The PGA Tour heads to Austin, Texas, this week for the inaugural Austin Championship at Omni Barton Creek Resort, marking the penultimate event of the FedExCup Fall, PGA Tour reported.
As the fall schedule winds down, fantasy contributors and betting experts have locked in their predictions for the tournament’s debut on the Tom Fazio-designed resort course.
Austin Smotherman enters the week riding a wave of momentum after securing victories in his last two starts under playoff pressure, according to the PGA Tour. Fantasy Insider Rob Bolton noted that Smotherman is available at +3800 on DraftKings, offering value given his recent run, while The Golf News Net ranks him at the very top.
Fresh off a breakthrough victory in Mexico, 19-year-old Blades Brown enters the field at +2150 on DraftKings. Will Gray noted that Brown has nothing to lose in Austin, creating a dangerous mindset for his competitors.
Doug Ghim, a University of Texas alumnus, draws heavy attention from multiple analysts who view the Fazio Canyons Course as a natural fit for his strengths off the tee and on approach.
Beyond outright winner selections, contributors have highlighted several top-tier finishing markets and head-to-head bets. Mike Glasscott points to veteran Chris Kirk at +3000 on DraftKings, banking on strong ball-striking to handle the new layout, alongside Karl Vilips as a first-round leader option at +6600.
Jake Lazarus favors Neal Shipley over Max Homa in a 72-hole matchup on FanDuel at -112 odds, noting that Shipley ranks No. 1 on Tour in Strokes Gained: Off-the-Tee while playing for his card this fall. Meanwhile, Rob Bolton highlights Seamus Power for a top-10 finish at +350, noting that he scored under par in all 15 of his rounds in the FedExCup Fall.
