Opinion & Analysis
7 best bets at the 2016 Sony Open in Hawaii
The Hawaiian-swing continues this week at the Sony Open on yet another beautiful island, Oahu. With a new week of competitive golf on the PGA Tour, you once again have the chance to earn cold, hard cash on DraftKings.
In this week’s fantasy contest, $200,000 awaits with $15,000 going to the eventual winner. Some of the world’s best professional golfers on the PGA Tour are scheduled to tee it up in Honolulu; don’t miss out on your opportunity to pick, play, and win, especially since I am here to help by highlighting the best bets to consider below.
Think you know golf? Enter here to play for $200K.
The Course
Waialae Country Club opened in 1928, measures just over 7,000 yards (7,044 yards for the event) this week, plays to a par of 70 (just two par-5’s, at hole Nos. 9 and 18), and has been the home course for this PGA Tour event since 1965. The course sits between the Ko’olau mountains and Pacific Ocean and its traditional member set-up is reversed for this event each year with the front and back nines flip-flopped for tournament play.
Past champions include Ernie Els, Vijay Singh, Russell Henley, Zach Johnson, and Jimmy Walker, who is a two-time defending champion in 2016. The Sony Open in Hawaii is the eighth event of the 2016 season on the PGA Tour and this year’s scheduled field includes Adam Scott, Keegan Bradley, Kevin Kisner, and Justin Thomas and more of the tour’s top players.
Below are the seven players that I suggest putting into your DraftKings’ fantasy lineup this week, and why.
Morgan Hoffmann ($6,300)
2015 PGA Tour season statistics
- Official World Golf Ranking: 121st
- All-Around Ranking: 727 (87th)
- Ball-Striking: 320 (168th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: -0.082 (114th)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.232 (49th)
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 49.24% (13th)
- 2015 finish at the Sony Open: T51
At 26-years old, Hoffmann appears poised to take the next step in his PGA Tour career, namely, becoming a consistent threat to win week-to-week. Hoffmann’s best finish thus far in the 2015-2016 season came at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open where he finished T11 after averaging 1.920 in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Frankly, statistics are unlikely to do justice overall to the capabilities Hoffmann has on the golf course. In 2015, he posted five top-25 finishes with his best week coming at the Arnold Palmer Invitational presented by MasterCard when he finished fourth. Consider in 2014, however, Hoffmann began the FedExCup Playoffs in 124th place in the standings, yet made it all the way into the Tour Championship. At this price, Hoffmann is a gamble, but if he finds some confidence with his putter, an absolute steal, too.
Steven Bowditch ($7,000)
2015 PGA Tour season statistics
- Official World Golf Ranking: 68th
- All-Around Ranking: 587 (47th)
- Ball-Striking: 269 (143rd)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.228 (67th)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.149 (66th)
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 45.11% (43rd)
- 2015 finish at the Sony Open: T37
As a two-time PGA Tour winner (once in each 2014 and 2015), Bowditch has shown the ability to close in recent years. Despite struggling in the Presidents Cup as a captain’s pick, Bowditch beat Jimmy Walker on Sunday in singles play to close out his week in South Korea. Last week at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, Bowditch finished T10, having averaged 1.095 in Strokes Gained: Putting.
Given his made cut last year at this same event and somewhat recent PGA Tour victories, Bowditch is a player to seriously consider at $7,000, as he is a top-70 player in the world, yet priced below that. It’s true that Bowditch struggled in the wrap-around portion of the 2016 season, but last week’s play suggests he’s turned the corner and ready to cash some big checks this year.
Tony Finau ($8,300)
2015 PGA Tour season statistics
- Official World Golf Ranking: 88th
- All-Around Ranking: 507 (28th)
- Ball-Striking: 139 (67th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.593 (36th)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: -0.008 (109th)
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 49.10% (16th)
- 2015 finish at the Sony Open: M/C
Absent other information, it appears that Finau has been assigned value based on last year’s missed cut at the Sony Open in Hawaii. What that price seemingly overlooks is that since that event Finau posted 14 top-25 finishes on the PGA Tour and earned more than $2,000,000 in prize money. In the wrap-around season 2016, alone, Finau made three cuts and earned over $318,000, while posting a top-10 finish at the CIMB Classic and top-20 finish at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open.
