The PGA Tour is heading to the East Coast this week for the Honda Classic, and this will herald the start of the Florida swing. Last weekend saw history made at the Genesis Open, as Joaquin Niemann became the youngest winner of a PGA Tour event (23) since World War II.
You can expect scoring conditions to be tough at the Honda Classic compared to the Genesis Open where Niemann clinched his second PGA Tour title with a total of -19.
With par set at 70, and the course stretched over 7,100 yards, this week won’t be for the faint-hearted. Anyway, at Freebets, we are eagerly anticipating the start of the Honda Classic on Thursday, and we have selected three juicy looking tips to spice up your betting slip.
Cameron Young could come of age
Cameron Young may only be a rookie, but he’s already starting to blaze a trail on the PGA Tour. He’s second in the driving stats this season, averaging an incredible 320.5 yards from the tee, and last week, he came home in T2 along with Collin Morikawa at the Genesis Open.
He may only be 24, but he seems to be playing with a maturity beyond his years. In many respects, Young is one of the new breed of golfers that isn’t afraid to take risks, and he doesn’t seem too fazed as to who is he grouped with.
And if you are feeling brave, then William Hill is offering a very long looking 50/1 for him to triumph. However, you could be quids in if it comes through, and we think Young could certainly be in contention come the weekend.
Joaquin Niemann to race out of the blocks
As we saw, Niemann was in the winner’s circle last weekend. Of course, claiming back-to-back victories on the PGA Tour is notoriously difficult, and Niemann is in the nascent stages of his career.
The Chilean was a wire-to-wire winner at the Genesis Open, but don’t expect him to have things all his own way this week. Nevertheless, he could get off to a quick start again, and while the Honda Classic might not necessarily be a birdie fest, Niemann may go on a mini run, and pick up some unexpected strokes.
Anyway, Niemann is at a tempting 30/1 with bet365 to finish the first round as the leader. Judging by his performance last weekend, well that seems to be eminently possible.
Mackenzie Hughes to be cut adrift
Perhaps the cut line may well be set slightly higher than last weekend, but Mackenzie Hughes has been struggling to recapture his best form. The Canadian has missed the cut in two of his three PGA Tour outings this season, and he needs to get his act together, especially with The Masters on the horizon.
He could well have a spare weekend on his hands again, as he is a short 13/8 to miss the cut with bet365.
