Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks 2025: Our red-hot anonymous tour coach is backing a wily veteran

Alex Slitz

Another week, another winner for our anonymous tour coach, by far the hottest gambler on our panel. His correct prediction of Ben Griffin’s victory at the World Wide Technology Championship (14-1) last week was his seventh outright hit of 2025. If you haven’t been responsibly throwing a few units on his plays each week this year, you’ve done it all wrong.

This week, he’s locking in on a wily veteran at much juicier odds, and so are a few of our other handicappers. Call him an old friend, one who just so happens to have nine career PGA Tour victories.

The Golf Digest betting panel is comprised of a tour coach reporting anonymously from the grounds of Port Royal Golf Club, Pat Mayo of Underdog/Mayo Media Network, Andy Lack of the Inside Sports Network, your two authors and Keith Stewart, the CEO of Read The Line.

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Scroll down for our complete betting analysis of the 2025 Butterfield Bermuda Championship:

Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks 2025: Our Experts’ Outright Predictions

Anonymous Swing Coach of the Week: Matt Kuchar (35-1, BetMGM) — Kuch’s last win came on an island at the Sony Open, and he’s entering this week playing some solid golf, finishing T-11 last week. Accuracy off the tee and approach proximity on a windy design are the recipe for a Kuchar victory, and I’m here for it. Let’s go back to back.

Pat Mayo, Underdog/Fantasy National, Mayo Media Network analyst: Matt Kuchar (35-1, BetMGM) — Data wise, everything screams “Kuchar week.” He’s green across every key wedge range—100 to 150 yards, 50 to 100 yards—and still one of the best long-term Bermuda putters in the field. He topped the stat rankings and rates out as the ideal prototype for Port Royal: Accurate, flights wedges, and doesn’t melt when the gusts pick up. If you want the safest profile in this field, it’s Kuchar. It’s a classic Kuchar setup. Like Mayakoba or Sony—hit it to 15 feet and make a bunch of birdies and be able to scramble out of jail if things go awry.

Keith Stewart, PGA, Read The Line: Nico Echavarria (25-1, BetMGM) — Our man, Nico Echavarria, is ranked fourth in the field on approach and eighth in putting. An excellent Bermudagrass player, Echavarria has won in Japan and Puerto Rico. A couple of top 30 results at the Butterfield, Nico has the experience needed to navigate the Bermuda tournament triangle. A successful birdie-to-bogey ratio, we have seen Echavarria play and win in the wind. Four straight foreign players have captured this event because the playing conditions represent a global test. A mid-trajectory left-to-right player, Nico can easily improve on last week’s 14th-place finish.

Stephen Hennessey, Golf Digest managing editor: Matt Kuchar (35-1, BetMGM) — I can get behind Kuchar week. I’ll ride with our anonymous swing coach, who’s coming off his seventh outright win in this column this year.

Christopher Powers, Golf Digest senior writer: Patrick Rodgers (35-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — How can I not ride with my guy off a top-10 finish in Mexico, now coming to a course he’s done everything but won at over the years? What a nice early Christmas present a maiden P-Rodge victory would be.

Andy Lack, Inside Sports Network: Nico Echavarria (25-1, BetMGM) — Nico Echavarria is playing some excellent golf, coming off a Sunday 63 at the World Wide Technology Championship that led to a 14th-place finish. Echavarria ranked 17th in driving accuracy and seventh in greens in regulation, and he already has two top-30 finishes in three starts at the Butterfield to his name.

Past results: We now have 13 individual victories in 2025 after our tour coach’s SEVENTH outright winner this season with Ben Griffin at 14-1 at the World Wide Technology Championship.

Listen to Golf Digest’s weekly betting podcast, “The Loop,” (below) where we interview the industry’s leading experts (and sometimes tour pros) to help you make your bets and pick your fantasy lineups. And be sure to subscribe to “The Loop” wherever you get your podcasts!

Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks 2025: Sleepers/Dark Horses Who Could Win

Tour coach: Justin Lower (70-1, DraftKings) — Lower faded last week, but this shorter design with more wedges will emphasize his skill set. I was on him last week and won’t back off after one mediocre weekend.

Mayo: Andrew Putnam (90-1, BetMGM) — Putnam’s results reveal a guy who stinks: two out of six cuts made, with no finish higher than T-40. But the stats tell a slightly different story of why he can pop in Bermuda. In fact, it’s a lot like Dunlap a week ago. Putnam’s never been long off the tee, but it’s getting to be a real issue at real courses. Despite hitting over 75 percent of fairways over his past 36 rounds he’s losing almost a stroke per round off the tee. Like how the giant fairways saved Dunlap from driving it out of bounds all week in Mexico, Port Royal’s length should greatly benefit the short-smacking Putnam. Long-term, Putnam is Top 5 in the field in proximity from 100-150 yards and sits first in SG/around-the-green. The biggest difference lately has been the flat stick. Over the past two years he’s second in putting per round. In the Swing Season he’s losing almost a half stroke per round. If he just starts rolling like he’s done his entire career you’ll have a triple-digit runner in the profile of Todd, Gay, and Camilo.

