Opinion & Analysis
What Your Golf Hat Says About You
Picture a bright summer day. The sun is shining through the trees and you need something to shield your eyes from the light. A hat!
Just about every professional golfer wears one to protect themselves from sun exposure… and because they get paid big sums of money to put logos on them. The last time I checked, however, 99.9 percent of golfers aren’t fortunate enough to have endorsement deals. So why do the vast majority of golfers in the world generally wear similar hats with very similar logos?
Here’s a list of some of the favorite hats worn by golfers across the world, as well a brief description of the golfers who are probably wearing them.
Titleist Hat
Usually a pretty good player. You’re obsessed with swing mechanics. Most of the other members at your course usually see you on the range with a tripod, an iPad, a launch monitor and at least three alignment rods.
- Common Line: “Do you mind filming a swing for me?”
- Shoots Around: 76, but you can shoot in the 90s when the swing gets “off plane.”
Beanie
Beanies are totally acceptable in the winter, but very few people have the confidence to wear one in the summer time… and you’re one of them. Somehow you keep your cool, both on and off the course, even though your bank account is overdrawn and your rent is past due.
- Common Line: “Can I borrow your (insert golf item)? I lost mine.”
- Shoots Around: 91, but you’re scary consistent.
FootJoy Bucket Hat
You’re obsessed with both the game of golf and sun screen… the SPF 100+ stuff. The white sunscreen streaks on your nose don’t fade until the back nine. You play about twice a week and take three minutes to hit every shot.
- Common Line: “Need any sunscreen? I have the spray-on stuff, too.”
- Shoots Around: You always seem to shoot below 85, but it’s never pretty.
TaylorMade Hat
For a brand that literally means “made for you,” you own a hat that is worn by countless other golfers. But you love your new TaylorMade driver, and you want the whole world to know it.
- Common Line: “I dropped my spin by 500 rpm with this driver!”
- Shoots Around: 83, but the way you drove it you should have shot 75.
(Insert Name of Financial Institution) Visor
You’ve been wearing that visor for less than a week, and you’re way overconfident about a recent day trade that made you a few hundred bucks… in less than an hour, of course. Your golf game is terrible, but you play all the time. As an “entrepreneur,” you get to “make your own schedule.” Your playing partners know this before you make it to the first green, which takes a few fatted pitch shots.
- Common Line: “How is IBM is down 5 percent today! Everyone said it was guaranteed to go up.”
- Shoots around: 112, but 95 when you’re keeping score.
Budweiser Hat
You get hammered before you even make it to the first tee. And whether you’re teeing off at 4 p.m. or 6 a.m., everyone knows within a few minutes of meeting you that you came to the course for a good time. Your cigarillos (usually Swisher Sweets, grape flavor) send a warning to nearby golfers to watch out for shanks, skulls and slices.
- Common Line: “(Something GolfWRX can’t print about a cart girl).”
- Shoot Around: Doesn’t keep score, ever.
Nike/Tiger Woods Hat
Tiger fanatic. You were slightly depressed for the 15 months Tiger wasn’t on the PGA Tour, and you’ve watched the 2016 Hero World Challenge on DVR four times.
- Common Line: “I’m getting close.”
- Shoots Around: 80, but you fist pump like a tour player.
Ben Hogan “Cap”
You’re over the age of 55 (or Bryson DeChambeau), and have read Ben Hogan’s Five Lessons and Power Golf at least three times. You’ve compiled a 50-page journal about what you need to do in your golf swing, and you’ve taped your favorite Ben Hogan quote to your bathroom mirror.
“The ultimate judge of your swing is the flight of the ball,” is your current favorite.
- Common Line: “Would you mind if I offered you a tip about your swing?”
- Shoots Around: You rarely break 90 (unless you’re Bryson DeChambeau), but you think your next swing change will have you shooting under par.
MLB Flat Brim Hat
You’re the guy who pulls driver on every tee box (except the par-3s). You normally out drive everyone in the group, but only hit one or two fairways per round. You’re constantly talking about your minor league days, and how things would have been different if you didn’t throw your arm out.
- Common line: “I’m soooo sore. It was leg day yesterday, bro.”
- Shoots Around: 105, but you’re really, really competitive.
Any Other Kind of Flat Brim
There are no 10-handicap golfers wearing flat brim hats. If you wear one, you’re either a stud or not very good at all. And you probably love energy drinks, and have at least one tattoo.
- Common Line: “Do you think the beverage cart girl has Red Bull?”
