2014 PGA WGC – HSBC Champions Betting Odds & Preview

This Week’s PGA Tour Predictions!

Some of the biggest golf names on the planet return to action this week as the 2014 HSBC Champions is contested in Shanghai, China and the Shanghai Sheehan International Golf Club. The par 72 Sheehan International Golf Club measures 7,266 yards and boasts four par 5s (two measuring nearly 600 yards) – big hitters should be on your radar this week.

So, on a seemingly easy track, who should we be keeping an eye on?

Bet on the 2014 HSBC Champions Lines

Location: Shanghai, China
Course: Shanghai Sheehan International Golf Club
Date: Nov 6-9, 2014
Total Purse: US $ 8,500,000
Winner’s Share: US $ 1,400,000 (16% of total purse)
Defending Champion: Dustin Johnson ($1,400,000)
***2014 BONUSES***

For updated odds on today's game click here...

The defending champ Dustin Johnson is further proof of this – he was 24 under last year in the win.

But four par 3s and some relatively short par 4s make it so that a good all around game is essential here. Distance off the tee, par 5 scoring and of course greens in regulation and strokes-gained will all be a factor this week. A number of players in the field have a tremendous course history here making it a bit of a muddled mess with my pick.

2014 HSBC Champions Favorites:

Justin Rose 12/1

Rose like so many of the entries this week has a terrific history here – two starts and two top 7 finishes including a T5 last year. He enters in good form off a T4 at the BMW last week after a terrific Ryder Cup campaign. Course history and present form has Rose the favorite this week.

Adam Scott 16/1

Has played this event twice and finished top 25s in each including a T111 in 2011. He last played a few weeks ago in Japan where he finished 38th. His class in undeniable – his present form has me a little scared.

Sergio Garcia 16/1

Finished a good T2 last week at the CIMB and has finished inside the top 10 in his last three starts at Sheehan International. Last year Sergio finished fourth here last year and posted a win on this track in 2008. Present form and course history makes Garcia a serious threat this week.

2014 HSBC Champions Contenders:

Graeme McDowell 25/1

Has finished third in his last two trips to Sheehan International and is coming off a respectable T16 last week at the BMW Masters which followed a T9 at the Volvo World Match Play. McDowell is trending upward and his past success here makes McDowell an intriguing 25/1.

Martin Kaymer 25/1

Won this event in 2011 and had a T6 in 2009 and a T8 in 2013 as well – course history is among the best in the field. His present form isn’t tremendous but there is no denying that Kaymer is a horse for this course.

Jamie Donaldson 28/1

Donaldson is arguably the hottest player in the world right now – he hasn’t been outside the top 7 in his last seven events world-wide. He is coming off a T4 at the BMW last week after a seventh, a T4, a T13 and another T4. He also finished T8 in this event last year. I love Donaldson this week – I just wish the price wasn’t as steep.

2014 HSBC Champions Sleepers (50/1 or higher):

Ian Poulter 50/1

Is maybe the best value on the board. He finished T13 here in 2010 and 2011 and had a second place finish on this track last year. Although Poulter isn’t exactly lighting it up right now, it is hard to ignore his tremendous course history.

Alexander Levy 50/1

One of the more under the radar players has quietly been making a name for himself. He posted a win in China in April and is coming off a playoff loss in the competitive BMW Masters. He also had a win in Portugal a month ago. Levy may not be a household name yet but is certainly on his way.

John Senden 66/1

Has finished inside the top 25 in five of his last six starts and is coming off a respectable seventh place finish at the CIMB Classic. He has played here just once – a 19th place finish in 2011

2014 HSBC Champions Free Pick:

The pick this week is Sergio Garcia at 16/1. He is a former winner here, finished fourth last years and is coming off a runner-up finish last week. Current form and course history make this a somewhat easy choice this week.

My sleeper is Ian Poulter at 50/1. Last year’s runner up in this event has to be chomping at the bit to get back to arguably his favorite track.

The PGA Tour makes  a stop this week in Jackson MS for the Sanderson Farms Championship.