Just when you were thinking about not taking Phil seriously at Augusta...
In my lifetime, I've learned a few things about what it takes to win at Augusta. You need to putt well and have a superb short game. You need to be able to shape your ball off the tee and length helps plenty. That'll pretty much do it. If you have three of four, you have a shot, two of four, not likely. One or zero, you're going to need to make eagles from the pine straw.
Ok, hold the thought about what it takes to win at Augusta.
About a month ago I identified five guys who I thought had a good chance to win this week. Let's break them down.
1. Phil Mickelson -- Obviously has all four of the characteristics of a winnner here, including the binus of being able to make eagles out of the straw. Was totally off his game until this week, when he went 63-65 over the weekend to crush the competition in Houston. I bet Phil thinks he'll be wearing green to the Krispy Kreme drive thru Monday morning. He just may be right.
2. Tiger Woods -- His best finish since his hiatus? His first tourney back, 4th at Augusta last here. Obviously can play the course, the swing is the only question. Showed flashes at Bay Hill.
3. Luke Donald -- Not a bomber, but his weakness -- driving accuracy -- is the same as the two guys already mentioned. Read: that can be overcome amongst the azaleas. Donald can putt and has a world class short game. He is also playing very well.
4. Matt Kuchar -- If his dad was on the bag I'd like him more, but you have to like his consistency -- he shows every week -- his putter and his short game. Let's be honest, I have no idea who can shape shots and who can't. I just know Kuchar has major game and he's going to breakthrough soon.
5. Nick Watney -- Watney has been the hottest player in the world so far in 2011, and he's got so much going for him at Augusta. He can play the course, he is a great putter, and he can drive the ball well. He's my pick to win, and I have 250 reasons why I hope it happens.
Other than my five favorties, there are others with great history at the Masters who certainly can win. Mahan, Els, Westwood and Poulter have all had varying degrees of success here and all should play well this week. I do like Ernie coming in a bit under the radar...he has a slew of top 10s in his history here.
Sergio may be a darkhorse. His history here isn't great, but the pressure is completely off and he has shown some decent form so far in 2011. He's a nice flier to take.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Kaymer
Westwood
McIlroy?
Course History
Woods
Mickelson
Singh
Els
Love
Who's Hot?
Mickelson
Watney
Kuchar
Donald
Mahan
Who's Not?
Poulter
Clark
Weir
Glover
O'Hair
My Picks
Watney
Woods
Kuchar
Mickelson
Donald
Mahan
Els
Garcia
Baddeley
Fowler
Cheers,
TFAM
Showing posts with label Fantasy golf. Show all posts
Showing posts with label Fantasy golf. Show all posts
Wednesday, April 6, 2011
Tuesday, March 29, 2011
Shell Houston Open
You know what the best part of the SHO will be this week? Not having to listen to Arnold Palmer speak or watching his mediocre grandson play mediocre golf. Is that too harsh? Am I the only one who could care less about Sam Saunders? I do look forward to Spazner Levin throwing a few clubs though. I love watching that guy, especially if I've got money on Martin Laird.
The TOUR heads to Houston this week, where Anthony Kim is thd defending champ. A quick check of his results since his win here a year ago tell us to stay very clear of AK. The top ranked players in the field are Westwood (two top 11s in the last two years), Mickelson (zero top 20s in six starts), Kuchar, and Stricker. Hunter Mahan is interesting here too. It seems like he is close and its a matter of time before he's in the winnner's circle again. Mahan has two MCs and two top 10s here in the last four years.
Players not on their game include Harrington, Els and Goosen, all of which may have more value in name than anything these days. There are at least 10 guys I'd draft before either this week.
Of the lesser knowns, Steve Marino is playing well and has competed well on this course. DJ Trahan is also going to be a trendy sleeper choice. Francesco Molinari is here too, and is a top 20 player in the world. He's certainly worth a look in the one and done.
Deep sleepers? James Driscoll and Johnson Wagner. Driscoll tied for 14th last year and Wagner won in 2008 after a ninth in '07. Nice value there. Wagner also won in Cancun in February.
Most Talent
Mickelson
Westwood
Stricker
Kuchar
Mahan
Course History
Kim
Couples
Holmes
Wagner
Stricker
Who's Hot?
Marino
Kuchar
Leishman
De Jonge
Baddeley
Who's Not?
Kim
Mickelson
Els
Villegas
Glover
My Picks
Mahan
Wagner
Westwood
Molinari
Marino
Cheers,
TFAM
The TOUR heads to Houston this week, where Anthony Kim is thd defending champ. A quick check of his results since his win here a year ago tell us to stay very clear of AK. The top ranked players in the field are Westwood (two top 11s in the last two years), Mickelson (zero top 20s in six starts), Kuchar, and Stricker. Hunter Mahan is interesting here too. It seems like he is close and its a matter of time before he's in the winnner's circle again. Mahan has two MCs and two top 10s here in the last four years.
