Honda Classic Golf Winner Odds & Predictions

Scott can shine at PGA National

Golf Betting

Honda Classic Golf Preview – February 28th – March 3rd

The action moves on to the Honda Classic at the PGA National in Palm Beach, Florida. This is the first leg of the newly formed Sunshine State schedule in the state. The reigning champion is Justin Thomas who won a 1st playoff hole success last year at the Honda. Thomas goes as the 5/1 outright favourite for this year’s renewal* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on February 26th, 2019 at 4:38 p.m.).

Honda Classic Winner Odds*

Justin Thomas 5/1
Rickie Fowler 11/1
Brooks Koepka 14/1
Adam Scott 14/1
Sergio Garcia 16/1
Gary Woodland 18/1
Webb Simpson 25/1
Cameron Smith 25/1
Daniel Berger 35/1
Billy Horschel 35/1
Emiliano Grillo 40/1
Luke List 40/1
Byeong Hun An 50/1
Alex Noren 50/1
60/1 bar
* (betting odds taken from bet365 on February 26th, 2019 at 5:05 pm)

Tournament preview

12 of the current top 30 in the FedEx Cup list will be taking part in the Honda Classic 2019. There is a good chunk of European contenders taking part in the tournament as well including Alex Noren who missed last year’s playoff by a single stroke. Other Europeans lining up in Florida will include Martin Kaymer, Sergio Garcia and two-time winner Padraig Harrington. The notoriously difficult Bear Trap of holes 15,16 and 17 will be a big leveller.

Thomas to defend

It has already been a strong 2019 from Justin Thomas and he is back at the head of the market for this one at the Honda. He won here twelve months ago as he took out Luke List in a playoff in Palm Beach. Thomas has recorded three top-three finishes during 2019 so is carrying some strong form at the moment. Back to back winners at PGA National though have been few and far between. The last player to do it was Jack Nicklaus 48 years ago. Thomas is at 11/10 to land a top-five finish* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on February 26th, 2019 at 4:38 p.m.).

Tournament trends

There have been some of the game’s power players who have gotten their hands on the title in recent years. Adam Scott, Rickie Fowler and Justin Thomas have gotten the last three. That has been a show of strength actually and a shift. Seven of the first nine winners of the Honda Classic were really unfancied options.

So maybe it is time to start looking towards the top of the list. This is a course which needs steady game management. Driving distance has come more and more into play here as well, with both Justin Thomas and Luke List being the top two for driving distance twelve months ago at the PGA National.

Four of the last six winners of the Honda Classic have been Americans. However, seven of the twelve previous winners, since the tournament has been hosted in Palm Beach, have been overseas contenders.

Main Contenders

Former winner Rickie Fowler has had a quiet start to the year. But he won last time out when he picked up the Phoenix Open title at Scottsdale despite a bit of an unsteady final round at the event. His previous title at the PGA National should put him good stead.

Brooks Koepka hasn’t really put together tremendous form so far this year. He was 24th at the Tournament of Champions and finished 27th at in Mexico over the weekend. He just hasn’t been showing much form at this particular event in the last few years either so looks overrated in this one.

Adam Scott may have more appeal really as he has a pretty decent track record at the Honda Classic including a win. He looks to be trending towards something big as well with a second place finished in January at the Farmers and seventh at the Genesis Open in the middle of February. Scott was a top fifteen finisher here last year.

Sergio Garcia may be just worth a look for consideration, although not as big of an outsider really. Anyway, the Spaniard has shown great control around PGA National as he has never missed a cut there before.

Outsider Option

Since the tournament arrived at the PGA National, seven of the previous twelve winners have been unfancied. So it a course that gives the outsiders a shot at a taste of glory. So it is worth taking a look at this area. Russell Knox, for example, has a pretty good course record, with a second in 2014 and a third in 2015. Knox is at 5/1 in the top ten finish market* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on February 26th, 2019 at 4:38 p.m.).

Predictions

Adam Scott looks a great fit for this week’s action at 14/1 odds* (Betting Odds were taken from bet365 on February 26th, 2019 at 4:38 p.m.). He has just starting to trend very well in current form, is a former winner at the PGA National and on top of that, he just has a good track record. Just about the perfect fit to get in the frame.