In the eyes of many – especially TV networks – the PGA golf season won’t truly start again until Mr. Eldrick “Tiger” Woods returns to action.
In a literal sense, however, the 2010 season is under way and it’s a free-for-all to win all those tourneys Tiger would’ve won if he played this year. Next up is the Sony Open in Hawaii.
Here are some golfers to watch this week and, for any bettors out there, odds are posted.
STEVE STRICKER (+1015 to win)
After Stricker’s whirlwind 2009, look how far he’s come: he’s the favorite this week. It’s tough to argue since he’s a smart player with a buttery-smooth short game. At Sony’s host course, Waialae, winds are strong, so course management and ball striking matter more than driving distance. Stricker has cracked the top four in two of his last three trips to Waialae.
ZACH JOHNSON (+1615 to win)
The diminutive Johnson strikes balls like a young Kenny Perry, so it’s no surprise that he won this tournament last year. His game fits the course and we can never count the defending champ out.
RORY SABBATINI (+1850 to win)
Sure, he left a bad taste in our mouth with his anti-Tiger sentiment a couple years back, but (a) we don’t have to like a golfer to believe he’ll play well and (b) maybe Sabbatini was right? Naw. Anyway, Rory has two runner-up finishes as Waialae, so he’s due.
JUSTIN LEONARD (+2550 to win)
Returning to the wind factor, former British Open champ Justin Leonard is one of the best wind players on Tour. Sure, he hasn’t played this event in almost 15 years, but he offers pretty good odds to win compared to the other favorites.
DAVID TOMS (+3250 to win)
The sportsbooks give Toms little love, making him a +3250 underdog to win, but that doesn’t mean we can’t love him this week. We should. He won the Sony Open in 2006 and finished second last year. He was fourth on Tour in fairways hit last year – a stat that should be important this week. Toms always brings it at Waialae.
JERRY KELLY (+6550 to win)
Speaking of bringing it at Waialae, Jerry Kelly would win the Mr. Waialae pageant if it existed. With a 2002 Sony Open win, six top-25s in his last seven starts there and three top-five finishes, is there any doubt that Kelly contends this week?
SONY OPEN PICK
Johnson and Kelly should be in the mix but I’m feeling Toms on multiple levels. He has the right makeup, he’s due for a victory and he has history on his side at Waialae. He also gives any bettors out there a solid return on their investment. Go for David Toms.
