The PGA Tour heads East for the Florida Swing, starting with this week's Honda Classic at PGA National and the famous "Bear Trap".
The field takes a step down this week with Sungjae Im topping the board for the third straight year after winning in 2020. Otherwise, we're looking at the likes of Billy Horschel, defending champion Sepp Straka, and a handful of other second-tier PGA Tour players.
We break it all down in our Honda Classic betting preview below, including outright odds, free golf picks, and more.
If you're looking to bet on some PGA Tour action, here are two of the best bonuses* available:
A) Add +300 onto any golfer to win the Honda Classic at DraftKings! Bet Now
B) New users at FanDuel can get a no-sweat first bet of up to $1,000! Sign Up Now
*Eligible USA locations only. Also, check out our full list of best sportsbook promotions for 2023.
21+. Gambling Problem? Call 1-800-GAMBLER
Honda Classic picks and predictions
Shane Lowry over Aaron Wise (-110 at FanDuel)
I like Lowry here partially because I think there’s a discrepancy in the odds with FanDuel listing Wise as a -116 favorite in this matchup. Every sportsbook (including FD) has Lowry listed with better odds to win outright as well as in each of the top finisher markets.
We’re looking at a guy who not only finished runner-up a year ago but had the lead through 15 holes on Sunday and went 67-67-67 in each of the final three rounds. If not for three Sepp Straka birdies down the stretch, the Irishman very well could be entering the week a defending champion.
And while his game has been up and down since his win at Wentworth, he appeared to shed back-to-back missed cuts in Dubai and Phoenix with a strong week at Riviera, finishing T14 while ranking 12th in strokes gained tee-to-green.
Wise finished T13 here two years ago but missed the weekend in 2022 and enters the week following missed cuts in Phoenix and at the Amex.
Lowry’s got unfinished business and has shown a little more than Wise. Getting him as a slight underdog here is just the cherry on top.
Harris English to finish 38th or better (-120 at bet365)
English’s return from injury has been a rocky road to say the least but there have been some flashes, one of which came last week at Riviera.
He rode a red-hot putter (gained 8.8 strokes putting, second in the field) all the way to a T12 finish despite so-so ball-striking and this week presents a nice opportunity for him to follow that up with another encouraging result.
On top of the light field, Harris has finished above this 38th or better threshold in each of his last three starts here at the Honda (2018-2020). Two of those were Top 20s that came largely because of his great putting, something he’s done for much of his career and again at Riv.
A Top-40 finish is not much to ask of someone who, not long ago, was one of the most underrated golfers on the PGA Tour.
Live odds to win 2023 Honda Classic
Honda Classic field and favorites
Gone are the elevated events — at least for now — and gone are the major championship fields that come with them. The Honda Classic has routinely become a week off for many of the Tour's top stars and 2023 will be no different, creating an opportunity for others to collect FedEx Cup points and shine.
For the third year in a row, Sungjae Im sits alone atop the board; not only is he clearly the best player in the field but he's also a former champion (2020). Shane Lowry sits second at +1,600 following a T14 at Riviera and is the only other golfer available at less than +20/1.
The next tier features the likes of Chris Kirk (+2,800), who finished third at the Sony and Amex before missing the cut in Phoenix, and Aaron Wise (+2,700). Other notables include Billy Horschel (+2,800) and defending champion Sepp Straka, who enters at a much shorter +6,000 number compared to a year ago (+12,500).
Honda Classic recent winners and odds history
Let's take a look at some recent Genesis Invitational winners and their closing odds to win:
| Year | Golfer | Closing odds |
|---|---|---|
| 2022 | Sepp Straka | +12,500 |
| 2021 | Matt Jones | +8,000 |
| 2020 | Sungjae Im | +3,000 |
| 2019 | Keith Mitchell | +23,000 |
| 2018 | Justin Thomas | +1,000 |
| 2017 | Rickie Fowler | +1,500 |
| 2016 | Adam Scott | +2,000 |
| 2015 | Padraig Harrington | +25,000 |
| 2014 | Russell Henley | +30,000 |
| 2013 | Michael Thompson | +20,000 |
| 2012 | Rory McIlroy | +800 |
| 2011 | Rory Sabbatini | +6,000 |
| 2010 | Camilo Villegas | +2,500 |
Odds courtesy of GolfOdds.
Honda Classic Odds FAQs
Sungjae Im (+850) is the betting favorite. He's also been the pre-tournament favorite in each of the last two years after winning the event in 2020.
The Honda Classic takes place at PGA National Resort and Spa in Palm Beach Gardens, Florida. This will be the 17th time the tournament is held at this particular course.
Sepp Straka won the 2022 Honda Classic with a 10-under 270, edging out Shane Lowry by one shot.
The purse for the 2023 Honda Classic is $8.4 million, with $1.512 million going to the winner.
