By Eric Cohen
After a week in which all five of us ‘experts’ (and I use the term
lightly for some – including me) went 0-fer, it’s only fitting we try to
up our game for the rarest of exhibitions, the Olympics.
This tournament from Japan was all set to feel like a mini major
until the defections of recent Major champions Jon Rahm and
Bryson DeChambeau due to COVID.
Basically there’s no course history to study and we’re all truly
guessing here (then again, look at Brother Bri’s record so maybe
this is nothing new) but I know most, if not all of us will be
watching over the weekend.
One key factor that might play into some of our picks below – the
South Korean contingent of Sungjae Im and Si Woo Kim must
medal this weekend to avoid a year of military service within the
next few years. No pressure or anything, right? Only the trajectory
of their careers – being interrupted in their prime is at stake.
In 2016, two of the top three betting choices, Justin Rose and
Henrik Stenson dueled for gold. Don’t be surprised if the chalk
rules in Japan again in 2021.
As a bonus this week, Harry is granting all of us $25 to bet on the
women’s competition as well. Considering my lack of knowledge
on the subject, I’m glad this bonus money is coming out of his
pocket!
Once again the rules: each picker will get a simulated $200 to bet;
$100 of which will be on win bets and another $100 on top-5, top-
10, and top-20 bets only. The kicker this time is that the money
can only be spent on a maximum of three golfers in each
category. Picking winners has never been so difficult (except for
Parlay Kid).
Here are this week’s plays for the Olympics Golf Competition:
(Odds courtesy of Draft Kings Sportsbook)
The Parlay Kid
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: +$6610
Winners Picked in 2021: 7 (Reed, Berger, Morikawa, Thomas,
McIlroy, Cantlay, Morikawa)
$35 to WIN: Viktor Hovland (+1100)
$35 to WIN: Corey Conners (+2800)
$30 to WIN: Si Woo Kim (+5500)
$50 on Top-10: Hideki Matsuyama (+100)
$50 on Top-10: Patrick Reed (+120)
Harry
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: +$317.75
Winners Picked in 2021: 4 (Spieth, McIlroy, Cantlay, Rahm)
$50 to WIN: Cameron Smith (+2200)
$25 to WIN: Abraham Ancer (+2000)
$25 to WIN: Sungjae Im (+2800)
$50 on Top-20: Sami Valimaki (+500)
$25 on Top-10: Thomas Detry (+400)
$25 on Top-5: Sebastian Munoz (+1400)
Eric:
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: +$237.50
Winners Picked in 2021: 5 (Berger, Thomas, McIlroy, Cantlay,
Rahm)
$40 to WIN: Justin Thomas (+1100)
$30 to WIN: Xander Schauffele (+800)
$30 to WIN: Rory McIlroy (+1200)
$50 on Top-5: Sungjae Im (+600)
$50 on Top-5: Si Woo Kim (+1000)
Producer Michael
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: -$1431.25
Winners Picked in 2021: 2 (DeChambeau, Spieth)
$50 to WIN: Justin Thomas (+1100)
$25 to WIN: Patrick Reed (+1600)
$25 to WIN: Joaquin Niemann (+2200)
$50 on Top-10: Justin Thomas (-110)
$25 on Top-10: Patrick Reed (+120)
$25 on Top-10: Joaquin Niemann (+230)
Brother Bri
Last Week’s Results: -$200
Total ROI: -$1680
Winners Picked in 2021: 0
$50 to WIN: Hideki Matsuyama (+1200)
$50 to WIN: Si Woo Kim (+5500)
$100 on Top-10: Si Woo Kim (+300)
BONUS: Women’s Olympic Golf Champion
Parlay Kid: $25 to WIN: Nasa Hataoka (+2200)
Harry: $25 to WIN: Lexi Thompson (+1800)
Eric: $25 to WIN: Jin Young Ko (+900)
Producer Michael: $25 to WIN: Danielle Kang (+1300)
Brother Bri: $25 to WIN: Lydia Ko (+1600)
Find more of Eric’s sports opinions and predictions on Twitter at
@CohensCornerAZ.