The first spherical of the 2023 Tournament of Champions was every thing you’d need from the opening occasion of a calendar 12 months: Superstars at the top, birdies throughout the yard and — of course! — Jordan Spieth doing his regular unicycle trip whereas juggling flaming torches.
A trio of leaders sit at the top of the subject as Collin Morikawa, Jon Rahm and J.J. Spaun all co-lead at 9 underneath on the par-73 Kapalua course. A crowded pack that features Tom Kim, Tom Hoge, Sungjae Im and Scottie Scheffler is scorching on their heels, nevertheless. That means there’s a lot of star energy succesful of making a run over the subsequent three days.Â
We’ll dive into their rounds beneath, in addition to what to anticipate the relaxation of the week from this loaded subject. With the first occasion of 2023 underway, let’s dive into the first spherical of the Tournament of Champions.Â
The leaders
T1. Jon Rahm, J.J. Spaun, Collin Morikawa (-9): Rahm adopted his 33-under efficiency a 12 months in the past with a 9-under 63 on Thursday, and he now has 40 birdies and two eagles in his final 90 holes at Kapalua. After enjoying the entrance 9 in 31, he obtained right into a bothersome spot on the again with a bogey at the par-4 14th. That bogey set him again a bit, however he closed with three birdies in his final 4 holes, together with a near-eagle at the final gap that became a simple chook.
Rahm goes to be terribly tough to maintain up with if he putts like he did on Thursday when he led the subject at practically 4 strokes gained on the spherical (Matt Fitzpatrick and Viktor Hovland have been second finest at 2.07). He seemingly will not putt like that, however good luck to the subject in opposition to anyone who’s averaging 8.4 strokes underneath par in his final 5 rounds right here.
Other contenders
4. Tom Kim (-8)
T5. Matt Fitzpatrick, Aaron Wise, Tom Hoge, Mackenzie Hughes, Sungjae Im, Scottie Scheffler (-7)
Scheffler was in all probability the most fascinating out of this group. He putted horribly — he misplaced practically two strokes on the greens and made one putt over 5 ft — however he nonetheless shot 66. That’s scary coming from the No. 2 participant in the world. Scheffler has one thing at stake right here past profitable, too. He wants a top-three end to regain the No. 1 rating in the world from Rory McIlroy, who isn’t enjoying this week at Kapalua.
Kim exceeding expectations
It in all probability should not shock me that Kim shot 65, however it nonetheless does. As bullish as I’m on him as an individual and a possible star, I’m equally doubtful that his statistical profile meets the fashionable thriving top-10 participant. And but, at each stage he is performed, he is continued to win and win and win. In 81 OWGR begins, he has eight wins, and his PGA Tour profitable proportion is barely higher. I wish to be mistaken about him in the long run as a result of he is a lot enjoyable to jot down about and canopy (see beneath), however I’ve to say I did not essentially see this spherical coming from him at Kapalua.
Shot of the day
Jordan Spieth had a really Jordan Spieth spherical. He missed a 2-foot putt but in addition took a full swing from 33 ft away on the fifteenth gap for par following some issues in the bunker on his third shot. If you have ever tried to take a full swing with any membership from 30 ft, it is principally not possible to gap the shot, however right here we’re.
Spieth additionally had an incredible alternate wherein he requested two gentleman at the occasion if they might tone down the wagering chatter whereas he was placing. A really regular early season begin for Spieth.
Shot of the day, Part IIÂ
The hole-out eagle was nice, however Kim asking the cameras in the event that they caught it was even higher.
Morikawa is ok
I just lately wrote about some of the consternation surrounding Collin Morikawa at the finish of 2022, a 12 months wherein he didn’t win. This stat from Data Golf ought to sum up how I really feel about the place he is at proper now:
- Strokes gained 2020-21 season: 1.41 (3 wins)
- Strokes gained 2021-22 season: 1.41 (0 wins)
Furthermore, Morikawa’s ceiling did not actually change. He went from third to sixth in the world in ninety fifth percentile rounds. In different phrases, his finest stuff was nonetheless amongst the finest stuff of different top-10 gamers in the world. What did change is that he did not win, which may be attributed to so many different issues (luck, good bounces, subject make-up and so on.). Morikawa was undervalued general coming into 2023, and although he will not play in addition to he did on Thursday for the relaxation of the 12 months, I feel it is emblematic of what we could possibly be in for with him this 12 months. There’s nonetheless time to purchase low.
2023 Tournament of Champions up to date odds and picks
- Jon Rahm: +240
- Collin Morikawa: +650
- Scottie Scheffler: 8-1
- Tom Kim: 12-1
- Sungjae Im: 14-1
- Tony Finau: 16-1
- Matt Fitzpatrick: 16-1
- Jordan Spieth: 22-1
- Viktor Hovland: 22-1
- Aaron Wise: 22-1
To the shock of no person, I’m in on Spieth at 22-1. He performs nice at this golf course, and he is helped when he has rather a lot of exterior issues occurring (slope, wind, and so on.) as a result of it will get him out of his personal head. He did not even putt nicely on Thursday and nonetheless discovered a option to shoot 67. In phrases of the leaders, Morikawa at +650 is the play for me. Rahm’s placing spherical was magnificent, which will not proceed, and Morikawa continues to be being a tad undervalued as a result of he is approaching off a 12 months wherein he did not win at all.
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