The absence of the top echelon of world golf (competing for a bigger prize at the WGC Cadillac Championship) makes things interesting in the second of two tournaments on the PGA Tour this week. The second tier Puerto Rico Open still features nine past major winners, but it will be nigh on impossible to predict a winner. We’ll give you the best chance, by showcasing the course; the defending champion; and the notables in the field.
Read more on our Puerto Rico Open Preview below:
The Course
Donald Trump is increasing turning to golf to build his investment empire and the Trump International GC in Puerto Rico is just one of many golfing properties the magnate has an interest in. It’s a 7,506 yards par 72, designed by Tom Kite, and built into lush rainforests. The Course has been a stop on the PGA Tour itinerary since 2008.
The Sound Bite
“Chesson Headley” – The name etched on the plate of the defending champion at the Puerto Rico Open wasn’t quite right. Not the sort of love a defending champion would expect.
The Defending Champion
Hadley (not Headley) took out the tile last year by two shots form New Zealander Danny Lee. It was only Hadley’s 13th PGA Tour event, not that you would know that from his closing 67 to set a tournament scoring record. He’s back to defend his title, but has made just one cut in his past five events.
The Contenders*
Vaughn Taylor– $29.00
Chesson Hadley – $29.00
Ryo Ishikawa – $34.00
Adam Hadwin – $34.00
Zac Blair – $41.00
Steven Alker – $251.00
*Puerto Rico Open odds courtesy of Sportsbet.
The Winner
Taylor is a lot of peoples favourite because he’s been in the top 25 in last five starts across two tours. He’s also 3-for-3 made cuts at the Puerto Rico Open, including a T14 in 2013. Ishikawa is 3-for-3 too, but wildly inconsistent this year. Anyone’s guess to be honest and it takes an absolute addict to be gambling on this event anyway. Nonetheless, we’ll go Hadwin (or Svoboda)
As an aside, the past major winners lining up are: John Daly, David Duval, Trevor Immelman, David Toms, Mark Calcavecchia, Ben Curtis, Todd Hamilton, Y.E. Yang and Lee Janzen.
