It is refreshing to hear and listen to plenty of golf tipsters/ journalists enthuse this time of year about the next 12 months and I'm no different as I head into 2020 more bloated than ever having had a few weeks off from the stresses of punting and studying. Hawaii is always a pleasant opener and maybe this year one where we can capitalise on a few bigger prices as the favs take out a right chunk of the market. Jon Rahm rates a general 4/1 poke however after such a long spell off I'd be wary of taking such a price despite his prolific nature across the planet. Equally Thomas is as unappealing at the price with the wind set to blow and conditions to be testing at the very least. Dustin is the most tempting of the front runners and it is no surprise to see him backed early in the week. However a run of 14 events without a win isn't the norm for DJ and he certainly wasn't anywhere near his best at the back end of last year. He could bounce back and he looked in better shape at the Presidents Cup but I'd rather see some more evidence of a return to form before investing in him around 10 or 11/1.

Rickie Fowler looks the better proposition towards the top of the market and given his proficiency in windy conditions could be well equipped to make a fast start to 2020. He is 42 under par here for his last 11 rounds having not finished outside the top 6 in three appearances. Upon finishing 4th here in 2018 he lost a stroke approaching the green across the week which is one of the more important stats around here. If he can still perform well here when his approach game wasn't at its best it'd be a surprise not to see him go well once again. He managed 2.5pts from 4 games at the Presidents Cup once again showing his likeness for golf in tougher conditions. His game was in decent shape towards the end of the year and at 6pts higher than DJ seems a much better bet than the previous winner.

2pts each-way R.Fowler 16/1 (1/5 5 places)

Rickie Fowler - 2pts e/w @ 16/1

Outside of the players I've mentioned I think a few deserve some support at tasty enough prices. It'd be no surprise to see Matt Kuchar go well this week having won in Hawaii before and often a fine exponent in windy conditions. At bigger prices though I'll take a chance on Kevin Na. The diminutive American has three wins in the last 18 months and not many boast that CV in this field. There is no doubt the win at the Greenbrier in 2018 lifted a huge weight off his shoulders and we have seen him excel since. Already a winner this season with an impressive victory against Patrick Cantlay ina playoff at the Shriners, Na produces the good with regular authority now. He has a good ball flight for the wind and can be impressive enough around the greens to make enough birdies t contend here.

0.75pt each-way K.Na 70/1 (1/5 5 places)

Kevin Na - 0.75pts e/w @ 70/1

Sung Kang looks worth a small bet at 150/1. The Korean got off the mark last year at another Coore/Crenshaw design at Trinity Forest holding off the likes of Brooks Koepka for his maiden win. Next time he out he finished a very credible 7th in the PGA at Bethpage. 6th in the Texas open, and 2nd in Houston is another sign this lad knows how to play when wind can enter the equation. He started off his 2019 with a top ten in Hawaii at the Sony so I think he has been slightly underestimated by the books and rates a decent each-way play in a field dominated by heavy hitters who haven't played a strokeplay event in a fair while.

0.75pt each-way S.Kang 150/1 (1/5 5 places)

Sunghoon Kang - 0.75pts e/w @ 150/1

Finally Tyler Duncan looks another worth supporting at triple figures. Those who got off to a hot start in the wraparound events often continue that form into the early stages of 2020 and Duncan is worth chancing having won the RSM last time out. He swotted away plenty of in form golfers that week eventually beating Webb Simpson in a playoff. Interestingly his next best performance on tour was at the Coore/Crenshaw design Trinity Forest finishing 5th there earlier in the year. Once again I think the favs take up too much of the market and I'd rather chance some lads each-way at bigger prices.

0.75pt each-way T.Duncan 150/1 (1/5 5 places)

Tyler Duncan - 0.75pts e/w @ 150/1