Sony Open: Sleeper Candidates that could Surprise

The Sony Open is next in line for the PGA Tour, and it’s the first full-field event that we have had in a while. This means there are plenty of strong sleeper picks that could make a run.

The 2020 PGA Tour season started back up last week with the Sentry, but it was only a 34 person field. This week, we are back to a full field as the Sony Open gets underway. With a full roster of golfers, there are plenty of strong sleeper candidates to keep an eye out for.

Let’s go with the old standard of setting the cutoff at 45/1, or +4500. If you are at that line or better, I don’t think you can truly be considered a sleeper. Your odds are just too good, or you are close enough to the top of the list that if you were to win, it wouldn’t surprise that many people.

That means that there are 15 golfers who are ineligible this week for sleeper status. Site favorites Abraham Ancer and Corey Conners are out of luck, as they are both coming in around +4000.

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Before we get to this week’s picks, let’s take a quick look at how last week’s selections did at the Sentry Tournament of Champions.

Kevin Na: T-32nd (+10)… ouch

Joaquin Niemann: T-5th (-10) opened with a 66, but shot 72-74 the next two days to fall out of serious contention.

Dylan Frittelli: 31st (+5)… also not good

Sebastian Munoz: T-17th (-3) A Day two 75 hurt his chances of getting into the top 10.

Sung-hoon Kang: T-25th (Even) was one of the most consistent golfers, shooting 72-73-73-74.

Niemann definitely saved last week’s picks. With all the top-end talent in last week’s field, the top ten finishers are littered with big names. Let’s get started on this week’s picks, and see if we can do a bit better.

Sebastian Munoz: +6600

Munoz struggled a bit at the Sentry last week, but a lot of players did, letting the wind get the better of them. I don’t see that happening this week, especially with Munoz having played well at the Sony Open in the past.

He played well there last year, shooting 68-65-68-65 to finish T-10th at -14. With another year of experience, some top-ten finishes, and a win under his belt since then, I like Munoz to contend for the win this week at the Sony Open.

Lanto Griffin: +8000

Griffin has only played in the Sony Open once, back in 2018. He looked good heading into Sunday, before finishing with a +2 72 in his final round. I see him building off of a strong week at the Sentry last week, and finishing in the top ten this week. His consistent play will likely get him there, as he ranks 68th, 68th, 48th, and 22nd in the four SG categories, which is good enough to get him to 14th overall.

Emiliano Grillo: +8000

There is one thing, and one thing only that is going to determine the success of Grillo this week. His Putter. It has, other than an insane blip where he finished 10th in 2018, been historically bad. 107th in 2016, 142nd in 2017, 185th in 2019, and so far in 2020 he is 229th. He does great off the tee and on approach shots. Around the green is solid as well. If the putter heats up at all, look for Grillo to finish top ten, or even make a run depending on how smooth he’s rolling it.

Hudson Swafford: +20000

Swafford, while being a relative unknown in the golf world, has played well at the Sony Open in his career. He ended up T-3rd shooting a final round -6 to finish at -17 overall last year and finished T-13th in 2017 after an opening-round 62. He finished T-9th in 2016, and T-8th in 2014. That’s three top ten’s and a 13th. For someone coming in at +20000, I couldn’t give you a better sleeper candidate for the Sony Open.

Ted Potter Jr: +40000

Potter Jr. has finished T-13th twice in his career at the Sony Open. First, in 2012, and then at last year’s event as well. He consistently shoots between 65-68 on one of the opening first two rounds. His weekend will be determined by his accompanying round. When he makes the cut, he does well, as you can see by the T-13th finishes. I’m calling for a little bit better finish, as he starts off well, makes the cut, and finishes in the top ten.

Next. Brooks Koepka makes return to golf at Abu Dhabi Championship. dark

That’s going to do it for the sleeper candidate picks for this week at The Sony Open. If you think any of these are too far-fetched or think there are better options, let us know!

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