2023 Sony Open Betting Picks
NOTE FROM SCOTT
I write these blogs because I enjoy the game, and I also enjoy what the gambling side of things has brought to sports. But it’s all in fun and having a good time with sports. So if you choose to wager money please do so responsibly and remember, I’m not a professional gambler, just a golf professional who loves the game!
Key Things To Compete - this course has had an eclectic group of winners over the years, not necessarily favoring one style over another. So what I’m looking for is players who can hit it long and take advantage of some of the dog legs by driving over trees or can putt. The biggest factor to me is form entering the event as local knowledge doesn’t seem to be a major factor.
Tom Kim - +1000
I’m not a big fan of this spot with the odds, but we learned last week that sometimes you just need to go with the favorite of the week. Tom Kim enters the week with a course that seems tailor made for his game. Not the longest hitter, but very good at everything else. Despite his lack of length, the course isn’t long enough where he can’t get too the two Par5’s in 2 and still use his strength of his game (irons and wedges) to his advantage.
Jordan Spieth - Top 10 +120
I’d love to say I’d take Jordan to win as well, but I still think Jordan is just prone to that one round that takes away his chances to win a tournament. It also feels like I’m going to be constantly losing money on Spieth this season, but we will see. His form has been getting better and better. I love what he’s working on in his game, I think he’s still one of the best mid-range putters there is, which I think you will have a lot of at this course. And I do like his wedge game. He hits the ball a long way, and although not the most accurate, he seems to thrive in the situation of recovery and creativity which will present itself at Waialae.
Justin Suh - Top 20 +460
A very accurate player, once again not the longest, but a ball striking machine. 10th in driving accuracy and playing with some form to end 2022. He led the way on the Korn Ferry Tour last season, and I do think he will have a great career on the tour.
Maverick McNealy - +3700 to win - +185 Top 20
I really like Maverick McNeally this week. A great putter 4th SG putting and also has a lot of distance to over power the course. Combine that with some wedges into the green and some trends that he might be ready to break through. I think he could be a nice “sleeper” to sprinkle on and definitely like a unit on the top 20 and maybe even top 10 bets as well.
Bonus Pick
Nick Hardy - +410 Top 20 - +8000 to win
Nick Hardy is a great ball striker who can definitely get hot with the putter. Maybe it’s my hometown bias, but the Illinois alumni is 20th in SG tee to green and it really comes down to if he can get the putter to cooperate. After keeping his card last year, I think another year and having some good finishes last year I think the possibilities of a good finish here and maybe a sneaky win could be in the cards for Hardy this season.