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Golf best bets: Longshots to target for the FedEx St. Jude Championship

By Jack Dougherty | Last updated 8/8/23

We had some more success in last week's longshots column by cashing Webb Simpson at +410 to finish top 20 and +130 to finish top 40, and we're back for more big-money bombs with this week's FedEx St. Jude Championship.

With a small, 70-man field at the first playoff event, we're ditching the top-40 wagers and rolling only with top-20 wagers instead. So, let's check out the three longshots I'm targeting with outright and finishing position bets this week.

Stephan Jaeger (+9000 FanDuel)

Stephan Jaeger is quietly carrying an impressive hot streak into the FedEx Cup Playoffs. The German has finished inside the top 35 six times in his last seven starts, and he's gained strokes on approach in all seven events.

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Jaeger ranks 13th on the PGA Tour this season in greens in regulation percentage, which will be a key stat this week considering the trouble surrounding many of the greens at TPC Southwind. As long as his putter doesn't implode, Jaeger should have no problem notching another strong finish this week.

Top 20: +220

Brendon Todd (+12000 FD)

Speaking of hot streaks, Brendon Todd is playing his best golf of the season at the perfect time. The 38-year-old finished T7 last week at the Wyndham Championship and nearly won the John Deere Classic last month before finishing in a tie for second. Todd has gained strokes on approach and on the greens in three straight starts, and he ranks 10th on Tour in driving accuracy. Keeping it straight is paramount at TPC Southwind, and that's been the strength of Todd's game for years. He's set up for a great week.

Top 20: +230

Mark Hubbard (+30000 FD)

I don't think any player should be priced at 300/1 in a 70-man field, especially one that hits his irons as well as Mark Hubbard. "Homeless Hubbs" ranks 14th on Tour in strokes gained: approach this season, and he's lost strokes with his irons only twice in his last 14 starts.

Hubbard also has the putter working of late, as he's gained strokes on the greens six times in his last seven events. The American's greatest flaw is his lack of distance off the tee, but driving distance isn't an indicator of success at TPC Southwind. Hubbard's game should fit this course well, so let's hope the putter stays hot this week.

Top 20: +410

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