Betting tips: Who to back for the Honda Classic
The one to be on: Adam Scott
I hate backing favourites but there are strong signs Adam Scott could successfully defend his Honda Classic title.
Ninth and 11th in his last two outings, his accurate hitting makes him very attractive again at PGA National.
He’s finding nigh on 78 percent of greens in regulation over the last two months. That’s a figure that towers over every other player in the field.
He also leads the tour in strokes gained putting, total putting and is towards the top of the stats in scrambling.
We know he loves the course. Winning last year, he was 12th in 2014. On the downside, Scott’s victory ended a run of big priced winners of the event. He’s also not renowned for defending his titles.
But, at 12/1, he’ll be on my Honda Classic list this week.
Sergio Garcia’s 49th at Riviera was disappointing given his Dubai success but let’s hope that was merely a blip.
Second last year and eighth in 2014, it’s hard not to have him on your roster here.
With great driving and GIR stats, PGA National is a course where you’d expect him to thrive. The 18/1 will have supporters.
Rickie Fowler should already have this trophy on his mantelpiece – starting last year with consecutive 66s before falling away at the weekend.
But a further top 10 in 2012 and an excellent showing at the Phoenix Open, should make him a popular choice.
The each-way back: Louis Oosthuizen
It’s curious Louis Oosthuizen has turned up at the Honda Classic – having not played in the event since a missed cut in 2013 and following his exertions in the Super 6 last week in Australia.
If he’s got over the jetlag, the 33/1 on him is interesting. PGA National can be a bit exposed at times and the South African, as we’ve seen from his Open form, knows how to handle the wind.
Fifth last weekend, he was third in the Phoenix Open. If he’s ready, he should definitely contend.
I’ll also be sending a shilling or two Russell Knox’s way. Top 20s in the Tournament of Champions and Sony Open are mitigated by a missed cut at the Phoenix Open.
But some impressive displays at PGA National – second in 2014 and third in 2015 – will see me in at 33/1.
The dark horse: Graeme McDowell
Ninth, ninth, and fifth in the last five years, I’m more than happy to look at the Northern Irishman at 66/1. He’s hit and miss – T13 in Dubai flanked by 67th last week at Riviera.
But good ball strikers flourish at PGA National and that’s one of the former US Open champion’s strengths.
Luke Donald’s form, 23rd and 17th in his last two starts, appears to be improving. Honda top 10s in 2014 and ’15 may persuade me to slide a little cash his way at 66s.
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Steve Carroll
A journalist for 25 years, Steve has been immersed in club golf for almost as long. A former club captain, he has passed the Level 3 Rules of Golf exam with distinction having attended the R&A's prestigious Tournament Administrators and Referees Seminar.
Steve has officiated at a host of high-profile tournaments, including Open Regional Qualifying, PGA Fourball Championship, English Men's Senior Amateur, and the North of England Amateur Championship. In 2023, he made his international debut as part of the team that refereed England vs Switzerland U16 girls.
A part of NCG's Top 100s panel, Steve has a particular love of links golf and is frantically trying to restore his single-figure handicap. He currently floats at around 11.
Steve plays at Close House, in Newcastle, and York GC, where he is a member of the club's matches and competitions committee and referees the annual 36-hole scratch York Rose Bowl.
Having studied history at Newcastle University, he became a journalist having passed his NTCJ exams at Darlington College of Technology.
What's in Steve's bag: TaylorMade Stealth 2 driver, 3-wood, and hybrids; TaylorMade Stealth 2 irons; TaylorMade Hi-Toe, Ping ChipR, Sik Putter.
