Sony Open in Hawaii
Thursday Jan 14 – Sunday Jan 17, 2010
This week's trip on the PGA finds us staying in Hawaii at the Waialae Country Club in Honolulu, a par 70 course and considerably shorter than last weeks at 7,044yds. What seems evident to me when assessing previous course form and results is the importance of hitting the greens in regulation. The last five winners of this tournament ranked in GIR as follows....
2009 - Zach Johnson 12th
2008 - KJ Choi 4th
2007 - Paul Goydos 9th
2006 - David Toms 2nd
2005 - VJ Singh 6th
Last year's tournament, more than in previous years, highlighted the importance of putting average with four of the top five ranking in the top five in PA. With larger than average bermuda greens, they, like last week at Kapalua, run fast and demand a sterling putter.
Again, like last week the wind will play a part and give the course a 'links' feel to it so once again someone who performs well in windy conditions will be a bonus.
Factoring in all the above, the following players are of interest......
Stephen Ames - He's ranked 35th in GIR over the last 12 months which on its own is respectable but its the fact that he ranked 2nd in the same stat last week at Kapalua that interests me. Ames also sits in 7th in PA over the same time period and although his putting wasn't great last week he is generally sound on the greens. In terms of course form, in six appearances Ames has placed in the top ten on three occasions and in his last showing in 2008 managed to card a 65 in round 3. One final point to note is that Ames excels in Florida with a 17% win rate where most greens are fast bermuda grass like those at Waialae. 1pt e/w @ 40/1 (Boylesports, Betfred)
David Toms - Ranking 25th in GIR over the last year, Toms doesnt immediately stand out. However, what does take my interest is his record in Hawaii with a 20% win rate, 40% top 5 and 60% top 10 and in his last five outings at Waialae his results read 2/13/1/13/4 with a course record 61 in 2006. 1.2pts @ 42.67 (Betfair to trade) and 1pt Top Ten @ 10/3 (Stan James)