- Shoots Around: Under par or over 100.
No Hat
You’re legendary at your club. You break par almost every round.
- Common Line: “None. You don’t say much on the course.”
- Shoots Around: 68… from the tips.
What hat do you wear to play the world’s greatest game? Let us know in the comments section below.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open betting preview
As the Florida swing comes to an end, the PGA Tour makes its way to Houston to play the Texas Children’s Houston Open at Memorial Park Golf Course.
This will be the fourth year that Memorial Park Golf Course will serve as the tournament host. The event did not take place in 2023, but the course hosted the event in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
Memorial Park is a par-70 layout measuring 7,432 yards and features Bermudagrass greens. Historically, the main defense for the course has been thick rough along the fairways and tightly mown runoff areas around the greens. Memorial Park has a unique setup that features three Par 5’s and five Par 3’s.
The field will consist of 132 players, with the top 65 and ties making the cut. There are some big names making the trip to Houston, including Scottie Scheffler, Wyndham Clark, Tony Finau, Will Zalatoris and Sahith Theegala.
Past Winners at Memorial Park
- 2022: Tony Finau (-16)
- 2021: Jason Kokrak (-10)
- 2020: Carlos Ortiz (-13)
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Memorial Park
Let’s take a look at several metrics for Memorial Park to determine which golfers boast top marks in each category over their last 24 rounds:
Strokes Gained: Approach
Memorial Park is a pretty tough golf course. Golfers are penalized for missing greens and face some difficult up and downs to save par. Approach will be key.
Total Strokes Gained: Approach per round in past 24 rounds:
- Tom Hoge (+1.30)
- Scottie Scheffler (+1.26)
- Keith Mitchell (+0.97)
- Tony Finau (+0.92)
- Jake Knapp (+0.84)
Strokes Gained: Off the Tee
Memorial Park is a long golf course with rough that can be penal. Therefore, a combination of distance and accuracy is the best metric.
Total Strokes Gained: Off the Tee per round in past 24 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+0.94)
- Kevin Dougherty (+0.93)
- Cameron Champ (+0.86)
- Rafael Campos (+0.84)
- Si Woo Kim (+0.70)
Strokes Gained Putting: Bermudagrass + Fast
The Bermudagrass greens played fairly fast the past few years in Houston. Jason Kokrak gained 8.7 strokes putting on his way to victory in 2021 and Tony Finau gained in 7.8 in 2022.
Total Strokes Gained Putting (Bermudagrass) per round past 24 rounds (min. 8 rounds):
- Adam Svensson (+1.27)
- Harry Hall (+1.01)
- Martin Trainer (+0.94)
- Taylor Montgomery (+0.88)
- S.H. Kim (+0.86)
Strokes Gained: Around the Green
With firm and undulating putting surfaces, holding the green on approach shots may prove to be a challenge. Memorial Park has many tightly mowed runoff areas, so golfers will have challenging up-and-down’s around the greens. Carlos Ortiz gained 5.7 strokes around the green on the way to victory in 2020.
Total Strokes Gained: Around the Green per round in past 24 rounds:
- Mackenzie Hughes (+0.76)
- S.H. Kim (+0.68)
- Scottie Scheffler (+0.64)
- Jorge Campillo (+0.62)
- Jason Day (+0.60)
Strokes Gained: Long and Difficult
Memorial Park is a long and difficult golf course. This statistic will incorporate players who’ve had success on these types of tracks in the past.
Total Strokes Gained: Long and Difficult in past 24 rounds:
- Scottie Scheffler (+2.45)
- Ben Griffin (+1.75)
- Will Zalatoris (+1.73)
- Ben Taylor (+1.53)
- Tony Finau (+1.42)
Course History
Here are the players who have performed the most consistently at Memorial Park.
Strokes Gained Total at Memorial Park past 12 rounds:
- Tyson Alexander (+3.65)
- Ben Taylor (+3.40)
- Tony Finau (+2.37)
- Joel Dahmen (+2.25)
- Patton Kizzire (+2.16)
Statistical Model
Below, I’ve reported overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed.