I have previously made it known that Finau is a player to watch in 2016 and there is nothing to suggest otherwise this week. Seriously long off the tee, Finau’s capacity to find the winner’s circle this season will inevitably depend on his ability to navigate PGA Tour greens. Whether that’s a matter of familiarity or pure technique, time will tell, but his substantial upside makes him a worthwhile investment, even at $8,300.
Will Wilcox ($9,000)
2015 PGA Tour season statistics
- Official World Golf Ranking: 142nd
- All-Around Ranking: 195 (2nd)
- Ball-Striking: 6th (2nd)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.835 (20th)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.321 (32nd)
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 43.29% (67th)
- 2015 finish at the Sony Open: DNP
Another player to watch in 2016, Wilcox’s numbers suggest a complete game that travels well on the PGA Tour. Although he didn’t play in the Sony Open last year, he finished T8 at Waialae Country Club in the Sony Open in 2014. Also, so far in the 2016 wrap-around portion of the season, he posted a top-10 finish at the Fry’s.com Open in Napa Valley and a T17 at the OHL Classic at Mayakoba.
There’s no doubt that Wilcox is a bit of a wildcard, but on the PGA Tour where very little is a certainty, he seems to be a worthy gamble until he proves otherwise. At $9,000, his cost places him squarely in your crosshairs, without sacrificing the ability to get other players needed to have a well-rounded lineup.
Harris English ($10,200)
2015 PGA Tour season statistics
- Official World Golf Ranking: 103rd
- All-Around Ranking: 584 (45th)
- Ball-Striking: 139 (67th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.155 (81st)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.555 (10th)
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 45.10% (44th)
- 2015 finish at the Sony Open: T3
English finished third last year at this same event and with two top-25 finishes in the 2016 season so far, he appears poised to make a run at the title this week. A bit of a question mark as a ball-striker, English is an extremely capable putter. Armed with recent memories of playing well last year at Waialae Country Club, it seems a given he will be competing this week to win.
Keep in mind, English is a two-time PGA Tour winner, having taken home the 2013 FedEx St. Jude Classic and 2014 OHL Classic at Mayakoba. No stranger to winning, English also posted 10 top-25 finishes in 2015, as he won almost $2,000,000 in prize money. Not a bargain price at $10,200, English is still worth the risk, all things considered, including, last year’s strong finish.
Russell Henley ($10,300)
2015 PGA Tour season statistics
- Official World Golf Ranking: 66th
- All-Around Ranking: 561 (40th)
- Ball-Striking: 76 (30th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: -0.075 (113th)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.570 (9th)
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 44.44% (50th)
- 2015 finish at the Sony Open: T17
Henley is a two-time winner on the PGA Tour, including the 2013 Sony Open in Hawaii (other win was 2014 The Honda Classic). Last year, he finished T17 after opening with a 2-over par 72 in the first round. Statistically, Henley’s putting is virtually unstoppable, making the key to winning any given week for him a matter of ball striking.
In the 2016 wrap-around portion of the season, Henley made three cuts in three events, finishing 10th at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and T6 at The RSM Classic. Frankly, Henley seems primed to make a run at this year’s Sony Open title, given his recent strong play and history at this event. Having proven he is capable of winning on the PGA Tour, this week’s price of $10,300 is entirely reasonable for the return likely realized.
Kevin Na ($10,600)
2015 PGA Tour season statistics
- Official World Golf Ranking: 23rd
- All-Around Ranking: 573 (42nd)
- Ball-Striking: 302 (158th)
- Strokes Gained: Tee-to-Green: 0.694 (28th)
- Strokes Gained: Putting: 0.232 (49th)
- Par 5 Birdie or Better Leaders: 43.29% (67th)
- 2015 finish at the Sony Open: T64
Na may be the best one-time winner on the PGA Tour currently playing on the PGA Tour. Ranked 23rd in the world with over $20,000,000 in career PGA Tour earnings, and almost $6,000,000 in 2014 and 2015 alone, Na is an ATM. The gap in his resume is clearly the lack of wins, but not for lack of opportunity. Most recently, Na lost in a playoff at the 2016 Fry’s.com Open to class of 2011 stud, Emiliano Grillo.
