The Hyundai Tournament of Champions is the season opener on the PGA Tour, as we head back to the Plantation Course at Kapalua in Hawaii. This really is a tournament of Champions, not just a catchy name, as only winners from the 2011 PGA Tour get their invite to the event, so it is tough to get in and the players can expect a tough time in winning it. The timing is a little odd on this one though, as your 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions golf betting actually starts on Friday and finishes on Monday, not the usual Thursday start and Sunday finish. Scoring has never really been too difficult at the event, this is largely due to the fact that players can really pull out the big drives with little worries, because the greens are huge to hit, so wayward tee shots can be made amends for quite easily. The Kapalua course is a par 73, going over 7,411 yards and because of those greens expect some great Greens in Regulation stats over the four days, as well as plenty of birdies flying in, left right and centre. This is a very good field, naturally, it being full of TOUR champions. Players are not going to have a hard time with the course, so it is going to be something of a pretty cool shoot out for the players at the top of the leader board. And what a lineup it is. Here is a look at the 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions golf betting odds for our selections.
Steve Stricker: 17/2 at Stan James
Stricker went on a really hot streak last year, but was interrupted a bit by a neck problem. However, he produced some fantastic form at the Presidents Cup for his country. Has a solid enough record in this event to expect him to get inside the top ten again. That is where he has finished in his last three attempts at the event, so will be worth backing for a top ten finish or a place. Just builds on so much consistency, and is usually a strong starter to the New Year. Well worth looking at.
Webb Simpson: 17/2 at SportingBet
Time to wipe the slate clean for Simpson and start a new year full of new challenges. His remarkable year last season brought him so much fame and glory, and now that tricky second year in backing up all that starts here. He will go as one of the favourites in 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions golf betting simply because of the remarkably prolific and consistent golf he produced last year., in which was just his third year on the PGA Tour. If he starts off with a bang then there’s no guessing just what he can accomplish this year. Has to have more titles on his way, has to be a contender here, simply has the perfect all round game. This is Simpson’s first crack at the Tournament of Champions, but it shouldn’t phase him.
Nick Watney: 10/1 at SkyBet
Another player with great consistency, but just want to see him win more. Picked up a couple of Tour titles last season, and that is why he is here in 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions golf betting. Went off the boil a little bit in the last quarter of the season, and really didn’t hit the headlines as he was expected too in the Majors. Still, clearly the talent is there to build upon and you really want to see him with a strong start on the Plantation Course. It should suit him well and if he gets going with the putter than can see him being a strong place bet.
KJ Choi: 16/1 at Bet365
Is at the head of a crop of players around the same odds, and that is because they are all so evenly matched. Choi brings a bit of punch to a round of golf, very plucky but just have questions over his consistency over four rounds. You expect to see his name floating around the top ten at most events, but simply doesn’t capitalize enough.
Keegan Bradley: 18/1 at Stan James
Walked off with the Rookie of the Year title last year thanks to his PGA Championship title last year. He beat out the other Major winners at the Grand Slam of Golf too right at the end of the year, so proof that he can live at the top of the game. If he can improve upon his all round stats, getting up around the mark of Simpson, then he will be phenomenal. Exciting player to watch, not afraid to have a go at things, and with the course being the way it is, he is going to be our top outside tip for 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions golf betting.
Bill Haas: 18/1 at SkyBet
The FedExCup winner is here and will be looking to improve upon the top eight finish he managed twelve months ago. What Haas up his sleeve is an uncanny knack of sticking it on the greens. Clearly that is not going to be an issue this week, but is he going to have a red hot putter? Racked up good consistency stats as always last year, but translating it into wins is a little short.
Gary Woodland: 18/1 at Totesport
Woodland has attracted a huge amount of interest in 2012 Hyundai Tournament of Champions golf betting. Here is why. The American is one of the biggest hitters on the Tour, and we mean, big. But he also pulls accuracy into that as well, and because true length is going to be rewarded at the Plantation Course, then Woodland has to be looked at as a serious contender. Is on a very strong consistency streak, great stats in making the greens, but it is that driving which is the big feature. Watch out for him in making a big charge. Worth a place market punt, for sure.
Bubba Watson: 18/1 at SportingBet
Like Woodland, Watson has fantastic distance with which to tear up the course. His accuracy does get him down at times though, but a forgiving course, and the ability he does have to move the ball in the air, he could have a good four days.
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