With the bigger names in the golfing world teeing it up this week at the WGC in Mexico, the alternate field Puerto Rico Open doesn’t have the splash. But it does have a highly-competitive field of golfers lower down the PGA Tour food chain looking to pick up some FedExCup points and a Tour title belt. Seven of the past 11 champions made the Puerto Rico Open their initial Tour victory, including Martin Trainer last year. He’s back to defend but it’s Viktor Hovland who sits at the top of the odds board at online sportsbooks. And guess what? Hovland is looking for his maiden Tour victory. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of updated betting odds and to place your wager.
Brandon Hagy +111 vs. Brice Garnett -141
David Hearn +101 vs. Cameron Percy -131
Seamus Power +100 vs. Mark Anderson -130
Beau Hossler +129 vs. Adam Schenk -162
Martin Laird -158 vs. Zac Blair +126
DJ Trahan -132 vs. Fabian Gomez +102
Ben Martin +125 vs. Kyoung Hoon Lee -157
Tim Wilkinson +101 vs. Shawn Stefani -131
Grayson Murray -101 vs. Joseph Bramlett -129
Matthew Nesmith +114 vs. Emiliano Grillo -144
Kiradech Aphibarnrat -109 vs. Xinjun Zhang -121
Alex Cejka +111 vs. Roger Sloan -141
Tom Lewis -112 vs. Chesson Hadley -118
Alexander Noren -145 vs. Scott Brown +115
Maverick McNealy +137 vs. Jhonattan Vegas -172
Matthew Nesmith -119 vs. Cameron Davis -111
Viktor Hovland -149 vs. Alexander Noren +119
Henrik Norlander -152 vs. Peter Uihlein +121
Chase Seiffert +108 vs. Sam Ryder -138
Patrick Rodgers -139 vs. Chesson Hadley +109
Tom Lewis +113 vs. Patrick Rodgers -143
Sebastian Cappelen -127 vs. Andrea Pavan -103
Viktor Hovland -188 vs. Scott Brown +149
Tyler McCumber +110 vs. Kyle Stanley -140
Emiliano Grillo -150 vs. Cameron Davis +120
Need to Know
Since its inception in 2008, the Puerto Rico Open has been played at Coco Beach Golf and Country Club. Though it stretches to 7,500 yards, the course isn’t difficult. A good chunk of the yardage comes on a pair of par 5s that play over 600 yards, and the three-shot holes take away any advantage big hitters have. Also, the par-4s measure 460 yards or less making them all potential easy scores. There are a number of man-made water hazards and plenty of bunkers to provide obstacles. Steer clear of those and the rest is easy with wide fairways and large greens. Favorable conditions are in the forecast, however, nestled along the coast wind is always a factor.
Puerto Rico Open Matchup Picks
Scott Brown +115 vs. Alexander Noren
Brown has teed it up seven times previously in Puerto Rico and apparently he’s okay with that. And that’s not good for matchup partner Noren. Brown won the title in 2013, has made all seven cuts and is the leading money winner at this event. That’s more because of the high turnover in the field from year to year, but Brown knows who he is and he’s a damn good player on this course. Two T5s and two T10s are also a part of his legacy at Coco Beach, and a win over Noren in this tournament matchup will soon be.
Patrick Rodgers -143 vs. Tom Lewis
It’s been a few years since Rodgers last played here and a lot has happened in between. The best thing is that he’s playing well and enters the week on a nice run with his old form returning after dealing with a nagging injury. He’s made the cut in five of his last six starts with a pair of top-20 finishes on the West Coast swing. Rodgers was T9 at the Farmers Insurance Open and T16 in Phoenix. Last time out he grabbed a share of 30th at the Genesis. He doesn’t create a lot of buzz, but consistent ball-striking has him in a good spot in this matchup.
Matthew Nesmith -119 vs. Cameron Davis
Following a difficult start to the season, NeSmith is assembling a strong rookie campaign based on recent results. He’s made the last six cuts logging three top-20s in that span. His best finish came in his last start with a T11 at Pebble Beach. NeSmith has competed against stronger fields and held his own. This looks like less of a challenge, but one he’s gladly willing to accept.
Henrik Norlander -152 vs. Peter Uihlein
Four MCs to start the season could have been devastating, but Norlander righted the ship going 7 for 8 with a pair of top-10s since. He’s a threat in this field on his ball-striking ability alone, but toss in a recent hot stretch and he’s going to be tough to beat. Norlander’s three best finishes this season have come in his last five starts with a T5 at the RSM Classic, T9 at the Sony Open, and T25 at Pebble Beach.
David Hearn +101 vs. Cameron Percy
It’s been an adventure lately for Hearn, which is probably why he’s at plus-odds in this matchup. Two MCs and nothing better than a T30 in his last five starts isn’t anything to write home about. However, considering Hearn has shown well in wind and tropical climates over his career, and that his worst finish in five PRO starts was a T25, look for the Canadian to come up big in this matchup.
BookMaker offers play-by-play betting odds for live sporting events every day! The user-friendly wagering interface on your smartphone provides an easy way to place bets on the go. Mobile betting lines are updated by the minute so click here to start gambling on thrilling live action at BookMaker.eu. The Puerto Rico Open is scheduled for February 20-23, 2020, and can be seen on Golf Channel.
