Golf best bets: 3 outright bets to target for the FedEx St. Jude Championship

The FedEx Cup Playoffs have finally arrived, and the top 70 players in the standings will make their way to TPC Southwind this week for the FedEx St. Jude Championship. 

This golf course is tricky because of the dangers guarding the fairways and greens, and big numbers are in play on every hole if you can't keep the ball straight. That's why we're targeting elite ball strikers who will stay out of trouble and give themselves the most birdie opportunities. 

With that said, here are my first three outright clicks for the FedEx St. Jude Championship.

Collin Morikawa (+2500 FanDuel)

I can't think of a better course fit for Collin Morikawa than TPC Southwind. To play well here, you must avoid the water, sand, and thick rough off the tee and dial in the irons on the 12 par-4s. It's not an overly long golf course at 7,233 yards, but accuracy off the tee and on approach is paramount with trouble lurking at every turn.

Enter Morikawa, who ranks second on the PGA Tour this season in strokes gained: approach and fourth in driving accuracy. The issue for Morikawa has always been his putter, but he's gained strokes on the greens in four of his last five starts. The Californian also gained more than three strokes putting at TPC Southwind last year en route to a T5 finish. I think he gets it done this time around.

Tom Kim (+4500 BetRivers)

Speaking of premier ball strikers, Tom Kim also makes his way onto the outright card this week. Kim ranks ninth on Tour in SG: approach and seventh in driving accuracy. He also ranks third in proximity from 125-150 yards, which will be a key distance on most of the par-4s this week.

Kim has struggled with the putter all year, but his flatstick is heating up at the right time. The 21-year-old has gained nearly 13 strokes on the greens alone over his last two starts, a T6 finish at the Scottish Open and a T2 at the Open Championship. I'd be surprised if Kim wasn't in contention come Sunday.

Corey Conners (+8000 FD)

Let's continue the theme of ultimate ball strikers with our final selection. Corey Conners has gained strokes off the tee in 12 straight starts, and he has a win and seven top-20 finishes over that stretch. 

Like Kim, Conners gained strokes putting in both starts overseas after struggling on the greens for more than a month. This is a similar handicap to the previous two in that a mediocre putting week will be enough to contend. I think this price is a touch high, so let's jump on it.