Waste Management Open

Welcome to the frat party.  I actually spent a Saturday afternoon out at the Phoenix Open, which has since changed it's name twice, in the late 1990s.  On that day, the highlight for me wasn't number 16 (I was by myself and not drinking), it was my near death experience on the front nine when an errant Lee Janzen drive missed my head by about three inches.  After that, I'd had enough of the two time US Open champ and I spent the majority of my afternoon watching Tom Watson light up the back nine.

This week, the golfers return to TPC Scottsdale and no one is playing better than Ian Poulter, who is making his first appearance at this event.  I fully expect him to be in the top 10 this week.  Another Euro I'm curious about this week is Martin Kaymer, the eighth ranked player in the world who is also making his first start in Phoenix.

When dissecting the rest of the field it is hard to ignore Kevin Na, who has three top four finishes in his last four starts here.  JB Holmes has two wins in the last four years at the TPC...and two missed cuts.  Kenny Perry is the defender, but isn't really on form, which is something he shares with David Toms, who also isn't playing well enough despite several good results here.  Brian Gay played well at the match play and has made five straight cuts in Phoenix with his result getting better each year (T6 in '09).

If you want star power Phil is here, and so are up and comers Sean O'Hair and Nick Watney.  Ogilvy and Allenby are here too.  Mickelson can win anywhere and has done it twice here.  Finally, don't forget about Camilo Villegas.  He played very well last week taking third at WGC, and frankly, may have been a three footer away from taking the whole thing.  Villegas has missed the cut twice in his four starts here, but he also has a T2.

Talent
Mickelson
Poulter
Ogilvy
O'Hair
Allenby

History
Na
Perry
Mickelson
Holmes
Toms

On Form
Poulter
Kuchar
Allenby
Snedeker
Villegas

Not on Form
Mahan
Glover
Mickelson
Kim
Perry

My Picks
Poulter
Kuchar
Mickelson
Villegas
Kaymer

Cheers,
TFAM