These rankings are comprised of SG: App (24%) SG: OTT (24%); SG: Putting Bermudagrass/Fast (13%); SG: Long and Difficult (13%); SG: ARG (13%) and Course History (13%)
- Scottie Scheffler
- Wyndham Clark
- Tony Finau
- Joel Dahmen
- Stephan Jaeger
- Aaron Rai
- Sahith Theegala
- Keith Mitchell
- Jhonnatan Vegas
- Jason Day
- Kurt Kitayama
- Alex Noren
- Will Zalatoris
- Si Woo Kim
- Adam Long
2024 Texas Children’s Houston Open Picks
Will Zalatoris +2000 (Caesars)
Scottie Scheffler will undoubtedly be difficult to beat this week, so I’m starting my card with someone who I believe has the talent to beat him if he doesn’t have his best stuff.
Will Zalatoris missed the cut at the PLAYERS, but still managed to gain strokes on approach while doing so. In an unpredictable event with extreme variance, I don’t believe it would be wise to discount Zalatoris based on that performance. Prior to The PLAYERS, the 27-year-old finished T13, T2 and T4 in his previous three starts.
Zalatoris plays his best golf on long and difficult golf courses. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the category, but the eye test also tells a similar story. He’s contended at major championships and elevated events in the best of fields with tough scoring conditions. The Texas resident should be a perfect fit at Memorial Park Golf Club.
Alex Noren +4500 (FanDuel)
Alex Noren has been quietly playing some of his best golf of the last half decade this season. The 41-year-old is coming off back-to-back top-20 finishes in Florida including a T9 at The PLAYERS in his most recent start.
In his past 24 rounds, Noren ranks 21st in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, 30th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green, 25th in Strokes Gained: Total on long and difficult courses and 21st in Strokes Gained: Putting on fast Bermudagrass greens.
In addition to his strong recent play, the Swede also has played well at Memorial Park. In 2022, Noren finished T4 at the event, gaining 2.2 strokes off the tee and 7.0 strokes on approach for the week. In his two starts at the course, he’s gained an average of .6 strokes per round on the field, indicating he is comfortable on these greens.
Noren has been due for a win for what feels like an eternity, but Memorial Park may be the course that suits him well enough for him to finally get his elusive first PGA Tour victory.
Mackenzie Hughes +8000 (FanDuel)
Mackenzie Hughes found himself deep into contention at last week’s Valspar Championship before faltering late and finishing in a tie for 3rd place. While he would have loved to win the event, it’s hard to see the performance as anything other than an overwhelming positive sign for the Canadian.
Hughes has played great golf at Memorial Park in the past. He finished T7 in 2020, T29 in 2021 and T16 in 2022. The course fit seems to be quite strong for Hughes. He’s added distance off the tee in the past year or and ranks 8th in the field for apex height, which will be a key factor when hitting into Memorial Park’s elevated greens with steep run-off areas.
In his past 24 rounds, Hughes is the best player in the field in Strokes Gained: Around the Greens. The ability to scramble at this course will be extremely important. I believe Hughes can build off of his strong finish last week and contend once again to cement himself as a President’s Cup consideration.
Akshay Bhatia +8000 (FanDuel)
Akshay Bhatia played well last week at the Valspar and seemed to be in total control of his golf ball. He finished in a tie for 17th and shot an impressive -3 on a difficult Sunday. After struggling Thursday, Akshay shot 68-70-68 in his next three rounds.
Thus far, Bhatia has played better at easier courses, but his success at Copperhead may be due to his game maturing. The 22-year-old has enormous potential and the raw talent to be one of the best players in the world when he figures it all out.
Bhatia is a high upside play with superstar qualities and may just take the leap forward to the next stage of his career in the coming months.
Cameron Champ +12000 (FanDuel)
Cameron Champ is a player I often target in the outright betting market due to his “boom-or-bust” nature. It’s hard to think of a player in recent history with three PGA Tour wins who’s been as inconsistent as Champ has over the course of his career.
Despite the erratic play, Cam Champ simply knows how to win. He’s won in 2018, 2019 and 2021, so I feel he’s due for a win at some point this season. The former Texas A&M product should be comfortable in Texas and last week he showed us that his game is in a pretty decent spot.
Over his past 24 rounds, Champ ranks 3rd in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee and 30th in Strokes Gained: Total on long and difficult courses. Given his ability to spike at any given time, Memorial Park is a good golf course to target Champ on at triple digit odds.
Robert MacIntyre +12000 (FanDuel)
The challenge this week is finding players who can possibly beat Scottie Scheffler while also not dumping an enormous amount of money into an event that has a player at the top that looks extremely dangerous. Enter McIntyre, who’s another boom-or-bust type player who has the ceiling to compete with anyone when his game is clicking on all cylinders.
