Puerto Rico is the destination of the PGA Tour’s secondary tournament this week. While the hot shots will be in Texas at the WGC Dell Match Play, the remaining golf pros will be in beautiful Rio Grande, Puerto Rico for the 17th annual Puerto Rico Open.
A tournament played opposite a WGC event always has some problems attracting a strong field, but the betting field does have some household names and six major winners. Major winners Graeme McDowell (+1300) and Angel Cabrera, as well as rookies Dominic Bozzelli (+3750) and Wesley Bryan (+1200), whose 2017 calendar has been very solid, headline this week’s Puerto Rico Open.
Who’s Playing In Puerto Rico
American Peter Uihlein (+2000) makes a rare start on the PGA Tour and is joined by fellow European Tour players Andrew “Big Beef” Johnston (+7200), Ian Poulter (+2200), and Fabrizio Zanotti (+2750).
Others to keep your eye on include 2015 champion Alex Cejka (+3000), 2013 winner Scott Brown (+2400), and Danny Lee (+2600).
Six of the past nine winners in Puerto Rico have been first-time champs, including last year’s Tony Finau.
Venue: Coco Beach Golf and Country Club is a Tom Kite design, resort course, established in 2007. The par-72 layout measures over 7,500 yards and can be tricky if the wind kicks up. Last year Tony Finau picked up the win by reaching 12-under par. Chesson Hadley holds the tournament record of 21-under par in 2014.
Date: March 23-26, 2017 – Golf Channel
TV Coverage: Thursday-Friday, 10:30 a.m.-1:30 p.m. ET – Golf Channel. Saturday, 2-5:30 p.m. – Golf Channel. Sunday, 2:30-5:30 p.m. – Golf Channel.
Let’s take a look at the current golf odds
Current Puerto Rico Open Golf Odds:
- Wesley Bryan +1200
- Graeme McDowell +1300
- Graham DeLaet +1400
- Matt Jones +1800
- Peter Uihlein +2000
- Luke List +2100
- Ian Poulter +2200
- J.T. Poston +2300
- Scott Brown +2400
- Chris Kirk +2500
- Danny Lee +2600
- Fabrizio Zanotti +2750
- David Hearn +2850
- J.J. Spaun +2950
- Alex Cejka +3000
- Brandon Hagy +3150
- Seamus Power +3200
- Boo Weekley +3550
- Dominic Bozzelli +3750
- Nick Taylor +4000
- Scott Stallings +4150
- Cameron Percy +4250
- Chesson Hadley +4400
- John Peterson +4500
- Thorbjorn Olesen +4600
- Cameron Tringale +4750
- Camilo Villegas +4800
- Seung-Yul Noh +5000
- Sung Kang +5150
- Tim Wilkinson +5350
- Tyrone Van Aswegen +5500
- Will MacKenzie +5600
- Bryson DeChambeau +5850
- Harold Varner III +6000
- Jonas Blixt +6100
- Ryan Blaum +6300
- Ben Crane +6500
- Robert Garrigus +6600
- Willy Wilcox +7000
- Andrew Johnston +7200
- Martin Flores +7350
- K.J. Choi +7500
- Sam Saunders +7700
- Greg Owen +7999
- Hunter Mahan +8250
- J.J. Henry +8500
- John Senden + 8666
- Jonathan Byrd +9000
- Michael Thompson +9250
- Richy Werenski +9500
- Robby Shelton +9999
- Rory Sabbatini +10000
- Trey Mullinax +10100
- Zac Blair +10500
- Fabian Gomez +10550
- FIELD – Any Other Player +375
(Odds courtesy of Bookmaker.eu as of March 22, 2017)
Players with value
Scott Brown (+2400) plays well in streaks and in Puerto Rico he has a win in five starts, along with three other top tens. Most of his year has been disappointing with only one strong finish – a T2 at the Genesis Open in LA – but there’s something about Puerto Rico that brings out the best in him.
Aussie John Senden (+8666) has the game to compete on this course. He hits it straight, is a great ball-striker, and thrives playing in the wind. It would not surprise me to see Senden in the mix this week.
Boo Weekley (+3550) is not going to win many more tournaments in his career. His best days are past but he’s been sticking to a diet and exercise regimen as of late. He may have a few more wins left in his tank, and one could definitely come this week.
Weekley, the country boy from the Florida panhandle, has had some success in Puerto Rico with multiple top ten’s in six career starts. If the wind blows and the course dries out, Weekley could very well be in the mix on a gorgeous Puerto Rican Sunday afternoon.
Check out the very latest Puerto Rico Open betting odds and match up odds.
