“[Zach] Johnson would be a great choice this week at 12/1. With the way he’s played lately, it’s hard to believe there are four guys getting less money this week than Zach Johnson.” – Golfstradamaus 12/31/13
It may be a new year, but I’m still the same old Golfstradamaus, and that means if you were smart enough to listen up last week, you’ve started off 2014 in the win column. To you, dear readers, congratulations and you’re welcome. For everyone else, get your [stuff] together!
With the Hyundai Tournament of Champions finishing on Monday, it’s a short turnaround for the PGA Tour guys before this week’s Sony Open at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. For the European Tour guys, a normal week leading up to the Volvo Golf Champions in South Africa.
Alright kids, have those pens and paper ready, because I’m going to give you some gems again.
Sony Open in Hawaii
Waialae Country Club – Honolulu, Hawaii
January 9 – 12, 2014
|
ODDS to Win:
|
|
| Adam Scott | 15/2 |
| Zach Johnson | 10/1 |
| Matt Kuchar | 12/1 |
| Jordan Spieth | 15/1 |
| Jason Dufner | 20/1 |
| Charles Howell III | 20/1 |
| Tim Clark | 20/1 |
| Harris English | 20/1 |
| Chris Kirk | 25/1 |
| Hideki Matsuyama | 30/1 |
| Jimmy Walker | 30/1 |
| Brendon de Jonge | 40/1 |
| Marc Leishman | 40/1 |
| Brian Gay | 40/1 |
| Rory Sabbatini | 50/1 |
| Scott Piercy | 50/1 |
| Boo Weekley | 50/1 |
| John Senden | 50/1 |
| Bo Van Pelt | 50/1 |
| K.J. Choi | 50/1 |
| Brian Stuard | 50/1 |
| Matt Every | 60/1 |
| Chris Stroud | 50/1 |
| Jeff Overton | 60/1 |
| Ryan Palmer | 60/1 |
| Ryo Ishikawa | 60/1 |
| Roberto Castro | 60/1 |
| Russell Henley | 60/1 |
| John Huh | 60/1 |
| Carl Pettersson | 60/1 |
| Vijay Singh | 60/1 |
| David Hearn | 80/1 |
| Michael Thompson | 80/1 |
| John Rollins | 80/1 |
| John Peterson | 80/1 |
| Scott Brown | 80/1 |
| Kevin Na | 80/1 |
| Jerry Kelly | 80/1 |
| Sean O’Hair | 100/1 |
| Retief Goosen | 100/1 |
| Pat Perez | 100/1 |
| Seung-Yul Noh | 100/1 |
| Mark Wilson | 100/1 |
| Chesson Hadley | 100/1 |
| D.A. Points | 100/1 |
| Morgan Hoffmann | 150/1 |
| Bud Cauley | 150/1 |
| Kenny Perry | 200/1 |
| Guan Tianlang | 1000/1 |
| Field (all others) | 7/2 |
If there’s one thing that seems to happen early every year, it’s the emergence of a first-time winner. Or a guy who’s tasted the spoils of victory, but not for some time and finds pay dirt once again. This week, that guy could very well be Charles Howell III. Howell has won twice on tour but not since the Nissan Open in 2007. He got off to a hot start last year, finishing T-3 in this event, T-2 at the Humana and T-9 at the Farmers. At 20/1, he’s a good bet to have a solid week at the Sony.
Related Link: Adam Scott Favorite To Win Sony Open
Jordan Spieth continues to turn heads, finishing second at last week’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions and I see no reason why he can’t remain hot. Few players on tour are as consistent as Spieth and I think that means he stays on a roll in Hawaii. At 15/1, the payout isn’t huge but that’s because the talented youngster is no longer a secret.
If you’re looking to make something from nothing (almost literally), then you’d be foolish not to put a couple bucks down on veteran Pat Perez. Perez has played in this tournament every year since 2004 and has had quite a bit of success here. He hasn’t won this tournament (or any since the Humana in 2009, when he claimed his only career win) but he’s finished T-4 in this tournament (2008) and T-20 or better four more times, including T-9 here last year. At 100/1, it’s hard to argue against putting something, anything, on a guy with this much experience on one track.
