Byron Nelson

This week's tournament, the Byron Nelson, has lost a bit of luster since Tiger stopped playing here earlier this decade.  As a matter of fact, The Colonial, which is next week across the metroplex in Fort Worth, has begun to draw a consistently better field.  Still, the Nelson has a fairly big purse, and is an important part of the Texas swing.

Rory Sabbatini is the defender, and he has a third here as well in the last two years.  He's not playing well in 2010 though, so a top 10 would be a bit of an upset.  Hunter Mahan is actually the highest ranked player in the field at 17th in the world, but he has never finished higher than 42nd.

So, where does that leave us?

I like Dustin Johnson this week.  Johnson tied for fourth here a year ago and is coming off a respectable showing at the Players.  I just have a hunch about him.  Other than Johnson, it's hard to get too excited about anyone.  Charley Hoffman has been playing well (and has two top tens here in the last four years), and I always like Rickie Fowler, but other than that, Stew Cink has been off his game as well, and JB Holmes played a worse front nine than I did on Sunday (though I did hit from the whites).

You want a sleeper?  How about Andres Romero?  The Argentine has been striking it lately, with a T10 at Sawgrass.  Romero hasn't played here before, but it's the best I've got.  I guess I also like Ricky Barnes this week.  He's had a nice 2010.

Most Talent
D. Johnson
Mahan
Fowler
O'Hair
V. Singh

Course History
Sabbatini
V. Singh
J. Leonard
Hoffman
B. Wetterich

Who's Hot?
R. Barnes
R. Fowler
M. Jones
H. Slocum
JB Holmes

Who's Not?
V. Singh
J. Leonard
S. Cink
R. Sabbatini
K. Perry

My Picks
D. Johnson
C. Hoffman
R. Fowler
R. Barnes
A. Romero

Cheers,
TFAM