As we travel to Hawaii again this week, another birdie fest at the Sony greets us, and another course by the Pacific that won't be protected by any wind of note (up to 14mph on Friday/Saturday.
These events don't exactly light a spark for me personally, but we can't have it grindy and brutal every week (sadly). Yesterday we saw Theegala lip out on 18 and missing out on one shot despite a brilliant 63 on Sunday, and sometimes, after the runs we had last year, these things can go against us (remember Harold Varner at the Heritage 2022!!!). A good week nonetheless, Morikawa just missing out on 18 for an Eagle and a share of 3rd, again, sharing place odds which ran the profits down a bit for me. I know many found 8 places with Bet 365 so well done to all who found that value, at the time of publishing I didn't see that available. Profit is good though and we go again.
So Chris Kirk started a new season for him with more of the same. He's ice cool at times, and the approach on 17 (the hardest shot on the golf course) to 3 feet was all class and a real dagger for me and followers. After recovering from alcoholism, his results and his life have done nothing but improve. Well done to the bloke, and I do not see it being a flash in the pan. His ball striking is phenomenal right now, and to hit a draw with that accuracy is a skill that cannot be underplayed.
So Waialae Country club, Honolulu sees 140 players go to post. A par 70 measuring 7044, tree lined, bunkered and very very flat, in contrast to last week, players will be rewarded with accuracy rather than power and that is the play this week, Tee to Green prowess, putting skills and old fashioned golf.
I couldn't get any of these 5 blokes out of this week's line up, so it is a slightly enhanced 32point investment this week. It won't be a habit but I just couldn't go lower, especially with the new Korn Ferry recruits being so tempting. If Ben An wins this week I will kick myself, everything in me says I should swap out Harman, given the former now has one of those stupid putters that changed Glover's career......newly found putting confidence is my play, I'm abandoning this week......so I'll be watching through my hands when he is on screen, but I will wait for a better framed course that may suit his eye better.
First up we go in with last weeks winner CHRIS KIRK. Not only is he playing brilliantly, his life is on a crest of a wave, he held the lead going into Sunday and shot a 66 and his putter looks red hot......he loves it here!!! He was on the list for this week anyway, so all last week has done, is ruin his odds. He is a huge chance to go close again, his last 53visits here, even during his struggles have been 3rd, 27th, 2nd. 5pts e/w 28/1 Bet365 Top 8.
Next up and we have a blog favourite and someone who fits this course like a hand in a glove. I'm not sure if early season rustiness or Bermuda greens are to blame for BRIAN HARMAN's form here, but this place should be so well suited to his game. Flat firm, not overly long and a requirement for accuracy, ticks all of his boxes. He played strongly last week finishing tied 5th, his approach play looked on point and with no rustiness (having not always player the Tournament of champions as a warm up here), I think he should be in the mix this week 20/1 top 8 Bets 365 6pts e/w.
Keeping up with previous money makers, it's the time of year Jan-March where NICK TAYLOR does a lot of his best work. That 978 foot putt he holed in Canada is mentioned every time he is shown on TV, yet I'm always drawn to his performance in Phoenix last February, where his final round 65 saw him beating all bar a magical Scheffler performance that week. He has a big time golf game, he suits tree lined courses, he's a streaky putter, and again, even with his 7th last year, he came here cold having not qualified for the Sentry ToC.....so his 11 under score on an unfamiliar course was heartening. 2pts e/w 80/1 Top 8 Bet365.
I'm quite keen on Russell Henley this week, but as Kirk has taken extra points away after his win, I'm looking for one of many Korn Ferry graduates to shine on debut and the most prepared of those is the tour winner Ben Kohles, and he also comes into his season with exemptions for the players, and the PGA so less pressure than most. However there is not the juice in the price to tempt me, so I am instead going for a guy who rivals Eric Van Rooyen for best moustache on tour - CHANDLER PHILLIPS. Phillips finished 10th on the Korn Ferry tour of merit, courtesy of a win at a very similar layout, and on Bermuda grass, in the Bahamas., and most of his best work was early season. Golfers are like flowers, they have their own seasons and best times of year, the grass, the season, the moustache and the game (he drives well, chips well and putts well) are all appealing with the price. 1pt e/w 350/1 Top 8 Boylesports.
Last but never least is a short write up for TAYLOR MONTGOMERY. Putts like god, on the up again, see about 10 write ups last year, he's huge odds as usual and one day will go in, 75/1 top 8 Bet365 2pts e/w.
TEWT