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Sentry Tournament of Champions – Expert Picks

With such a shallow field, there isn’t much variance between first and last

By Mark Abell
PGA: Ryder Cup - Practice Round Ian Rutherford-USA TODAY Sports

Tournament Information

Sentry Tournament of Champions – This event only includes golfers who won an event in 2018.
Date: January 3rd – 6th
Course: Kapalua Resort Plantantion Course
Purse: $6.5MM ($1.3MM to winner)
FedEx points: 500 to the winner
2018 Winner: Dustin Johnson (-14)

Course:

The Plantation Course at Kapula – It is quite a scenic course as we make our way through the Hawaii leg of the season. It takes some cues from links courses with rolling hills and wide fairways. Winds off the water can wreak havoc on shots, this could be cross winds, headwinds and even tail winds depending on the hole (especially hole 9 which is all headwinds). This course provides a daring layout for those that can hit the proper shots so look for the riskier players to take some gambles here.

Starting 4

Patrick Reed (1st start this year). He finished 2ndhere in 2016 and 6th here in 2017. He did not play here in 2018 but he’s back and ready to be a top 6 finisher in 2019. His two starts this season are 7thand 1st place.

Jon Rahm (1st start this year). He finished 2nd last year in his only play at the Tournament of Champions. In his two starts this season he has a 22nd place finish and 1st place finish.

Brandt Snedeker (1st start this year). He played here in 2016 and 2017 finishing 3rd and 14th, he didn’t play here last year and he’s back (after an amazing performance in the Wyndham Championship behind his 59 shot in round 1).

Jason Day (1st start this year) I utilized him heavy at the end of last year and now I will bookend it to start the 2019 year. He finished 10th here in 2016, 12th in 2017 and did not play last year. He won the Farmers Insurance Open and Wells Fargo Championship last year.

PGA: The Tour Championship - First Round John David Mercer-USA TODAY Sports

Bench 2

Justin Thomas (1st start this year). The ONLY golfer with top 25 finishes each of the last three years Justin has ‘made’ the tournament but I wouldn’t say he ‘excelled’ at this tournament, especially when there are typically only 30 golfers here.

Aaron Wise (1st start this year). He has two tournaments this season both with top 15 finishes. No history here to go off.