Bubba Watson's length off the tee will be a distinct advantage
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Click here to bet on the Hyundai Tournament of Champions at bet365
The year is barely a week old, but the PGA Tour kicks off 2012 with a bang with the traditional Tournament of Champions in the sunny climes of the Plantation Course in Hawaii.
There are worse places to welcome in 2012, and the traditional curtain raiser, which dates back to 1953, is open only to players who got their name in the win column in 2011. Victory in his own tournament, the Chevron World Challenge, does not count so there is no Tiger Woods in the field.
The event may also be without a number of star names: major winners Charl Schwartzel, Rory McIlroy, Darren Clarke, three World Golf Championship winners: Luke Donald, Adam Scott, Martin Kaymer, and a certain Phil Mickelson, but it is still a quality field at Kapalua.
Leading figures have often snubbed the event, Mickelson has not made an appearance since 2001, but there is still plenty of quality on show - with world No. 5 Steve Stricker teeing it up. The American is 15/2 with bet365 and he holds solid claims, but the Bunker feels there are better value bets elsewhere.
Betting bullets
- Bubba Watson E/W in the Tournament of Champions - 16/1 at bet365
Gary Woodland E/W in the Tournament of Champions - 14/1 at bet365
The scenery at Kapalua is stunning, it's worth the trip alone - as is the $55,000 Derek Lamely picked up for finishing stone last 12 months ago. But pull yourself away from the Pacific scenery and you have a course that is built for the bombers. Wide fairways chiselled out of a volcano offer up those who can smash it miles a distinct advantage. That's not to say wayward play is not punished, but provided you can keep it in play then if you bash it miles down the fairway you will more than likely have an extremely short iron into the green.
With this in mind, our two against the field are Bubba Watson and Gary Woodland. Only the phenomenally long JB Holmes hit it further off the tee than Watson on the PGA Tour in 2011 and with reports swirling that he carded a 58 in practice at his home course in Arizona last week, we're prepared to take a chance on the left hander at 16/1.
Two points shorter at 14/1 is Woodland. Many feel 2012 could be the year Woodland starts to realise his potential. He made a big impression during college and is seen as one of America's brightest prospects. There is a shift in focus for Woodland, who has signed with a new management company, taken possession of a new driver and is in search of a coach. But he comes into the event in good form, having teamed up with Matt Kuchar to win the Presidents Cup, and his booming drives will be a distinct advantage.
Let's hope the big hitters start the Betting Bunker's 2012 off with a bang.
Please note that odds are correct at time of publication and are subject to change.
© ESPN Sports Media Ltd.
Alex Livie
Alex Livie was editor of ESPN.co.uk
