– Last Updated on November 20, 2022 10:10 pm
2017 PGA CareerBuilder Challenge Preview and Picks
Ready to bet this week on the 2017 PGA CareerBuilder Challenge Odds? The PGA Pros move from Hawaii to California this week to play the 2017 CareerBuilder Challenge – a unique event that will see the world’s best try to conquer three different tracks over the four days. The multiple locations and the fact that a slightly watered-down field will tee it up makes this event particularly tough to Handicap – we’ll do our best.
2017 CareerBuilder Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation
When: Jan 19-22, 2017
Where: PGA West (Palmer Course), La Quinta, California
PGA WEST TPC Stadium Course, La Quinta, California
La Quinta CC, La Quinta, California
Prize Fund: $5,800,000
Defending Champion: Jason Dufner
Updated Sportsbook Bonuses For Today
The TPC Stadium Course, which will also host the final round and measures in at 7,113 yards and is a Par 72; the Nicklaus Tournament Course is a Par 72, 7,159 yard track and La Quinta CC measures 7,060 yards and is a par 72 as well – each track has its own unique set of challenges. Every aspect of a golfer’s game will be challenged this week – guaranteed.
So with that in mind who should we be keeping an extra close eye on this week? Let’s break it down.
2017 PGA CareerBuilder Challenge Favorites:
Patrick Reed +1200
2014 Champ played through an illness at Kapalua and still finished a respectable T6 – decent form ahead of this week. He is in the top 30 on TOUR so far this season in strokes gained: putting which should help and seems to raise his game when he is favored – just like this week. He was T56 here last year – cause for concern but in a less-than-spectacular field Reed is the obvious man to beat.
Phil Mickelson +1800
Will be making his season debut after a decent 2016. One of his highlights last year was a T3 in this very event. I know we haven’t seen a lot of Phil but this crafty veteran knows how to get around clunky events and knows how to manage his time off. Phil will be ready!
2017 PGA CareerBuilder Challenge Contenders:
Bill Haas +2000
2010 and 2015 Champ has been remarkable at this event – 39 straight rounds under par! He has been inside the top 20 in all four events he’s played this season – T20-T4 at the WGC-HSBC Champions-T13-T13.
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Track history is obviously on his side this week – current form is nothing to sneeze at either. Expect to see Haas do well again on arguably his favorite track.
Zach Johnson +2000
Wasn’t great in 2016 but if last week’s T6 at Waialae is any indication he should be much better this year – he was tops in most categories in that event and had four rounds in the 60s. He hasn’t been great here though (a missed cut last year was the latest hiccup) but momentum is a real thing and Johnson may just have it heading into this week.
Charles Howell III +2500
I love Howell is January – not only is he money at the Hawaii events he’s posted four top 15s in this event including a T11 last year and a T2 in 2013. He enters having finished inside the top 15 in four straight starts including a T8 last week – a tournament he should four rounds in the 60s. Howell is still a premier ball-striker that could make some noise this week.
Jamie Lovemark +3300
Former World #1 amateur enters on the heels of consecutive top 10 finishes including a T4 at the Sony Open last week – he shot consecutive 65s in that tournament and was fourth in the field in stroked gained: putting. He finished T6 in this event last year and actually sat second after two rounds before a final round 73 derailed his chances. Lovemark’s track history is good and his current form is the best of his career.
2017 PGA CareerBuilder Challenge Sleepers (+5000 or higher):
Chez Reavie +5000
Reavie put his name on the radar thanks to a closing round 61 on Sunday at the Sony Open – he finished T8 in that event and hopes the momentum carries over to this week.
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He now has two straight top 10s on TOUR. He finished T17 in this event last year and enters this year in undeniable form.
Lucas Glover +5000
At +5000 Glover is certainly worthy of mention. He has finished inside the top 20 here five of eight times he’s played and enters this week having finished top 5 in consecutive events. Glover’s ball striking is no joke – the fact that he sits ninth in TOUR in GIR is another reason he’s on the list.
Luke List +5000
Speaking of lists – how about Luke? He enters having landed inside the top 15 in five straight starts including a T13 at Waialae, a T2 at the Sanderson Farms Championship and a T7 at the OHL Classic. We know that he can mash the ball but what is impressive is his improved short game. He finished T6 in this event last year and is a great bet to better that this week based on current form and the fact that this field leaves a little bit to be desired.
2017 PGA CareerBuilder Challenge Picks:
The pick this week is Bill Haas at +2000. He is a two-time winner here and has been inside the top 20 in his last four events played. With a less-than-spectacular field assembled, Haas looks like an obvious choice to me.
My sleeper is Luke List at +5000. He, like Haas is on a nice string of good finishes – five straight top 15s and he proved his affinity for this track with his T6 last year.
Golf handicapper DAVE B weighs in each week with his top selections. Including top picks and sleepers!
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