The PGA TOUR stays in Hawaii this week for the Sony Open. Waialae Country Club will be the host, and measures as a 7,044-yard par 70 with Bermudagrass greens.
We are back to a full-field, 36-hole cut event after last week’s Signature Event at Kapalua. Last week’s champion Hideki Matsuyama, who also won this very event in 2022, will headline the field, alongside the likes of Tom Kim, Sahith Theegala and Russell Henley.
Below I have outlined my two favorite bets for the week.
Sahith Theegala to win (+3000)
If I told you that you can get the 13th ranked golfer in the world at 30/1 in a field without Scottie Scheffler, would you take it? That’s exactly the spot we are in with Theegala this week, as he’s somehow shorter on DraftKings Sportsbook than guys like Benny An, Maverick McNealy and Corey Conners. Nothing against those three, but at their individual bests, none have the upside that Theegala has.
I also love targetting the Pepperdine product a week after he struggles, as he tends to turn it around immediately. There were multiple examples of this last season, as after he missed the cut at the RBC Canadian Open, he posted a T6 at the 3M Open. Theegala then missed another cut at the Open Championship, but bounced right back in his next start, finishing T12 at the Memorial. He’s coming off a very ho-hum T36 performance at Sentry. You get the gist.
Theegala had a really strong 2024 campaign, posting nine top-10s in 25 starts, including a near win at the RBC Heritage, if not for that darned Scottie Scheffler. Theegala has had plenty of success in his career at shorter par 70s, so while his history at Waialae has been unspectacular, he should have no issue figuring out this course eventually. At 30/1, sign me up.
Mackenzie Hughes to win (+5500)
Hughes has made a career out of his elite short game, and 2024 was no different for him. The Canadian missed just four cuts all season (two of which were at majors), while posting five top-eight finishes in his 24 starts. Over the past 24 rounds in this field, Hughes sits No. 1 in both SG: Putting and SG: Around-the-Green, two stats that will be critical this week on these small greens at Waialae.
He’s never had a ton of success at this course, which is a bit surprising considering his skillset, but he did finish T19 back in 2021, and is a way more polished golfer now. We’ve already seen Hughes win twice on the PGA TOUR, one of which came at the RSM Classic, which bares a striking resemblance to Waialae.
Coming off a T6 at the Nedbank Golf Challenge back in early December, Hughes should be well rested and ready to rock this week in Maui.
Place your golf bets at DraftKings Sportsbook or by downloading the DraftKings Sportsbook app.
The Crown Is Yours: Sign up for DraftKings and experience the ultimate host for games and betting experiences!
All odds provided by DraftKings Sportsbook, lines and odds subject to change.
I am a promoter at DraftKings and am also an avid fan and customer (my username is Lan1228) and may sometimes play on my personal account in the games that I offer advice on. Although I have expressed my personal view on the games and strategies above, they do not necessarily reflect the view(s) of DraftKings and do not constitute a representation that any particular strategy will guarantee success. All customers should use their own skill and judgment in building lineups. I may also deploy different players and strategies than what I recommend above. I am not an employee of DraftKings and do not have access to any non-public information.