Sentry Tournament of Champions: Expert Picks

Tournament Information

Sentry Tournament of Champions
Date: January 7^th – 10^th
Course: Kapalua Resort
Purse: $6.7MM ($1.3MM to winner)
2020 Winner: Justin Thomas (-14)
OWGR Points: 64

Course

The Plantation Course at Kapalua – Built in 1991, this quite long course (7,596 yards) is a rare par 73 for a PGA course, it holds a slope rating of 144 and a course rating of 77. 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.

Photo by Sam Greenwood/Getty Images

My Starting 4

Hideki Matsuyama (first selection this year) — Matsuyama had one of the best performers here over the last four years. He finished second here in 2017 and fourth here in 2018 and then did not participate in 2019 or 2020. He’s back and I’m excited to see what he can do.

Dustin Johnson (first selection this year) — Johnson is the only golfer with four consecutive top 10 finishes here 2017 to 2020.

Justin Thomas (third selection this year) — As we run through the Hawaii stretch, Thomas is the favorite more often than not. He won twice here in the last four years. He’s fourth in total strokes gained.

Xander Schauffele (second selection this year) — Schauffele finished in the top two each of the last two years here. Not to one up Justin Thomas, but he’s third in total strokes gained.

My Bench 2

Patrick Reed (second selection this year) — Reed finished in the top 25 three of the last four years at Kapalua. Reed is 13th in total strokes gained.

Cameron Champ (first selection this year) — Champ struggled to start this season with back to back missed cuts. He has since rebounded with top 20 finishes in three straight tournaments. He finished in the top 15 each of the last two years here.

Fun Fact: From 1956-2013 this tournament kicked off the new PGA season. IN 2013 PGA changed to it’s current wrap around event with the season beginning in November of the previous year. It still kicks off the new year.

2020-2021 Stats
Starting 4: avg finish 38th (30th percent)
Bench 2: avg finish 53rd (42nd percent)