Sungjae Im Opens as Honda Classic Favorite This Week

Namely, Sungjae Im will be looking to take advantage of a weakened 2023 Honda Classic field.  Action begins on Thursday, February 23. The Honda Classic is a non-designated event.  Correlate, there won’t be as much star power on display as at the Genesis Invitational. However, bettors still have just as many opportunities to make money with their 2023 Honda Classic bets.  At the onset, Im is listed as Golf Betting Lines favorite.  Im finished outside the top 50 at the Genesis Invitational after carding back-to-back sub-70 rounds to open the tournament.

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2023 The Honda Classic CashBet Odds Overview

Overall, the PGA Nationa Champion course is parred 70 and 7,125 yards.  Tom and George Fazio designed the course in 1981.  Late on, it was reworked by Jack Nicklaus in 2002, 2014, and 2018.

Water is in play on 15 of the 18 holes.  Including The Bear Trap (Nos. 15-17).  Consider a water-laden stretch of two par-3s and a par-4 that often makes or breaks a top online Sportsbook round.

New for this year at PGA National is a bunker renovation.  To illuminate, bunkers have been removed on holes 13 and 16.  Also, bunker reduction has been on the final two holes.

2023 The Honda Classic Top Contenders

Shane Lowry Faces Potentially Difficult Weekend

One major surprise at the Honda Classic 2023 is Shane Lowr.  The 2019 Open Championship winner and one of the top favorites is slumping.  Lowry barely cracks the top 10.  Lowry was able to card a top-15 finish at the Genesis Invitational.  However, that means he was contending late in the weekend and will not have much time to prepare for this tournament.  Also, Lowry is playing in a tournament for the third week in a row.  And that is after having sat out for two months.  So fatigue will likely be a Golf Betting odds issue for him this week.

Of great concern is that Lowry missed the cut at the Phoenix Open two weeks ago.  Specifically, he finished at 9-over par.  Lowry ranks outside the top 90 in total strokes gained and is No. 186 in strokes gained.  Also, putting will make it difficult for him to contend this week. This, bettors may avoid Lowry with their Golf Betting Lines wagers.

Weekend Could Setup Well for Matt Kuchar

In turn, Matt Kuchar, a 28-1 opener, could make a strong run at the title.  He has a much better chance of winning this week than his odds imply.  So he’s a target for anyone looking for a huge payday.  Kuchar is coming off an excellent showing at the Genesis Invitational.  To show, Kuchar finished in eighth place at 10-under par.

Additionally, Kuchar is off to a convincing start this season.  He Finished in a tie for seventh place at the Sony Open last month.  Kuchar went 4-under par at the Phoenix Open two weeks ago.  Hence, that gives him momentum coming into this tournament.  Kuchar currently leads the PGA Tour in scrambling percentage.  In turn, that is one reason why the model has targeted him as a profitable longshot option this week.

2023 The Honda Classic CashBet Free Pick 

Following Im is a rather sizable Golf Betting Lines odds gap.  Last year, Lowry needed a birdie on the 72nd to force a playoff with Sepp Straka.  But Lowry settled for par, finishing one shot back.  Overall, Matt Kuchar best combines ability and price.

2023 The Honda Classic CashBet Best Bets

Matt Kuchar