Golf Picks: Justin Rose is favored to win the WGC HSBC Champions tournament that gets underway on Thursday in Shanghai, China. It is the final World Golf Championship of the season with a strong field assembled including 40 of the world’s top 50 ranked players. Rose is listed as the favorite with odds of 12-1 with Sergio Garcia the second choice at odds of 16-1. Here is a look at the tournament and golf picks.
Top Contenders
The field is loaded with talented players so almost anyone in the 79-man field could get the win. The obvious contenders to win are Justin Rose who is listed at 12-1, Sergio Garcia at 16-1, Adam Scott at 18-1, Henrik Stenson at 22-1 and Martin Kaymer at 23-1. With so many great players in the field it might be a good week to go with a longshot. Rickie Fowler has seemingly been in every big tournament this season and you get him at odds of 30-1. Reigning FedExCup champion Billy Horschel is 38-1 while young gun Jordan Spieth is 38-1. Ian Poulter won this event two years ago and he is listed with odds of 85-1.
Poulter is an interesting longshot since he won in 2012 and he was second last year. “I’m looking forward to it,” said Poulter. “I’ve had some great results there, and it would be nice to go one better than I did last year, which means I’ll be walking away with the trophy. It’s a course we’ve got to know well; most players have played it a lot. It’s a great track and a good test.”
Tournament Notes
The WGC-HSBC Champions is the second event in The Race to Dubai although it doesn’t mean as much since Rory McIlroy has such a big lead. A few players are still remotely in the hunt but they have to do well this week. “I’ve got good memories from finishing third last year and my game’s in good shape.” said Graeme McDowell, “I’m a little disappointed with how I finished in the BMW Masters, but all in all I’m taking some good form to Sheshan and I need a good week for The Race to Dubai and other various reasons.”
The Sheshan International GC (West) course is 7,266 yards, par 72. It has hosted the event in every year except in 2012. Last year it was Dustin Johnson winning this event with Poulter finishing second. Johnson played his final six holes in 5-under par to win.
Golf Picks
We’ll take some long shots this week and go with Hideki Matsuyama at odds of 45-1, Alexander Levy at 59-1 and Ian Poulter at golf odds of 85-1.
