On February 18, the world’s top golfers will converge at the famed Riviera Country Club in Pacific Palisades, California for the 2016 staging of the Northern Trust Open. A total of $6.8 million is at stake for the 156-man field with the winner grabbing a cool $1.224 million.
Read on below as we list down three high-value sleepers who we think can take home the championship this weekend. While you’re at it, you can check out our in-depth breakdown of the 2016 Northern Trust Open here.
James Hahn captured the imagination of sports fans everywhere with a stunning victory at the Northern Trust Open last year. He shot a two-under-69 in the final round to force a playoff where he outlasted veterans Dustin Johnson and Paul Casey. It was a remarkable victory for Hahn (+8,000) who racked up two clutch birdies in the three-man playoff.
The 34-year-old has carried that excellent form into this season, finishing in the top-20 in two of his six starts, including a tie for 17th at the Phoenix Open last week. He is currently 37th in the FedEx Cup rankings with 270 points to his name. With the form that he is in right now and his experience with this Riviera course, expect Hahn to post some solid numbers this week.
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Kevin Na
Looking for a worthy sleeper this week? How about Kevin Na (+4,000)? Yes it has been about four years since he last won in the PGA Tour but he has an excellent chance of ending that barren run at the Northern Trust Open this week. Na is starting to rediscover the form that made him one of the best golfers in the world, finishing second or third in four of his first eight events this season. In fact, he is second in the PGA Tour in scoring, averaging 69.465 strokes per round this campaign. With the form that he is in right now, expect Na to post some red numbers and contend for the title this week.
Hideki Matsuyama
One golfer who can definitely make a run at the title this week is Hideki Matsuyama (+1,500). He has been on fire to start the season, grabbing a playoff victory in the Phoenix Open earlier this month. He will look to carry that excellent form in the Northern Trust Open this week, the site of his fourth-place showing a year ago.
For Matsuyama to become the PGA Tour’s first multiple winner this season, he needs to continue his excellent play from tee to green. He is fifth in the PGA Tour in strokes gained from tee to green with a solid 2.216 average. That will come in handy when dealing with the tough course set-up here at Riviera.
