Bob Weeks Picks Six – The Honda Classic

TSN Senior Reporter

Follow| Archive

The Honda Classic is annually one of the toughest tests on the tour. The scoring average last year was 71.10, just slightly under par. The most difficult part of this course might be the three-hole stretch known as the Bear Trap, which begins on the 15th hole. Many titles have been won and lost here – although mostly lost.

The depth of the field is not great this week, with no player from the top 10 in the world ranking entered and just five inside the top 25. Six Canadians are entered: Michael Gligic, Mackenzie Hughes, Roger Sloan, Taylor Pendrith, Adam Svensson and Nick Taylor.

Also entered are last week’s winner of the Genesis Invitational, Joaquin Niemann, and the defending champion Matt Jones.

Here are my picks for this week:

Outright Winners

Sung Jae Im +1200

The winner of this tournament in 2020, Im also logged a top-eight finish in his title defence last year. He has a victory on his resume this season, capturing the Shriners Children’s Open in October. In addition, six of his nine finishes are inside the top 20. Statistically, he’s showing some consistency, sitting fourth in Strokes Gained: Total, which is highlighted by his great play around the greens.

Tommy Fleetwood +1400

Fleetwood has a good record at the Honda with finishes of fourth and third to his credit. After a season of mediocre play, he seems to be heading back into that elite group of international players. He had a tie for seventh at the Zozo Championship in his lone PGA Tour start this season and tied for seventh at the Dubai Desert Classic on the DP World Tour. He also finished tied for eighth at the Saudi International.

--

Top 10

Billy Horschel +1800

Florida Man returns to his home state where he’s had