Another week, and by far the hottest gambler on our panel, Anonymous Tour Coach, is another winner. His correct prediction for Ben Griffin’s victory (14-1) at last week’s World Wide Technology Championship was his seventh perfect hit of 2025. If he wasn’t responsible for his play and throwing the unit every week this year, it would have been all wrong.
This week, he’s definitely got the crafty veteran at better odds, and so are the other handicappers. He’s an old friend of mine, and he just so happens to have nine wins on the PGA Tour.
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Golf Digest’s betting panel is comprised of tour coaches reporting anonymously from the grounds of Port Royal Golf Club, Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Luck of Inside Sports Network, your two authors, and Keith Stewart, CEO of Lead the Line.
Related: Butterfield Bermuda Championship DFS picks: We love this week’s big long shots.
Scroll down for our complete betting analysis for the 2025 Butterfield Bermuda Championship.
Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks 2025: Experts’ complete predictions
Anonymous Swing Coach of the Week: Matt Kuchar (35-1, BetMGM) — Cucci’s last win was at the Sony Open, where he finished T-11 last week and enters this week playing solid golf. Accuracy off the tee and close approach in windy designs are Kuchar’s secrets to victory, and I’m here for it. Let’s go back to back.
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Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, maymedia network analyst: Matt Kuchar (35-1, BetMGM) — Data-wise, everything screams “Kuchar Week.” He is green in all major wedge ranges from 100 to 150 yards and 50 to 100 yards and remains one of the best Bermuda putters in the field. He tops the statistical rankings and is considered an ideal prototype for Port Royal. It’s accurate, throws the wedge, and doesn’t melt even in strong wind gusts. If you want the most secure profile in this space, use Kuchar. It’s a classic Kuchar setup. Like Mayakoba and Sonny, you can hit shots to 15 feet, get lots of birdies, and if things don’t work out, you can scramble your way out of prison.
Keith Stewart, PGA, Lead the Line: Nico Echavarria (25-1, BetMGM) — Our player Nico Echavarria ranks 4th in approaches and 8th in putting. An excellent Bermudagrass athlete, Echavarria has won in Japan and Puerto Rico. With several top-30 finishes at Butterfield, Nico has the experience needed to navigate Bermuda’s tournament triangle. We’ve seen Echavarria play and win in the wind with a high birdie-to-bogey ratio. Because the playing environment is a global test, four foreign players have won this tournament in a row. A player with a moderate trajectory from left to right, Nico could easily improve from last week’s 14th place.
Stephen Hennessy, Golf Digest Editor-in-Chief: Matt Kuchar (35-1, BetMGM) — You can catch up on Kuchar Week. I’ll be riding with an anonymous swing coach who has his seventh outright win in this column this year.
Christopher Powers, Golf Digest Senior Writer: Patrick Rodgers (35-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — With a top-10 finish in Mexico, there’s no reason not to run with him. After all, he came to a course where he’s been winning for years? P-Lodge’s first win will be an early Christmas present.
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Andy Luck, Inside Sports Network: Nico Echavarria (25-1, BetMGM) — Nico Echavarria was playing great golf, shooting a 63 Sunday at the Worldwide Technology Championship to finish 14th. Echavarria ranks 17th in Driving Accuracy and 7th in Green Regulation and already has two top-30 finishes in three starts at Butterfield.
Past Results: This season, Ben Griffin went 14-1 at the Worldwide Technology Championships, earning his seventh outright victory as a tour coach and taking him to 13 individual wins in 2025.
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Butterfield Bermuda Championship Picks 2025: Sleepers/Dark Horse of Champions
Tour coach: Justin Lower (70-1, DraftKings) — Rower disappeared last week, but this shorter design with more wedges will highlight his skill set. I supported him last week and have no intention of backing down after a mediocre weekend.
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mayo: Andrew Putnam (90-1, BetMGM) — Putnam’s results revealed a stinker. Two of the six cuts were successful, and no one finished higher than T-40. But the statistics tell a slightly different story as to why he could make the jump to Bermuda. In fact, it looks a lot like Dunlap from a week ago. Putnam isn’t that far off the tee, but it’s becoming a serious problem on the actual course. Despite hitting more than 75 percent of the fairways over the past 36 rounds, he’s been losing nearly one stroke each round off the tee. Just as the huge fairways saved Dunlap from flying off course for a week in Mexico, Port Royal’s length should greatly benefit the shorter Putnam. Long term, Putnam ranks in the top five in 100-150 yard close field and No. 1 in SG/Around the Green. The biggest difference these days is the flat stick. For the past two years, he’s been second in putting per round. In swing season, he loses almost half a stroke per round. If he starts running like he’s done his entire career, you’ll see triple-digit runners in Todd, Gay, and Camilo’s profiles.
