Get ready for some chaos on the greens because the FedEx Cup Fall is kicking off Thursday at The Cliffs at Walnut Cove in Asheville, N.C., and SportsLine’s super-smart computer model just dropped a bombshell: rookie favorite Jackson Koivun, who’s sitting at +1300 on FanDuel, isn’t even gonna crack the top three. This model isn’t just guessing, either; it’s the same one that’s nailed a whopping 17 majors!
Why the FedEx Cup Fall Is Already Wild
This isn’t just another tournament, folks. This is the start of the FedEx Cup Fall, a crucial stretch from now through November where players outside the top 50 points battle it out to secure their PGA Tour card for next year or even snag a coveted spot in those sweet Signature Events. It’s high stakes golf, right from the jump! We already saw Justin Thomas, who was originally on the roster for this inaugural event, pull out on Monday, which just opened things up even more. Beyond Koivun, you’ve got Jacob Bridgeman at +1800, and both Doug Ghim and Davis Thompson sitting at +2500. It looked like a wide-open field, or so it seemed, before that model weighed in.
The Model That Keeps Delivering Shockers
So, why should we trust this bold prediction that says Koivun, the favorite, is a “golfer to avoid this week”? Because this isn’t some shot-in-the-dark guess. We’re talking about SportsLine’s proprietary model, built by DFS pro Mike McClure, which has literally simulated this tournament 10,000 times. This thing is legit, nailing a ridiculous 17 majors entering the weekend, including the 2026 Masters , its fifth Masters in a row, by the way! It also called last year’s PGA Championship and Open Championship. Anyone who’s been following its sports betting picks could have seen massive returns. But back to Koivun: the model’s message is clear. While he did win the 3M Open earlier this summer, helping him qualify for the FedEx Cup Playoffs, he hasn’t finished better than T29 in his next three events. And get this: four of his last five rounds have be. So yeah, the model isn’t just pulling that “avoid him” call out of thin air.
As the Biltmore Championship Asheville kicks off Thursday, all eyes will definitely be on Jackson Koivun. Will the model be right again and see the favorite stumble? Or will he defy the odds? We’re gonna find out real soon, and you know we’ll be watching every single swing.
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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