Niall Lyons has four betting selections for the Puerto Rico Open.
Puerto Rico Open
This event in Puerto Rico isn't the easiest to judge with stats from the event more or less non-existent down the years but we have a strong profile for the course. Grand Reserve GC is on the coast, flat and exposed to the elements.
At the time of writing the wind doesn't look like playing much of a part this week with the opening few days being quite calm in the forecast. Paspalum fairways and greens are certainly more prominent on both tours in the last decade or so and we must look to recent results at Vidanta, El Cardonal and Corales on the PGA Tour, as well as a glance at Yas Links, Ras, Bahrain and Mauritius on the DPWT.
In recent years this can be seen as an opportunity for some up and coming talented sorts and possibly some older timers looking to regain their place on the big stage. Grace did that in 2021 although it must be said he is far from finished in his career. Not the case that can be made for Alex Cejka who won this in the twilight of his PGA Tour career back in 2015.
Finau won in 2016 to establish himself as a major force in the game, little did we know how long it would take him to follow it up. Hovland won in 2020 and has gone on to bigger and better things. Below are the basic stats for the last three years accumulated here.
Nothing in particular stands out other than short game looking highly important. Greens will be missed here with the inevitable breeze so it's no surprise the leader in the scrambling statistic has finished in the top five in three of the last four editions.
Garnett led that statistic when winning last year whilst 3 of the top 10 in putting average finished in a tie for 2nd and 3rd. Four of the top five in 2023 all ranked inside the top 10 in putting average for the week and of the 22 who have made the top 5 over the last four years only four of those ranked outside the top 25 in putting for the week.
Puerto Rico Open Tips
- 1.5pts each-way R. Gerard 25/1 (1/5 7) Paddy Power
- 1.25pts each-way M. Thorbjornsen 40/1 (1/5 7) Paddy Power
- 1pt each-way J. Bramlett 50/1 (1/5 7) Ladbrokes, Coral
- 1pt each-way A. Rozner 45/1 (1/5 6) Sky Bet
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Ryan Gerard @ 25/1 on Paddy Power (Seven Places)
This is a tricky affair and there's no doubt it's tempting to try a few big prices here but I'm happy to side with a few towards the top end of the market starting with Ryan Gerard. In his second PGA Tour season now he looks to have finally found his feet with mostly solid ball striking.
His putter has been ridiculously hot lately, that was up until last week where it cost him a higher finish at PGA National. In fact his mostly reliable approach game failed to fire also so it was a fair effort finishing 25th there. This field isn't littered with potential superstars, but who knows how good Gerard could be, he is trending towards something really good right now.
On debut here in 2023 Gerard finished a respectable 11th and he should be able to cope with any winds that may materialise with a lot of experience in Florida. A bigger price would have been welcome but he looks a sensible enough option in a tough betting heat.
Michael Thorbjornsen @ 40/1 Paddy Power (Seven Places)
Michael Thorbjornsen has been talked about for a year or so now and at 23 years old has bags of potential. He hits the ball a mile which can be a big advantage around here and whilst his golf has been a little uninspiring this year there were positives last week in Florida.
He finished just inside the top 40 there last week in a much stronger heat, but was undone by a really poor week on the greens. He ranked 12th for the week in approach play and 15th from tee to green. If he repeats figures like that and manages a better week on the greens this looks like a really good opportunity for him to get off the mark.
Joseph Bramlett @ 50/1 Ladbrokes, Coral (Seven Places)
Given how good his long game can be I'm happy to include Joseph Bramlett this week coming off a couple of solid displays on the Korn Ferry Tour. This feels like a Korn Ferry Tour event this week and although the trip from Argentina isn't ideal this really should be a venue on which he can score well.
He didn't miss the cut by much at Torrey Pines in January and had he putted a little better that week it could have been a different story. His length off the tee here is a big asset and he should see this as a good opportunity to make some hay in PGA Tour event.
The rewards are big for whoever can win this week and with four made cuts from four here and a best of 9th place he looks well equipped to give it a good go.
Antoine Rozner @ 45/1 Sky Bet (Six Places)
Antoine Rozner made the cut last week at Palm Beaches and I count that as a decent effort given it's not the type of venue where you'd expect him to excel. Grand Reserve is much more up his alley in that his strength off the tee together with his sparkling approach game should give him ample chances to score here.
48th at Torrey Pines was another solid display, again let down a little by his short game. That was the story in Mexico also whilst 4th in Qatar has been his best effort in 2025. Rozner has played a lot of golf on Paspalum and having won in Mauritius by the coast this test sets up really well for him and he's one of those around this price bracket that looks really dangerous.
