2009 Bob Hope Classic Picks, Odds, & Predictions

Written January 21, 2009 by Jason Lowry

Bob Hope Classic

The PGA TOUR is headed on a west coast swing, and this weekend golfers will be attacking PGA West Arnold Palmer Private Course in La Quinta, California for the 50th anniversary of the Bob Hope Classic. DJ Trahan was your 2008 winner of this event, as he shot a 67 on the final day to win by 3 strokes. Last week Zach Johnson continued his great play of late, as he won the the Sony Open by two shots over Adam Scott, but Johnson will not be in action this weekend. With birdies likely coming in bunches for a lot of golfers this weekend, its going to take 4 days of great shooting to win this event, and here is a look at the 3 guys we think have the best shot at doing so.

Justin Leonard +1000 at Sportsbook.com

This was a pretty easy pick when you look at how well this guy has played here over his career, and the field just isn’t that threatening. Leonard has already started the season strong with a tie for 5th at the Mercedes-Benz Championship two weeks ago. Last year Leonard finished second at the Bob Hope Classic, and has finished in the top 10 four times since 2002, including a win here in 2005. Leonard’s game fits well for this course, and if he doesn’t win it, we at least expect this guy to finish strong.

David Toms +1200 at Sportsbook.com

Toms has some pretty high odds for the tournament this weekend, but after his tie for 2nd place last week at the Sony Open you have to think this guy will come in with some solid momentum and the confidence needed here to put up a bunch of birdies. Toms has yet to win this event, but does have a tie for 3rd here back in 2003. We also like Toms this weekend because he seems to have the putter rolling early, and whoever wins this thing is going to need to make a lot of putts this weekend.

DJ Trahan +3000 at Sportsbook.com

It’s hard not to give the defending champion some credit, and the fact that this guy is 20 under in his last two starts, is reason enough to give this a real good chance of coming in and winning this week. The reason Trahan isn’t up with the favorites this weekend, is he really struggled in reading the greens in Hawaii, and we have already mentioned how important making putts is going to be. Either way we like his chances, and there are few guys striking the ball as well as this guy.

We will continue to cover the PGA TOUR each and every week, and for those of you looking for the rest of the fields odds, here is a complete list of each golfers odds at Sportsbook.com.

Bart Bryant +8000
Ben Crane +5000
Bill Haas +4000
Brian Gay +4000
Briny Baird +8000
Bubba Watson +8000
Chad Campbell +2000
Charley Hoffman +4000
Charlie Wi +5000
Chez Reavie +5000
Chris DiMarco +10000
Colt Knost +15000
DJ Trahan +3000
David Duval +20000
David Toms +1200
Dustin Johnson +4000
Fred Couples +8000
Harrison Frazar +6000
Heath Slocum +10000
Jerpes Parnevik +8000
Jerry Kelly +8000
Joe Durant +10000
John Rollins +8000
John Senden +6000
Jonathan Byrd +8000
Justin Leonard +1000
Ken Duke +3000
Kevin Na +6000
Kevin Sutherland +6000
Lucas Glover +6000
Mathew Goggin +3000
Mike Weir +1200
Nathan Green +6000
Nick Watney +6000
Pat Perez +6000
Ryan Moore +6000
Ryuji Imada +3000
Scott Verplank +2500
Stephen Ames +3000
Steve Elkington +8000
Steve Flesch +6000
Steve Marino +3000
Steve Stricker +2000
Tim Clark +2000
Tim Herron +6000
Tom Pernice Jr +8000
Webb Simpson +8000
Woody Austin +6000

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