The PGA Tour resumed in exciting fashion on the weekend and we stay in Hawaii this week for the annual Sony Open. Check out our preview and betting tips for the event and remember to head to our Golf Tips page for regular updates on the PGA Tour.
PGA Tour Sony Open Betting Tips
Thursday 12th - Sunday 15th January
Waialae Country Club, Honolulu
What a finish it was in Kapalua on Sunday as Jon Rahm came back from a six shot defecit on the final day of the Sentry Tournament of Champions to win the event over Colin Morikawa. The Spaniard shot -10 in the final round to claim the trophy in the first PGA Tour event of 2023. He’ll take a well deserved week off as we head across the island to Honalulu for the Sony Open.
The Field
It’s safe to say the field for this weekend’s event in Hawaii is slightly less star studded than the list of names that competed in the Tournament of Champions. Some big names in the likes of Jordan Spieth, Hideki Matsuyama, Billy Horschel, Adam Scott and Sungjae Im will be in attendance, but all in all this feels like one of those tournaments where someone could come from the clouds to win.
Matsuyama is the defending Champion, winning the tournament in a playoff last season over 2013 Champion Russel Henley. Other former champions who will be suiting it up this week include Matt Kuchar, Patton Kizzire and Jimmy Walker.
The Course
Waialae Country Club in Honolulu was designed by Seth Raynor and opened for play in 1927. In stark contrast to the Kapalua Course of last weekend, it plays as a fairly short Par 70 at just over 7,044 yards, more than 600 yards shorter. While Kapulua was a course for the long hitters and ball strikers, touch players have tended to play better at Waialae in the past.
The key to scoring well at Waialae is a combination of strong course management as well as the ability to handle the winds, which are often some of the strongest seen on the PGA Tour. Wind has a massive impact on scoring, with winning scores in recent history being as high as -27 and as low as -11.
Betting Tips
As always, we’ll be going with two of the big dogs this week as well as two of the more dark horse plays. We tipped up Jon Rahm to win the Tournament of Champions last week, so we’ll look to continue our hot run of form.
Jordan Spieth ($15 at b365)
Along with probably Matsuyama and Im, Spieth is the class golfer of this field and I think his game is set up to play really well here. He’s not a massive driver but is an absolute wizard when it comes to his short irons and short game, and I think his ability to handle the wind has improved drastically since he returned to being a top tier player. Has only played here three times since 2017 but has a 3rd and T18 finishes in those three events.
Hideki Matsuyama ($19 at b365)
I wouldn’t say Hideki is playing some of his best golf at the moment, but he is no doubt capable of winning amongst this lower tier field. He has a proven record at Waialae, having played the last four years in a row, making the cut on all four occasions culminating in a win last season.
Matt Kuchar ($51 at b365)
If there is a course in the world that is set up for Matt Kuchar, it’s no doubt Waialae Country Club. The veteran has a string of top 10 finishes here dating all the way back to 2011. Since then, he has played in the event nine times and has racked up one win and a further five top 10 finishes.
Ryan Palmer ($101 at b365)
Love the value of Ryan Palmer for our last dark horse pick here. The American has been a regular visitor to Waialae in recent times, racking up 11 starts since the 2011 season including nine made cuts, five top 20 finishes including a best 4th place in 2020.
Hideki Matsuyama to Win ($19) 0.5 Units
Jordan Spieth Top 20 ($1.86) 3 Units
Hideki Matsuyama Top 20 ($2.00) 3 Units
Matt Kuchar Top 40 ($1.86) 5 Units
Ryan Palmer Top 40 ($2.37) 2 Units
Jordan Spieth to win
$15 (0.5 Units)