In his past 24 rounds, MacIntyre ranks 16th in the field in Strokes Gained: Off the Tee, 17th in Strokes Gained: Around the Green and 10th in Strokes Gained: Total on long and difficult courses.
MacIntyre’s PGA Tour season has gotten off to a slow start, but he finished T6 in Mexico, which is a course where players will hit driver on the majority of their tee shots, which is what we will see at Memorial Park. Texas can also get quite windy, which should suit MacIntyre. Last July, the Scot went toe to toe with Rory McIlroy at the Scottish Open before a narrow defeat. It would take a similar heroic effort to compete with Scheffler this year in Houston.
Ryan Moore +15000 (FanDuel)
Ryan Moore’s iron play has been absolutely unconscious over his past few starts. At The PLAYERS Championship in a loaded field, he gained 6.1 strokes on approach and last week at Copperhead, he gained 9.0 strokes on approach.
It’s been a rough handful of years on Tour for the 41-year-old, but he is still a five-time winner on the PGA Tour who’s young enough for a career resurgence. Moore has chronic deterioration in a costovertebral joint that connects the rib to the spine, but has been getting more consistent of late, which is hopefully a sign that he is getting healthy.
Veterans have been contending in 2024 and I believe taking a flier on a proven Tour play who’s shown signs of life is a wise move at Memorial Park.
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Opinion & Analysis
Ryan: Why the race to get better at golf might be doing more harm than good
B.F. Skinner was one of the most important psychologists of the 20th century, developing the foundation of the development of reinforcement, and in doing so, creating the concept of behaviorism. In simple terms, this means that we are conditioned by our habits. In practical terms, it explains the divide between the few and far between elite instructors and college coaches.
To understand the application, let’s quickly review one of B.F. Skinner’s most important experiments; superstitions in the formation of behavior by pigeons. In this experiment, food was dispensed to pigeons at random intervals. Soon, according to Skinner, the pigeons began to associate whatever action they were doing at the time of the food being dispensed. According to Skinner, this conditioned that response and soon, they simply haphazardly repeated the action, failing to distinguish between cause and correlation (and in the meantime, looking really funny!).
Now, this is simply the best way to describe the actions of most every women’s college golf coach and too many instructors in America. They see something work, get positive feedback and then become conditioned to give the feedback, more and more, regardless of if it works (this is also why tips from your buddies never work!).
Go to a college event, particularly a women’s one, and you will see coaches running all over the place. Like the pigeons in the experiment, they have been conditioned into a codependent relationship with their players in which they believe their words and actions, can transform a round of golf. It is simply hilarious while being equally perturbing
In junior golf, it’s everywhere. Junior golf academies make a living selling parents that a hysterical coach and over-coaching are essential ingredients in your child’s success.
Let’s be clear, no one of any intellect has any real interest in golf — because it’s not that interesting. The people left, including most coaches and instructors, carve out a small fiefdom, usually on the corner of the range, where they use the illusion of competency to pray on people. In simple terms, they baffle people with the bullshit of pseudo-science that they can make you better, after just one more lesson.
The reality is that life is an impromptu game. The world of golf, business, and school have a message that the goal is being right. This, of course, is bad advice, being right in your own mind is easy, trying to push your ideas on others is hard. As a result, it is not surprising that the divorce rate among golf professionals and their instructors is 100 percent. The transfer rate among college players continues to soar, and too many courses have a guy peddling nefarious science to good people. In fact, we do at my course!
The question is, what impact does all this have on college-age and younger kids? At this point, we honestly don’t know. However, I am going to go out on a limb and say it isn’t good.
Soren Kierkegaard once quipped “I saw it for what it is, and I laughed.” The actions of most coaches and instructors in America are laughable. The problem is that I am not laughing because they are doing damage to kids, as well as driving good people away from this game.
The fact is that golfers don’t need more tips, secrets, or lessons. They need to be presented with a better understanding of the key elements of golf. With this understanding, they can then start to frame which information makes sense and what doesn’t. This will emancipate them and allow them to take charge of their own development.
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19th Hole
Vincenzi’s 2024 Valspar Championship betting preview: Elite ballstrikers to thrive at Copperhead
The PGA TOUR will stay in Florida this week for the 2024 Valspar Championship.
The Copperhead Course at Innisbrook Resort is a par 71 measuring 7,340 yards and features Bermudagrass greens overseeded with POA. Infamous for its difficulty, the track will be a tough test for golfers as trouble lurks all over the place. Holes 16, 17 and 18 — also known as the “Snake Pit” — make up one of the toughest three-hole stretches in golf and should lead to a captivating finish on Sunday.
