Sony Open in Hawaii

[Bamford]

The first full-field event of 2017 on the PGA Tour - the Sony Open in Hawaii often throws-up surprises. Ryan Palmer, Johnson Wagner, Russell Henley and last year's winner Johnson Wagner have all won at triple-digits, but most had an inkling of form going-in apart from Palmer who won at 250/1. It happens as we know!

 

Waialae Country Club is way removed from Kapalua. An easy 7,044 yard, Par 70, which has had some green renovations during 2016. Green complexes are relatively small, flat and fast, featuring a different variety of Bermudagrass to Kapalua; namely TifDwarf.  The name of the game here is quite simple - hit copious amounts of greens and make as many chances as possible with a co-operative putter.

 

Spieth goes off as the 13/2 favourite - that's a point bigger than last week, despite the field increasing from 32 to 156 players. He has the game to win clearly and is hitting greens for fun at the moment. The worthy favourite, although the price is tight.

 

For me I'm dipping a little deeper. 12 of 18 winners here since 1999 have played Kapalua the week before, so I like the look of Jimmy Walker at 22/1. Tidy last week, but simply couldn't make enough putts, despite creating tonnes of chances. Loves Waialae so hopefully the putter warms. Russell Knox at 45/1 (I missed the Monday 50/1) also makes sense this week - a short course specialist who seemingly has improved his putting of late.

 

Non-Kapalua players also make sense.  Wilson (2011) and Henley (2013) never played the ToC, but arrived with form - so I like the chances of Horschel and Kirk, both at 50/1. Billy made the Playoff at SeaIsland in November and finished 3rd at the Franklin Templeton Shootout in December partnering Charley Hoffman. He's on the up-trend for a win (his schedule looks light with no WGCs or Majors) as does Chris Kirk who again will want a fast start to 2017 after slipping out of the OWGR Top 50.

 

Best of luck.

[Tedthewolf]

Sticking with Spieth for a win bet  @ 7/1 a never near T3 last week should again go very close my e/w pick did me proud last week ( Moore 28/1 T3) ill go for Brandt Snedeker 28/1 this week  who went well in this last year for a long way so hoping for another  big show from him again this time round.