Held as an alternate field event alongside the Arnold Palmer Invitational, the Puerto Rico Open didn’t attract the biggest names in the golfing community. But there are FedExCup points, a nice payout to the winner and, of course, a PGA Tour title at stake. A number of past PGA Tour winners, rising young stars looking for their first Tour victory, and the top performers from the Korn Ferry Tour make up the field. Recent Tour winners set to peg it up at Grand Reserve Golf Club include 2019 PRO titlist Martin Trainer. Kurt Kitayama, who held the first round lead at last week’s Honda Open, is headed to Puerto Rico. Chad Ramey and Matthias Schwab opened as betting co-favorites with odds suggesting a wide open field. Visit BookMaker.eu for a complete list of betting odds when you’re ready to place a wager.
Odds to Win Puerto Rico Open
Chad Ramey +1800
Matthias Schwab +1800
Nick Hardy +2000
Rafa Cabrera Bello +2000
Joseph Bramlett +2500
Mark Hubbard +2500
Peter Uihlein +2500
Ryan Armour +2500
John Huh +2800
Bronson Burgoon +3300
David Lipsky +3300
Kurt Kitayama +3300
Nate Lashley +3300
Victor Perez +3300
Andrew Novak +4000
Austin Smotherman +4000
Bo Hoag +4000
Brandon Wu +4000
Brian Stuard +4000
Bryson Nimmer +4000
Camilo Villegas +4000
Dylan Wu +4000
Kyle Stanley +4000
Satoshi Kodaira +4000
Seth Reeves +4000
Tyler Duncan +4000
Vaughn Taylor +4000
Ben Kohles +5000
Brice Garnett +5000
Chase Seiffert +5000
Justin Lower +5000
Kevin Chappell +5000
Kevin Yu +5000
Kiradech Aphibarnrat +5000
Scott Brown +5000
Sung Kang +5000
Odds Analysis
Chesson Hadley +6600
An alternate field event with no pressure could be just what Hadley needs to snap out of his funk. It’s been a struggle with nine MCs in 12 starts, including eight in a row. But it’s not like his game has completely come off the rails giving me some hope he can rebound. He has a round in the 60s in five of his last seven starts but has failed to consistently score low. He set the tournament course record with a 21-under 267 back in 2014 and has had his most success in conditions he’s likely to face this weekend. And at his price Hadley is worth a look.
John Huh +2800
Unlike Hadley, Huh enters on a decent run of form making him an intriguing option considering the field. Huh maneuvered his way to a top-10 at the Honda Classic and has placed in the top-15 in three of his last six starts. He’s making his debut in this tournament but Huh has the tools to succeed and has proven to be a strong player in blustery conditions.
Kurt Kitayama +3300
This might seem like another stop on the European Tour for Kitayama, which is a good thing since he’s had success across the pond. He’s been one of the top Americans on the ET for a few years and he’s posted six top-20s on the Euro circuit this season. And if you can handle the elements on some of the courses ET players have to contend with, getting through Grand Reserve is a walk in the park. He’s coming off one of his best tournaments with a solo third in the Honda Classic where he led the pack after 18 holes with a 64.
Matthias Schwab +1800
Schwab is another player who’s done most of his damage on the Euro Tour. And like Kitayama he should be familiar with the conditions he’s likely to face. Making the cut in his last five PGA Tour starts, Schwab had his best finish in a few years with a T7 in the Honda Classic. He also posted a pair of top-15s in his previous four ET starts. I was hesitant since there are other value picks out there, but Schwab looks like a good fit for this layout so I said what the heck.
Dylan Wu +4000
There are two Wus in the field and they both have the same opening odds so don’t get confused. Hell, I’m trying not to get confused. Dylan is the more accomplished player having graduated from the Korn Ferry Tour to a decent start this season. He’s played the weekend in six of his nine starts, but he has only one top-20 to show for it. Again, the field is wide open and Wu’s season stats put him in a good spot for a much higher finish. And I’m banking him on him finishing the highest, as on the top of the podium.
Course: Grand Reserve Golf Club – 7,506 yards, Par 72
The name has changed, but the course is the same one that’s hosted this event since 2008. Stretched out to 7,506 yards at par 72, the Grand Reserve, formerly known as Coco Beach Golf and Country Club, is definitely on the long side, but it is a bit misleading. Only one par 4 plays over 460 yards, and a bulk of yardage comes in the form of two par 5s that play over 600 yards. Those are three-shot holes anyway negating any distance advantage. The first thought would be to bring out the big dogs and let it fly, but a number of obstacles stand in the way. There are water hazards and even more bunkers lining the track giving the field a chance to club down to avoid serious trouble.
TV Coverage: Golf Channel
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