The field is comprised of 156 golfers teeing it up. The field this week is solid and is a major improvement over last year’s field that felt the impact of players skipping due to a handful of “signature events” in a short span of time.
Past Winners at Valspar Championship
- 2023: Taylor Moore (-10)
- 2022: Sam Burns (-17)
- 2021: Sam Burns (-17)
- 2019: Paul Casey (-8)
- 2018: Paul Casey (-10)
- 2017: Adam Hadwin (-14)
- 2016: Charl Schwartzel (-7)
- 2015: Jordan Spieth (-10)
In this article and going forward, I’ll be using the Rabbit Hole by Betsperts Golf data engine to develop my custom model. If you want to build your own model or check out all of the detailed stats, you can sign up using promo code: MATTVIN for 25% off any subscription package (yearly is best value).
Key Stats For Copperhead
1. Strokes Gained: Approach
Strokes Gained: Approach grades out as the most important statistic once again this week. Copperhead really can’t be overpowered and is a second-shot golf course.
Total SG: Approach Over Past 24 Rounds (per round)
- Tony Finau (+.90)
- Nick Taylor (+.81)
- Justin Thomas (+.77)
- Greyson Sigg (+.69)
- Christiaan Bezuidenhout (+.67)
2. Good Drive %
The long hitters can be a bit limited here due to the tree-lined fairways and penal rough. Playing from the fairways will be important, but laying back too far will cause some difficult approaches with firm greens that may not hold shots from long irons.
Golfers who have a good balance of distance and accuracy have the best chance this week.
Good Drive % Over Past 24 Rounds
- Brice Garnett (+91.3%)
- Zach Johnson (+91.1%)
- Sam Ryder (+90.5%)
- Ryan Moore (+90.4%)
- Aaron Rai (+89.7%)
3. Strokes Gained: Ball Striking
Adding ball-striking puts even more of a premium on tee-to-green prowess in the statistical model this week. Golfers who rank highly in ball-striking are in total control of the golf ball which is exceedingly important at Copperhead.
SG: Ball Striking Over Past 24 Rounds:
- Xander Schauffele (+1.32)
- Keith Mitchell (+1.29)
- Tony Finau (+1.24)
- Cameron Young (+1.17)
- Doug Ghim (+.95)
4. Bogey Avoidance
With the conditions likely to be difficult, avoiding bogeys will be crucial this week. In a challenging event like the Valspar, oftentimes the golfer who is best at avoiding mistakes ends up on top.
Gritty golfers who can grind out difficult pars have a much better chance in an event like this than a low-scoring birdie-fest.
Bogey Avoidance Over Past 24 Rounds
- Brice Garnett (+9.0)
- Xander Schauffele (+9.3)
- Austin Cook (+9.7)
- Chesson Hadley (+10.0)
- Greyson Sigg (+10.2)
5. Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions
Conditions will be tough this week at Copperhead. I am looking for golfers who can rise to the occasion if the course plays as difficult as it has in the past.
Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions Over Past 24 rounds
- Xander Schauffele (+1,71)
- Min Woo Lee (+1.39)
- Cameron Young (+1.27)
- Jordan Spieth (+1.08)
- Justin Suh (+.94)
6. Course History
That statistic will tell us which players have played well at Copperhead in the past.
Course History Over Past 24 rounds
- Patrick Cantlay (+3.75)
- Sam Burns (+2.49)
- Davis Riley (+2.33)
- Matt NeSmith (+2.22)
- Jordan Spieth (+2.04)
The Valspar Championship Model Rankings
Below, I’ve compiled overall model rankings using a combination of the five key statistical categories previously discussed — SG: Approach (27%), Good Drive % (15%), SG: BS (20%), Bogeys Avoided (13%), Course History (13%) Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions (12%).
- Xander Schauffele
- Doug Ghim
- Victor Perez
- Greyson Sigg
- Ryan Moore
- Tony Finau
- Justin Thomas
- Sam Ryder
- Sam Burns
- Lucas Glover
2024 Valspar Championship Picks
Justin Thomas +1400 (DraftKings)
Justin Thomas will be disappointed with his finish at last week’s PLAYERS Championship, as the past champion missed the cut despite being in some decent form heading into the event. Despite the missed cut, JT hit the ball really well. In his two rounds, the two-time major champion led the field in Strokes Gained: Approach per round.
