Bryson DeChambeau Takes Commanding FedEx Cup Lead at Playoffs Halfway Point

Posted on: September 4, 2018, 10:40h. 

Last updated on: September 4, 2018, 10:41h.

Devin O'Connor @CasinoorgDevinO Read More
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After Bryson DeChambeau won the first two legs of the 2018 FedEx Cup Playoffs, the 24-year-old stands tall in a dominating position at the halfway mark.

Bryson DeChambeau FedEx Cup golf odds
Bryson DeChambeau is marching towards an unprecedented FedEx Cup Playoffs run. (Image: Patrick Smith/Golfworld)

With just the BMW Championship and TOUR Championship remaining, DeChambeau is atop the playoff leaderboard with 5,617 points. Dustin Johnson is his nearest competitor at 3,289 points.

DeChambeau is unquestionably the hottest player in golf. He won by four at The Northern Trust Open, and followed it up with a back-to-back win on Labor Day by taking the Dell Technologies Championship by two stokes.

Prior to the Dell, the Westgate SuperBook had DeChambeau at 8/1 to win the FedEx Cup Playoffs. That line has been slashed in half after his Monday victory.

Overcoming Odds

Few could have predicted the strong play from DeChambeau, but those who did and put money on it are being handsomely rewarded.

DeChambeau’s four previous tournaments before the FedEx Cup Playoffs teed off went WD due to a shoulder injury (John Deere Classic) T51 (Open Championship), 30 (WGC-Bridgestone Invitational), and a missed cut (PGA Championship). Not exactly the typical tell-tale signs that a player’s about to unleash a barrage of birdies.

Heading into The Northern Trust, Bryson wasn’t a frontrunner to emerge victorious. In fact, he began the tournament at 80/1, or implied odds of 1.23 percent. A $100 wager on those odds net those fortunate enough to make the gamble $8,000.

I wouldn’t have written it any better, to be honest with you,” DeChambeau said Monday. “I’ve been playing some great golf this whole year, and I knew it was a matter of time before something cool showed up.”

Bettors who hopped on the DeChambeau train following The Northern Trust were again paid well. While Dustin Johnson (8/1), Justin Thomas (10/1), and US Open and PGA Champion Brooks Koepka (12/1) were the odds-on favorites, Bryson entered the second leg of the playoffs at a distant 30/1. A $100 bet on those odds returned $3,000.

Points Reset

Ahead by more than 2,300 points on Johnson, and the winner of the final two events each receiving 2,000 points, DeChambeau is in a strong position to cap off the FedEx Cup and win the $10 million grand prize. However, the top five players entering the Tour Championship control their own destiny should they win at East Lake.

Before the finale, the 30 qualifying players will be reseeded based. The No. 1 player will enter with 2,000 points, while the last man in will have just 115.

The top five control their own destiny because the No. 5 player ahead of the Tour Championship will retain 1,280 points. With 2,000 points given to the winner of the final playoff event, even if the No. 1 player finishes second at East Lake (which awards 1,200 points), the No. 5 player will conclude the series with 3,280 points to the No. 1 player’s 3,200.

Dustin Johnson will look to make up ground on DeChambeau this week at the BMW. DJ has won the event twice, and enters at 9/1 to win.