This week it’s the Honda Classic, from PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens, the last leg of the Florida swing. The field isn’t nearly as strong as it’s been the last two weeks, but they’re still going to have a winner. Which means somebody’s going to get paid off. Let’s hope it’s us.
The fave was Daniel Berger, at 10-1, but he dropped out with an injury. Joaquin Niemann is next, at 12-1 along with Sungjae Im, your defending champ. Then it’s down to Adam Scott, who won here four years ago, at 22-1. So is Lee Westwood, who nearly won each of the last two weeks. At the age of 47.
Shane Lowry is 25-1, Russell Henley 28-1. Ditto Cameron Tringale. Keegan Bradley and Taylor Gooch check in at 33-1. Kris Kirk is 35-1. Cameron Davis is 40-1. So is Brendan Steele and Rickie Fowler, another former winner here, who without a win in the next few weeks is actually in danger of missing the Masters. Ouch.
Zach Johnson is 45-1. Dylan Frittelli is 55-1, along with Doug Ghim, who has contended the last two weeks before falling apart on Sunday. Adam Hadwin, Ian Poulter and Kevin Streelman are also 55-1. I could go on but won’t.
I could see somebody looking at Lee Westwood, but I just don’t know if he can keep it going for another week. Especially since he must be frustrated at this point. But he is +550 for a top five, which might be worth a couple of bucks or so. Again, mostly just in case.
As for the guys who have better odds, I think Doug Ghim is worth a shot at 55-1. He did miss the cut here last year, but he’s played very well the last two weeks. At least in the first three rounds. And he is 12-1 to get a top five, which could be the way to go. But at 55-1 he’s worth at least a little to win.
Phil Mickelson is 90-1, 16-1 and 8-1 (for a top 10) across the board. Not saying he’s going to do anything, but you know Phil has a week or two a year still when he makes things interesting. Just throwing it out there.
Another bloke that does sort of the same thing is Ian Poulter, who’s 55-1 (and 11/5.5). You don’t have to lay much to get something back if this turns into one of another veteran’s weeks.
Happy hunting out there. Next week is the Match Play, which if nothing else is different. And yes, a quick return to Augusta National is fast approaching, back in April after a year of getting pushed back seven months.