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It often still seems that the Puerto Rico Open is something of a new venture for the PGA Tour, but in reality this week’s renewal is the 11th. In that time it has, unfortunately, come to be seen as something of a curse to lift the trophy because the first nine winners failed to lift another one. In fact, in the case of Martin Trainer (winner in 2019) what has followed has been little short of disastrous: 46 starts, just six cuts made, only one top 40 in that half dozen, and that was no better than T34th. Oddly, the tournament has probably earned most publicity from a very different career – that of Tony Finau. Unlike Trainer, Finau has gone on to great success in terms of world rankings, top tens, major championship top 20s, FedExCup points and money earned. But his enduring quest for a second win at any level means that his triumph here in 2016 gets repeat mentions on commentary and all across social media. The “curse” was, however, broken last year by Viktor Hovland, the Norwegian youngster who later in the year also won the Mayakoba Classic at El Camaleon (a similar sort of track). What of the challenge of the course, a Tom Kite creation that was originally referred to as Trump International, then Coco Beach G&CC, but is now known as Grand Reserve Country Club? Blustery tradewinds are a given with the Caribbean location, it’s wide enough from the tee, but water is a common threat and there is paspalum from tee to green. It’s a par-72 that can be pushed out beyond 7,500 yards but rarely is owing to wind considerations. Players often refer to the slow greens, which further reflect those breezy conditions. Rafa Cabrera Bello claimed there is little rough, but that those water hazards are in play from the tee; Danny Lee countered that if you picked the right areas there was plenty of room from the tee. Angles to consider 1/ Pebble Beach form Last year’s preview pointed out that five of the previous six winners had made the cut at Pebble Beach and that’s something Hovland did last year so that makes it six of seven. Whilst the Californian Poa Annua greens don’t resemble the paspalum of Puerto Rico, both are, of course, oceanside venues. 2/ Florida/Latin America form It was also noted last year that four of the nine winners had top three finishes in Florida (breezy, grainy greens) and, of the rest, three had a top three in Latin America (ditto). Hovland did not have that prior to his win, but his success in Mexico later in the year added it to his CV. 3/ Outsiders There’s no need to be afraid of a big price this week. Hovland was something of a rarity in being a fancied runner who performed to type. Selections The above angles have been used to create a shortlist from which the following players are selected. Branden Grace Finished T34th at Pebble Beach and added T20th last week at Riviera. That’s far from the worst form and at his best Grace would a) be at the WGC event, and b) be a shorter price in this field. A low-hitter from the tee, wind does not faze him and he’s tasted success on the links. He’s also a winner at gusty, coastal Harbour Town. He lacks the Florida/Latin America result, but I’ll take his two Qatar wins in lieu (grainy greens, windy). Scott Brown Not just a winner of this event in 2013, but he has a very fine record on the course in general: fifth on debut in 2012, fifth again in 2016, T10th in both 2015 and 2019. In all, eight starts and eight cuts made. He was last seen finishing T30th at Pebble Beach and I like the idea that he will have the bit between his teeth because he finished second at Riviera last February, but didn’t get to tee it up there last week. Wes Roach A pick for the column in this event last year and came close to a return with T9th. Sticking with him because that was a second course top ten and he again made the cut at Pebble Beach. Also has a first and second in Mexico, plus a top ten in Bermuda. Tips: 1-2; +33.00pts 1.5pt e.w. Branden Grace at 20/1 (Skybet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6) 1st 1pt e.w. Scott Brown at 75/1 (Bet365 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6,7) 53rd 0.5pt e.w. Wes Roach at 150/1 (Skybet 1/5 1,2,3,4,5,6) 13th
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