BlogPuerto Rico Preview and Picks

posted on March 2, 2015

Puerto Rico Open

March 5 – 8, 2015

Trump International Puerto Rico

Rio Grande, Puerto Rico

Par: 72 / Yardage:7,569

Purse: $3 million

with $540,000 to the winner

Defending Champion:
Chesson Hadley

by Sal Johnson

Founder, Chief Data Officer, GOLFstats

E-mail me at:
sal@golfstats.com

This week’s field includes:

The field includes just 1 player from the top 100 in the latest Official World Rankings, #87 Brendon De Jonge.

The field includes just 1 of the top 25 on the FedEx point standings for 2015, #20 Brendon De Jonge.

The field has no players in the top 25 on this year’s PGA Tour money list.  The highest rank player is #31 Brendon de Jonge.

The field includes three of the six different champions: Chesson Hadley (2014), Scott Brown (2013) and Michael Bradley (2011 & ’09).

A perfect way for fantasy golfers to check on the past performance of all the players in the Puerto Rico field is our performance chart listed by average finish.  Another way to check who is the best is through a special formula worked out in Golfstats that gives us the best average performances at the Puerto Rico in the last five years or check out our sortable 8-year glance at the Puerto Rico.

A good cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmakers in England.

Another cheat sheet is this list of odds from the top bookmaker in Las Vegas.

Time to look at our who’s hot and who isn’t:

Who’s Hot in the field for the Puerto Rico Open

Player Honda Classic Northern Trust AT&T Pebble Beach Farmers Insurance Phoenix Open Humana Challenge Sony Open Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Sung-Joon Park
(79 pts)		 T31
(19)		 DNP CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 T30
(13.33)		 T2
(66.67)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Vaughn Taylor
(68 pts)		 DNP T22
(28)		 T10
(40)		 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
Jeff Overton
(56 pts)		 T7
(55)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 T30
(13.33)		 T37
(4.33)		 DNP
Adam Hadwin
(50.33 pts)		 T31
(19)		 T22
(28)		 DNP T32
(12)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 T48
(1.33)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Brendon De Jonge
(49 pts)		 T25
(25)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP T27
(15.33)		 T26
(16)		 T41
(6)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
John Peterson
(48.67 pts)		 T31
(19)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP T27
(15.33)		 DNP T20
(20)		 T37
(4.33)		 DNP
Zachary Blair
(47.33 pts)		 T22
(28)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 T11
(26)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 T6
(20)		 DNP
Boo Weekley
(42 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP DNP DNP T30
(13.33)		 T7
(36.67)		 T44
(2)		 DNP
Chad Collins
(40.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP T34
(16)		 T17
(22)		 DNP T41
(6)		 T30
(6.67)		 DNP
Andrew Svoboda
(34 pts)		 DNP 73
(0)		 DNP T32
(12)		 T17
(22)		 DNP T51
(0)		 DNP
Will Wilcox
(32 pts)		 DNP DNP T18
(32)		 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP
J.J. Henry
(29 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP T45
(5)		 T11
(26)		 DNP T48
(1.33)		 T30
(6.67)		 DNP
Martin Flores
(25.67 pts)		 T17
(33)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP T53
(0)		 T46
(2.67)		 T59
(0)		 T78
(0)		 DNP
Whee Kim
(23 pts)		 DNP DNP T21
(29)		 T49
(0.67)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP DNP
Scott Langley
(21.33 pts)		 T51
(0)		 T22
(28)		 T65
(0)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 T30
(6.67)		 DNP
Alex Cejka
(19.33 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 T67
(0)		 T34
(16)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP T15
(23.33)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Chesson Hadley
(16.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 T10
(40)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP T20
(10)
Scott Pinckney
(13.33 pts)		 T68
(0)		 DNP CUT
(-10)		 T45
(3.33)		 DNP T20
(20)		 T60
(0)		 DNP
Jon Curran
(13.33 pts)		 71
(0)		 CUT
(-10)		 T10
(40)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Bryce Molder
(11.67 pts)		 DNP T41
(9)		 T34
(16)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 70
(0)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP DNP
Spencer Levin
(11.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 T56
(0)		 T41
(9)		 T11
(26)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 T51
(0)		 DNP
Brandon Hagy
(9.33 pts)		 DNP DNP T34
(16)		 DNP DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP DNP
Max Homa
(7.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 T29
(21)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 T6
(20)		 DNP
David Toms
(6.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP DNP T41
(6)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 T24
(17.33)		 DNP DNP
Y.E. Yang
(6 pts)		 T44
(6)		 DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

