The USPGA Tour moves back to the mainland after two tournaments in Hawaii, and the players will be on overtime this week with the four-course, five-round Bob Hope Chrysler Classic which begins in California on Wednesday.
Phil Mickelson makes his seasonal reappearance in an event he has won twice in the past four years, and Justin Leonard returns to defend his title. Leonard finished the tournament in blistering style last term with scores of 64-67 at the weekend, the lowest score in each of the final two rounds. He secured a three-stroke win over Joe Ogilvie and Tim Clark, finishing on a 28-under-par 322 total.
Mickelson is a strong favourite at a best-priced 6-1 with Bet365 - William Hill and VC Bet offer just 4-1 - and his tournament form clearly makes him the first name on the shortlist. Those prices are short enough, though. Davis Love is next best - at a best-priced 18-1 with Skybet - with Leonard 20-1 with Stan James.
Chad Campbell, also at a general 20-1, did much to live up to his rising star reputation with a tied-second to David Toms, who is absent this week, in the Sony Open at Waialae on Sunday. Although Campbell came away disappointed after shooting a final-round 70, a third-round 62 proved he is in good shape.
However, the answer may be to take Clark - a chunky 22-1 with VC Bet - to improve on last year’s third place. He was in good form early last term and, given his proven course form, looks the best of the value among the market leaders.