The PGA Tour comes to the mainland for the second event of the year and it’s drawn a deep field. Five of the world’s top-10 and nine of the top-20 golfers are playing, including No. 1 Scottie Scheffler. He missed this tournament last year due to the hand injury that kept him away from the tour until Pebble Beach at the end of January.
The tournament is played over three courses: Pete Dye Stadium, La Quinta Country Club and Nicklaus Tournament Course. Everyone takes a spin on each of these with those making the cut playing on the Dye course on Sunday.
Low scoring is almost guaranteed here with the last five winners of the tournament averaging a score of 25 under par.
To Win
Scottie Scheffler +350
This is a bit of a lay-up bet and the odds reflect that. Scheffler has become the free square on the bingo card – you just automatically take him because his chances of winning are easily the best of the field. His record at this event is just mediocre (by his standards) with no top-10 finishes in his last four starts. He tied for 17th in 2024 and was T11 a year before that.
Sam Burns +2700
Two years ago, Burns finished sixth here at -25, a score that would have given him the hardware most years. A five-time winner on the PGA Tour, he hasn’t lifted a trophy since the WGC-Dell Technologies Match Play (although he did lose the RBC Canadian Open in a playoff), despite some improved play last year. He had six top-10 finishes including the final two playoff tournaments. He’s an excellent putter who should be able to go low in these conditions.
Top 10
Patrick Cantlay +240
This event has been a good one for Cantlay who has four top-10 finishes in seven starts including a tie for fifth last year. He finished off the 2025 season with a tie for second at the Tour Championship, coming close to ending his dry spell of winning – the last time he finished on top was at the 2022 Tour Championship. If he can keep the ball in the fairway, he should have a solid week.
Ryan Gerard +460
The 2022 Quebec Open winner graduated to the PGA Tour last year and notched his first career win at the Barracuda Championship. Last week in Hawaii, he powered to a runner-up finish at the SONY with a final-round 65. He finished 11th in Driving Accuracy and 10th in Greens in Regulation, always a nice combination.
Top 20
Taylor Pendrith +175
A final-round 64 last week led Pendrith to a sixth-place finish at the SONY. Of note was a good putting week as he ended up 21st, at .795. That was the club that gave him the most frustration last year and if he returns to the form it showed in 2024, it could be a good year for the Richmond Hill, Ont., product.
Jason Day +250
The Aussie, who posted a tie for third here a year ago, is coming off a strong season where he had four top 10s and eight top 20s. He’ll start his push for the Presidents Cup team this week, hoping to join the Internationals for the sixth time.
Parlays
Top Nordic – Ludvig Aberg +175
Making his debut at this tournament but shouldn’t have any trouble adjusting.
Top Canadian - Adam Svensson +700
Longer shot here, but had three good rounds last week.
