Benny and the five bets I wish I made
Whether it’s fishing or sports betting, the most memorable stories often revolve around the ones that got away. This PGA TOUR season, like many before it, left plenty of would-be wins slipping through my fingers. If you’ve ever bet on golf, you know the feeling. Friends boast about backing the winner — Rory McIlroy at the U.S. Open or Akshay Bhatia at the Rocket Mortgage Classic — but you’re left recounting the heartbreaking near-misses.
This year, I’ve had my share of bets that came tantalizingly close. Mackenzie Hughes, Daniel Berger, and Luke Clanton at The RSM Classic all finished strong (T5, T2, and T2 respectively), but not strong enough. Yet, the real sting comes from the bets I didn’t place. With Thanksgiving around the corner, let’s dig into my top five betting regrets from this season.
1. Scottie Scheffler: +1100 after Round 3 at THE PLAYERS Championship
Scheffler’s comeback at THE PLAYERS was one for the ages. Trailing by five strokes after three rounds, I dismissed his chances, convinced Xander Schauffele or another contender would seal the deal. Scheffler silenced doubters with a stunning 8-under 64 to claim victory. The odds were tempting, but I passed, and I’ve been kicking myself ever since.
2. Xander Schauffele: +1600 at the PGA Championship
For years, Schauffele has been touted as the best player without a major. I vowed to back him at every major in 2024, but after a disappointing showing at the Masters, my faith wavered. When Rory McIlroy crushed Schauffele’s hopes at Quail Hollow just before the PGA Championship, I hesitated. Schauffele went on to win his first major, leaving me with nothing but regret — and a smirk from Xander when I confessed my mistake.
3. Hideki Matsuyama: +12500 after Round 3 at The Genesis Invitational
With Patrick Cantlay faltering and Matsuyama six shots back, I overlooked the long odds on a former Masters winner with a solid track record at Riviera. Matsuyama pulled off a six-shot comeback, offering a lesson in why underdogs can’t be ignored, especially when the stakes are high.
4. Aaron Rai: +3500 at the Wyndham Championship
The rainy forecast at Wyndham screamed opportunity for a "mudder" like Aaron Rai. I highlighted his wet-weather prowess in my column but only placed him in a Top 10 bet instead of going for the outright win. Rai proved me right, but I left potential profits on the table.
5. Cam Davis: +5500 at the Rocket Mortgage Classic
As an Aussie, I usually back my fellow countrymen. Davis, the 2021 champion in Detroit, was an obvious pick given his streaky summer form. Yet I passed, watching in frustration as he clinched victory, capitalizing on Bhatia’s misstep on the 72nd hole.
