Low scores and a close finish are likely to be on tap at this week's PGA Tour event as many star golfers return to action starting Thursday at the 2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba. Six of the past seven Mayakoba champions have won by just one stroke, and  the 2015 event went to a playoff, and the average winning score is 19 under par.

Caesars Sportsbook lists Justin Thomas as the 14-1 favorite in its latest 2021 World Wide Technology Championship golf odds, followed by defending champion Viktor Hovland at 18-1. Among the other notable players in the 2021 World Wide Technology Championship field are four-time major winner Brooks Koepka (33-1), former Masters champ Patrick Reed (35-1) and fan favorite Rickie Fowler (45-1). 

Before you consider your bets on the 2021 World Wide Technology Championship at Mayakoba or make any PGA Tour predictions, be sure you see what proven golf insider Sal Johnson has to say.

The media legend has broken down the field and has revealed his top World Wide Technology Championship picks below. With his track record on picks, you'll really want to see who he is backing.

The esteemed golf insider has been around the game for many years and knows what it takes to win. He is on a strong run this season, and before the Zozo Championship in Japan two weeks ago, Johnson tabbed Hideki Matsuyama in his best bets.

"You know he is looking to showcase his game in front of the home crowd," the golf expert told SportsLine of the Japanese star. "This could be his personal U.S. Open."

He was right on the money. Matsuyama shot a final-round 65 that included an eagle from 8 feet on the final hole. He trailed by one with eight holes to play on Sunday and won by five strokes.

Before the Shriners, Johnson tabbed both Sungjae Im and Matthew Wolff among his players to watch. Im shot a 9-under 62 in the final round for a comfortable four-shot win, and Wolff finished as runner-up, his first top-10 finish in almost exactly a year.

The previous week at the Sanderson Farms Championship, Johnson nailed Sam Burns as his winner. Anyone who has followed Johnson's advice has cashed in HUGE!

Now Johnson, the first producer of "Inside the PGA Tour," a longtime ABC Sports golf producer who worked with Jack Nicklaus and Arnold Palmer, and founder of the world's top golf stats database, has released his highly confident 2021 World Wide Technology Championship picks, and they will surprise you. (For golf updates and news, click here)  

Shockingly, the golf expert is fading four-time major champion Brooks Koepka. The 31-year-old shot 15 under at the CJ Cup but still tied for 38th, and he was T-67 at the Shriners. Last season was derailed by major knee surgery, and he has dealt with a lot of minor injuries recently. He finished in the top 10 eight times last season, but three of those were in majors and three came in his first seven events. He needs to prove he's healthy and focused, and Johnson will go in a different direction until he does. 

Instead, the golf expert is backing a SHOCKING long shot to win who comes in at well over 80-1 odds! This veteran has proven he can hang with the best on this course and has won on the PGA Tour before. The tight, short course will take distance mostly out of play, and this golfer can make up shots on the green. He could pull off a STUNNING victory this week, and anyone who backs this underdog could cash in HUGE!

Who wins the 2021 World Wide Technology Championship? Where do Justin Thomas and Viktor Hovland finish? And which MONSTER long shot is a MUST-BACK? ... Join SportsLine now to see Sal Johnson's top predictions and analysis for 2021 World Wide Technology Championship golf, all from the insider who knows what it takes to win on the PGA Tour!