Stewart: Sami Valimaki (40-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — The great Finn Sami Valimaki makes another statement in Mexico. Valimaki, who finished second to Ben Griffin on Sunday, made 30 birdies last week. Sami’s approach game is a superpower, leading the field with approaches of 200-225 yards. If you’re looking for a par 3 killer on holes over 200 yards, Valimaki has the advantage. Sami, seventh in SG/tee-to-green and second in approach, will create another 30-plus birdie chances. You’re going to need people who are blowing in the wind. Another left-to-right player, his power allows him to hit shorter clubs off the tee and helps him control ball flight and accuracy.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Francesco Molinari (175-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — We’ve seen the Italian near the top of the Mexican leaderboard, which is even more fitting for a major champion. Given these odds, the chance to get a spiked putting week is definitely worth it.
Powers, Golf Digest: Jackson Suber (70-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — I’m fully committed to Suber for the rest of the fall. His T-11 finish at WWT last week was his fourth top-15 finish in his past 10 starts. This week, he continues to excel with his short irons and putter, two key paths to success.
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Absent: Grayson Sigg (60-1, DraftKings) — Grayson Sigg has gained eight or more strokes on approach in two of his last three measured starts and is headed for a golf course with more shots from 100 to 150 yards. Sig ranked No. 1 in the field last year in close range from 100 to 150 yards and had three top-25 finishes in three starts at Port Royal.
Related: Chaz Bowker talks about his overnight rise to stardom and his next move to content.
Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks for 2025: Players who are disappearing
Tour coach: Vincent Whaley (28-1, BetMGM) — No offense to Vince, but he’s not in the tier of players around him on the odds board. I think we saw his best golf in Sanderson and would be surprised to see him compete consistently.
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mayo: Rico Hoey (18-1, BetMGM) — I love Rico. Don’t love him as a betting favorite on a course where only top putters have won.
Stewart: Rico Hoey (18-1, BetMGM) — Rico Hoey, one of the best ball strikers in the fall series, just can’t figure out the putter. Port Royal GC requires a deft touch with the flatstick. Hoey’s full swing is in the top two or three in the field, but his putting won’t put him above the top 20.
Hennessy, Golf Digest: Chad Ramey (25-1, FanDuel) — Chad Ramey is my favorite first-round leader bet and will probably win my money in that market. But I’m not confident that my players will be able to hit the putts on Sunday when victory is at stake. Last week’s No. 2 spot was well behind Ben Griffin, and there’s nothing wrong with that being his ceiling.
Powers, Golf Digest: Rico Hoey (18-1, BetMGM) — I don’t want to repeat this, but my favorite Rico Hoey solo is a crazy story. Just like one of your own children, we’ve watched him grow from a triple-digit odds statistical darling to the top of the odds board. But now we have to send him to college and prove that he can survive on his own.
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Absent: Matty Schmidt (28-1, BetRivers) — Matti Schmidt was very impressive at last week’s Worldwide Technology Championship, but I’m not all that interested in his course fit at Port Royal. Robert Trent Jones’ design significantly devalues Schmidt’s major strengths: distance and overall off-the-tee performance.
Butterfield Bermuda Championship Picks for 2025: Combinations
Tour coach: Pierceson Coody (+120) Rico Hoey (DraftKings) — These seem like very attractive odds for a young player who has proven himself to be one of the best young players here this fall. Hoey’s putter is such a big responsibility that he can easily have a bad week with his putts.
mayo: Carson Young (+100) vs. Bo Hossler (Courbet) — Young also finished in the top 10 in Mexico and loves the granular greens found on many of the island’s courses on tour.
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Stewart: Victor Perez (-125) vs. Luke Clanton (Fanduel) — A year ago, Luke Clanton would have been one of the favorites in this field. Currently, Clanton’s odds have disappeared somewhere in the lower middle tier. He has finished in the top 20 in just one of his last 14 starts (March), which is a big red flag. Victor Perez finished T-21 in Mexico with much better approach play and putter consistency. The French would probably pay us on a Friday night because it’s a given.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Victor Perez (-125) vs. Luke Clanton (Fanduel) — I agree with Keith on this one. Perez has solid drive accuracy and birdie-making ability, making him a better fit as a top-10 approach player in this field.
Powers, Golf Digest: Sheamus Power (-110) vs. Stephen Fisk (DraftKings) — Despite his recent wins, Fisk seems a little more volatile. Power, on the other hand, has made seven of his past eight starts and should have no trouble passing eight of nine in Port Royal. He won Port Royal in 2022 and has two other top-25 finishes.
