Fortinet Championship 2022 predictions, expert picks, odds, field ratings, best bets for golf in Silverado

The two-week break for the PGA Tour ends this week when the players head to Napa, California, for the 2022 Fortinet Championship. The inaugural event of the season since 2013, the North Court at Silverado Resort and Spa will be the stage and welcome Korn Ferry Tour graduates, seasoned PGA Tour veterans and everyone in between to kick off the 2022-23 season.

A quick start is exponentially more important than in previous years as the FedEx Cup Playoffs have taken on a new shape. With just 70 players qualifying for post-season over a span of about 12 months, instead of the 125 we’re used to seeing, each and every week means so much more for PGA Tour members.

Players who likely won’t have to worry about bubbles in August include Hideki Matsuyama, Max Homa, and Corey Conners. The trio made headlines on the odds table at Caesars Sportsbook, and are expected to compete in next week’s Presidents Cup at Quail Hollow Club.

Homa, who has played superbly in the state of California throughout his career, will be looking to successfully defend his title from a year ago. Other potential Californians include: PGA Tour Rookie of the Year nominee Sahith Theegala, last year’s runner-up Maverick McNealy and two-time Fortinet Championship champion Brendan Steele.

Let’s take a closer look at this week’s tournament with odds offered via Caesars Sportsbook.

Information & Events

Incident: Fortinet Championship | Day: September 15-18
Location: Silverado Resort and Spa (North Course) – Napa, California
Fate: 72 | Yard: 7,123 | Purse: $8,000,000

2022 Fortinet Championship field, odds

• Hideki Matsuyama (January 14): The former Masters champion has racked up two wins in his first six starts of the 2021-22 season. Competing a few more times in the spring and summer, Matsuyama faced injury on his way to completing T11 in the FedEx Cup. He started the season at Napa for the sixth time in his career, and the results have been fantastic. In the previous five trips, Matsuyama has collected three results in the top six and another one in the top 20 to boot.
• Max Homa (14-1): The defending champion is expecting her first child in an exciting month of September. For now, Homa’s focus will be on defending his title before he attends his first Presidents Cup next week. He returned home to his new state after the T5 attempt in the FedEx Cup finale and did considerable damage on the West Coast. If Homa’s iron cooperates, he will threaten his fifth PGA Tour title.
• Corey Conners (14-1): The world No. 25 started the season in search of his first win since 2019. Conners is one of the best ball strikers in the world but often falls short both on and off the pitch. This is especially true in California State as three of his five misses last season were at Golden State. Canadians can easily get around Silverado and hit 85% of the greens in regulation. He might struggle to keep up the pace otherwise.
• Maverick McNealy (January 22)
• Cameron Davis (January 28)
• Sahith Theegala (January 28): Pepperdine’s former standout is set for his third stroll around Silverado. Having excellently completed the previous two games, Theegala could be ranked to eventually overtake the PGA Tour. With eye-catching tackles at the Phoenix Open and Travelers Championship during his rookie season, Theegala’s meager experience down the line should do him well. With a little trouble at teeing off, Theegala’s wildness with the racer won’t stand in the way of the winner’s chances of getting into the circle.
• Taylor Pendrith (January 28): Selected by captain Trevor Immelman for the international team next week, Pendrith has become a staple on the PGA Tour. Since returning from injury in July, the Canadian has finished in the top 15 five times in six starts, including a second-place finish at the Rocket Mortgage Classic. Hit the ball long and straight and proficient with his scorer, if the hitter shows any signs of life, Pendrith will arrive as soon as next Sunday.
• Tom Hoge (33-1)
• Davis Riley (33-1)
• Denny McCarthy (40-1)
• Emiliano Grillo (40-1)

Rick Gehman joins Jonathan Coachman and Patrick McDonald for a preview of the 2022 Fortinet Championship. Follow and listen to The First Cut on Apple Podcasts and Spotify.

2022 Fortinet Championship Picks

Who will win the Fortinet championship, and what long shots will wow the golfing world? Visit SportsLine now to see expected standings and best betsall from the model nailing eight golf majors and have raised more than $9,500 since June 2020.