The PGA Tour is back and, whilst perhaps still licking their wounds after the recent defection of Jon Rahm and co to the breakaway LIV Golf group, they remain in a dominant position as the world’s premier golf tour.
Chris Kirk was a surprise winner of last week’s Sentry Championship; available at 120.00 with kwiff punters before the event, and an attractive 23.80 for those who backed the Nashville-native to go back-to-back this week in Hawaii.
Only four men have defended the Sony Open Championship (Justin Thomas came very close a few years back) in Honolulu since it was added to the PGA Tour schedule in 1965 – Hubert Green, Corey Pavin, Ernie Els and Jimmy Walker – which would likewise hinder the chances of last year’s winner Si Woo Kim. Nevertheless, the tournament isn’t short of upsets with four of the last six winners being priced 45.0 and upwards, and three of the last tournaments going to a play-off.
Sony Open in Hawaii 2024 Outright Prices by kwiff
Ludvig Aberg 14.50
Matt Fitzpatrick 15.40
Tyrrell Hatton 16.00
Russell Henley 18.40
Brian Harman 18.70
Corey Conners 22.40
Chris Kirk 23.80
25.50 Bar
Kirk is something of a renaissance man, winning twice in the last 12 months after an absence of seven years from the winners’ enclosure, and it’s ironic that a couple of Englishmen have been well-supported to score on American soil this week. The 2022 US Open winner Matt Fitzpatrick (15.40) and Ryder Cup colleague Tyrrell Hatton (16.00) have both proven popular with punters already this week. However, Fitzy’s poor record on American soil (his major win) and Tyrrell’s three-year winless streak mean they are probably best swerved at their current prices.
Swede Ludvig Aberg is a bonafide prodigy and transitioned seamlessly to life on tour, and indeed to the cauldron of Ryder Cup golf last season, but is perhaps too short given his relative inexperience for the 23-year-old.
As mentioned earlier in the article, outsiders have a decent record here in Hawaii with Si Woo Kim returning from the wilderness 12 months ago at a big price, and Kevin Nash doing likewise the year prior. An upset isn’t uncommon. Experience is a must around here and, despite his tender age of 28, Si Woo was a seven-year veteran on tour by last year’s success and was a winner of a Player’s Championship, as well as being on several President’s Cup teams.
Sony Open in Hawaii Trends
– 12 of the last 13 winners finished T15 or better in 1 of last 3 events
– 5 of last 23 winners have been under 30
– 17 of last 25 winners played in Kapalua the week prior
The trends boys will be all over last week’s winner Chris Kirk based on the above, and the 38 year-year-old however as already mentioned it is extremely difficult for golfers to go back-to-back at this stage of the season.
A bit of nous around this type of course undoubtedly helps. As does course form. There’s a strong case to be made for last year’s winner playing well after a T25 finish last week on his return, and I can see 2019 winner Matt Kuchar going well at a big price.
The evergreen Kuchar, now 45 years young, arguably should have won the World Wide Technology Championship two start back in Mexico (when Erik Van Rooyen played the last 9 holes in -9 to claim a maiden success on Tour) and he has success in similarly-styled courses such as Sea Island and Harbour Town.
Kuchar is a former winner of the RBC Heritage, as well as here in Hawaii, and is too big at kwiff’s 45.0 and 11.40 for a top-five finish. The best bet of the week looks Canadian Corey Conners (22.40), who’s iron-game is made for Honolulu. Conners, now up to 38 in the Official World Golf Rankings, plays considerably better in lesser fields and with the big boys taking a week off can thrive in calmer waters.
He has form around Harbour Town (T12 in 2022) and has also finished 11 and T12 here in back-to-back years. Conners ranked 19 on tour for Green-In-Regulation last year and 11th ‘Strokes Gained’ off the tee. If his putter behaves itself, he has to have a great chance.
Sony Open 2024 Betting Selections
– Corey Conners at 22.40 with kwiff
– Matt Kuchar at 45.0 with kwiff
Prices are correct at the time of publication, but can fluctuate. Please Gamble Responsibly.
Please note that the information provided in this article is for entertainment purposes only. We do not guarantee the accuracy, completeness, or reliability of the information provided. Any action you take upon the information on this article is strictly at your own risk, and we will not be liable for any losses and damages in connection with the use of our article. We do not encourage gambling and remind you to gamble responsibly.
Supercharge your bets with kwiff.
By Jack Milner
