RSM Classic picks 2023: Is Billy Horschel all the way back? | This is the Loop

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Camilo Villegas (70-1, DraftKings) — I was fortunate enough to listen to CP’s advice last week and cash a huge Villegas ticket. I don’t think we can take our money off the roulette table here; let’s ride the Villegas heater. Villegas’ numbers over the past 36 rounds are incredible: He’s gaining nearly two strokes on approach, which is far away best in this field. He’s also deadly accurate off the tee, and he’s made 56 birdies over the past two weeks. You gotta like Villegas’ chances this week.

Powers, Golf Digest: Davis Thompson (55-1, DraftKings) — We keep on saying it’s a matter of time with this young lad. This would be an ideal time for Thompson, one of the many former Georgia Bulldogs who calls Sea Island home.

Lack: Alex Smalley (50-1, DraftKings) — I have long been an Alex Smalley supporter, and he was my favorite selection last week as well at the Bermuda Championship. The former Duke University standout somewhat disappointed with a 30th-place finish, but he did fire a Sunday 65, his best round of the week by three shots. At a juicier number, and at a course where he finished fifth last year, I see absolutely zero reason to hop off. There are a lot of similarities between Port Royal and Sea Island, and it should not come as a surprise that he has excelled at both.

RELATED: Tiger Woods falls to the lowest world ranking of his career

Caddie: Brian Harman (18-1, DraftKings) — The Open champ hasn’t been playing much lately, so I’d expect him to be a little rusty in this spot.

Mayo: Cameron Young (20-1, DraftKings) — One day they’ll make him a bettable number, and maybe I’ll consider it then. Today is not that day.

Gdula: Cameron Young (20-1, FanDuel) — Young’s not the most ideal fit for the RSM. He was T-29 here last year with great putting. I’d rather go with the other names around 20-1.

Gehman: Cameron Young (20-1, DraftKings) — Historically, Young is a streaky player. He often gets on hot stretches where he piles up top finishes and he’s capable of getting stuck in prolonged slumps. Right now, I’d argue he’s slumping more than he’s streaking. He teed it up in Cabo, his first start this fall, and finished T-54 as one of the favorites. He’s lost strokes on approach in three straight measured events and his putter continues to be a liability.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Brian Harman (18-1, DraftKings) — We see longshots coming through at the RSM in regularity, so I won’t be betting any of the heavy favorites.

Powers, Golf Digest: Corey Conners (16-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — Crazy low price for a guy we have not seen since the Tour Championship. His game is steady enough for him to show up and be fine, but there will undoubtedly be a little rust to shake off.

Lack: Cameron Young (20-1, DraftKings) — I am all in on Cameron Young long-term, but this is not the week to deploy him. Sea Island is one of the least distance dependent courses on the PGA Tour, and heavily devalues Young’s elite driving ability. I appreciate that he was able to shake some of the rust off in Mexico, but that was a far better course for him than the task at this week, and a 54th-place finish in such a weak field was far from inspiring. I have a ton of excitement to watch Young at courses such as Riviera, Torrey Pines, and Bay Hill in the new year, but for now, I’ll take a wait and see approach.

RELATED: 10 pros playing for their PGA Tour futures (in some form) at the RSM Classic

Caddie: Ben Griffin (-110) over Nicholas Lindheim (DraftKings) — I love Griffin this week, and I don’t mind fading Lindheim. I think he’s a little over-hyped coming off the Korn Ferry Tour.

Mayo: Billy Horschel (+100) over Chris Kirk (DraftKings) — It’s as if someone broke Chris Kirk’s putter at the Masters and he simply decided not to get it fixed. He’s dropped strokes on the greens in 10 of 12 starts. Not great at a wedge and putting competition.

Gdula: J.J. Spaun (-115) over Taylor Pendrith (FanDuel) — As usual, I’m siding with the better ball-striker, and that’s Spaun. His putting is pretty weak right now, but Pendrith isn’t a great putter, either.

Gehman: Adam Svensson (-110) over Matt Kuchar (Bet365) — The defending champion has had himself a stellar fall. Svensson has played four times, with two top 20s and no finish outside the top 45. He’s gained strokes ball-striking in seven straight measured events and he’s gained with the putter in six of his last eight. He’s playing well and going back to a site with plenty of good vibes.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: JT Poston (+100) over Cameron Young (DraftKings) — I like too many other players to bet Poston here, but taking him in this matchup is a good way to get some exposure on Poston … plus as evidenced above from our unanimous fade of Cam Young, the sharps are against the prince of New York.

Powers, Golf Digest: Alex Noren (+115) over Corey Conners (DraftKings) — Easy one here – my outright pick at plus money over my fade. Sure feels trap-ish, but I believe in Noren.

Lack: J.T. Poston (+100) over Cameron Young (DraftKings) — This is an easy one, as I am getting my pick to win against my fade at plus money. On a different golf course, I would gladly smash Young in this spot. Yet Sea Island completely levels the playing field between the two, and places a far greater emphasis on Poston’s putting, as opposed to Young’s power off the tee.

Matchup Results from the Bermuda Championship: Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Noren (-139) over List); Gehman: 1 for 1 (Noren (-139) over List); Powers: 0 for 1; Lack: 0 for 1; Caddie: 0 for 1; Gdula: 0 for 1

Matchup Results from this season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Hennessey: 28-19-2 (up 6.87 units); Powers: 26-19-3 (up 5.6 units); Lack: 22-15-2 (up 4.2 units); Caddie: 25-20-4 (up 2.96 units); Gehman: 26-21-2 (up 2.46 units); Mayo: 21-22-2 (down 2.04 units); Gdula: 20-28-2 (down 9.63 units)

Caddie: Eric Cole (+300, DraftKings) — I expect him to close out Rookie of the Year honors in style.

Mayo: Billy Horschel (+400, DraftKings) — Someday, I’m guessing there’s going to be an awesome documentary made about what happened to Billy Horschel from January to August of this year. He was awful on the course; truly horrendous. Not sure why, either. Since, he’s been pretty solid. He hasn’t missed a cut in any of his past six starts and even decided to press his form by heading to Europe and reeled off three top 20s on four starts. Also, I’m chasing my money from 2016 when he lost in a 100-man playoff after having it, seemingly, locked up coming down the stretch.

Gdula: Si Woo Kim (+350, FanDuel) — A super-accurate driver with top-five tee-to-green play over the past 50 rounds, according to datagolf. It’s a good setup even though he hasn’t played well here in the past.

Gehman: Corey Conners (+333, Bet365) — Remember him? Conners hasn’t played anywhere in the world since the Tour Championship but he still holds a streak of 15 events gaining strokes off-the-tee. His precision and accuracy should be well-rewarded on the Sea Island Resort, where he has tallied three straight top-25 finishes and has never missed a cut.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Carson Young (+1200, DraftKings) — The talented kid from South Carolina should be at home on these Bermudagrass greens, and Sea Island should suit his game: He’s deadly accurate and can roll the rock.

Powers, Golf Digest: Chesson Hadley (+650, DraftKings) — Hadley has consecutive top-7 finishes coming into this one and I think we see him bowl the top-10 turkey here. He’s been incredibly strong on approach of late and he’s a menace on Bermuda greens.

Lack: Brendon Todd (+360, DraftKings) — There is a specific category of golf course where Brendon Todd is always live, and Sea Island falls squarely into that category. Todd is one of the most accurate drivers and best Bermuda putters in this field, two skills that will be heavily accentuated on the Harry Colt design. Coming off a 20th-place finish in Bermuda, I expect Todd to continue his strong form at another ideal fit for him in Sea Island.