Players not on their game include Harrington, Els and Goosen, all of which may have more value in name than anything these days. There are at least 10 guys I'd draft before either this week.
Of the lesser knowns, Steve Marino is playing well and has competed well on this course. DJ Trahan is also going to be a trendy sleeper choice. Francesco Molinari is here too, and is a top 20 player in the world. He's certainly worth a look in the one and done.
Deep sleepers? James Driscoll and Johnson Wagner. Driscoll tied for 14th last year and Wagner won in 2008 after a ninth in '07. Nice value there. Wagner also won in Cancun in February.
Most Talent
Mickelson
Westwood
Stricker
Kuchar
Mahan
Course History
Kim
Couples
Holmes
Wagner
Stricker
Who's Hot?
Marino
Kuchar
Leishman
De Jonge
Baddeley
Who's Not?
Kim
Mickelson
Els
Villegas
Glover
My Picks
Mahan
Wagner
Westwood
Molinari
Marino
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, March 8, 2011
WGC at Doral
Mike Weir shot 85 last week. I don't meet to pile on, but 85? I feel like he should join my twice weekly game with my dad and my buddy Huse, he can give me a few strokes and we'll play for a trophy. It actually was pretty bad for others too out there in Palm Beach last week. Ernie Els shot a 78 Saturday and finished the tournament at 16 over par. So did Rory McIlroy. It was carnage. Still, 85?
And what to make of Els and McIlroy this week at Doral? Els is the defending champ, and he just dominated the field last year to win by four. McIlroy is top 10 in the world. Still, I just can't pick a guy that just finished a tournament at 16 over par unless they played Oakmont.
The good news is that the options are plentiful this week as all top 50 players in the world have once again gathered at a WGC event. Tiger has the best history here, with six wins and top tens in all ten tries. I know two more things about Woods that may interest you as well. I thought he actually looked very good in his one round at the match play, and you'd be broke by now if you'd wagered on him every time I said he was back. Still, I'm going back to the well.
You have to like the other top players who are hot as well. G Mac, Kaymer, Donald, Watney and Kuchar all are playing well enough to win. Phil and Dustin Johnson are threats every week, and there are obviously many more that could win.
If you want some past history Kuchar and Kaymer finished tied for third last year. Mickelson's record is shaky outside of a win in 2009, Furyk has been awful but has three top five in his last five at Doral, and Charl Schwartzel is hot and finished second in 2010.
Among those without stellar records here are McIlroy, Westwood, Johnson, Mahan and Kim.
Sleepers? Is anyone talking about Steve Stricker anymore? It seems he is due for a breakthrough. Justin Rose has been solid in 2010, and my old favorite Aaron Baddeley has qualified too. He looks to be back.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Kaymer
Westwood
McIlroy
Course History
Woods
Furyk
Els
Ogilvy
Watney
Who's Hot?
Donald
Kuchar
Sabbatini
Watney
McDowell
Who's Not?
Woods
Mickelson
Westwood
Furyk
Kim
My Picks
Woods
Kaymer
Watney
Stricker
Rose
Cheers,
TFAM
And what to make of Els and McIlroy this week at Doral? Els is the defending champ, and he just dominated the field last year to win by four. McIlroy is top 10 in the world. Still, I just can't pick a guy that just finished a tournament at 16 over par unless they played Oakmont.
The good news is that the options are plentiful this week as all top 50 players in the world have once again gathered at a WGC event. Tiger has the best history here, with six wins and top tens in all ten tries. I know two more things about Woods that may interest you as well. I thought he actually looked very good in his one round at the match play, and you'd be broke by now if you'd wagered on him every time I said he was back. Still, I'm going back to the well.
You have to like the other top players who are hot as well. G Mac, Kaymer, Donald, Watney and Kuchar all are playing well enough to win. Phil and Dustin Johnson are threats every week, and there are obviously many more that could win.
If you want some past history Kuchar and Kaymer finished tied for third last year. Mickelson's record is shaky outside of a win in 2009, Furyk has been awful but has three top five in his last five at Doral, and Charl Schwartzel is hot and finished second in 2010.
Among those without stellar records here are McIlroy, Westwood, Johnson, Mahan and Kim.
Sleepers? Is anyone talking about Steve Stricker anymore? It seems he is due for a breakthrough. Justin Rose has been solid in 2010, and my old favorite Aaron Baddeley has qualified too. He looks to be back.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Kaymer
Westwood
McIlroy
Course History
Woods
Furyk
Els
Ogilvy
Watney
Who's Hot?
Donald
Kuchar
Sabbatini
Watney
McDowell
Who's Not?
Woods
Mickelson
Westwood
Furyk
Kim
My Picks
Woods
Kaymer
Watney
Stricker
Rose
Cheers,
TFAM
Wednesday, March 2, 2011
Honda Classic
Must be nice to be the Honda Classic right now. Tour events like Harbour Town are sturggling to get a sponsor and may be going under, and the Honda gets the cushy spot right between two WGC events so all the top Euros can hit the Honda in their pre-Masters US Tour.
