The start of a new year means the resumption of the PGA Tour schedule, which gets underway this week with the annual Sentry Tournament of Champions from the Plantation Course at Kapalua on Maui. The 39 player field is open to 2022 tournament winners as well as those who ranked among the top-30 in the FedExCup playoff race. The only eligible players not participating are Rory McIlroy and Shane Lowry. The remainder of the field has 17 of the world’s top-20 players with current OWGR No. 5 Jon Rahm the betting favorite in the no-cut event. There will be a new champion with last year’s winner Cameron Smith now a LIV Golfer. Smith tore up the course in tame conditions to a PGA Tour record 34-under for a one-shot win. The limited field gives us intriguing head-to-head battles. Be sure to visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of matchup betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Sentry Tournament of Champions Matchup Odds
Jon Rahm -135 vs. Scottie Scheffler +105
Jon Rahm -165 vs. Patrick Cantlay +135
Scottie Scheffler -135 vs. Patrick Cantlay +105
Xander Schauffele -115 vs. Justin Thomas -115
Xander Schauffele -130 vs. Tony Finau +100
Justin Thomas -130 vs. Tony Finau +100
Matt Fitzpatrick -120 vs. Viktor Hovland -110
Matt Fitzpatrick -115 vs. Cameron Young -115
Viktor Hovland -110 vs. Cameron Young -120
Collin Morikawa +100 vs. Sungjae Im -130
Collin Morikawa -125 vs. Tom Kim -105
Sungjae Im -155 vs. Tom Kim +125
Max Homa -115 vs. Sam Burns -115
Max Homa -115 vs. Jordan Spieth -115
Sam Burns -115 vs. Jordan Spieth -115
Will Zalatoris -120 vs. Hideki Matsuyama -110
Aaron Wise -120 vs. Brian Harman -110
Aaron Wise -120 vs. Russell Henley -110
Brian Harman -115 vs. Russell Henley -115
Corey Conners -115 vs. Adam Scott -115
Sahith Theegala -105 vs. Seamus Power -125
Keegan Bradley -115 vs. Billy Horschel -115
Tom Hoge -115 vs. Kyoung-Hoon Lee -115
J.T. Poston -125 vs. J.J. Spaun -105
Adam Svensson -110 vs. Mackenzie Hughes -120
Scott Stallings -125 vs. Sepp Straka -105
Trey Mullinax -115 vs. Luke List -115
Chez Reavie -105 vs. Chad Ramey -125
Need to Know
There are things you need to know ahead of the first 2023 tournament. First, the field is small with 39 entrants and everyone plays four rounds. Also, this is the first of 17 elevated events to include the game’s top players and larger prize pools. Serving as host since 1999, the Plantation Course at Kapalua underwent a remodel ahead of the 2019 edition, which could have played a role in Justin Thomas winning with the worst 72-hole score in 13 years, though high winds played a role. The course was stretched to just under 7,600 yards, however, that’s not really a factor since it’s the Tour’s only par 73. In mild conditions last year we saw how easy the course is. Three players finished 32-under or better with Rahm matching a record with 32 birdies over 72 holes. Mother Nature remains the biggest hazard, though, with coastal winds making things tricky.
Sentry Tournament of Champions Matchup Picks
Jon Rahm -135 vs. Scottie Scheffler
I’m always looking for value meaning I rarely back favorites at such a high price. But what Rahm has accomplished recently as well as his history at Kapalua simply can’t be ignored. He placed among the top-4 in each of his last four official starts with wins at the Spanish Open and DP World Tour Championship. He also has five top-10s in as many starts here with a couple of seconds, including last year when nearly half his holes were birdies for a 33-under score.
Viktor Hovland -110 vs. Cameron Young
He has all the tools to be successful on this layout yet he hasn’t been in two starts finishing 30th or worse. Maybe the third time’s the charm for Hovland, who’s been one of the most consistent players on Tour during his brief career. He’s been good early this season with a pair of top-10s and a successful title defense at the unofficial Hero World Challenge. He’s had enough rounds at Kapalua and knows what to expect, though that doesn’t make things easier. I still think his temperament and game will succeed.
Sahith Theegala -105 vs. Seamus Power
The Plantation Course is tricky with its elevation changes and wind disruptions so first timers need an adjustment period. I guess it’s a good thing there’s no cut, then. Theegala had a nice run last year with success at a variety of layouts, and after all it’s still golf. Making his debut could be a drawback, but Theegala all-around strong game led to seven top-10s last season that included a pair of seconds. And if he needed more validation playing in the TOC is it.
Jordan Spieth -115 vs. Sam Burns
Spieth has yet to capitalize on his success from the Presidents Cup and that ship has sailed. Part of the reason is he hasn’t competed much with only one official start this season. There are certain players you don’t worry about a lack of competition and Spieth is one of them. Besides he typically doesn’t play much during the fall. With the season heating up I expect Spieth to do the same. He’s been solid in this event with four top-10s, including a win, in his first four starts. He placed 21st last year even though his to-par score matched his second lowest on the layout.
Tom Kim +125 vs. Sungjae Im
Kim made a number of tournament debuts last season so I don’t think Kapalua is going to faze him. The big question is can he keep up the torrid pace from last season when he made 10 of 11 cuts with a win among three top-10s. Early indications suggest the answer is yes. After anchoring the International Team at the Presidents Cup Kim won the Shriners and finished among the top-25 in two other starts. I’ll keep giving him the benefit of the doubt until he proves me wrong.
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