Stewart: Sami Valimaki (40-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — The fantastic Fin, Sami Valimaki, made another statement in Mexico. Runner-up to Ben Griffin on Sunday, Valimaki made 30 birdies last week. The approach game is Sami’s superpower as he leads the field in approaches from 200-225 yards. Looking for a par 3 killer on those 200-plus-yard holes, Valimaki gives us an edge. Seventh in the field in SG/tee-to-green, and second on approach, Sami will create another 30-plus birdie chances. We will need those in the wind. Another left-to-right player, his power will allow him to hit shorter clubs off the tee, helping him control ball flight and accuracy.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Francesco Molinari (175-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — We saw the Italian near the top of the leader board in Mexico, and this is an even better fit for the major champ. At these odds, it’s absolutely worth the chance we get a spike putting week.

Powers, Golf Digest: Jackson Suber (70-1, Caesars Sportsbook) — I’m fully committed to Suber for the rest of the fall. His T-11 finish at the WWT last week was his fourth top-15 finish in his last 10 starts. He continues to excel with his short irons and his putter, two key paths to success this week.

Lack: Greyson Sigg (60-1, DraftKings) — Greyson Sigg has gained over eight strokes on approach in two out of his last three measured starts and is heading to a golf course with a high number of shots from 100 to 150 yards. Sigg ranks first in proximity in this field from 100-150 yards over the last year, and has three top-25 finishes in three appearances at Port Royal.

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Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks 2025: Players We’re Fading

Tour coach: Vincent Whaley (28-1, BetMGM) — No offense to Vince, but he’s not in the tier of players around him on the odds board. I think we saw his best golf at the Sanderson, and I’d be surprised to be see him contending on a consistent basis.

Mayo: Rico Hoey (18-1, BetMGM) — Love Rico. Don’t love him as the betting favorite at a course where only top putters have ever won.

Stewart: Rico Hoey (18-1, BetMGM) — One of the best ball-strikers in the fall series, Rico Hoey just cannot figure out the putter. Port Royal GC requires a deft touch with the flatstick. Although Hoey’s full swing is top two or three in the field, his putting will not allow him to get much past a top-20 finish.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Chad Ramey (25-1, FanDuel) — Chad Ramey is a favorite first-round leader bet of mine and will probably get my money in that market. But I just don’t have the confidence my guy can hit the putts in contention on a Sunday with a win on the line. His runner-up last week was a distant second to Ben Griffin, and there’s nothing wrong with that being his ceiling.

Powers, Golf Digest: Rico Hoey (18-1, BetMGM) — I don’t want to pile on, but Rico Hoey solo favorite is crazy talk. Much like one of your own children, we watched him grow from a triple-digit odds statistical darling to the top of the odds board. But now we have to let him go off to college and prove he can live on his own.

Lack: Matti Schmid (28-1, BetRivers) — Matti Schmid was very impressive last week at the World Wide Technology Championship, but I’m not as keen on his course fit at Port Royal. The Robert Trent Jones design significantly devalues driving distance and overall off-the-tee performance, a huge strength of Schmid.

Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks 2025: Matchups

Tour coach: Pierceson Coody (+120) over Rico Hoey (DraftKings) — These seem like really attractive odds for a young player who has proved he’s one of the best young talents out here this fall. Hoey’s putter is too much of a liability—he can putt his way to a bad week quite easily.

Mayo: Carson Young (+100) over Beau Hossler (Coolbet) — Young posted another top 10 in Mexico and loves these grainier greens that populate the island courses on tour.

Stewart: Victor Perez (-125) over Luke Clanton (FanDuel) — One year ago, Luke Clanton would have been one of the favorites in this field. Now Clanton’s odds are lost somewhere in the bottom of the middle-tier. Only one top 20 (March) in his last 14 starts is a big red flag. Victor Perez finished T-21 in Mexico and has been far more consistent with his approach play and the putter. The Frenchman just makes sense and will probably pay us on Friday night.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Victor Perez (-125) over Luke Clanton (FanDuel) — I’m with Keith on this one. Perez rates out as a way better fit as a top 10 approach player in this field with solid driving accuracy and birdie-making ability.

Powers, Golf Digest: Seamus Power (-110) over Steven Fisk (DraftKings) — While he does have the recent victory, Fisk seems a bit more volatile. Power, meanwhile, has made seven of his last eight cuts and should have no problem making that eight out of nine at Port Royal, where he won in 2022 and has two other top-25 finishes.

Lack: Matt Kuchar (-135) over Alex Smalley (BetOnline) — Matt Kuchar is quietly playing some incredible golf of late, with three top-20 finishes in a row this fall swing. Kuchar is also one of the best short iron players in this field and Bermuda putters, an ideal combination for the task at hand at Port Royal.

