Rickie Fowler leads the field for this week’s Honda Classic in Florida. Fowler lives just a few minutes away from PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. 10 of the world’s top 25 players are in the field this week, including Rory McIlroy, Justin Thomas and Sergio Garcia. Also in the field is Tiger Woods who has yet to make an impact since his return to the PGA Tour. Let’s look at the event, odds and predictions.
The Honda Classic Odds
Rickie Fowler +850
Rory McIlroy +1050
Justin Thomas +1050
Sergio Garcia +1650
Tyrrell Hatton +2550
Alex Noren +2850
Gary Woodland +2850
Tommy Fleetwood +2850
Brian Harman +3550
Patrick Reed +4050
Russell Knox +4550
Byeong Hun An +4550
Daniel Berger +4550
Chesson Hadley +5050
Brandt Snedeker +5050
Adam Scott +5050
Jason Dufner +5050
Webb Simpson +5050
Patton Kizzire +5050
Rafa Cabrera Bello +5050
Kevin Kisner +5550
Dylan Frittelli +5550
Ollie Schniederjans +5550
Russell Henley +5550
Tiger Woods +6550
Scott Piercy +6550
Charles Howell III +6550
Thomas Pieters +6550
Scott Stallings +6550
Graeme McDowell +7050
Odds Analysis
Rickie Fowler +850
You can make a case for Fowler being favored, as he is the defending champion but my problem in taking him is that he doesn’t win that often. He has six top four finishes on the PGA Tour since his win in this event last year, but no wins. I just can’t take someone at single-digit odds who struggles to get to the finish line.
Rory McIlroy +1050
I have a similar problem in backing Rory at these low odds. He did win this event in 2012 and lost a playoff in 2014 but he still isn’t playing like the Rory of old. He has not won in more than a year.
Justin Thomas +1050
I think Thomas could be rounding into form after his tie for 9th last week. Unlike Fowler and McIlroy, Thomas knows how to win. I think you can make a case that Thomas should be the favorite this week.
Sergio Garcia +1650
Sergio will be playing in the U.S. for the first time this season, but he already has a win in Singapore this year. He has played well at PGA National in the past with a second place finish in 2016. He has never finished outside of the top 50 in this event. Sergio usually plays well in the wind and the forecast is for windy days in all four days of this event.
Tyrrell Hatton +2550
Hatton tied for 4th in this event last year and he two wins and ten straight top 20 finishes in his play around the world. He has had three weeks off to get ready for this event and he could be a real threat at double-digit odds.
Gary Woodland +2850
Woodland already has a win this season, as he won the Waste Management Phoenix Open and he has played this event well in the past with five made cuts including a tie for 6th in 2011 and a tie for 2nd last year. Confidence is huge in golf and right now Woodland is very confident.
Brian Harman +3550
I have no idea why Harman is listed at odds this high. He has a great game for PGA National, as he grinds his way around and rarely makes mistakes. He has finished in the Top 20 in strokes gained on the PGA Tour the last two years. This course is perfect for a shorter hitter like Harman. He already has two top four finishes this season and he comes in rested, having had three weeks off. It doesn’t hurt that he holds the course record at PGA National.
Course: The Champion Course at PGA National is a par 70 that measures just 7,110 yards. It was designed by George & Tom Fazio and redesigned by Jack Nicklaus in 1990. The course has hosted 19 Senior PGA Championships and has a closing stretch of holes known as “The Bear Trap.” Brian Harman set the course record in 2012 by shooting 61 in the second round.
TV Coverage: CBS and Golf Channel
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