2023 Sony Open odds, field notes, best bets and picks to win

After a beautiful (and heartbreaking, but we’ll get to that later) week in Maui, it’s time to head to the big island for the Sony Open. Defending champion Hideki Matsuyama, Jordan Spieth and Tom Kim highlight a solid field heading into the second event of the new year’s PGA Tour.

Waialae Country Club is a marksman’s paradise – a par-70 course just over 7,000 yards that demands accuracy with every shot.

Kim goes into the week as the betting favorite at +1000 followed by Sungjae Im at +1300 and Spieth at +1500. The 20-year-old is coming off a T-5 appearance at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Golf course

Waialae Country Club | Par 70 | 7,044 meters | Seth Raynor design

Michael Thompson walks on the 17th hole during the second round of the Sony Open in Hawaii golf tournament at Waialae Country Club. Mandatory credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Wave information data

Natural Fit (compares golf courses based on the degree to which different golfers attributes — such as driving distance — to predict who will perform well on each course – DataGolf): 1. TPC Sugarloaf, 2. Colonial Country Club, 3. Austin Country Club

Popular (players’ last three starts): 1. Brian Harman (2, T-2, T-16), 2. Maverick McNealy (T-18, T-10, T-27), 3. Tom Hoge (MC , MC, T-3)

Percentage chance of winning (based on course history, fit, trending, etc.): 1. Sungjae Im (7.2 percent), 2. Brian Harman (5.3 percent), 3. Tom Kim (5.1 percent)

Example of bets

Last Week (Sentry TOC)

Collin Morikawa (left) is comforted by Jonathan Jakovac (right) on the 18th hole during the final round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. (Photo: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports)

I was almost counting the money when the back nine started. We had Collin Morikawa outright at +2000, and Saturday night looked pretty much done. Hopefully the golf gods pay us back this time.

Picks are posted to my Twitter account every Wednesday: @rileyhamel_

Story continues

Sony Open odds

Tom Kim

Tom Kim of South Korea watches from the 14th tee during the first round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions at Kapalua Golf Club’s Plantation Course on January 5, 2023 in Lahaina, Hawaii. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)

Tom Kim is a stud, no doubt about that. Even so, it’s a bit awkward to bet on him at 11 to 1. However, Waialae yells at Kim. Short, accuracy dependent, roll the stone and make birds. That’s what the child does.

Kim finished tied for fifth on the Plantation Course last week.

Bets to consider: Outright (+1100)

Corey Conners

Corey Conners hits his chip shot on the ninth hole during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Conners didn’t have the best week in Maui, finishing T-16, but he took off on a high note, shooting 6-under 67 in the final round.

The Canadian’s last three Sony Open starts: 11th (2022), T-12 (2020) and T-3 (2019).

Bets to consider: Outright (+2000), Top 20 (+125)

Brian Harmon

Brian Harman tees off the eighth hole during the third round of the Sentry Tournament of Champions golf tournament at Kapalua Resort – The Plantation Course. Mandatory Credit: Kyle Terada-USA TODAY Sports

Harman had a solid week in Maui, shooting under 70 for the first three days before posting a final round of 3 under 70. The Georgia Bulldog has made the weekend at Waialae in four of his last five appearances, including T-4 in 2018.

Bets to consider: Outright (+2000), Top 20 (+100)

Story originally appeared on GolfWeek