Date<\/strong>: Jan. 14 – 17, 2010 Hey \u2013 the field\u00a0is <\/em>strong. The prevailing theme this year will of course be \u201cLife Without Tiger\u201d but let\u2019s remember that he didn\u2019t win a major last season. The field around him in 2009 was never better and the emergence of Tiger\u2019s competition has, in a way, prepared us for this crisis. There are plenty of great golfers to watch \u2013 and wager on.<\/p>\n CLICK HERE TO BET ON GOLF TODAY AT BETUS.COM —–><\/strong><\/a><\/p>\n Here are some picks to consider for the Sony Open.<\/strong><\/p>\n Oops. This used to be Tiger\u2019s category. Moving on.<\/p>\n Zach Johnson<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony Open odds: +1615<\/p>\n Try this tongue twister on for size: Waialae rewards the wily. The beautiful Hawaiian course plays best for crisp, savvy ball strikers as opposed to grip it-and-rip-it types. That\u2019s why Zach Johnson, as solid a ball striker as you\u2019ll find on Tour, won last year\u2019s event. That\u2019s also why he\u2019s an excellent pick to do it again.<\/p>\n Steve Stricker<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony Open odds: +1015<\/p>\n The odds-on favorite after his memorable 2009 season, Stricker has as good a chance as anyone thanks to his strong shot selection and short game. His last three Sony Opens include two top-fours. Still, it\u2019s just not the same seeing Stricker as the favorite to win it all. The fun of 2009 was winning big on Stricker\u2019s relative underdog value. Is +1015 a strong enough return on your investment?<\/p>\n Justin Leonard<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony Open odds: +2550<\/p>\n The name of the game is wind at Waialae and Leonard is known for his ability to overcome windy conditions and make good shots; it\u2019s pretty much a prerequisite for British Open winners. Even though Leonard hasn\u2019t played here since 1995, he has the makeup to win and offers decent value.<\/p>\n Rory Sabbatini<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony Open odds: +1850<\/p>\n Historically, there are few more consistent golfers at Waialae than Sabbatini, who placed 12th<\/sup> last year and has two second-place finishes there. Here\u2019s certainly due. David Toms<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony Open odds: +3250<\/p>\n There may be no stronger sleeper than Toms this week. Let\u2019s go through the laundry list of reasons to pick him: (a) good sportsbook value; (b) fourth in fairways hit on Tour last year; (c) finished second at Waialae last year; (d) won this tourney in 2006. Give Toms a long, hard look.<\/p>\n Jerry Kelly<\/strong><\/p>\n Sony Open odds: +6550<\/p>\n Look at that value! For a guy listed at +6550 to win, you\u2019d never know Kelly won the Sony Open in 2002. He also has six top-25 finishes at the event since that victory, including three top-fives. The guy lives to play at Waialae.<\/p>\n The fun part about the beginning of the golf season is that the sportsbooks don\u2019t have the players figured out yet. In my mind, the top three picks this week are Johnson, Toms and Kelly, yet the latter two offer major underdog value. It feels like taking candy from babies. If you like the home-run swing, Kelly gives you a legit shot at a big payday. If you play it super safe, go with Johnson. But the happy medium \u2013 and the best pick \u2013 is Toms. His game is built for Waialae.<\/p>\n
\nEvent<\/strong>: Sony Open in Hawaii
\nCourse<\/strong>: Waialae CC, Honolulu, Hawaii
\nPurse<\/strong>: $5,500,000
\nDefending Champ:<\/strong> Zach Johnson
\nFedEX Cup Points<\/strong>: 500<\/p>\nTHE ELITE<\/strong><\/h3>\n
THE CONTENDERS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
SOLID PICKS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
![\"\"](\"http:\/\/media.partners.betus.com\/BANNERS\/golf\/sportsbook_golf_250x250_mybanner.gif\")
<\/a><\/p>\nSLEEPERS<\/strong><\/h3>\n
THE PICK<\/strong><\/h3>\n