Betting expert advises caution on Max Homa ahead of 2026 3M Open
World number one Scottie Scheffler emerges as the clear favourite, while defending champion Kurt Kitayama and other contenders face scrutiny ahead of Thursday’s tournament.
Golf betting expert Brady Kannon has advised against backing Max Homa for the 2026 3M Open, citing a lack of recent victories and inconsistent performance metrics as primary concerns. Kannon, a handicapper with over 30 years of experience who has correctly predicted eight major winners since 2013, argues that Homa’s current odds do not justify the risk given his form over the past three years.
Homa is currently priced at +5500 at FanDuel Sportsbook, a figure Kannon considers unjustified. Although the American finished as runner-up at the John Deere Classic recently, Kannon noted that this result came against a weaker field that did not include world number one Scottie Scheffler. He argues that Homa has yet to regain his previous level of consistency, often failing to maintain good rounds over a full four-day tournament.
Statistical data supports Kannon’s scepticism. Homa ranks 107th on the PGA Tour for Driving Accuracy, 120th for Strokes Gained: Approach, and 104th for Greens in Regulation. While his putting remains a strength, Kannon suggests that his tendency to find the rough or water off the tee undermines his overall game, making him a risky proposition for both outright and head-to-head bets.
In contrast, Scottie Scheffler is the clear favourite at +260. The world number one has recorded 10 top-five finishes and 15 top-25 finishes this season, including four second-place and two third-place results. Scheffler is looking to secure his first win since late January as he competes on the par-71, 7,431-yard course at TPC Twin Cities in Blaine, Minnesota.
Defending champion Kurt Kitayama is listed at +2500, having won last year’s event by one stroke over Sam Stevens. Other contenders expected to challenge include Maverick McNealy at +2700, Hideki Matsuyama at +3000, and Tom Kim at +3000. Kannon has indicated he is targeting a longshot of approximately 90-1 who excels with the driver, though the specific selection was not disclosed in the provided reports.
The 2026 3M Open begins on Thursday, with Kannon’s full predictions available through SportsLine. His record on head-to-head bets since joining the platform stands at 51-46-7, and he has hit six PGA winners since 2025, including longshot Harris English at 110-1.
