2021 Sony Open Third Round: Best Matchup Bets, Odds, Picks, Predictions 1/16/21

The third round of the 2021 Sony Open begins later today. Let’s take a look at the third round from a golf betting perspective to find my favorite matchup bets!  

As someone that has actively bet on sports in general for a very long time, I can say from experience that golf betting presents a number of unique opportunities to place wagers. I have to say, that one of my favorite golf bets on any given week is without a doubt matchup bets.

Why do I like matchup betting in golf? Well, the main reason I enjoy this approach to betting on this sport is I am able to see how golfers are performing in tournament play on a specific golf course. I can than determine, based on what my eyes are telling me combined with the statistical data how to bet on a specific matchup wager for the next single round of that event. This article will specifically focus on my favorite matchup bets for the third round of the 2021 Sony Open.

Here are my favorite matchup bets for round three of the Sony Open!

Michael Thompson (+105) over Si Woo Kim

Thompson arrives at this event on the heels of two consecutive top 21 finishes on the PGA Tour, including a 15th place result at the Houston Open in September. When I bet on an ongoing live golf tournament, I like to look at the statistics from the event as it is being played. Having stated that, after two competitive rounds played at the 2021 Sony Open, in relation to the field, Thompson ranks fourth in GIR (greens in regulation) and 12th in strokes gained approach. I also like the fact that Thompson has previously illustrated that he can perform well at the Sony Open. Thompson finished 20th at the 2016 Sony Open. Yes, I know that Si Woo Kim can play some quality golf. However, I also know that he can be rather inconsistent with regard to his performance on the golf course. For those reasons, I am rolling with Thompson in this matchup.

Hudson Swafford (+200) over Jason Kokrak

I think it’s fair to say that Swafford likes to play the Sony Open. Swafford has played the Sony Open seven times since 2013. In those seven events played, Swafford has four top 13 finishes, including a third place result at the 2018 Sony Open. Now let’s turn our attention to Kokrak. Kokrak began the 2021 Sony Open playing rather well in round one. However, Kokrak’s putter failed him in the second round of the 2021 Sony Open. To be more specific, Kokrak lost 2.53 strokes to the field putting. I like Swafford to defeat Kokrak in this matchup.