Golf: Sentry Tournament of Champions
Venue: Kapalua Resort, Hawaii
Dates: Thursday 7th – Sunday 10th January 2021
Tournament Preview
The Sentry Tournament of Champions is the calendar-year opening event and it is upon us once more to begin the 2021 season. The field has historically been comprised of competitors that won events on the PGA Tour during the previous year but has opened up in 2021 as the PGA Tour looks to bounce back from the COVID 19 pandemic. Despite the fact it is no longer the opening event of the season due to the ‘wrap around’ nature of the PGA Tour calendar, the prestige of the tournament continues to grow, season in, season out. With Ernie Els, Dustin Johnson and Jordan Spieth amongst the winning alumni, the field at the Tournament of Champions is often a very strong one and that looks to be the case once more in 2021.
Betting Preview
Outright Winner
Some of the biggest names in the world of golf are in the field in the Hawaii this week:-
2020 Masters Champion Dustin Johnson was the man to beat all year and his performance at Augusta in November etched his place into golfing folklore. He could be tough to stop here in Hawaii.
Despite not necessarily enjoying his best year in 2020, Justin Thomas is still one of the very best players on the PGA Tour and as the defending champion here in Hawaii, he has plenty to play for.
Spaniard Jon Rahm is in the form of his life and few would bet against him slugging it out on Sunday afternoon. Conditions should suit him here in Hawaii and he could be a strong value bet.
With extreme power hitting at the top of the agenda, Bryson DeChambeau took the golfing world by storm in 2020 and his US Open win should fill him with confidence heading into 2021.
Having been edged out by Justin Thomas in a final round play-off in 2020, Patrick Reed could well be one to watch in a bigger field this year and conditions are sure to suit his playing style.
1st Round Leader
With 42 of the best players in the world in the field, getting a fast start will be essential for all of the big hitters in the Hawaii:-
Very few players possess the skill set that Xander Schauffele does and he will be hoping to get back to his best form in 2021, starting here at the Tournament of Champions.
When it comes to consistency, very few players can compete with Webb Simpson and although he endured a quiet end to 2020, he could get off to a flyer in Hawaii this week.
Spaniard Sergio Garcia is always one to watch in every event he plays and whilst his performances in 2020 were patchy, he could go well here in conditions that are sure to suit his game.
Top Ten Finish
With so many quality players assembled here in Hawaii, getting into the winning enclosure could be tough but there are plenty of candidates to finish in the top 10 come Sunday:-
Young Norwegian Viktor Hovland looks to be on the brink of something special on the PGA Tour and he will be hoping to put down a marker from the outset in 2021.
USPGA Champion Collin Morikawa came of age on the PGA Tour last season and he is now one of the leading contenders in every event he plays.
Brendon Todd’s emergence at the start of 2020 was one of the standout moments on the PGA Tour and he will be hoping to carry his momentum through to the start of the 2021 season.
BetXChange Best Bets:
Outright Winner: Jon Rahm – 10.00
1st Round Leader: Webb Simpson – 22.00
Top Ten Finish: Viktor Hovland – 1.20
