By:
Josh Sens
January 4, 2023
Jon Rahm at Kapalua this week.
getty photos
And so it begins.
Humpbacks breaching within the backdrop sign the beginning of what stands to be a whale of a season, with a pumped-up PGA Tour schedule meant to parry threats from a rival circuit.
We’re again in Maui for the 2023 Sentry Event of Champions, which this 12 months represents the primary of the Tour’s newly minted “elevated” occasions.
Defending champion Cameron Smith is just not within the 39-man subject, having decamped for LIV in late 2022, neither is world No. 1 Rory McIlroy.
However 17 of the top-20 ranked gamers will compete on the Plantation Course at Kapalua, the place the commerce winds are blowing and the cetaceans are placing on their annual present.
2023 Sentry Event of Champions odds: Jon Rahm leads golf’s finest as betting favourite
By:
Kevin Cunningham
“Whale” can also be a playing time period for bettors who play massive, however you don’t should be one to participate on this week’s motion. Chirp is a free-to-play cellular platform (and GOLF.com affiliate) that provides an array of video games and attractive prizes. Even with out risking cash, you’ll be able to win. (Scroll down to take a look at who Chirp customers are leaning towards this week.)
After which there’s old school wagering. So many betting strains. What to do?
Golf is famously fickle. And this early within the season, it’s particularly onerous to know who’s in kind. However we’ve studied the stats and surveyed the betting boards to reach at our favourite performs for the week, deciding on a favourite, a contender and a protracted shot to win. We’ve laid out our picks under.
Odds supplied by Vegas Insider.
To win: Jon Rahm, +600
Rahm tied the course document at Kapalua final 12 months, solely to fall to Smith by a single shot. It was the second runner-up displaying on this occasion for Rahm, who has appeared particularly chipper on this week’s pre-tournament pressers. Given his robust historical past within the tropics, we’re comfy going with the chalk right here.
Contender: Sungae Im, +1,900
In opposition to the tropical greens and blues of Kapalua, the scoreboard on the Sentry tends to bleed deep purple. For that purpose, we’ll take a person who makes birdies in bunches with the most effective of them.
Lengthy Shot: Tom Hoge, +6,500
With a swing that repeats like a metronome, Hoge simply must get the flat stick working. In a restricted subject, we like these lengthy odds for a pure ball striker to have a sizzling week across the greens.
Who Chirp customers prefer to win
Justin Thomas — 26.8%*
Scottie Scheffler — 24.6%
Jon Rahm — 18.2%
*Proportion of total bets positioned in “Favourite” class as of 1/4.
Josh Sens
Golf.com Contributor
A golf, meals and journey author, Josh Sens has been a GOLF Journal contributor since 2004 and now contributes throughout all of GOLF’s platforms. His work has been anthologized in The Finest American Sportswriting. He’s additionally the co-author, with Sammy Hagar, of Are We Having Any Enjoyable But: the Cooking and Partying Handbook.