Thomas has been up and down this season. He’s missed the cut in two “signature events” but also has finishes of T12 at the Arnold Palmer Invitational, T12 at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, T6 at the Pebble Beach AT&T Pro-Am and T3 at the American Express. In his past 24 rounds, he ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 6th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking in the field.
Thomas loves Copperhead. In his last three tries at the course, he’s finished T13, T3 and T10. Thomas would have loved to get a win at a big event early in the season, but avoidable mistakes and a balky putter have cost him dearly. I believe a trip to a course he loves in a field he should be able to capitalize on is the right recipe for JT to right the ship.
Christiaan Bezuidenhout +6000 (FanDuel)
Christiaan Bezuidenhout is playing spectacular golf in the 2024 season. He finished 2nd at the American Express, T20 at Pebble Beach and T24 at the Genesis Invitational before finishing T13 at last week’s PLAYERS Championship.
In his past 24 rounds, the South African ranks 3rd in the field in Strokes Gained: Approach and 26th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. Bezuidenhout managed to work his way around TPC Sawgrass last week with minimal damage. He only made five bogeys in the entire week, which is a great sign heading into a difficult Copperhead this week.
Bezuidenhout is winless in his PGA Tour career, but certainly has the talent to win on Tour. His recent iron play tells me that this week could be a breakthrough for the 35-year-old who has eyes on the President’s Cup.
Doug Ghim +8000 (FanDuel)
Doug Ghim has finished in the top-16 of his past five starts. Most recently, Ghim finished T16 at The PLAYERS Championship in a loaded field.
In his past 24 rounds, Ghim ranks 8th in Strokes Gained: Approach and 5th in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking. In terms of his fit for Copperhead, the 27-year-old ranks 12th in Bogey Avoidance and 7th in Strokes Gained: Total in Difficult Conditions, making him a great fit for the course.
Ghim has yet to win on Tour, but at one point he was the top ranked Amateur golfer in the world and played in the 2017 Arnold Palmer Cup and 2017 Walker Cup. He then won the Ben Hogan award for the best male college golfer in 2018. He certainly has the talent, and there are signals aplenty that his talent in ready to take him to the winner’s circle on the PGA Tour.
Sepp Straka +8000 (BetRivers)
Sepp Straka is a player who’s shown he has the type of game that can translate to a difficult Florida golf course. The former Presidents Cup participant won the 2022 Honda Classic in tough conditions and should thrive with a similar test at Copperhead.
It’s been a slow 2024 for Straka, but his performance last week at the PLAYERS Championship surely provides some optimism. He gained 5.4 strokes on approach as well as 1.88 strokes off the tee. The tee-to-green game Straka showed on a course with plenty of danger demonstrates that he can stay in control of his golf ball this week.
It’s possible that the strong performance last week was an outlier, but I’m willing to bet on a proven winner in a weaker field at a great number.
Victor Perez +12000 (FanDuel)
Victor Perez is no stranger to success in professional golf. The Frenchman has three DP World Tour wins including a Rolex Series event. He won the 2019 Alfred Dunhill Links Championship, as well as the 2023 Abu Dhabi HSBC Championship, which are some big events.
Perez earned his PGA Tour card this season and enters the week playing some fantastic golf. He finished in a tie for 16th in Florida at the Cognizant Classic and then tied for third in his most recent start at the Puerto Rico Open.
In his past 24 rounds in the field, Perez ranks 11th in Strokes Gained: Approach, 1oth in Strokes Gained: Ball Striking, 6th in Good Drive % and 15th in Bogey Avoidance.
Perez comes in as a perfect fit for Copperhead and offers serious value at triple-digit odds.
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Ed Bradford
Dec 16, 2023 at 12:32 pm
Nice selection. I personally purchased a golf bucket hat at https://bucket-hat-central.com/collections/golf-bucket-hat and I love it
Ed Bradford
Dec 16, 2023 at 12:30 pm
Nice selection! I personally purchased a golf bucket hat at https://bucket-hat-central.com/collections/golf-bucket-hat and I love it!
Oh Translate
Oct 26, 2023 at 11:36 am
Interesting read! It’s fascinating to learn how the hat you wear on the golf course can reveal aspects about your personality and style.
Miuralovechild
Feb 6, 2017 at 1:25 am
Still waiting for someone to make a Miura visor and put it on Ebay.
