2022 Honda Classic Picks and Betting Preview (Don't Sleep on Billy Horschel)

Last week at the Genesis Invitational, Joaquin Niemann became the first wire-to-wire victor since 1969, defeating Collin Morikawa by two strokes at Riviera.

Now, Niemann owns the third-shortest odds at the 2022 Honda Classic as the PGA Tour heads east from California to Florida.

Check out the top 10 odds to win this week at PGA National via WynnBET Sportsbook.

Odds to Win the Honda Classic

• Sung-Jae Im +1200
• Daniel Berger +1600
• Joaquin Niemann +1800
• Louis Oosthuizen +2000
• Brooks Koepka +2000
• Billy Horschel +2200
• Tommy Fleetwood +2200
• Shane Lowry +2500
• Alex Noren +3300
• Keith Mitchell +3300

How to Handicap the Honda Classic (Champion Course at PGA National Resort)

The Tom Fazio-designed Champion Course at PGA National comes in at par 70, 7,125 yards, and has a reputation for being one of the more difficult tests each year on tour.

According to PGATOUR.com, PGA National measured as the third-toughest non-major course last season, with the competition averaging a 1-over 71 per round.

Strokes Gained: Approach is likely the most important metric for this week. Via FantasyLabs, approach has been a far greater indicator of success than Strokes Gained: Short Game at the Champion Course. Driving distance and accuracy will help, but even with smaller fairways, it's the irons and greens-in-regulation (GIRs) that are more likely to make or break the competition this week than out-driving them.

Even if the golfer(s) you wager on is cruising through the first 14, beware of the "Bear Trap" from 15-17. With plenty of water situated around three of the final four holes, players could swan dive out of the leaderboard if their ball heads to the water.

Key Stats for the Honda Classic

• Good Drives Gained
• Strokes Gained: Ball Striking
• Strokes Gained: Approach
• Scrambling %
• Strokes gained: Around-The-Green

Picks to Win the Honda Classic

Billy Horschel (+2200)

I love Horschel's odds this week over at WynnBET, despite him being the sixth-lowest option on the board. There's still value for a golfer who sets up perfectly for this course at this time.

After skipping the Genesis Invitational last week, Billy returned back to his home state of Florida with a T11 and T6 in his last two events on the west coast.

Horschel has gained just under 21 total over his last two events, and has made major improvements tee-to-green, and with his irons. He's also been locked in with his putter and now moves to the local-friendly Bermuda greens where he's been at his best over his career.

Keith Mitchell (+3300)

Mitchell comes in with all-around outstanding metrics over his last 24 rounds, with a game suited well for the challenges of the Champion course.

He ranks third in strokes gained: tee-to-green, fifth in ball striking, and second in SG: off-the-tee. His worst numbers are 36th in approach, which is important this week, but could certainly do a whole lot worse.

I envision Mitchell hanging around the leaderboard all weekend long, and feels like a solid safe pick for a top 5,10, or 20 pick this week as well.

Russell Knox (+5000)

Knox is outstanding off the tee, although not necessarily for bombing it. He ranks tops in the field in Good Drives Gained, No. 1 in greens-in-regulation, and 10th in fairways gained, so he's set up very well for this type of event. He also has the best score amongst anyone on the Tour on the Bear Trap, coming in at 6-under par throughout his career.

Knox also comes in second in SG: ball striking as well as in approach. Everything is set up well for him to contend except for one key issue: the putter.

Knox's putting is an issue, coming in 137th in the field over his past 24 rounds. There's also the concern about putting on Bermuda greens this week in Florida, but Knox's putting has been an issue on Bentgrass, Bermuda and Poa, so there's no sense in letting it be a concern if he can get hot for a few days in a row.

Follow all of Ben Heisler's betting picks in real-time HERE!