PGA Picks: Walker looks sharp for 3rd Sony Open title
The PGA Tour remains in Hawaii for a second straight week, moving from Kapalua Plantation to Waialae Country Club for the first full-field event of 2017.
We nailed one top-five player in last week's picks (thanks to Jordan Spieth's third-place finish), with a couple others just outside the money.
Now, here's the picks for this week's Sony Open:
Favorite to watch (Odds less than 15/1)
Jordan Spieth
Spieth could be classified as a favorite to watch any week, as there's no golf course he can't punish when he's on his game. The Texan didn't fare well in his only previous Sony Open appearance - missing the cut in 2014 - but that was before he became the worldwide phenom he is today. Spieth led the field in birdies last week at Kapalua en route to his third-place finish, and it's a safe bet he keeps rolling at Waialae this weekend.
Odds to win: 6/1
Top-5 odds: 5/4
2nd Tier (Odds more than 15/1)
Jimmy Walker
The Sony Open has been Jimmy Walker's playground - his last three trips to Waialae have resulted in two wins and a 13th place finish - and there's no reason to think that changes this year. Walker showed he can still go as low as anyone at Kapalua, opening with an 8-under 65, but he couldn't repeat that form in the subsequent three rounds and finished tied for ninth.
Odds to win: 20/1
Top-5 odds: 9/2
Long shot (Odds greater than 40/1)
Charles Howell III
In 15 trips to Waialae, Charles Howell III has eight top-10 finishes and two runner-ups, so this is certainly a track that suits the talented Georgia native's game. While the 37-year-old hasn't played since November, his last three starts on the PGA Tour have resulted in 13th-, 7th- and 15th-place finishes. Don't be shocked to see Howell in contention on Sunday afternoon.
Odds to win: 40/1
Top-5 odds: 9/1
Super long shot (Odds greater than 80/1)
Fabian Gomez
The defending Sony Open champion paying 80/1? Sign us up for some of that action. Gomez took last year's crown with a playoff win over Brandt Snedeker, and showed decent form in a 20th-place finish last week at Kapalua.
Odds to win: 80/1
Top-5 odds: 16/1
Hit this bet, buy a car (Odds greater than 150/1)
Ollie Schniederjans
Ollie Schniederjans had a storied amateur golf career as the No. 1 player in the world and as a three-time All-American at Georgia Tech. Now in the midst of his rookie season on PGA Tour, he's worth a look at 175/1 despite playing in his first Sony Open. Three of the last four winners got to 20-under or better at Waialae, and Schniederjans can certainly post a low number.
Odds to win: 175/1
Top-5 odds: 33/1
Last week's picks
Jordan Spieth: 3rd
Brandt Snedeker: 14th
Fabian Gomez: 20th
Mackenzie Hughes: 25th
Season record (Through 1 event)
Wins: 0
Top 5: 1