2023 Honda Classic: Odds, course history, players to watch and picks to win

After back-to-back designated events and a long run on the West Coast, the PGA Tour is headed to Florida for the next month, starting with the Honda Classic at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens.

Due to its place in the schedule, the field is underwhelming.

Sungjae Im and Billy Horschel are a few of the big names while Sepp Straka returns to defend his title.

This year will mark the end of Honda’s sponsorship of the event as the Tour narrows down the list of potential replacements.

Pierceson Coody, the 2022 PGA Tour University No. 1 and two-time Korn Ferry Tour winner, will make his first start on Tour as a professional.

Golf course

PGA National | Par 70 | 7,125 yards | Tom Fazio design

Course comparisons (according to Data Golf): 1. Ridgewood Country Club, 2. Grand Reserve Country Club, 3. CordeValle GC

No. 11 at PGA National’s Champion Course in Florida (Courtesy of PGA National)

Course history

Odds, picks to win

Last week (Genesis Invitational)

A disappointing week from our outright selections. Will Zalatoris was our highest finisher, coming in at solo fourth. Jason Day tied for ninth while Rory McIlroy couldn’t get anything going on the greens and tied for 29th. Justin Thomas finished T-20.

Position plays on the other hand, we were 3 for 4. Tiger to make the cut, Max Homa top 20 and Viktor Hovland top 20 all cashed (missed Jordan Spieth top 20) — +2.9 units.

If you’re interested in following my betting plays, find my Twitter here (@rileyhamel_). My card is posted every Wednesday.

Odds

Shane Lowry (16/1)

Shane Lowry plays his shot on the thirteenth-hole fairway during the first round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

I was all over Shane Lowry at the Honda last season, then a monsoon hit while he stood on the 18th tee box. He failed to birdie the last and finished one behind Straka.

It’s time to go back to him.

A week after missing the cut at the WM Phoenix Open, Lowry tied for 14th at the Genesis Invitational.

Lowry has finished second, 36th and 21st over the last three seasons at PGA National.

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Harris English (40/1)

Harris English hits from the second hole tee during the third round of The Genesis Invitational golf tournament. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-USA TODAY Sports

Harris English is still on the comeback trail, and last week was a step in the right direction. The Georgia Bulldog tied for 12th at the Genesis thanks to a Sunday 65.

Don’t be surprised if that momentum carries over into the Honda, an event in which he’s had success in the past.

He hasn’t been back to Palm Beach Gardens in the last two seasons but in 2020 finished 17th, in ’19 finished 12th and 33rd in ’18.

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Denny McCarthy (25/1)

Denny McCarthy plays his shot on the fourth fairway during the final round of the AT&T Pebble Beach Pro-Am golf tournament at Pebble Beach Golf Links. Mandatory Credit: Ray Acevedo-USA TODAY Sports

Denny McCarthy may be my favorite play of the week.

He’s coming off a T-14 performance at the Genesis and has played well at PGA National in recent years. McCarthy finished 30th last season and 3rd in ’21.

He should be able to rise to the top in a weaker field thanks to his flat-stick.

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Story originally appeared on GolfWeek