Sony Open in Hawaii betting guide

Our golf betting tipster analyses the field and comes up with his Sony Open in Hawaii betting guide ahead of the first full-field PGA Tour event of 2014

Jordan Spieth

Sony Open in Hawaii betting guide

The PGA Tour stays in Hawaii this week for the Sony Open at Waialae Country Club - the first full-field event of 2014.

A strong field has assembled at Waialae and the likes of Jason Dufner, Matt Kuchar and Adam Scott have opted to take part this week.

The Hawaiian Open has been contested at Waialae since 1965, and whilst low scoring is often a common feature, it is one of the tightest courses on the PGA Tour roster.

As such, those who don't find the short grass on a regular basis will not be in a position to attack pins.

Jordan Spieth, at 16/1 with Ladbrokes, is understandably one of the favourite this week. He's been brilliant since the start of his professional journey and he played some fine golf on debut at Kapalua last week en route to a second-place finish. Spieth ranked third on the PGA Tour in 2013 in the All-Around Ranking and 18th in Driving Accuracy.

Charles Howell III, also 16/1 with Ladbrokes, is a must-bet at Waialae. The American has recorded seven top-five finishes here - including second places in 2007 and 2012 - and he'll be fully aware he needs to start winning on a more regular basis.

Brian Gay, at 40/1 with Ladbrokes, has been in excellent form over the past 12 months. He tends to excel on shorter course - as he showed in winning the Heritage at Harbour town - and he's one of best chippers and putters on tour. He finished 13th last week at Kapalua and he's notched two top-six finishes at the Sony Open since 2008.

Bo Van Pelt, at 66/1 with Ladbrokes, will be looking to bounce back after an inauspicious campaign in 2013. The American boasts one of the best all-round games on the PGA Tour and he'll be desperate to start this year with aplomb. Sean O'Hair, at 100/1 with Ladbrokes, is always worth a bet at Kapalua. The American struggled for most of the 2013 season, but he bounced back admirably to re-gain a tour card and ended the season with a string of impressive performances. He didn't play in Hawaii in 2013, but he tied for second here in 2012.

Sony Open in Hawaii betting tips:

3pts each way on Jordan Spieth at 16/1 with Ladbrokes 3pts each way on Charles Howell III at 16/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts eah way on Brian Gay at 40/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Bo Van Pelt at 66/1 with Ladbrokes 1pt each way on Sean O'Hair at 100/1 with Ladbrokes

Nick Bonfield
Features Editor

Nick Bonfield joined Golf Monthly in 2012 after graduating from Exeter University and earning an NCTJ-accredited journalism diploma from News Associates in Wimbledon. He is responsible for managing production of the magazine, sub-editing, writing, commissioning and coordinating all features across print and online. Most of his online work is opinion-based and typically centres around the Majors and significant events in the global golfing calendar. Nick has been an avid golf fan since the age of ten and became obsessed with the professional game after watching Mike Weir and Shaun Micheel win The Masters and PGA Championship respectively in 2003. In his time with Golf Monthly, he's interviewed the likes of Rory McIlroy, Justin Rose, Jose Maria Olazabal, Henrik Stenson, Padraig Harrington, Lee Westwood and Billy Horschel and has ghost-written columns for Westwood, Wayne Riley, Matthew Southgate, Chris Wood and Eddie Pepperell. Nick is a 12-handicap golfer and his favourite courses include Old Head, Sunningdale New, Penha Longha, Valderrama and Bearwood Lakes. If you have a feature pitch for Nick, please email nick.bonfield@futurenet.com with 'Pitch' in the subject line. Nick is currently playing: Driver: TaylorMade M1 Fairway wood: TaylorMade RBZ Stage 2 Hybrid: Ping Crossover Irons (4-9): Nike Vapor Speed Wedges: Cleveland CBX Full Face, 56˚, Titleist Vokey SM4, 60˚ Putter: testing in progress! Ball: TaylorMade TP5x