Matchup Results from the World Wide Technology Championship: Tour coach: 1 for 1 (Jaeger (-110) over Svensson); Hennessey: 1 for 1 (Eckroat (-115) over Hughes); Lack: 1 for 1 (Griffin (-120) over Spaun); Mayo: 1 for 1 (Echavarria (-110) over Keefer); Stewart: 1 for 1 (Kuchar (+100) over Eckroat); Powers: 0 for 1

Matchup Results from this season (Wins-Losses-Pushes): Tour coach: 18-15-3 (up 3.32 units); Hennessey: 20-18-1 (down 0.11 units); Lack: 18-18-1 (down 1.51 units); Mayo: 16-20-2 (down 1.68 units); Powers: 18-19-2 (down 1.91 units); Stewart: 17-21-1 (down 4.77 units); Gdula: 13-21-3 (down 9.57 units)

Butterfield Bermuda Championship picks 2025: Top 10s

Tour coach: Michael Brennan (+400, DraftKings) — The odds have adjusted back enough to give some value on Brennan. This event will feel like a KFT or lesser tour to him, and I expect him to keep up the hot play in the weak field.

Mayo: Justin Lower (+550, Caesars Sportsbook) — Lower’s stats don’t leap off the screen, but his game fits this course like a glove. Above average accuracy, smart decision-making, plus, he putts, he chips, and he’s never finished outside the top 20 in four starts at Port Royal.

Stewart: Patrick Rodgers (+410, FanDuel) — Fourth (2021), third (2022), and ninth (2024), Patrick Rodgers is on a run at Port Royal Golf Course. Fresh off a sixth-place in Mexico, Rodgers is poised to play well again in Bermuda. Those three straight top 10s aren’t luck. A strong low-trajectory ball striker, Patrick has the perfect skill set to give us a winning ticket with 10 places.

Hennessey, Golf Digest: Matt Kuchar (+360, DraftKings) — I’ll back up the outright with a top 10, banking on another solid week from Kuch, even if he doesn’t get over the line.

Powers, Golf Digest: Mark Hubbard (+450, BetRivers) — Hubbard certainly hasn’t popped in the fall like usual, but you’ve got to play this guy in some capacity in courses he likes. And he very much likes Port Royal, having finished third here a year ago, 20th in 2023 and 22nd in 2021.

Lack: Beau Hossler (+450, FanDuel) — Beau Hossler already has two top-30 finishes in three appearances at Port Royal, and he is coming off a 17th at the World Wide Technology Championship where he ranked 10th in the field in greens in regulation percentage. Hossler is also one of the best long-term Bermuda putters in this field.

Top-10 results from the World Wide Technology Championship: Powers: 1 for 1 (Garrick Higgo +300); Everybody else: 0 for 1

Top-10 results from this season: Mayo: 10 for 39 (up 16.27 units); Gdula: 11 for 39 (up 14.3 units); Tour coach: 9 for 36 (up 13.8 units); Lack: 11 for 38 (up 12.6 units); Stewart: 13 for 39 (up 10.65 units); Hennessey: 8 for 38 (up 4.9 units); Powers: 2 for 39 (down 27.5 units)

Pat Mayo is an award-winning video host and producer of long and short-form content, and the host of The Pat Mayo Experience daily talk show. Mayo helped create the golf stats and research website Fantasy National along with the Race for the Mayo Cup One and Done contest. Mayo won the 2022 Fantasy Sports Writing Association Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year and is a finalist for three FSWA Awards in 2023 (Best Podcast, Daily Fantasy Writer of the Year, Golf Writer of the Year). His 27 FSWA nominations lead all writers this decade and are second-most all-time. Follow him on Twitter: @ThePME.

Brandon Gdula, managing editor and analyst for numberFire, a FanDuel daily-fantasy analysis company, recently won the 2018 FSWA Golf Writer of the Year. Gdula also co-hosts the DFS Heat Check podcast. Follow him on Twitter: @gdula13.

Keith Stewart is a five-time award-winning PGA professional, a betting contributor for Golf Digest and founder of Read The Line, the premier on-site live golf betting insights service covering the LPGA and PGA TOUR. Subscribe to Read The Line’s weekly newsletter here and raise your golf betting acumen. Keith’s winning content can also be found on Sports Grid, Bleacher Report and The Sporting News. Follow him on Twitter @readtheline_.

Andy Lack is a PGA Tour writer and podcaster from New York City who now resides in Los Angeles. Andy is the founder and CEO of Inside Sports Network, a website devoted to the predictive quality of advanced analytics and golf course architecture. He came to Golf Digest’s betting panel after previously writing for Run Pure Sports, RickRunGood.com, the Score and GolfWRX. In his free time, Andy can likely be found on a golf course. Follow him on Twitter: @adplacksports.