2023 Barbasol Championship: PGA First-Round Leader Odds, Picks & Predictions

We are just a week away from the season’s last Major Championship, and most of the top players in the world have already traveled over to Scotland to get a week of competition on a links-style course in anticipation of the challenge that awaits next week. That means the Barbasol Championship will have a lot of names you don’t normally hear on the PGA Tour.

The Champions Course at Keene Trace Golf Club in Nicholasville, Ky., will host the event for the fifth time. It will play 7,328 yards, and par is 72. We should expect another winner 20-under par or better and see plenty of birdies just like last week. Let’s get to the picks.

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2023 Barbasol Championship First-Round Leader Bets

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Justin Lower (60-1)

Justin Lower finished in the top 10 two weeks ago at the Rocket Mortgage Classic with four rounds in the 60s, including a second-round 65. The Ohio native opened the season at the Fortinet Championship with a 63 on his way to a T4 finish. With a diluted field this week, this is another opportunity for the 34-year-old to gain some valuable FedEx Cup points. Lower currently sits 93rd and needs a great week to make his way into contention for a playoff spot. The 13-year pro finished T8 here a year ago, so he is familiar with the course, and it seems to fit his game.

Scott Piercy (70-1)

It’s been eight years since Scott Piercy played in this tournament, but he was holding the trophy Sunday evening at the end of that week. The San Diego State grad has had some back issues recently, so this is a bit of a risky pick. Still, no risk, no reward. The 44-year-old is just two months removed from an opening round 64 and a T19 finish at the Byron Nelson Classic. He has the game to be atop the leaderboard Thursday night. It’s just a matter of whether his back holds up or not. Betting on his back holding up could result in a very nice return on investment.

Akshay Bhatia (45-1)

A member of the 2019 Walker Cup Championship team as just a 17-year-old, Ashkay Bhatia has had an up-and-down season. Now 21, the Los Angeles native has a pair of top-five finishes this season. When his game is on, he can play with the world’s best. He’s fired a round of 63 three different times this season. In a watered-down field, if Bhatia is on, there’s a good chance he ends the first round in the lead. That’s enough to endorse the youngster here.