2021 Honda Classic Predictions – Golf Picks For PGA National

Brian Sausa, Last Updated: June 20th, 2024 - NJ Sports Betting - Free $3,250 For Sports Bets In New Jersey

The PGA Tour is wrapping up its Florida swing at PGA National in Palm Beach Gardens and we’re here to make our 2021 Honda Classic betting predictions!

We are in the midst of the most exciting time on the golf schedule as The Masters lurks in the distance. From this point forward, every week is a busy one for online betting sites in New Jersey and many other states as the public gets its fill of PGA Tour action.

Each event is accompanied by a seemingly endless stream of sportsbook options, ensuring all bettors can find a market that suits them. Here, we’ll go through some of them and make out 2021 Honda Classic picks.

Honda Classic Betting Preview – PGA National Key Stats

This event will take place from March 18 to 21 at the Champion Course at PGA National. The track was originally designed by Tom and George Fazio but has been redesigned on multiple occasions by the great Jack Nicklaus.

After a challenging week at Sawgrass, things don’t really get easier as PGA National is no picnic. It plays to a Par 70 and measures 7,125 yards with water coming into play on 15 of 18 holes and a grand total of 67 bunkers sprinkled around the property.

The course is highlighted by its many hazards and the legendary Bear Trap, named after Nicklaus himself, from holes 15 to 17. It is known as one of the most challenging stretches in all of golf and remains a true test of skill, especially on a pressure-packed Sunday. Keep the following statistics in mind when looking at 2021 Honda Classic odds:

• Strokes Gained: Tee To Green
• SG: Approach
• Scrambling
• Birdie Or Better Percentage
• Par 4 Scoring

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2021 Honda Classic Betting Predictions

This week will be about accuracy off the tee and on approach into small greens. When the putting surface is missed, scrambling will be required in order to save par. This is a course with only two Par 5s, and birdies can be hard to come by. Those who excel on Bermudagrass can also have a real advantage once putting.

This is another course where there isn’t really a ‘type’ of golfer that does well here since it requires an all-around effort. The winning golfer will also need to be mentally strong in dealing with all the challenges that come with PGA National, including the Bear Trap.

2021 Honda Classic Picks

We are looking for players in decent form who can do a bit of everything when it comes to the key stats we’ve laid out. Plus, the odds need to be right as well. Below are our Honda Classic betting picks with lines courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook and FanDuel Sportsbook.

• Joaquin Niemann To Win (+2000 at FanDuel)

The Chilean had two chances in January and ended with a pair of second-place finishes but we think he’s due for his first PGA Tour win. Niemann is a great example of a player who doesn’t struggle much in any one particular category, and that versatility will make him a contender at PGA National. With the field being somewhat weakened due to scheduling, Niemann could be the perfect guy to make a run.

He gains more strokes tee-to-green than most of the tour, is pretty good with his irons and hits greens in regulation better than most. We can’t ask for much more than a well-rounded golfer who has been knocking on the door recently.

• Shane Lowry To Win (+2900 at DraftKings)

The weather is expected to be less than ideal, with heavy winds projected for all four days as of now. It got us thinking about players who may thrive in these conditions, and then Shane Lowry’s six-shot victory at The Open Championship in 2019 came to mind. No, we aren’t comparing Royal Portrush to PGA National in any way but when the conditions get ugly, the Irishman is one to consider.

He posted his best finish (T-21st) at PGA National in three tries during 2020 and we think he builds on that in a field that lacks some of the firepower we normally see on tour. He’s strong off the tee and around the greens, both of which were on display at last year’s event. Lowry will need to be decent with the putter, but that can be said for everyone on these greens.

It also doesn’t hurt that Lowry is fresh off an eighth-place finish at The Players after shooting 69 on Sunday, which turned out to be a difficult scoring round for most.

Finishing Position Bets For 2021 Honda Classic

Picking the outright winner of a golf tournament is always a thrill but finishing position wagers are recommended for a few reasons. They have a greater chance at providing rooting interest throughout the entire tournament, and they’re also easier to win due to the margin for error it provides since golfers don’t have to come in first place to win your bet.

Despite the more modest odds, it can still be a profitable golf betting strategy to take advantage of these markets.

• Sungjae Im Top 20 Finish (-110)

Sungjae won this event last year with an epic approach game and around-the-green performance. He stepped up to the Bear Trap on Sunday and sealed the deal in what was a thrilling first PGA Tour win. Repeating the performance will be tough, but we still think he’s in line for a strong finish in this field no matter what.

We’ve already seen him conquer this course in difficult conditions and even though he’s played pretty well, the results haven’t always matched and he’s due for a breakthrough before the tour leaves Florida.

• Patrick Rodgers Top 40 Finish (+190 at FanDuel)

Rodgers’ name isn’t one that comes up too often but bettors shouldn’t look past him this week with decent odds. He’s played this event six times and found his stride over the last three years going T-33rd, T-21st and T-30th. Based on his course history, we think he can do that again and finish in the top 40 despite the stats not looking great so far this season. The field isn’t as strong as it normally is, and the  +190 odds at FanDuel are inviting.

2021 Honda Classic Best Bets

• Joaquin Niemann To Win (+2000 at FanDuel)
• Shane Lowry To Win (+2900 at DraftKings)
• Sungjae Im Top 20 (-110 at DraftKings)
• Dylan Frittelli Top 20 (+250 at DraftKings)
• Byeong Hun An Top 40 (+110 at DraftKings)
• Patrick Rodgers Top 40 (+190 at FanDuel)

As all the Honda Classic betting odds are released, we will continue to add picks. In the mean time, check out our golf betting guide

Photo Credit: Associated Press

ABOUT Brian Sausa

Brian Sausa is BonusSeeker’s Copy Editor and lead sports betting pundit. A journalism graduate with an extensive sports background, Brian has been employed by multiple professional leagues including MLB, MiLB (Minor League Baseball), and the NHL. MLB, NHL, IBTimes, Brooklyn Cyclones, FanSided