PGA Golf Handicapping – Hyundai Tournament of Champions
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2013 Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Location: Kapalua, Hawaii, United States
Course: The Plantation Course
Date: Jan 4-7, 2013
Total Purse: US $ 5,600,000
Winner’s Share: US $ 1,120,000 (20% of total purse)
Defending Champion: Steve Stricker ($1,120,000)
The golf “offseason” is officially over – 30 PGA winners from last year are back for this year’s first PGA event. Wind will be an issue as always but as always the winner of this event will likely be the guy who hits a lot of greens and is Hot with the putter. It should be an interesting start to the season even though Tiger and Rory won’t be there. Let’s take a look at some names to watch.
The Favorites:
Matt Kuchar 10/1
Had nine top 10s and another four top 25s in 22 starts in 2012 and had a solo third in 2010 with a T6 in 2011 on this course. Ball striking and putting will win this tournament – perfect characteristics for Kuchar’s game.
Jason Dufner 12/1
Was second in ball-striking last year, eighth in par breakers and fourth in adjusted scoring in his breakout 2012. He has two second place finishes abroad since the FedEx Cup ended – this guy has not slowed down! It is almost impossible to not like Duf isn’t it? If his putter can find some form Dufner will be dangerous this week.
Ian Poulter 12/1
Placed T6 in his only previous start at Kapalua in 2011 and cemented his role as one of the World’s best at the Ryder Cup. Poulter is an elite putter – something that will come in handy at Kapalua. He’s won as recently as November in China and comes into the Hyundai in the best form of his career.
The Contenders
Keegan Bradley 14/1
Finished solo 16th in his debut at Kapalua a year ago and finished with a final round bogey-free 65. He led the PGA TOUR in the all-around ranking in 2012 and was the runner-up at the World Challenge in his last start. He’s an interesting 14/1
Nick Watney 14/1
Absolutely has the putter to get it done at Kapalua and comes in on a bit of a roll – a surprising victory at The Barclays two months ago and another win in the CIMB Classic. He was T12 last year in this tournament.
Dustin Johnson 16/1
Making his fourth appearance at Kapalua and should feast on the reachable par 5s. He was second in the PGA last year in par 5 birdies or better (ya-that’s a stat!!) He was the only golfer to post top 10s in every event of the FedExCup Playoffs last year – impressive! [soliloquy id=”82219″]
Steve Stricker 16/1
The only former winner in the field is also the only former runner-up (2008) – he has also had a Top 4 here since then! Stricker absolutely loves this course but is in pretty tough against a very good field here.
Webb Simpson 16/1
Finished T3 here last year – all rounds in the 60s and leading the tourney in Greens in Regulation. He was close last year and will be looking to better that result.
Bubba Watson 16/1
You’d think that this is exactly the type of course that Bubba would thrive but it hasn’t been that way. Bubba has struggled his last two starts at Kapalua. He is coming off a T2 in his last start in the Thailand Golf Championship and is an interesting prospect this week.
Brandt Snedeker 18/1
Is the defending FedEx Cup Champion and became one of the best putters on the planet during his break out 2012. He has played here only once in 2008 when he finished 10th. He certainly has the total game to make this course pay!
Rickie Fowler 20/1
Has never played this event before but he has the ability to go low – something necessary in this event. His last tourney resulted in a T4 finish at the World Challenge.
Jonas Blixt 33/1
Led the PGA TOUR in sand saves, ranked second in strokes-gained putting right behind Brandt Snedeker and 14th in par breakers. Had a win in October at the Fryes and ended 2012 with a T10 at the Dunlop Phoenix.
Sleepers:
Scott Stallings 75/1
Finished off 2012 very strong with a win in the True South Classic among the results. He may not be the sexiest name in the field but he does certainly have the game to make it interesting this week.
Johnson Wagner 100/1
Super Sleeper time! He has played this event twice, has two top 10s and has shot under par in every round at Kapalua. He loves this track and at 100/1 he is worth at least a sprinkle!
The Pick:
My pick this week is Jason Dufner at 12/1 – not only is his game very well suited for this course but he has been playing overseas, and keeping up his form. Last year wasn’t a fluke folks – Duf is steady and he is very, very good.
My sleeper is Johnson Wagner. At 100/1 he is certainly a name to watch – he knows and obviously loves the conditions in Hawaii.
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