Hyundai Tournament of Champions: golf betting guide

Our golf betting tipster analyses the field and comes up with some top tips ahead of the PGA Tour's Hyundai Tournament of Champions at Kapalua's Plantation Course in Hawaii

Adam Scott
Nick Bonfield
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Hyundai Tournament of Champions: golf betting guide

The first event of 2014, the PGA Tour's Hyundai Tournament of Champions, gets underway on Friday on the Plantation Course at Kapalua.

The limited-field event, restricted to those who won on the PGA Tour in 2013, offers a sizeable prize pool for just 30 players and presents a great opportunity for an early-season cash injection.

Whilst the PGA Tour's biggest hitters - the likes of Tiger Woods and Phil Mickelson - aren't taking part this week, a number of big names have made the short trip from the mainland.

Adam Scott, Jason Dufner, Matt Kuchar and Webb Simpson are among the players joining defending champion Dustin Johnson in the field.

The Plantation Course at Kapalua is one of the most scenic courses on the PGA Tour roster, with strong winds, severe elevation changes and numerous scoring opportunities creating an exciting spectacle.

Adam Scott - at 5/1 with Ladbrokes - is the clear favourite this week, but he just can't be ignored on current form. He was desperately unlucky to miss out on the Australian Triple Crown at the back end of 2013 and his length, aggressive style of play and birdie average make him an ideal candidate this week.

Chris Kirk - at 25/1 with Ladbrokes - is one of the PGA Tour's best young players. He won the McGladrey Classic on a seaside course in November and finished 7th on debut in 2012 despite an opening 75. The American also ranked 6th on the PGA Tour in Proximity to the Hole last season.

Patrick Reed might be making his debut this week, but 80/1 with Ladbrokes is very tempting on a player who tends to make a lot of birdies when he finds his form. He's been relatively quiet since his victory at the Wyndham Championship, but his aggressive disposition and length off the tee, coupled with Kapalua's lack of rough and reachable par 5s, could see Reed contend.

Hyundai Tournament of Champions advised bets:

4pts each way on Adam Scott at 4/1 with Ladbrokes 3pts each way on Chris Kirk at 25/1 with Ladbrokes 2pts each way on Patrick Reed at 80/1 with Ladbrokes

Nick Bonfield
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

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