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2023 Charles Schwab Challenge Head-to-Head Picks: Michael Block/Harrison Endycott

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Now that the second major of the 2023 PGA Tour season is in the books, we turn our attention to Colonial Country Club and the Charles Schwab Challenge. The par 70, 7.209 yard layout is the Tour’s longest running co-sponsored event still held at the original venue in Fort Worth, Texas. That means there is plenty of course history for the field that we can use to find some great value when deciding who to back this week.

The weather shouldn’t be much of a factor this week, as high temperatures are expected to be in the mid-80’s with single digit winds, which is a bit unusual for this tournament, and little to no precipitation during tournament play. There is some rain expected on Wednesday, which should provide a soft layout to start the tournament before the grounds dry out over the weekend. Golfers should take advantage of the soft conditions, and fire away at pins early in the tournament.

But what type of player find success here? Tour legend Ben Hogan, who won this tournament four of the first seven years it was contested, once said about Colonial that “”A straight ball will get you in more trouble at Colonial than any course I know.” With that in mind, we’ll be looking to back players who  are known for shaping their ball flight.

At first glance there are several very tasty matchups that provide great value, but we are going to narrow that down to the best plays for Thursday’s action.

2023 Charles Schwab Challenge: First-Round Leader Picks & Predictions

(Odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook)

Michael Block over Harrison Endycott (+130)

Unless you’ve been off the grid completely, you have heard Block’s name quite a bit this week. The PGA club professional at Arroyo Trabuco Golf Club in Mission Viejo, CA took the golf world by storm at Oak Hill last week. His T-15 finish, was the stuff legends are made of. It’s “Rudy” meets “Tin Cup” type movie material. But he didn’t get lucky. He’s good. Really good. He passed up life as a pro on tour for a more modest career in the sport. There’s no telling how good he could have been, but I have no reservations in saying that he could have had a great career had he chosen the more grueling path.

All that aside, Block has the game, and demeanor, to compete on tour. He fired an opening round 65 at The American Express event in January. Endycott is no slouch either. The Australian matched Block at the AmEx with a 65 on Thursday on his way to a T-22 finish. But the 26-year-old has missed (five) as many cuts as he’s made in 2023 and I can’t help but be pulled into the vortex that is the Michael Block sensation. I may be listening to my heart over my mind a bit here, but something is telling me that the “Block Party” isn’t over just yet. Getting him at plus money against a young Aussie who is just getting started on the PGA Tour is well worth the risk and should be an enjoyable ride.

More 2023 Charles Schwab Challenge Betting Advice

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