– Last Updated on November 20, 2022 10:10 pm
2017 PGA SBS Tournament of Champions Preview & Picks
Ready to bet this week on the 2017 SBS Tournament of Champions Odds? The 8th event already on the PGA TOUR Wrap-around schedule comes our way this week from Kapalua, Hawaii as a cast of last year’s winner’s on TOUR assemble for the 2017 SBS Tournament of Champions. The Plantation Course at Kapalua will play host to golf’s elite on its 7,411 yard, rare par 73 track.
2017 SBS Tournament of Champions
Date: January 5th – 8th, 2017
Location: Plantation Course at Kapalua – Kapalua, Maui, HI
Defending Champion: Jordan Spieth
Jordan Spieth will be back to defend – he won last year by eight strokes and recorded a minus 30 score – incredible!
The Plantation Course at Kapalua is the only par 73 course on TOUR – it was the easiest track that the pros played last year meaning the winner this week will have to go low.
There are six par 5s and four par 4s under 400 yards – needless to say the bombers will have a distinct advantage. A good all-around game is also essential as is a hot putter that can produce to occasional eagle.
So with that in mind who should we pay special attention to in the first event of 2017? Let’s break it down.
2017 SBS Tournament of Champions Favorites:
Dustin Johnson +500
2013 Champ has the perfect game to make another run here – he is arguably the best of the big bombers on TOUR. He has finished inside the top 11 in five of his last six appearances – he should eat up the six par 5s here again.
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DJ’s current form is nothing to sneeze at either – he won the BMW Championship and tied for third at the Hero World Challenge. Johnson is a threat every time he tees it up but Kapalua is particularly enticing.
Hideki Matsuyama +500
Matsuyama enters this week as the hottest player on the planet – four wins since October including the competitive WGC-HSBC Champions and the Hero World Challenge.
He has just one appearance here which resulted in a T3 in 2015 so we know that his game fits this track. Current insane form and track history have Hideki co-favorite this week – for good reason.
Jordan Spieth +550
Defending champ (he was second here in 2014) was last seen winning the Australian Open and he posted a respectable T6 at the World Challenge – his current form is pretty darn good.
Spieth ranked 2nd on tour in 2016 on par 4s under 400 yards and as always his putter could turn out to be the difference in this tournament. Current form and track history obviously have Spieth at the top of the list – it wouldn’t be a shock to see him win here again.
2017 SBS Tournament of Champions Contenders:
Jason Day +600
Returns after a bad back ended a terrific 2016 season with a WD-WD finish. He had 15 top 25s in his 16 previous starts.
Day has never been outside the top 10 in three tries in this event and was T3 here last year – it would be ridiculous to count out his skills on this track.
Day is a threat every time he tees it up and a healthy Day is that much more dangerous.
Patrick Reed +1100
Won this tournament in 2015 and was a distant runner-up here last year – course history is definitely on his side. His current form however isn’t all-that-impressive.
But Reed is worth a look simply because of his recent past on this track.
Justin Thomas +1600
Has four top 10s in his last five starts worldwide including a win at the CIMB Classic and a tie for fourth at the Dunlop Phoenix.
He is a birdie machine and is a good bet to better his T21 in his only career start on this track.
Brandt Snedeker +2000
Snedeker had a typically solid 2016 culminating in a win at the Fiji International in October and a T6 at the World Challenge last month.
His stats line up well with this track – tops on TOUR in Par 4 Scoring Average under 400 yards to go along with his very good putting and short game.
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Sneds hasn’t been worse than T11 in four tries on this track and is a good bet to make some noise this week.
Jimmy Walker +2500
Is a guy that seemingly shows up every year during the Hawaii portion of the schedule – the Sony Open is where he does most of his damage though. He has two straight top 10s here including a second a couple of years ago – this track really suits his eye.
On a course that allows for the occasional errand tee shot and rewards length with every club Walker is certainly on my radar this week.
2017 SBS Tournament of Champions Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Branden Grace +5000
First timer at Kapalua could sneak up on everyone this year. His tee-to-green game is absolutely no joke and his ability to go low will certainly aid the South African this week.
He’s already shown that a field of top guys doesn’t scare him – Grace is an intriguing +5000 indeed.
Jhonattan Vegas +8000
Mr. Vegas fits right in that bomber category of player – he should be able to make serious hay on a track with six par 5s.
His one start here wasn’t a good one but something tells me his improved all-around game and ability to mash the ball will create a few eagle opportunities this week.
2017 SBS Tournament of Champions Picks:
The first pick of 2017 is the smart one – how about Hideki Matsuyama at +500 who has won four times in his last five starts. There are zero holes in his game right now – should be fun.
My sleeper is Jhonny Vegas at +8000. His smooth powerful driving ability has me thinking he could do well here.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
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