First Round Leader Odds and Best Bets at Sentry Tournament of Champions

• The first PGA Tour event of 2022 is the Sentry Tournament of Champions in Kapalua, HI, January 6th-9th
• Jon Rahm is the slight +1100 favorite over Justin Thomas to lead after the first round
• See the best bets and odds to grab the first-round lead in the article below 

After the PGA Tour contested the last official tournament in November, the first event of 2022 is teeing off for the Sentry Tournament of Champions. Only the winners from the 2021 calendar year qualified for the event, which sees an exceptional field, minus Rory McIlroy, who declined to participate.

Jon Rahm, who won the 2021 US Open, is the favorite to add to his trophy case this week, ahead of both Justin Thomas and Patrick Cantlay. Going low on this rare par-73 track is imperative for success, and this week should be no exception with such a world-class field.

In this article, we’ll explore which players have the best chance of being the leader after day one, along with what players were fast starters on Thursday’s this past season.

2022 Sentry Tournament of Champions First Round Leader Odds

Odds as of January 5th at DraftKings

The forecast is expected to be mainly sunny throughout the day with temperatures in the mid 70’s and only a ten percent chance of precipitation. The wind will remain steady throughout with gusts around twelve miles per hour for all of Thursday.

Spieth Sensational at Kapalua

Even though Jordan Spieth hasn’t played this event since 2018, after going winless for three years, don’t sleep on him this week. In his four prior tournaments at Kapalua, he’s been nothing short of sensational.

In this four instances, the three-time major champ has a victory in 2016, a runner-up in 2014, T-3 in 2017 and another top-10 the following year. Subsequently, his numbers around this track have been otherworldly.

Jordan Spieth's ranks at the Plantation Course at Kapalua for golfers in this year's @Sentry_TOC field with at least 12 rounds for the following categories:

Scoring Average: 1st (68.25)
Average Finish: 1st (3.75)
% of Rounds in 60s: 1st (68.75%)
SG: Total per Round: 1st (2.246)

— Phillip Allen (@PhilAllen_Golf) January 4, 2022

Spieth posted nine-top 10’s last year, including the victory at the Valero Texas Open to qualify him for this week, and he also had four other top-3 results. Given his great record around these parts, he sports good value.

• Pick: Jordan Spieth (+2000)

Kokrak Becoming a Force

After struggling to break through into the winner’s circle for many seasons, Jason Kokrak has found the winning touch, claiming three trophies in a span of span of 13 months. Included in that was the last time he teed it up, as he emerged victorious at the Houston Open.

Last campaign, he was also a quick starter, which bodes well for his chance to grab the lead after 18 holes.

2020-21 PGA Tour First Round Scoring Average Leaders

Kokrak is able to make birdies in bunches, ranking twelfth last season, and he was also seventh in putting. Considering his strong play in the last year plus he won in his last start, you’re getting him at solid odds.

• Pick: Jason Kokrak (+2800)

Gooch Played Excellent Golf to End Season

Another golfer who also won in his last start was Talor Gooch, who claimed the RSM Classic for his first PGA Tour title. He also has the same odds as Kokrak at +2800 to grab the first round lead. In his last six starts, he placed inside the top-eleven in all but one occasion, with three top-five results.

Gooch’s Strokes Gained Stats In Last 24 Rounds

Gooch leads the money list and FedEx Cup points standings for his efforts in the fall events on the calendar, where he was fifth in scoring. He’s third in first round scoring for the 2021-22 campaign, of golfers who made at least three starts.

• Pick: Talor Gooch (+2800)