Humana Challenge Tips

Humana Challenge in partnership with the Clinton Foundation - PGA West (Palmer), La Quinta, CA

16 January 2014 - 19 January 2014

Tip date: 13 January 2014

This is an unusual tournament in a couple of ways. It is played over three courses at (PGA West Palmer, PGA West Nicklaus and La Quinta). All are relatively short par 72s and they were all ranked in the top 10 easiest courses in 2012. A score of -25 won last year and something similar will be needed this time around. It also has a Pro-Am format which leads to slow play and can be a severe test of patience for certain types of players. Brian Gay won last year and prospered in what is essentially a putting contest.

NOTE: Paddypower are offering ¼ odds the top SIX this week.

Name	Odds	Bookmaker
Charles Howell III	2pt each way 33-1	PaddyPower TOP SIX	Finishing position: T58 Back Charles Howell III Again
We’re happy to go with Charles again this week for pretty much the same reasons as for the Sony. He traditionally starts the season well and his T8 in Hawaii has done nothing to put us off. Factor in a T2 play-off defeat last year at the Humana and we’re happy to go with Charles again this time around.
Ryan Palmer	2pt each way 40-1	PaddyPower TOP SIX	Returned 22pts for 2 place finish! Back Ryan Palmer Again
Ryan is a quality player who has amassed a small fortune on tour almost unnoticed. He’s won three times and seems well capable of a fourth. His Humana form is good (4-MC-6 in his last three starts) and his T8 at the Sony last week catches the eye. We think he’s got a great chance this week in a relatively weak field and the current 40-1 offers decent value.
Robert Garrigus	1pt each way 50-1	PaddyPower TOP SIX	Finishing position: MC Back Robert Garrigus Again
Robert is a player on the comeback trail after a disappointing 2013. This format suits him well and four top 20s in five starts bears this out, the highlight being T2 in 2012. The field isn’t the strongest and Garrigus sits 10th in the all round ranking so for this season. If he can continue his improved putting then we see no reason why he cannot contend this week.