Who’s Not Hot in the field for the Puerto Rico Open

Player Honda Classic Northern Trust AT&T Pebble Beach Farmers Insurance Phoenix Open Humana Challenge Sony Open Hyundai Tournament of Champions
Jim Renner
(-53.33 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
John Merrick
(-40 pts)		 DNP CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP DNP
Scott Brown
(-36.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 62
(0)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Carlos Sainz Jr.
(-36.67 pts)		 DNP CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Derek Ernst
(-36.67 pts)		 67
(0)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Brice Garnett
(-36.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 T64
(0)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Bo Van Pelt
(-33.33 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 T65
(0)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP DNP
Sam Saunders
(-26.67 pts)		 DNP DNP CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Oscar Fraustro
(-26.67 pts)		 DNP DNP CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP CUT
(-6.67)		 CUT
(-3.33)		 DNP
Andres Romero
(-26.67 pts)		 CUT
(-10)		 CUT
(-10)		 DNP T67
(0)		 CUT
(-6.67)		 DNP DNP DNP

How Player Rankings are Computed

Things you need to know about the Puerto Rico Open

This will be the 8th Puerto Rico, the tournament got started in 2008.  This has always been a tournament about second tier players, giving opportunities to those that didn’t qualify for the WGC-Cadillac.  This is a perfect way for a bottom-tier player getting himself full status with a win.  Unfortunely the winner gets just about every adelaide that is given to a regular winner with the exception of one important invite, to the Masters.  Augusta won’t extend an invite to the winner in Puerto Rico this week.  Another snub, the new Ryder Cup list won’t include money earned next year when they started adding up points.

Course information:

Trump International Golf Club – Puerto Rico

  • Rio Grande, Puerto Rico
  • 7,569 yards     Par 36-36–72
  • Course has a 77.7 rating and slope rating of 135 fron the championship tees. The course is public and also sells local memberships.
  • In 2014 Trump International was the 41st hardest course on the PGA Tour with a 70.788 average and in 2013 the course played to a 70.229 average and was ranked 38th.
  • Course is part of a 36 hole complex that was built in 2004 by Tom Kite.  The championship course, which is the lakes and ocean nines are used for the championship. The 18 hole is flat with 13 of the 18 holes having water in play for the professionals.  There are 62 bunkers and the greens are 6,000 square feet, which is average size.  Course has a special grass on it, SeaDwarf Paspaium which is a lot like Bermuda but can tolerate salt and takes a low qualify of water to survive.  The course is very tough for the average player while it’s very manageable for the pros that will play it this week.  Since the course has opened, it’s gotten the reputation as the best course in Puerto Rico.

Here are some of the secrets of what it takes to play well at the Puerto Rico Open:

Key stat for the winner:

There is no rhyme or reason to winning this event.  Since it’s a second tier event it’s a combination of a PGA Tour and a Web.Com tour stop.  So there are no real favorites because there are no true marquee players that you know of.  One thing of the past winners, done of them achieved great success on the PGA Tour so this is for many just a stepping stone to get full time access to the PGA Tour.

Here are some more key stats to look to for this week:

Since 2013 was the first year that they collected stats, hard to find what type of player wins.  So the key is to look at two things, first past results on this course and how they are playing going into the event.

Will a newcomer win this week?  Probably.  It’s more about a player being in the right place at the right time.

 

Who to watch for at the Puerto Rico Open

Best Bets:

Brendon de Jonge

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T11 T48 T14 T3
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Has finished three times in the top-15 at Puerto Rico.

Bo Weekley

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
First time playing in this event
More info:

Full 8 year glance at his record

A good course for him, has shown some signs of good play the last three months.

Robert Karlsson

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T14 T30
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Has played well in this event, could surprise all.

Best of the rest:

David Toms

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T4
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Showed last year that he still has some stick with his T4th finish. Had a T9th at Sanderson Farms so maybe he is a good choice for this week, has the experience of knowing how to win.

Chesson Hadley

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
Win
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Despite missing the cut in four of his last five starts, did have a T10th at Pebble. Will be looking for the good vibes from last year to help him.

Peter Uihlein

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T6 CUT
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Has had mix results over on the European Tour, this could be a good week for him to prove something.

Solid contenders

Vaughn Taylor

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T65 T14 T42
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Had a top-ten at Pebble and has played in Puerto Rico three times.

Jeff Overton

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
WD T14 T15 8 T39
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Finished T7th last week at Honda.

Chris Stroud

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T9 T18 T61 CUT
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

28 under in his last eight rounds at Trump International.

Jerry Kelly

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T9 CUT T25 WD T9 T2
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Wouldn’t surprise me if he plays well this week, has had mix results the last four months.

Long shots that could come through:

Ryo Ishikawa

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
T19 T39 2
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Does better on courses with Bermuda, almost won here three years ago.

Scott Brown

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
64 Win T5
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Has played well in this event.

Fabian Gomez

2015 ’14 ’13 ’12 ’11 ’10 ’09 ’08 ’07 ’06 ’05 ’04 ’03
CUT T2 T7
More info:

Full Puerto Rico Open RecordFull 8 year glance at his record

Has played good in Puerto Rico and has made half of his cuts in 2015.

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