The Memorial Tournament Preview & Picks

The host of the Beat The Books Podcast delivers a high-stakes preview of the Memorial Tournament, arguing that despite a stacked field featuring Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy, the real value lies in the prop market — not in betting favorites. He reveals that Scottie Scheffler, while a two-time defending champion, is 0-2 in attempts to win three in a row and offers zero value at +350, making outright bets unwise. Instead, the host champions under-the-radar performers like Alex Smalley, who has finished second and third in his last two events, and Eric Cole, a +15,000 long shot with strong recent form and a knack for outperforming odds. The course, Merrifield Village, is described as one of the toughest on tour — a 7,600-yard bent grass layout where driving accuracy and strokes gained tee-to-green are paramount. The host warns against betting on Rory McIlroy due to poor recent history here and unfavorable pricing, while highlighting Siwoo Kim, Xander Schauffler, and Ben Griffin as strong prop market candidates. Ultimately, the episode centers on a contrarian thesis: in a field of elite players, the best bets aren't the favorites — they're the ones quietly building momentum and flying under the radar.