Mike McClure remains optimistic about Luke Clanton's prospects, citing him as a 'model darling' and one of the top-10 golfers currently in the field despite some recent tapering in performance. With top-tier metrics supporting his model ranking, McClure favors playing Clanton early in DFS lineups, particularly given the absence of major competitors like Scottie Scheffler and Rory McIlroy. McClure believes Clanton's upside is significant and foresees him as a valuable play, leveraging strategic lineup construction around his inclusion.

Will Gray advocated for betting on Luke Clanton for a top 10 finish at +500. Clanton is relieved from the pressure of earning a TOUR card and can play freely. His high ceiling and lack of constraints present a great opportunity for bettors.

SportsLine's Mike McClure suggests backing the world's No. 1-ranked amateur, Luke Clanton, as a compelling 50-1 longshot at the 2025 Valspar Championship. Clanton recently secured his PGA Tour card after a T-18 performance at the Cognizant Classic, marking his second top-20 finish in four PGA appearances this season, along with a T-15 at the Farmers Insurance Open. Clanton continues dominating at Florida State, reinforcing his standing as the top amateur golfer globally, most recently winning another collegiate event. With key elite tour players absent this weekend, the model sees significant betting upside, especially considering Clanton's previous PGA success—including second-place finishes at both the John Deere Classic and the RSM Classic last year. McClure's model predicts Clanton as a high-upside candidate capable of sustaining his amateur dominance at the professional level this week.