2020 CJ Cup Predictions | Golf Betting Picks For Shadow Creek

Brian Sausa, Last Updated: July 1st, 2024 - NJ Sports Betting - Free $3,250 For Sports Bets In New Jersey

The PGA Tour is staying in the Nevada desert for a second straight event, and we’ve got 2020 CJ Cup predictions to get you ready for an action-packed week!

Last week’s Shriner’s Open was very popular at online sportsbooks in New Jersey, PA, and several other states. We can expect the same this week at the CJ Cup, which will take place from October 15 through 18 at the luxurious and beautiful Shadow Creek Golf Course, located just outside of Las Vegas.

So many of the best players in the world are returning after a couple of weeks off, and this event is sure to draw interest from bettors. What people love about betting on PGA Tour events is that golf provides a variety of markets, lucrative odds, and its ability to provide a rooting interest for several days at once.

So without wasting any time, let’s preview the upcoming event and make some 2020 CJ Cup predictions!

2020 CJ Cup Betting Tips – Golf Betting Strategy

This event normally takes place in South Korea every year and was forced to relocate due to the COVID-19 pandemic. That’s how we ended up at Shadow Creek, which opened in 1989 and was designed by legendary golf course architect Tom Fazio.

Calling it picturesque may not do Shadow Creek justice, as the course often described as a masterpiece. It was originally built for high rollers and Vegas’ wealthy elite, so there’s also an aura of exclusivity and prestige that comes along with it as well.

Shadow Creek won’t be the simplest track that players see all season, but it also won’t play like the US Open at Winged Foot. Here are some stats to keep in mind when making CJ Cup predictions:

• Strokes Gained: Tee-To-Green
• SG: Approach
• SG: Around The Green
• SG: Putting
• Birdie Or Better Percentage

Shadow Creek doesn’t have a history as a PGA Tour site but it did host The Match: Tiger vs. Phil in 2018. With this event being at a different course than normal, it’s hard to put as much stock into past results, but we can safely do some research knowing approach, around-the-green play, and scoring birdies thanks to a hot putter will be vital. Other than that, we will concentrate on in-form golfers.

In terms of design, it’s got wide fairways of rolling terrain, bodies of water such as creeks and lakes, and plenty of bunkers surrounding well-protected greens. It’s expected that putting will be a challenge, although we should still expect to see plenty of low scores.

Visit our Golf Betting Strategy guide for tips and advice on how to bet on PGA Tour events!

Best Golf Betting Sites For CJ Cup At Shadow Creek Picks

2020 CJ Cup Picks – Golf Betting Predictions

Make CJ Cup Betting Picks At BetMGM!

One thing to keep in mind is that there are less than 80 golfers as opposed to the 140+ that we see in most events, and there is no cut after Friday so everyone is guaranteed four rounds. Another thing to keep in mind is that even though so many big-name stars are returning this week, not all of them present the best betting value.

Taking a week or two off isn’t a reason all on its own to fade a golfer, but consider the situation. With The Masters in November, players are gearing up for a weeks-long run toward the next major, making this just the start. You can be sure these guys still want to win, but the result that really matters is a month away at Augusta. Consider the following for your CJ Cup betting predictions:

• Rory McIlroy To Win (+1100 at BetMGM)

We just discussed star players returning to gear up for The Masters, and we think this actually could finally be Rory’s year at Augusta. But that run has to start somewhere. So if we’re targeting a top-tier player coming back from a bit of a rest, let’s talk about McIlroy this week at the CJ Cup.

Rory is already one of the best drivers of the golf ball in the world and is a monster in Strokes Gained: Off The Tee, but he’s upping his swing speed and joining the distance arms race started by the likes of Brooks Koepka and taken to a new level this year by Bryson DeChambeau. That’s a legitimately scary thought when you consider that McIlroy may be the most skilled golfer on the planet.

McIlroy had a tough go of it out of the restart but since becoming a father a couple of months back, a huge weight appears to be lifted from his shoulders. He’s adjusted to life without fans and in his only event this season, he placed T-8th at the US Open at Winged Foot. With all the big names sort of getting their games together, it could be a classic McIlroy week. The value is there too, as his odds are up to +1200 at BetMGM and +1400 at DraftKings.

• Abraham Ancer To Win (+5000 at BetMGM), Top 10 (+250 at DraftKings)

Ancer had one of the best 2020 seasons you could ask for, eventually finishing T-18th at the TOUR Championship. His statistical profile was strong across-the-board, but especially off the tee even though he doesn’t have as much distance as others.

Ancer’s stellar approach game means he’s worth a look almost anywhere, but we are pinpointing the 29-year-old for this week. We liked Ancer even before the weekend in Las Vegas and he didn’t disappoint, finishing in solo-4th place at 20-under par.

Once you consider the value you’ll be able to get on his odds with all the big names in the field as well, Ancer could be a valuable selection, as he was in last week’s event.

The rust following the US Open is knocked off and as a player looking to build on a strong season, Ancer is a player to watch as five major events are played over the next few months.

Make 2020 CJ Cup Predictions At DK!

• Sungjae Im Top 20 (+125 at DraftKings)

Sadly, this event isn’t being placed in his hometown of Jeju Island, South Korea. Still, we need to be looking at Sungjae Im, who is one of the players represented by this week’s event sponsor (CJ Logistics).

With such a talented field in this event, Sungjae’s odds are perhaps higher than they should be at +125 to land in the top 20. While many of the best in the world will be in their first or second event back following a break, Sungjae has been playing every week like a true iron man.

He managed a top-30 finish against a stiff US Open field, he is fresh off a top-20 finish at the Shriners Open, and we think he can remain near the top of the leaderboard at this one, which just happens to be hosted by one of his sponsors. We’ll need Im to step things up around the green a little bit, but he profiles as a pretty versatile player overall.

• Cameron Smith Top 30 (+125 at DraftKings)

We said we were going to focus on golfers who are in great form, and that’s exactly what we’re doing with the Australian here. Smith is going to be overlooked because of the field and the odds are decent, even for a top-30 wager.

Smith closed the 2020 season with several strong finishes and played well at both the US Open and Shriners Open. With a strong around-the-green game and a good putter, we could see Smith surprise some people at Shadow Creek. The track may have changed, but Smith actually enjoyed a top-five finish in this event last year.

2020 CJ Cup Picks & Best Bets

• Rory McIlroy To Win (+1100 At BetMGM)
• Patrick Cantlay To Win (+2200 at BetMGM)
• Abraham Ancer To Win (+5000 at BetMGM), Top 10 (+250 at DraftKings)
• Collin Morikawa Top 10 (+250 at DraftKings)
• Sungjae Im Top 20 (+125 at DraftKings)
• Cameron Smith Top 30 (+125 at DraftKings)

We will continue to add and update selections until players tee off on Thursday, so check back throughout the week once all of the 2020 CJ Cup odds are posted!

Photo Credit: Associated Press

ABOUT Brian Sausa

Brian Sausa is BonusSeeker’s Copy Editor and lead sports betting pundit. A journalism graduate with an extensive sports background, Brian has been employed by multiple professional leagues including MLB, MiLB (Minor League Baseball), and the NHL. MLB, NHL, IBTimes, Brooklyn Cyclones, FanSided