Those PGA Tour pros not high enough up the pecking order for an invite to the Arnold Palmer Invitational will instead get a chance this week to compete in the alternate field Puerto Rico Open. There aren’t many household names competing, but there are FedExCup points, a nice payout to the winner and, of course, a PGA Tour title at stake. A number of 2022 Korn Ferry Tour graduates are in the field, including last year’s runner-up at this event Max McGreevy. And a new champion will be crowned with Ryan Brehm in Orlando this week. Recent Tour winners set to peg it up at Grand Reserve Golf Club include Erik van Rooyen, Jim Herman, Andrew Landry and Richy Werenski. Nate Lashley opened as the outright favorite with odds suggesting a wide open field. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Odds to Win Puerto Rico Open
Nate Lashley +1400
Ben Martin +1800
Brandon Harkins +1800
Andrew Novak +2200
Scott Piercy +2200
Akshay Bhatia +2500
Erik van Rooyen +2500
Sam Stevens +2500
Cameron Percy +2800
Ryan Gerard +2800
MJ Daffue +3000
Roberto Diaz +3300
Carl Yuan +3500
Dylan Wu +3500
Harry Hall +3500
Michael Kim +3500
Matti Schmid +4000
Noah Goodwin +4000
Augusto Nunez +4500
Harrison Endycott +4500
Harry Higgs +4500
Henrik Norlander +4500
Rafael Campos +4500
Vincent Norrman +4500
Austin Eckroat +5000
Brice Garnett +5000
Chris Stroud +5000
Hank Lebioda +5000
Ryan Armour +5000
Sangmoon Bae +5000
Tano Goya +5000
Josh Teater +5500
Paul Haley +5500
Zecheng Dou +5500
Odds Analysis
Rafael Campos +4500
Since we’re looking for any advantage we can get in a tightly packed field without much star power, how about backing the local guy who was born in San Juan. Campos always seems to be in the mix and has played this tournament more than just about anyone. He was the 54-hole leader two years ago before settling for third at 16-under. He has two additional top-10s since 2016 and always gets excited for this event since it is in his backyard. It pays to look down the odds board in a field like this and Campos always brings his best.
Harry Hall +3500
One KFT grad looking good in this event is Hall, who showed recently he handles wind about as well as any of his peers. A T3 at the KFT Championship in September set the stage for his PGA career. And he’s had a few strong showings this season with a T15 at the Shriners and T34 at the Pebble Beach Pro Am where he flashed elite putting skills in less than favorable conditions. His ability to handle the wind and gain strokes putting should put him in a good spot.
Henrik Norlander +4500
I backed Norlander in matchups in the past and he’s come through more times than not. I don’t think I ever put him in the outright section, though, so this is a first. And there isn’t much that says he can win this event since the season has been hectic so far with more MCs than paydays. But the Swede probably has more experience than anyone in the field and when he’s on the game is solid. I’m counting on Norlander finding his swing and getting that breakthrough PGA Tour victory.
Andrew Novak +2200
He’s missed more cuts than he’s made over his career, but recent form has Novak on the upper tier of the odds board. And he’s definitely a player to look at this week. He placed among the top-30 in each of his last two starts and also has a T17 at the Bermuda Championship and T12 at the Sony Open. And being ranked just outside the top 100 in the FedExCup standings should give the added motivation to make a run at the title.
Erik van Rooyen +2500
With his only PGA Tour win coming in a similar alternate field event, I have no problem backing van Rooyen. He’s also one of the bigger names in the field and could use the FedExCup points more than anyone in the field. That doesn’t mean squat, of course, but factor in he’s a damn good golfer and I’ll take my chances. That closing 62 at the AMX to get him a share of sixth still stands out and in this field he should contend.
Course: Grand Reserve Golf Club – 7,506 yards, Par 72
The name has changed, but the course is the same one that’s hosted this event since 2008. Stretched out to 7,506 yards at par 72, the Grand Reserve, formerly known as Coco Beach Golf and Country Club, is definitely on the long side, but it is a bit misleading. Only one par 4 plays over 460 yards, and a bulk of yardage comes in the form of two par 5s that play over 600 yards. Those are three-shot holes anyway negating any distance advantage. The first thought would be to bring out the big dogs and let it fly, but a number of obstacles stand in the way. There are water hazards and even more bunkers lining the track giving the field a chance to club down to avoid serious trouble.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel
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