The Match V: Bryson DeChambeau vs. Brooks Koepka Odds and Prediction

Payton Matthews
Last Updated: November 24, 2021

It’s the matchup golf fans have been waiting for as rivals Bryson DeChambeau and Brooks Koepka will go head-to-head in a 12-hole event at Las Vegas’ Wynn Golf Club on Friday. DeChambeau is favoured to win at -122 on the golf odds, while Koepka comes in as a -101 underdog.

There are a few major differences about the fifth staging of the Match.

For one, Phil Mickelson isn’t playing in it for the first time. Although, Mickelson will be part of the broadcast crew on the TNT family of networks in the USA (so will Charles Barkley). The first Match was Mickelson vs. Tiger Woods. The previous three Matches have included Mickelson and a major sports athlete/celebrity against another PGA Tour pro and athlete/celebrity in an 18-hole team event. DeChambeau partnered with Aaron Rodgers in the most recent one back in July and beat Mickelson and Tom Brady in Montana.

This Match, which is scheduled to begin at 4 p.m. ET on Black Friday, will be pure head-to-head match play between DeChambeau and Koepka. The two golfers have the loudest feud in the sport – although some think that’s partly for show.

Also, this event is only 12 holes. Why? Koepka reportedly requested that number, saying: “Playing 12 holes is nice, I mean it’s better than playing 18 holes with Bryson. Anything to spend less time with him I’m happy to do.”

The Match won’t simply be played on the first or last 12 holes at Wynn Golf Club. Certain were specifically chosen. Here’s the order: 16, 3, 12, 13, 11, 5, 14, 9, 7, 8, 18, 17.

The 18th hole is the signature one on the course, a par 3 framed by a giant waterfall. Or course, it’s no sure thing this event will reach the penultimate hole if one player has a big lead.

“We drove around with the Turner folks and they chose the ones that would be best on camera and would work in terms of length,” said Scott Cowan, director of golf operations at Wynn. “So it had a lot with camera angles and flow.”

Both players also will be wearing microphones and there will no doubt be plenty of trash talk. DeChambeau and Koepka did put their animosity on hold when they played for the winning US Ryder Cup team two months ago. Past versions of the Match also have featured plenty of live side betting action between competitors.

For what it’s worth, DeChambeau (ranked No. 7 in the world) has yet to play an official PGA Tour event in the 2021-22 season. Koepka (ranked 16th) has played four tournaments and none well, with two missed cuts and a best finish of T38.

DeChambeau is a bit of a hothead who can let his temper get the best of him, and that’s why our pick is…