Golfraven
Feb 2, 2017 at 5:27 pm
Still Titleist hat dude, although I have only 2 alignment sticks (but other training gear) and use a iPhone plus. Rest it pretty correct.
M Smizzzzzle
Feb 2, 2017 at 12:04 am
Alt facts:
1. Titleist Hat: Dad hooked you up with everything and you think you’re going pro. You’ll work for him instead.
2. Beanie: Stoked about new marijuana laws. Dad is ‘waiting’ for you to come around.
3. Bucket Hat: Glad to just be alive. Dad waiting for kids to move back in any day now.
4. TM Hat: Just bought your 4th TM set in 4 yrs. Free hat from your ‘buds’ at the shop. Dad’s CC.
5. Visor: You got ripped off for only buying half a hat. Dad mad.
6. BW Hat: Your brother in law throwing you a bone to join him after the softball/achilles incident. First and last round. You have twins on the way and the race is coming up.
7. TW Hat: You wish they had 1080p when this dude was playing because watching the magic on Youtube is so F”N hard.
8. Hogan Cap: You don’t have a close friend to tell you otherwise. Keep on going out as a single and someone’s dad eventually lets you know. Or you’re pimp AF.
9. MLB Hat: Used to hit be good in pop warner and heard the swing is ‘basically the same.’ Dad loves his little slugger.
10. Other Flat brims: ‘Take that thing off when you are inside’. Dad.
11. No Hat: I’ll take you to the shop after this round if you promise you’ll keep practicing. See #1.
Charlie
Feb 2, 2017 at 3:36 pm
Great follow up. Had me cracking up
But why do 8 out of the 11 reasons have to do with Fathers/Dads?!?!? Daddy issues anyone???
M Smizzzzzle
Feb 1, 2017 at 11:42 pm
This one stings..
Shoots Around: 83, but the way you drove it you should have shot 75.
Brendan
Feb 1, 2017 at 7:59 pm
Mainly Taylormade hat guy, and other hats on occasion. 0 handicap and College Golfer
ThatGuy
Feb 1, 2017 at 7:41 pm
No hat except in winter, 0 hcp
Chemo
Feb 2, 2017 at 3:38 pm
100% Cancer
mhendon
Feb 1, 2017 at 5:48 pm
Hey can we just start making hats that say XL actually XL, I’ve got a big dome.
Ben
Feb 1, 2017 at 3:34 pm
Flat bill NBA hat (kings, rockets, okc or toronto)
Flat bill works well with sunglasses
29 years, +3
chip
Feb 1, 2017 at 8:48 am
Flat brim guy here. Age: 30. Handicap: 1.
chip
Feb 1, 2017 at 8:47 am
So according to WRX, theres about a 90% chance that if you wear any type of hat, you’re either not good or just OK. WRX, this article is struggling.
creeder
Feb 1, 2017 at 4:23 am
haha, this was a fun article and pretty accurate. i am a flat brimmed guy and yes, i can shoot in the 70s and then over 90 on the same day.
Egor
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:26 am
No hat or Mizuno visor, in blue of course. Not a legend (well, not a golf legend) 12 HI.
Jim
Jan 31, 2017 at 5:53 pm
I’m beginning to wonder if there’s a correlation between ‘living’ in a golf hat from pee-wee to pro that causes hair loss & receding hairlines in so many young guys on tour…
S Hitter
Feb 1, 2017 at 1:13 am
No. That is a myth. But a correlation has been made about having wet hair all the time that could lead to hair loss. But it’s mostly just genetics, there are plenty of people who have worn hats all their lives that have full thick hair
David Ciccoritti
Jan 31, 2017 at 5:02 pm
I don’t wear a hat and apparently I’m not doing myself any justice 🙂
Philip
Jan 31, 2017 at 5:01 pm
Like nothing … someone make a comment about your hat fashion-wear lately? It didn’t match the orange, red and lime green outfit?
Bob
Jan 31, 2017 at 2:53 pm
I prefer to not wear a hat but evidently my game doesn’t live up to that level. Also my dermatologist frowns on it.
nate
Jan 31, 2017 at 2:20 pm
What about the die-hard brand hats, mizino, ping, calloway, with matching bag and clubs
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:02 am
well ya got Ping right. One outta three your a flat brimmer.
Double Mocha Man
Jan 31, 2017 at 12:33 pm
What about the visor???!!!
Brian
Jan 31, 2017 at 8:51 am
Titleist (MLB) hat, but I’m usually in the 80-88 range.
