2011 Sony Open Predictions
Written by Steve Janus - Google +
The 2011 PGA Tour season is officially underway, as Jonathan Byrd held off Robert Garrigus at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions last week. While last week was only for those who won in 2010, there will be no such restrictions this week at the Sony Open in Hawaii. The Sony Open is held at Waialae Country Club, and is scheduled for Jan. 13-16.
Last year Ryan Palmer grabbed his third career win at this event, and he will be back to defend his title this year. Ernie Els and Corey Pavin are the only two that have ever won this even in back-to-back season. Els accomplished the feat in 2003 and 2004, while Pavin did so in 1986 and 1987.
A number of well known players have won this event, including Zach Johnson in 2009 and K.J. Choi in 2008. However, the biggest names in golf will not be in action this week, only Steve Stricker and Jim Furyk are ranked in the top 10 in the World Rankings, but there are nine players in the field that have won a major.
Here is a look at the three golfers I think have the best shot at winning this week, plus their odds to win.
Steve Stricker: Stricker is the oddsmakers favorite to win this week, and for good reason. Stricker has finished in the top four in three of his last four starts at the Sony Open, including a third place finish last year. Steve is also coming off a strong performance last week at the Hyundai Classic, finishing tied for fourth. One knock on Stricker is he has never actually won this event, but with the way he has played at Waialae Country Club, its only a matter of time before he takes home the trophy.
Robert Allenby: While many of the players are simply trying to get back into the swing of things, Allenby has played in six events since the end of last season, and showed last year that he has what it takes to win this event. Allenby finished second to Palmer by just one stroke, and I believe that near win will give him the confidence and motivation to come in this weekend and play well and he should be right there with a chance to win on Sunday.
Steve Marino: I always like to include a bit of a sleeper in my predictions, and I think Marino is a great play to win this week, despite the oddsmakers not giving him much of a chance. Marino didn’t participate in this even last year, but finished tied for 7th in 2009 and tied for fourth in 2008. Seven of Marino’s last eight rounds have been at even par or better. Marino has done a great job of starting off strong, he was 13-under on Thursday and Friday in 2008 and 2009 combined.
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