The QBE Shootout is this weekend and it once again features some big names combined into two-man teams. The Shootout has become a staple for PGA Players during the slower winter months for two reasons, it’s fun, and the purse is now pushing towards four million bucks!
If you’re not familiar with the QBE Shootout then here’s a quick briefer, the event is an “unofficial” money event meaning no FedEx points are awarded. It consists of a select number of two-man teams… actually, two-person teams as Lexi Thompson is one of the regular players.
It is a three-day event with no cut that utilizes variations of play such as “fourball”, “Best Ball, and “Greensomes” which is a modified version of “Alternate Shot” play. Essentially, some of the best players in the world will tee off using some of the same formats that many of us play during local tournaments.
Think of it like it was a smaller version of the formats used in the Ryder Cup with a smaller amount of parties for the fans. Instead, fans of the QBE Shootout have several days of Pro-Am events to take in, a fan experience area, and an event a mini music festival. Did I mention over 3.5 million dollars?
This year’s field is once again packed with “big-name” players with one of them being LPGA star Lexi Thompson. She is paired with Bubba Watson and the two are bringing up the rear on the odds list at +3300. The Team of Sam Burns and Billy Horschel are coming in as the lone favorites at +350.
Last year it was Matt Kuchar and Harris English who combined their skills to win their 3 rd QBE Shootout. However, English may still be nursing a nagging back injury. This year the duo comes in at +650. Here are the complete team odds to win the 2021 QBE Shootout outright according to Intertops.
Sam Burns / Billy Horschel +350
Jason Kokrak / Kevin Na +500
Harris English / Matt Kuchar +650
2021 QBE Shootout Preview
Where: Naples, Florida
Course: Tiburón Golf Club – Gold Course
Par: 72
Length: 7288 (7,382 for Shootout)
When: December 10 – 12, 2021
Purse: $3.5 million
Coverage: Golf Channel/NBC
Here’s how the formats will be played over the three days.
FRIDAY: The opening round will be played using a traditional scramble format. Both members of each team will have up to two swings from the same spot until either player completes the hole out.
SATURDAY: The second round will be played using a modified alternate shot format. Each golfer will tee off on every hole. Then the teammates will alternate shots until the hole is finished using the same ball.
SUNDAY: The tournament closes out with a traditional Four-Ball format. All of the golfers will play their own ball during this round. Teammates will only officially record the lowest score between the two.
The Tiburón Golf Club has played host to the QBE Shootout 21 times. The course is a beautiful, yet stock, layout in Naples, Florida designed for regular member play looking for a challenging and scenic round of golf. Big greens, limited rough, scenic water, and bunkers designed to collect overly wayward shots. PGA and LPGA pros love this course.
How to Bet PGA Player Match-ups
2021 QBE Shootout Picks
Sam Burns / Billy Horschel +350
Sam Burns and Billy Horschel make for an imposing combination. Billy Horschel has been a regular at this event and knows this course. Sam Burns comes in hot to his first QBE Shootout as he’s already getting water cooler talk about being a favorite to win the FedEx Cup.
Corey Conners / Graeme McDowell +1000
Corey Conners and Graeme McDowell are an interesting combination. A nice blend of power and finesse. This is the 9th appearance for McDowell with seven different partners! He’s finished runner-up three times. Conners is playing great golf at the moment so this could be a team to watch.
Lexi Thompson / Bubba Watson +3300
I love watching Lexi Thompson at this event because she often makes PGA Tour players look silly with the way she can drive a ball and carve up a shot. For some, Bubba Watson is coming in as the weak link to this team. Thompson finished the LPGA summer and fall events with some strong runs but Bubba has not played in almost four months. Both have played well on the Gold Course in the past.
Others: I want to take Harris English and Matt Kuchar because of their record at this event. However, the fact that one of my favorite players, Harris English, is coming off of a back injury is making me fade a bit.
2021 QBE Shootout Betting Lines
Sam Burns / Billy Horschel +350
Jason Kokrak / Kevin Na +500
Harris English / Matt Kuchar +650
Max Homa / Kevin Kisner +750
Jason Day / Marc Leishman +800
Ian Poulter / Charles Howell III +1000
Corey Conners / Graeme McDowell +1000
Will Zalatoris / Sean O’Hair +1200
Brian Harman / Hudson Swafford +1200
Matt Jones / Ryan Palmer +1200
K.H. Lee / Brandt Snedeker +1600
Lexi Thompson / Bubba Watson +3300
No time to handicap during the holidays? Join the best sports picks services.
