2023 Honda Traditional leaderboard, scores: Younger stars Justin Suh, Pierceson Coody simply behind leaders in Spherical 1
They may not be within the lead, however the storyline from the primary day of the PGA Tour’s Florida swing is kind of clear: Two younger, thrilling potential future stars — Justin Suh and Pierceson Coody — aren’t on high of the event however would possibly management the weekend narrative.
Suh was final yr’s Korn Ferry Tour Participant of the Yr, and Coody is the most likely the favourite to nab this yr’s honors. They each shot 4 below on Thursday in Spherical 1 of the Honda Traditional.
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Each gamers trailed the leaders, Billy Horschel and Joseph Bramlett, when play was suspended as a result of darkness, however you will be positive everybody will likely be centered on Suh and Coody going into Friday’s second spherical.
The leaders
T1. Billy Horschel, Joseph Bramlett (-5)
Bramlett and Coody mixed to make only one bogey over the course of their 36 holes Thursday, which is loopy given PGA Nationwide’s problem.
“Simply performed actually strong,” Horschel mentioned. “Didn’t do something particular. Hit some high quality iron pictures right here and there. I wouldn’t say every thing was type of automated and it was straightforward. I needed to simply form of work my manner into making some good swings right here and there. However general it was a very strong day of golf. Making a pair putts there at quantity 11 and 13 from about 25, 30 ft by no means hurts. Form of received me in an excellent mind set and received me with some good mojo going early.”
If that sounds boring, that’s type of the purpose. Golf at tough programs is meant to be boring. In reality, the extra boring the higher. Bramlett and Horschel mixed to hit 27 greens in regulation on Thursday and made sufficient lengthy putts to seize an early lead. The query, within the face of younger, hungry stars, is whether or not it’s going to maintain.
Different contenders
T3. Carson Younger, Pierceson Coody, Justin Suh (-4)
We don’t have to go any additional down the board than proper right here. Coody was second within the area in iron play. Suh was twelfth in driving. Each are within the hunt for what could be a large first PGA Tour victory.
“It actually simply seems like one other skilled occasion,” mentioned Coody, who was enjoying golf at Texas this time final yr. “I’ve solely performed about 13 or 14 skilled or I assume, no matter, 15 occasions. However aside from the massive grandstands it’s not that totally different. You’re simply enjoying golf, you’re making an attempt to place an excellent rating collectively. No actual nerves on the market. Simply glad to play properly.”
Coody has already gained twice as a professional in simply 15 begins, together with one earlier this yr. If he doesn’t win this week, he’ll doubtless be caught on the Korn Ferry Tour for a lot of the remainder of 2023.
“The Korn Ferry Tour’s been nice for me,” Coody mentioned. “I’d have beloved to get my PGA Tour [card] final yr, clearly, however I’m nonetheless excited to play a full season {of professional} golf on the market and see how properly I can do. It prepares you. The primary few golf programs that we performed, I gained in Panama and it couldn’t be extra much like this. Type of a tropical, Bermuda state of affairs with a whole lot of wind.
“So it’s actually cool to see that my sport interprets and I hope to proceed that.”
Different horses
Sungjae Im (T16) and Shane Lowry (T14) are lurking right here as properly. Each have a historical past at PGA Nationwide. Im gained the 2020 version, and Lowry practically gained a yr in the past earlier than Sepp Straka took him down on the ultimate few holes. Each completed within the high 10 in tee-to-green play on Thursday and will likely be problematic for each the leaders in addition to Coody and Suh.
2023 Honda Traditional up to date odds and picks
Odds by way of Caesars Sportsbook
- Sungjae Im: 21/4
- Billy Horschel: 11/2
- Joseph Bramlett: 10-1
- Shane Lowry: 12-1
- Justin Suh: 18-1
Coody (45-1!) is the play right here. That’s a loopy quantity contemplating how weak the sphere is and the way a lot he’s gained as knowledgeable. Im is the rock right here, and Lowry is to be trusted as properly, however should you’re on the lookout for worth, you will discover it within the Longhorn (or Suh at 18-1 as properly).