Na followed that loss with a T2 at the Shriners Hospitals for Children Open and T3 at the CIMB Classic. Last year at this same event, Na opened with 66-67 before faltering on the weekend with 71-74 to finish T64. The most expensive player on this week’s “best bets,” Na seems to be destined to challenge for his second PGA Tour win this week. Don’t miss out just because of his price.
Opinion & Analysis
AVL: My U.S. Amateur local qualifying experience
This past Monday, I played in the U.S. Amateur local qualifier at Rock Creek Country Club in Portland, Oregon. A full tee sheet from 7:30 a.m. to 1:55 p.m., the top 11 scores would make it to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying.
I teed off at 10:48 a.m.. With the 7:30 am tee time, you can get a feel for the leaders’ pace, and they were off and running on the challenging setup at Rock Creek.
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Getting to the highlight of the round on the par five 17th, a drive up the left side and 212 yards left to the front hole location. I took out a 5-iron with plans of middle of the green. The ball ended up 8 feet left of the hole, pin high. A slight downhill putt dropped in for an eagle 3 on the 17th. With the cut line looking to be anywhere from -2 to even par. This was the boost I had been waiting for all day.
With making par from the trees on 18, it was time to wait for a potential playoff with a posted score of one under par 71.
Three hours later, it was playoff time. 8 players for 6 spots. I made par on the playoff hole, which was good enough to advance to the U.S. Amateur final qualifying in July. USGA qualifiers sure deliver on all of the emotions in golf!
Club Junkie
Building my 2026 gamer WITB: Ranking the contenders and new putter projects – Club Junkie Podcast
The annual What’s In The Bag build is underway, and on this episode of Club Junkie, Brian breaks down the clubs currently leading the race for a spot in his 2026 gamer setup. From drivers and fairway woods to irons, wedges, and shafts, he ranks the equipment that’s performing best and explains what’s separating the front runners from the rest of the field.
Brian also heads into the workshop to discuss several putter projects currently on the bench. From head options and shaft choices to build ideas and testing plans, he shares what he’s working on and which putters could become serious contenders for the bag this season.
If you’re a gear junkie who loves equipment testing, club building, and the never-ending pursuit of the perfect setup, this episode is for you.
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Club Junkie
Tour Edge Exotics mini driver review + TaylorMade Spider ZT Max first look – Club Junkie
On this episode of Club Junkie, I put the new Tour Edge Exotics Mini Driver to the test and break down the performance, forgiveness, distance, and where it fits compared to a traditional driver or strong fairway wood. If you have been curious about adding a mini driver to the bag, this one is worth a look.
I also dive into the new TaylorMade Spider ZT Max putter that was recently spotted and discuss the growing zero torque putter trend. Plus, there is a closer look at the new Project X Titan Yellow shaft showing up on the PGA Tour and what makes it different from other profiles currently out there.
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JR
Jan 16, 2016 at 8:07 pm
None of them are doing much of anything!!
Joe Golfer
Jan 13, 2016 at 11:26 pm
It’s too bad “Draft Kings” is so misleading in the advertising.
Got an email from GolfWRX offering the “free” entry to the contest.
Made all my picks, but then it said that I had to make a deposit first in order to take advantage of the “free” offering.
C’mon. That’s pretty bogus.
It doesn’t cost you anything to do this one particular contest, yet you MUST make a deposit to Draft Kings in order to enter it. Lame.
Yes, you have to deposit money into an account with Draft Kings, even though this one contest will be free to you.
I guess you’d have to use your deposit money on a separate event?
No wonder several states are booting Draft Kings out.
And come on, GolfWRX. Check these things out before sending it out to all your members in an email.
Tom
Jan 12, 2016 at 2:53 pm
If Finau could putt I’d go with him so, Russell Henley for the win.