OK, you’re a PGA Tour player looking up at the official world golf rankings (sometimes way, way up) and you’re wondering what it’s going to take for you to move up to those heights.
The answer is simple: Win.
But while the answer is simple, there are hundreds and hundreds of other golfers down the list who have the same dream and are also looking for that result..a win.
You see the entry list in this week’s main Tour event, the Arnold Palmer Invitational, and you see names like Scottie Scheffler, Rory McIlroy and others ranked in the top 50 and wonder why they are up there and you’re not.
See the answer above: Win.
While many of the top guys are battling it out in the $20 million tournament in Florida, there are 144 players battling in this off-field event, the $3.8 million Puerto Rico Open.
The winner will pocket $720,000 and 300 FedEx Cup points as well as all of the perks that come with winning a PGA Tour event.
So, instead of wishing you were battling it out with the big guys, here’s a chance to make the most of this outing and win.
That will give you the chance to take that next step and take part in the bigger events.
And if you’re one of the players in the 40-something age bracket looking to make a comeback, this is also an ideal spot.
One final bit of advice: Don’t look at this as an also-ran event. Look at it as an opportunity to get in the winner’s circle--whether it’s for the first time or for the first time in a long time.
Past champions here who have gone on to have stellar PGA Tour careers include the likes of Tony Finau and Viktor Hovland.
Want to make your mark on the PGA Tour? This is your week to maybe make it happen.
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Sportsbooks struggle to handicap Puerto Rico Open odds
Most PGA Tour events feature at least 10 or so favorites that lead the way when it comes to setting the odds.
This week isn’t one of them.
Not when Rasmus Hojgaard is this week’s favorite at .
Unless you’re a hardcore golf fan, you haven’t heard much about Hojgaard, if anything.
After all, he’s only played in 17 PGA Tour events in his short career. He’s made just eight cuts and has pocketed just under half a million dollars.
Not exactly what bettors are looking to back when it comes to favorites.
We’ll look elsewhere.
Puerto Rico Open odds: Defending champ not on our bet slip
While we love looking at defending champions, this week won’t be one of them.
Nico Echavarria is the defending champion (bet you didn’t remember that) but we’re going to stay away, even at .
That’s not surprising.
Echavarria picked up his first (and only, so far) PGA Tour win in this off-field event in 2023.
Since that win it’s been a struggle to make an impact on Tour.
A big struggle.
Since turning pro, he’s made only 12 of 36 cuts.
He’s got just one top-10 finish and that’s his win here last year.
He has made four cuts in 2024 but he’s got two mid-20 finishes and two mid-60 finishes and earned just over a quarter of a million dollars in those four made cuts.
He’s shown flashes of great play, like here in 2023 when he posted four rounds in the 60s in winning by two strokes.
He did have a resurgence in his game last week at the Cognizant Classic where he was T-21.
While that should give him positive vibes coming back to the scene of his only win on Tour, we don’t think that will be enough of a factor for him to go back-to-back.
More golf wagering: Best golf betting sites | Arnold Palmer Invitational odds, props, predictions
Puerto Rico Open bet to consider: Daniel Berger
Daniel Berger, at this week, has had a rough past year.
He was out of action for about 19 months with back woes…not good for a golfer at any level let alone on the PGA Tour.
He’s back and trying to find his game again.
He’s made two cuts in four events in 2024 with a best of T-28 at the WM Phoenix Open.
He’s coming in under the radar and his game is getting there.
In a field like this week’s tournament, with limited star-power, it might just be the event that kickstarts his comeback.
Puerto Rico Open longshot bet: Bill Haas
We know what you’re thinking: Are you kidding?
For Bill Haas, at some of his longest odds at this week, is playing one of those events where he’s comfortable.
He’s had more than his share of ups and downs in recent years but he’s played here the last three seasons with a best showing of T-11 last year.
He’s only played one event in 2024 where he had a missed cut at the American Express despite a solid opening round.
It’s been awhile since he’s hoisted a trophy (the 2015 Humana Challenge) but like a few others this week, he’s looking to get back in the winner’s circle.
Lightning can strike again.
Just ask Lucas Glover, Camilo Villegas and a couple of others who posted victories in 2023 after years of struggling just to compete on the PGA Tour.
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