a win this weekend.

Alexander Bjork  (+11000 / +850)

Speaking of a European on a heater, it’s hard to find many golfers on any tour playing more consistently well than Alexander Bjork. The 33-year-old Swedish ace plays exclusively on the DP World Tour, so many of the American audience may not be as familiar with Bjork. His past four tournament results are a T6, T9, T8, and T4, with three straight final rounds in the 60’s.

He’s ranked #12th in the DP Tour standings. Bjork’s pedigree on links courses and recent form make him worth the gamble at more than 100/1.