Missing: Matt Kuchar (-135) Alex Smalley (BetOnline) — Matt Kuchar has been quietly playing great golf lately, posting three straight top-20 finishes this fall swing. Kuchar is also one of the best short iron players in the field, and the Bermuda putter is an ideal combination for the task at hand in Port Royal.
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Worldwide Technology Championship results: Tour Coach: 1-on-1 (Jaeger (-110) vs. Svensson); Hennessy: 1-on-1 (Eckrot (-115) vs. Hughes). Missing: 1-on-1 (Griffin (-120) vs. Spawn); Mayo: 1-on-1 (Echavarria (-110) vs. Kiefer); Stewart: 1-on-1 (Ekrot vs. Kuchar (+100)). Power: 0 for 1
This season’s match results (wins-losses-push): Tour Coach: 18-15-3 (3.32 unit increase). Hennessy: 20 wins, 18 losses, 1 draw (0.11 unit decrease). Shortage: 18-18-1 (down 1.51 units). Mayo: 16 wins, 20 losses, 2 draws (down 1.68 units). Power: 18-19-2 (reduced by 1.91 units). Stewart: 17 wins, 21 losses, 1 draw (4.77 unit loss). Gudura: 13-21-3 (down 9.57 units)
Butterfield Bermuda Championship Picks for 2025: Top 10
Tour coach: Michael Brennan (+400, DraftKings) — The odds have adjusted enough to give Brennan some value. For him, this tournament feels like a tour below KFT, and I hope that he will continue to play passionately in his weak areas.
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mayo: Justin Lower (+550, Caesars Sportsbook) — Lower’s stats don’t jump off the screen, but his game fits this course like a glove. In addition to his above-average accuracy and smart decision-making, he also makes good putts and chips, and has never finished outside the top 20 in his four starts at Port Royal.
Stewart: Patrick Rogers (+410, FanDuel) — 4th Place (2021), 3rd Place (2022), 9th Place (2024) Patrick Rogers is running at Port Royal Golf Course. Rodgers, who just finished sixth in Mexico, is ready to do well again in Bermuda. These three consecutive top 10 finishes are not a stroke of luck. A powerful, low-trajectory ball striker, Patrick has the perfect skill set to earn a top-10 spot and a championship ticket.
Hennessey, Golf Digest: Matt Kuchar (+360, DraftKings) —Even if he doesn’t get over the line, I’m fully committed to finishing in the top 10, and I’m looking forward to another solid week from Cucci.
Powers, Golf Digest: Mark Hubbard (+450, Bet Rivers) — Hubbard certainly didn’t play as well as usual in the fall, but you’ve got to play this guy in some capacity on the courses he likes. And he really likes Port Royal, finishing third here a year ago, 20th in 2023 and 22nd in 2021.
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Missing: Bo Hossler (+450, FanDuel) — Beau Hossler has already recorded two top-30 finishes in three starts at Port Royal, starting 17th at the World Wide Technology Championship and ranking 10th in green regulation percentage. Hossler is also one of the best Bermuda putters in the field for a long time.
World Wide Technology Championship top 10 results: Power: 1 for 1 (Garrick Higgo +300); Everyone else: 0 for 1
Top 10 results this season: Mayo: 10 to 39 (16.27 unit increase). Gdula: 11 versus 39 (14.3 units increase). Tour coaches: 9 of 36 (13.8 unit increase). Absent: 11 versus 38 (12.6 unit increase). Stewart: 13 for 39 (up 10.65 units). Hennessy: 38-8 (up 4.9 units). Power: 2 for 39 (27.5 units reduced)
About our experts
Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long-form and short-form content, and host of the daily talk show “The Pat Mayo Experience.” In addition to racing the Mayo Cup One-and-Done contest, Mayo also helped create the golf statistics and research website Fantasy National. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association’s Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three 2023 FSWA awards: Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, and Golf Writer of the Year. His 27 FSWA nominations are tops among all writers this decade and second all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @moon_tokyo.
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brandon duraThe editor-in-chief and analyst for numberFire, FanDuel’s daily fantasy analysis company, was recently awarded the 2018 FSWA Golf Writer of the Year. Gdula also co-hosts the DFS Heat Check podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @gdula13.
keith stewart He is a five-time award-winning PGA professional and gambling contributor to Golf Digest magazine. read the line, The best onsite live golf betting insights service covering the LPGA and PGA Tour. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter here Improve your golf betting acumen. Keith’s award-winning content can also be found on Sports Grid, Bleacher Report, and The Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.
andy ruck I’m a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who currently lives in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website dedicated to advanced analytics and predictive quality in golf course construction. He comes to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, The Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can be found on the golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.
