It was an interesting first round of the Genesis Scottish Open at The Renaissance Club in North Berwick, Scotland. The wind picked up during the afternoon, leading to higher scores.
The morning wave scoring average was 70.39, compared to 73.60 for the afternoon wave. Not only was this frustrating for some players but also for many in the golf betting community.
Of the 38 rounds under par Thursday, 32 came in the morning wave.
Cameron Tringale took advantage of the scoring conditions early and fired a 9-under 61 to take a three-shot lead into Round 2.
Instead of waiting until the tournament ends on Sunday, there are a few betting opportunities at the BetMGM online sportsbook for Friday’s second round.
One of them is 3-ball betting, i.e., Which golfer within a threesome will have the lowest score?
Here’s a look at 3-ball betting with the featured groups.
Matt Fitzpatrick (+165)/Collin Morikawa (+175)/Will Zalatoris (+190) – 3:05 a.m. ET
Tee time: 3:05 a.m. ET
Fitzpatrick (+1) lost strokes with Strokes Gained: Approach, which is unusual for him. He is 22nd this year on the PGA Tour for that metric. The second rounds have been the worst for him this season, with a scoring average of 70.21. The other three are all sub-70.
The 25-year-old Morikawa (+1) gained two strokes against the field putting Thursday, which goes against his norm. He entered the week 86th on the PGA Tour in Strokes Gained: Putting. He’s 97th in second-round scoring, with a scoring average of 70.5.
Zalatoris (+1) was 1-under over his last five holes Thursday, so he will look to carry that into Round 2. He has excelled in second rounds this season; his 69.5 scoring average ranks 19th on Tour.
Justin Thomas (+130)/Hideki Matsuyama (+190)/Tommy Fleetwood (+220)
Tee time: 3:15 a.m. ET
Thomas (+3) lost just over two strokes to the field on the greens Thursday, which is unusual for the PGA Championship winner. For the year, Thomas has the best scoring average in second rounds on the PGA Tour (67.67).
Matsuyama (+3) struggled with his putting in Round 1, losing 1.4 strokes to the field. This is somewhat normal for him this year; he’s 126th in Strokes Gained: Putting.
One thing to note with Fleetwood (+3) is he’s had some issues in second rounds this year. His 70.54 scoring average ranks 103rd.
Jon Rahm (+125)/Scottie Scheffler (+165)/Viktor Hovland (+275)
Tee time: 8:15 a.m. ET
Rahm’s (-2) success Thursday was aided by his putter. He gained just over 3.5 strokes against the field. He ranks 60th this season in Strokes Gained: Putting, but his 69.31 Round 2 scoring average ranks ninth.
It was a tough day for Scheffler (+3), the No. 1 ranked player in the world, as he did not take advantage of the better scoring conditions. His scoring average of 69 is fifth on the PGA Tour in Round 2 scoring average.
Like Scheffler, Hovland (+4) didn’t take advantage of playing in the morning wave. He lost just under three strokes putting, which is unusual considering he’s ranked 28th this season in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Cameron Smith (+160)/Jordan Spieth (+170)/Tyrrell Hatton (+200)
Tee time: 8:25 a.m. ET
Smith (-2) got off to a good start even with losing strokes to the field in Strokes Gained: Approach. This isn’t the norm for him; he’s second in that category this year on Tour.
Spieth (-2) ranked sixth in the field when it came to Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green. This doesn’t come as a major surprise, considering he’s ranked 23rd this year on Tour.
Second rounds have been kind to Hatton (-2) this year. He enters the week with a 69.42 Round 2 scoring average, 14th on the PGA Tour this year. He shot under par Thursday while losing strokes to the field in Strokes Gained: Around-the-Green.
