Niall Lyons picks out a team of four heading into this week's ISCO Championship at the Hurstbourne Country Club in Louisville, Kentucky.
ISCO ChampionshipSee All Odds
The ISCO Championship moved to a new venue in 2025 to Louisville, Kentucky and the Hurstbourne Country Club.
The course takes up hosting duties for the second year on the trot now. This is a classical, tree lined style layout and at just over 7000 yards the par 70 should open itself to the entire field with bombers not exactly favoured here and shot making coming much more to the fore.
The fairways are narrower than tour average and shaping the ball both ways on a number of holes will be required.
From my review of the course it screams Colonial Country Club just eyeballing it but it's interesting to note Keith Foster who renovated Colonial also had a hand in the restoration here also.
High rough and firm, fast fairways and greens surprised many last year and Mouw's winning total of 10 under par meant the event was a whole lot tougher than many had imagined it would be.
Expect scores to be a little lower this time around with a softer golf course.
ISCO Championship 2026 Tips
| Player | Bet | Odds | Stake | Terms | Bookmaker | Bet Here |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Max Homa | Win Only | 19/1 | 3pts WIN | Enhanced Win Market | Bet365 | Click Here |
| Taylor Pendrith | Each-way | 33/1 | 1.5pts E/W | 1/5 odds, 8 places | Bet365 | Click Here |
| Lucas Glover | Each-way | 45/1 | 1.5pts E/W | 1/5 odds, 8 places | Betfred | Click Here |
| Harry Higgs | Each-way | 80/1 | 1pt E/W | 1/5 odds, 8 places | Bet365 / Betfred | Click Here |
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Max Homa at 19/1 (WIN)
Jackson Koivun looks a special kid but it is worth remembering that winning on the PGA Tour is not easy and there hasn't quite been a breakthrough as big as the likes of Morikawa in a while now. The kids out of college aren't finding it easy to win on tour and I;m surprised just how much respect Koivun has been this week.
Instead, I'll opt for the much more experienced operator Max Homa towards the top of the market. The Californian is now winless since the end of 2023 but that streak could be about to end. Homa has been really solid of late gaining shots in all departments in his last two outings at Deere Run and Osprey Valley.
He was unlucky to bump into an inspired round from Chris Gotterup last week but that should give him a big confidence boost heading to a track that should suit.
Homa has a good record on golf courses that demand a fair deal of strategy and Hurstbourne looks like an ideal track for him to get his career firmly back on track and heading in the right direction.
Truth be told he is a class act in this grade and should he play to a similar standard to last week he will be a tough nut to crack.
For my money he should be favourite and looks the much better option than the 21 year old Koivun.
Taylor Pendrith at 33/1 (Eight Places)
This event rates as one of the weakest all season and there is one who stands out to me in the betting who more than has the capability of beating this standard.
Taylor Pendrith has struggled this year after a very promising top 6 finish in Hawaii to kick off the year. Not a single top 20 has followed but dropped down in grade here this week he'll be looking to get his season back on track.
It's not necessarily a track made for the longer hitters but the Canadian should benefit from a softer golf course this week and can put his best foot forward. In a field such as this you're not going to find a whole bunch of players at the top of their game but in Pendrith we have somebody who is well experienced in tougher fields.
He went off 50/1 for the Byron Nelson, Houston Open and Valspar Championship, three events where the field was significantly better. He went off even shorter for the Farmers and the Sony at the start of the year. Granted his form has nose dived so it's understandable we are getting similar prices this week but it's as good a reason as any to get involved.
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Lucas Glover at 45/1 (Eight Places)
It's difficult to ignore the chances of Lucas Glover here this week and despite a three year losing run the 46 year old must be on the staking plan this week. The 2009 US Open champion finished 3rd last week behind Max Homa and Chris Gotterup. He did so when ranking 53rd on the greens and it's no exaggeration to suggest he'd be the latest PGA tour winner had he turned up with even a lukewarm putter.
That is often the case with Glover of course and it's the flat stick that causes him the most bother. That being said he putts these bentgrass greens well and we can be optimistic of an upturn with that club on this surface.
He ranked 1st in approach play last week and if there are any courses on which this old timer can still win on in the schedule then this is one of them as it doesn't require length from the tee but more so strategy.
Last week looks like a good springboard and I'm hopeful of another placing in the final few groups come the weekend.
Harry Higgs at 80/1 (Eight Places)
Harry Higgs looks a particularly interesting bet here this week and what a story this would be should he follow in Bud Cauley's footsteps and land his maiden tour victory here in Kentucky. Higgs has had a rotten 2026 up until a few weeks ago where following a top 20 on the Korn Ferry Tour he battled tough to a 43rd placed finish at the mighty difficult Shinnecock Hills.
His press conferences there were refreshing and there aren't many who would begrudge him a victory with the type of attitude he has.
He ranked inside the top 20 in strokes gained approach that week and any similar effort here could give him a big chance. 21st last week at the John Deere gaining shots through the bag was another sign of just how well he is playing.
This may be his time and I'm really surprised he has reached triple figure prices here.
