Hold up, golf fans. Jackson Koivun, the dude everyone’s talking about as the +1200 favorite for the 2026 Bank of Utah Championship, isn’t even gonna crack the top three according to the SportsLine model that just keeps absolutely nailing it. That’s a massive call, especially with all the hype surrounding the rookie.
Koivun’s Undefeated Streak Just Hit a Wall
The FedEx Cup Fall is back, baby, and after a week off for the Presidents Cup, we’re diving straight into the 2026 Bank of Utah Championship. It all kicks off Thursday over at Black Desert Resort in Ivins, Utah. Everyone’s eyes are locked on rookie phenom Jackson Koivun, and for good reason. The guy was literally the *only* player to go undefeated at the Presidents Cup, and he was a huge part of Team USA bringing home the win. No wonder FanDuel Sportsbook has him as the +1200 favorite.
You’ve also got defending champ Michael Brennan at +1500, Ben James at +1600, and Maverick McNealy rounding out the top favorites at +2000. It’s a stacked field, but Koivun’s recent run just had everyone buzzing.
The Computers Don’t Lie: Why Koivun Is a Fade This Week
So, why is this SportsLine model so dead set on Koivun stumbling? This isn’t just some random guess. We’re talking about a proprietary model built by DFS pro Mike McClure, and it has simulated *every single PGA Tour event 10,000 times*. Its track record? Absolutely insane. This model has called a ridiculous 17 majors, including the 2026 Masters, which was its *fifth Masters in a row*, plus last year’s PGA Championship and Open Championship. When these computers talk, you listen.
The big surprise it’s dropping for the Bank of Utah Championship is that Koivun, despite his hot Presidents Cup run and earlier 3M Open win this summer, is a “golfer to avoid.” Why? He was also the favorite at the Biltmore Championship, the FedEx Cup Fall opener, and he only managed a T5 finish. Plus, he’s ended up outside the top 20 in three other points events since his 3M Open victory. The model clearly sees some cracks in the armor that the public odds aren’t picking up on.
So, will Koivun shock everyone and prove the computers wrong? Or is this another major prediction from the SportsLine model about to hit? We’ll find out starting Thursday at Black Desert Resort. Don’t say you weren’t warned!
This article was created with AI assistance and published under Seattle On Tap’s editorial standards. See our Editorial Policy.
Originally reported by CBS Sports.
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