Next up on the docket in the early going of the 2017-18 PGA Tour season is the OHL Classic, which gets underway south of the border at El Camaleon Golf Club in Quintana Roo, Mexico.
As far as odds lists go, Rickie Fowler is the undisputed +800 favorite at Sportsbook. Pat Perez (+1400), Patrick Reed (+2000), Chesson Hadley (+2000), Gary Woodland (+2000), Charley Hoffman (+2200), Kevin Chappell (+2500), Zach Johnson (+2800), Chez Reavie (+3300) and Bryson DeChambeau (+3300) round out the top 10.
A year ago, Perez came away with a win at the tournament despite making just his third start after an eight-month layoff for shoulder surgery. Perez birdied five of his first eight holes on the final day to win by two strokes while matching the event scoring record. While the field is undoubtedly weak by PGA Tour standards, it’s no surprise to see Perez this high on the odds list due to his success here in 2016 and in light of his win just four weeks ago at the CIMB Classic in Malaysia.
Fowler is making his first start of the new season, but his star power alone rightfully makes him the clear-cut favorite. The American holds the highest world ranking in the field at No. 7 and will be joined by his U.S. Presidents Cup-winning teammates Hoffman, Reed and Chappell.
The course is a 6,987-yard par 71 which has been open since 2004. The tournament initially played each of its first six editions opposite the WGC Match Play before getting its own fall date in 2013.
While the Tour’s fall swing is known for dominance by younger golfers, the OHL Classic has seriously bucked that trend over the years. Last year, Perez became the eighth champion in his 30s or older to prevail here. The average age of the winners in that span is 38.1.