Underdog Round 1 goes 2-1-1. Akshay Bhatia, u12.5 par 3 strokes, was our only loss, while Justin Thomas over four birdies was a push as he missed a four-foot putt on 18 to cash for us. It’s time for my 2023 Fortinet Championship Round 2 Underdog Picks!
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2023 Fortinet Championship Round One Underdog Picks
Akshay Bhatia 12.5 Cumulative Par 3 Strokes: Lower
Going right back to this prop. Akshay came out of the gates extremely slow, which was warranted. The kid is 21 years old and just got engaged last week. Once he settled into his round, he looked a lot better. Akshay will need a solid round to get back inside the cut line, and the par threes are a great opportunity for him to tap into his elite iron play.
Sahith Theegala 2.0 Bogeys or Worse: Higher
Sadly enough, I see Sahith making a handful of bogeys tomorrow. I say that because he is one of my picks to win this week, but volatility is part of what makes Sahith great. He shot a four under 68 in Round 1, which was one of the best rounds of the day. Sahith lost strokes to the field both off the tee and on approach, which means he did all of his work on and around the greens. Short game is not a sustainable style of play, and with Sahith’s volatility, I can see him making a few bogeys tomorrow.
Max Homa 68.5 Strokes: Lower
Homa shot a 70 in Round 1, losing almost two strokes on the putting green. Max is one of the best California putters on the entire tour, so I really can see him bouncing back in that category, leading to a round below 68.
Justin Thomas 4.5 Birdies or Better: Higher
Thomas made four birdies in Round 1 and truthfully left a lot out there. He made par on three of the four par fives, which are some of the easiest holes on the course. Expect JT to have another solid round, this time eclipsing his birdie prop.
