Golf
The Sentry preview: Aberg to start 2024 as he means to go on
As we make the turn into 2024, the PGA Tour returns to its calendar-year schedule for the first time in a decade, starting with The Sentry.
This year’s edition of the tournament is being played in Maui, Hawaii at the Plantation Course at Kapalua Resort, which is a par-73 course, stretching 7,596 yards.
We take a look at two key contenders below.
Ludvig Aberg 12/1
This time last year Ludvig Aberg was a little-known figure in world golf, but now he is on the verge of becoming a household name having won the European Classic and RSM Masters in the second half of 2023, the latter being the final event of last season.
Aberg was also an unforgettable part of Team Europe’s Ryder Cup victory. His selection was questioned due to the fact that he had never even played in a Major before, but now the 24-year-old Swede has established himself as a serious player and will likely be towards the top of the market for every tournament he plays this year.
He has distance in abundance so the length of the course will certainly not be a problem for him, but he is also one of the most accurate ball strikers on the Tour. Last season he ranked second in the world for strokes gained off the tee and sixth in the world for average driving distance.
Aberg is not just an elite ball striker; he is the full package. He boasts a world ranking of 39th for strokes gained around the green as well as being the seventh best when it comes to putting average. Low scoring is his speciality, and he is no stranger to scoring under par, ranking second for his birdie or better conversion percentage.
He enters The Sentry fifth in the market at a backable price of 12/1, especially given that he can be backed each-way to finish in the top six which, if he brings his A-game, will be the minimum of his expectations in Hawaii.
Tom Kim 22/1
Tom Kim is another one of the young stars emerging on the PGA Tour and as Aberg’s junior by three years, the 21-year-old looks a viable outsider option at a nice price of 22/1.
Kim is another player who finished strongly last season, recording T20 or better finishes in all of his last six tournaments including victory at the Shriners Children’s Open where he finished 20-under-par, four shots clear of Ludvig Aberg.
Last season was Kim’s best on the PGA Tour as he recorded nine top 10’s and two wins. His stats back up these strong finishes, the most notable of which saw him rank third on the Tour for putts made from 25 feet or further, a handy tool for keeping his score down.
He is also a good enough ball striker to mix in with the best, averaging just short of 300 yards with the driver, combined with his overall ranking of 27th for strokes gained from tee to green.
Kim leads a strong Asian contingent in this tournament and at 21/10 we believe he has every chance of being the top finishing player from the continent at The Sentry later this week.