Marco
Jan 31, 2017 at 6:50 am
Haha… I’m no 10 🙂
Love my flat birm and energy drinks. Can shoot 65 as well as 110 😀
Scott
Jan 31, 2017 at 9:46 am
65 to 110? I have told you a million times to stop exaggerating.
S Hitter
Jan 31, 2017 at 2:36 am
#8: or, you’re just a young plonker with an ugly name like Bryson
MuskieCy
Jan 31, 2017 at 12:18 am
Anyone who cares at all about what a hat looks like is a pretender.
I prefer contenders.
Mitch
Jan 30, 2017 at 11:15 pm
“What are we waitin’ for these guys?”
“Hey Whitey, where’s your hat?”
LaBraeGolfer
Jan 30, 2017 at 10:24 pm
What if I wear a white Mizuno hat, a TW hat, a Titleist hat, a Srixon hat, a Bridgestone hat, so on and so forth. I got hats for like almost every day of the month. Except I have to keep throwing the white ones away. Sometimes I go no hat if it’s stupid hot outside or I forget it.
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:05 am
ur a hat ho
Alex
Jan 30, 2017 at 9:57 pm
The no hat comment is hands down the most accurate one. The best player at my club just shows up with no hat, gets hammered, and turns in a 65. Every time. It’s unbelievable.
rymail00
Jan 30, 2017 at 9:50 pm
When I see the Hogan hat I hink Byrson or Little Rascals….either way kinda goofy
Acemandrake
Jan 30, 2017 at 6:28 pm
I might start rockin’ the bucket hat!
George
Jan 30, 2017 at 5:54 pm
I wear a blank white hat. No advertising any company for me. Means I dont need approval
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:07 am
and tighty whities
Double Mocha Man
Jan 30, 2017 at 4:52 pm
I’m a “no hat” guy. Just call me “Ollie”. I wore a hat once, at Pebble Beach, in the rain. It was from a ski resort. My caddy claimed he had skied there, too. I believed him.
Brad T
Jan 30, 2017 at 3:50 pm
look good feel good play good
K dawg
Jan 30, 2017 at 3:16 pm
Hats from top private courses say “I am privileged enough to have played this course which means do not argue with me about anything to do with golf. In particular course design”
Moose
Jan 30, 2017 at 3:03 pm
Free U.S. Open Hat (courtesy of the USGA members program): This guy is very cheap and he drives a Mercedes.
teetyme
Jan 31, 2017 at 11:46 am
Or a BMW like me. Those hats are light and comfortable. LOL
BooBunkie
Jan 30, 2017 at 1:59 pm
My hat says I’m NOT Ben Hogan. That hat should be retired out of respect for The Hawk.
Tom
Feb 1, 2017 at 12:15 am
so should fast cars outta respect for Benny Parsons
Justwellsy
Jan 30, 2017 at 12:37 pm
you forgot the snap back vs flexfit argument… or even worse, the velcro back. For the sake of this argument, no hats with team insignias will be considered, only “golf” brand hats. Velcro back guys are either really good or really bad, there’s no in between. Flex Fit guys are the guys that want to look good on the course. They don’t necessarily achieve their goal, but they’ve consciously thought about it and how other people perceive them is very important. Snap back guy either has a huge dome or is budget conscious. I myself wear a 7 3/4 hat so it’s very tough to find a flexfit hat that doesn’t choke my brain. Oh, and fitted hat guy?? That’s reserved for bald guys who wear “baseball coach” Oakley sunglasses. For us mere mortals, these hats just don’t breathe enough. Full analysis and selection chart to follow when WRX hires me as a staff writer.
KRo88
Jan 30, 2017 at 12:30 pm
what about a hat from a nice golf course public/private. or from the Masters?
Joe Burnett
Jan 30, 2017 at 2:35 pm
Considering I’m usually a Masters hat guy myself, I would argue these tend to be the “best-looking” athletic guys on the course.
Bobtrumpet
Jan 30, 2017 at 12:02 pm
Ben Hogan “Cap”
… or if you’re Ty Webb.
Blakester
Jan 30, 2017 at 11:59 am
If I had the game to back it up I’d rock the Chi Chi Rodriguez panama hat or some kind of casual fedora on the golf course. I don’t ever wear them in real life (unless I’m on the beach) but they protect your ears better from the sun and would set one apart from all the ball caps out there.
chinchbugs
Jan 30, 2017 at 11:56 am
“You’re a funny kid ya know…what time you due back in Boys Town?”