Jon Rahm is the only player in this week’s field with a world ranking in the top 10, so it’s not a huge surprise to see the young Spaniard star listed as the favorite to win the CareerBuilder Challenge.
Rahm, a three-time winner in 2017, has been given odds of 8/1 to lift the Bob Hope trophy on Sunday night. The World No. 3 is the only player with odds better than 10/1.
Brian Harman, who has done everything but win in his last five starts, is listed with odds of 14/1. A pair of 2017 U.S. Presidents Cup teammates, Kevin Kisner and Patrick Reed, are at 18-1. They are joined by 2012 U.S. Open winner Webb Simpson.
Two 40-something major winners, Phil Mickelson (22/1) and Jason Dufner (25/1), round out the players with odds of 25/1 or better.
Our payoff pick this week is Kevin Chappell at 40/1. The winner of the 2017 Valero Texas Open, and member of the winning U.S. Presidents Cup team, has two top 25s in three starts this season. At No. 32, Chappell holds the seventh best world ranking in the field, and has had some success at PGA West (T8 in 2013).
THE SKINNY
Tournament: CareerBuilder Challenge
Dates: Jan. 18-21, 2018
TV Network: GOLF Channel
Course: TPC Stadium Course at PGA West
Where: La Quinta, California
Distance: 7133 yards, Par 72
Architect: Pete Dye, 1986
Field/Format: 156 players; 72-hole stroke; 54-hole cut
Purse: $5,800,000
Winning Share: $1,044,000
FedEx Cup Points: 500
Defending Champion: Hudson Swafford
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