PGA Tour 2019 Puerto Rico Open Odds & Picks
By Michael Harrison in Golf
Updated: March 24, 2020 at 12:57 pm EDTPublished:
- Unpredictable field tees it up at the Puerto Rico Open on February 21
- Interesting mix of youngsters and wily veterans competing for the title
- We’ve narrowed down the golfers with the best chance of emerging victorious
After a year off as an official PGA Tour event following the devastation left behind by Hurricane Maria, the Puerto Rico Open is back as the opposite-field event to the World Golf Championships-WGC Mexico Championship.
With the eclectic field, this event is a wild free-for-all affair which makes things difficult to predict, but fun to envision an up-and-comer hoisting the hardware or a grizzled veteran finally breaking through.
2019 Puerto Rico Open Odds
| Golfer | Odds |
|---|---|
| Daniel Berger | +1400 |
| Graeme McDowell | +1800 |
| Peter Uihlein | +1800 |
| Matt Every | +2500 |
| Scott Brown | +2500 |
| Charl Schwartzel | +2800 |
| Aaron Baddeley | +2800 |
| Corey Conners | +2800 |
| Sam Horsfield | +3300 |
| Roberto Castro | +3500 |
| Nate Lashley | +3500 |
| Matt Jones | +4000 |
| Sang Moon Bae | +4000 |
| Retief Goosen | +4500 |
| Chris Kirk | +4500 |
*Odds taken Feb 20
What has happened to Charl Schwartzel?
Once among the games elite, Charl Schwartzel has fallen on hard times. The 2011 Masters Champion and former world #6 has tumbled all the way down to 99th in the world rankings.
He’s dropped so far that he’s ineligible for the WGC-Mexico leading to his place in this field.
Evidently, Schwartzel has been doing that too much lately. He’s failed to find the weekend in his last five starts, leading to five other guys favored over him this week. He’s a recognizable name but resist placing a wager on him.
Last 5 Puerto Rico Open Winners
| Year | Winner |
|---|---|
| 2017 | DA Points |
| 2016 | Tony Finau |
| 2015 | Alex Cejka |
| 2014 | Chesson Hadley |
| 2013 | Scott Brown |
*2018 tournament was replaced by an unofficial charity event.
Wide-open race at the Puerto Rico Open
Those last four winners really do shine a light on the unpredictable nature of this event with young guns (Finau, Hadley) alternating with established vets (Points, Cejka) for who took home the title. Keeping with that trend, a promising upstart would take home the trophy this time around.
Corey Conners’ action is so good.
Here’s hoping he puts it all together for a week this season and lifts his first 🏆
— Adam Stanley (@adam_stanley) January 14, 2019
Perhaps it could be Canadian Corey Conners. This is admittedly a boom or bust pick – he has a second and third place showing already this season, but five missed cuts and a T-23rd result otherwise.
He’s been in contention enough to know how to handle the pressure, notably in the final round with Tiger Woods at the Valspar last year. At +2800, Conners is a solid bet.
2019 Puerto Rico Open Best Value Picks
- Chris Kirk (+4500): With most everyone in the field struggling with their game this could be the perfect time for the four-time tour winner to add another notch to his total.
- Curtis Luck (+5000): 22-year old former amateur world #1 has the pedigree to dominate. Coming off a T-28 at Pebble Beach two weeks ago.
- David Hearn (+5500): Recorded top-25 finishes in all four starts at this event, with best being T-8th in 2013.
- Ben Crane (+8000): The five-time tour winner has a propensity to come out of nowhere to contend in random tournaments.
Sports & Entertainment Writer
Michael "Hound Dog" Harrison is well known in the sports industry as the resident statistician for the SC with Jay Onrait Show. He has worked at TSN for over 19 years, is the CEO of his "All Bets Par Off" weekly golf betting videos and his HDOG POD, along with several others.