Lastly, I think it’s time for Scott Piercy to win again. He’s historically played well in Hawaii at both the Sony Open and the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, finishing T-23 or better in five of his last six starts on the islands. Piercy also made a run at major glory at the PGA Championship last fall and at 50/1, Piercy is certainly worth a serious look.
Volvo Golf Champions
Durban Country Club
Duran, South Africa
January 9-12, 2014
| ODDS to Win: | |
| Charl Schwartzel | 11/4 |
| Louis Oosthuizen | 10/1 |
| Jamie Donaldson | 10/1 |
| Thomas Bjorn | 12/1 |
| Miguel Angel Jimenez | 15/1 |
| Joost Luiten | 15/1 |
| Branden Grace | 20/1 |
| Gonzalo Fernandez-Castano | 25/1 |
| Victor Dubuisson | 25/1 |
| Paul Casey | 25/1 |
| Robert Karlsson | 25/1 |
| Matteo Manassero | 30/1 |
| Peter Uihlein | 30/1 |
| Kiradech Aphibarnrat | 30/1 |
| Richard Sterne | 40/1 |
| Chris Wood | 40/1 |
| Stephen Gallacher | 40/1 |
| Julien Quesne | 40/1 |
| Tommy Fleetwood | 40/1 |
| David Lynn | 50/1 |
| Padraig Harrington | 50/1 |
| Marcel Siem | 60/1 |
| Mikko Ilonen | 60/1 |
| Morten Orum Madsen | 60/1 |
| Darren Fichardt | 60/1 |
| Thomas Aiken | 60/1 |
| Raphael Jacquelin | 60/1 |
| David Howell | 60/1 |
| Brett Rumford | 60/1 |
| Michael Hoey | 100/1 |
| Jin Jeong | 100/1 |
| Dawie van der Walt | 125/1 |
| Darren Clarke | 150/1 |
| Simon Thornton | 250/1 |
| Colin Montgomerie | 250/1 |
| Jose Maria Olazabal | 250/1 |
Well, another tournament in South Africa, another tournament where Charl Schwartzel is favored. At 11/4, the payout is terrible but considering the track record the 2011 Masters champ has playing in his native land, it’s almost (I repeat, almost) guaranteed money. When Schwartzel is playing in South Africa, he is as close to a mortal lock as you can get in golf.
Frenchman Victor Dubuisson, however, is someone who could take away the title from Schwartzel this week. Dubuisson used to be a guy that went off at 60/1, 80/1, etc., but since his win at the Turkish Airlines Open late last fall and the couple weeks leading up to it, Dubuisson is on his way to becoming a bona-fide star on the European Tour. At 25/1, he is worth a couple shekels.
Everybody’s favorite golfer, Miguel Angel Jimenez, is installed at 15/1 this week and I like him to celebrate his birthday 50th birthday in style by winning. Jimenez has proved that despite his age, he can still compete at the highest level. He made a run at the Open Championship last summer, and just this past fall, successfully defended his Hong Kong Open title. Jimenez is worth more than a passing glance this week.
Peter Uihlein is my last choice this week. The American put together a solid season on the European Tour, collecting his first win and two runner-up finishes as part of eight top 10s during the year. Uihlein is a star in the making and this could very well be the week he picks up career win No. 2. At 30/1, be sure to give the young American a look.
There you have it, kids. Please, try to curb your pride for the sake of your wallet and just trust me for a change this week, OK? As always, I can only make suggestions, but I hope you go and choose wisely…
– Golfstradamaus
Related Links: Spieth, Johnson to Race John Deere Golf Carts?
Other Hot Links:
– Ted Bishop Leaves Colts Game Early, But Takes Credit For Win
– Ian Poulter and Steve Elkington Throw Down on Twitter
– Photos of the Week: Hyundai TOC