Which leads me to my thesis this week. In a one-and-done, you almost have to pick a Euro this week. Westwood, McIlroy, E. Molinari and Ross Fisher are all non-members teeing it up this week at Palm Beach Gardens, and with their limited schedules, you take the chances with them while you can. Even members like G Mac, Donald and Poulter play fewer events here as dual tourers, so those guys make a lot of sense too.
Which one would I pick this week? I like Westwood and Donald (how good was he last week, BTW?) to perform well, but I like G Mac to win the event. All three have a history here and have played well and G Mac was in the thick of it until a Sunday 76 last year. Plus, with apologies to Kaymer, McDowell is playing like the best in the world and has for almost a full year.
The sexpert pick this week is the rejuvenated Vijay Singh. I'll pass. He's due for a letdown. Just a hunch. And stay away from Villegas too. I know he's the defending champ, but his only air time at Dove Mountain was a series of missed three footers.
Others to look for? Kuchar is a top 10 machine, Anthony Kim was second last year (but has been largely average in 2011). Ernie Els and YE Yang were winners prior to Villegas. Yang looked good last week, dispatching McDowell on his run to the quarters. Fowler and Overton both missed the cut last year.
Make sure you are aware of the withdrawals too. Holmes, Cink, Rose and Crane have all pulled out.
A sleeper? Frederick Jacobsen has top 10s in two straight trips here, and Jimmy Walker has been on the leaderboard in each of his past two events.
Most Talent
Westwood
McIlroy
McDowell
Donald
Els
Course History
Villegas
Els
Yang
Jacobsen
Wi
Who's Hot?
Donald
Kuchar
Walker
V. Singh
Yang
Who's Not?
Poulter
Villegas
Weir
Lovemark
O'Hair
My Picks
McDowell
Yang
Donald
Westwood
Jacobsen
Cheers,
TFAM
Which leads me to my thesis this week. In a one-and-done, you almost have to pick a Euro this week. Westwood, McIlroy, E. Molinari and Ross Fisher are all non-members teeing it up this week at Palm Beach Gardens, and with their limited schedules, you take the chances with them while you can. Even members like G Mac, Donald and Poulter play fewer events here as dual tourers, so those guys make a lot of sense too.
Which one would I pick this week? I like Westwood and Donald (how good was he last week, BTW?) to perform well, but I like G Mac to win the event. All three have a history here and have played well and G Mac was in the thick of it until a Sunday 76 last year. Plus, with apologies to Kaymer, McDowell is playing like the best in the world and has for almost a full year.
The sexpert pick this week is the rejuvenated Vijay Singh. I'll pass. He's due for a letdown. Just a hunch. And stay away from Villegas too. I know he's the defending champ, but his only air time at Dove Mountain was a series of missed three footers.
Others to look for? Kuchar is a top 10 machine, Anthony Kim was second last year (but has been largely average in 2011). Ernie Els and YE Yang were winners prior to Villegas. Yang looked good last week, dispatching McDowell on his run to the quarters. Fowler and Overton both missed the cut last year.
Make sure you are aware of the withdrawals too. Holmes, Cink, Rose and Crane have all pulled out.
A sleeper? Frederick Jacobsen has top 10s in two straight trips here, and Jimmy Walker has been on the leaderboard in each of his past two events.
Most Talent
Westwood
McIlroy
McDowell
Donald
Els
Course History
Villegas
Els
Yang
Jacobsen
Wi
Who's Hot?
Donald
Kuchar
Walker
V. Singh
Yang
Who's Not?
Poulter
Villegas
Weir
Lovemark
O'Hair
My Picks
McDowell
Yang
Donald
Westwood
Jacobsen
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, February 22, 2011
WGC Accenture Match Play
Am I just a golf geek or is tomorrow Christmas Day? I love the match play so much, and while it isn't exactly March Madness, the bracket thing is about as good as it gets for me in golf save the Masters in HD and early morning coverage of the British.
If you just want to see my whole bracket, you'll have to follow me on Twitter, as it is posted there. @fananswerman is the handle. Otherwise, the breakdown is below, following one aside about the Northern Trust Open.
So, I had Aaron Baddeley in my five picks last week, which was likely my call of the year, as he won the event with a world ranking worse than the likes of Mardan Mamat, Floris de Vries, and Hideto Tanihara. However, for some unexplainable reason I picked Rory Sabbatini in my one and done, not Badds. I hate Rory Sabbatini. At least I thought I did. Apparently I never knew hate until Sabbatini went SEVEN over in his last 10 holes Friday to miss the cut by one shot...in a cowboy hat, no less. Infuriating.
At least I traded Marino and Davis for Baddeley and Laird in the auction league Wednesday night.
Onto the match play.
In the Jones bracket Westwood and Watney are destined to meet in the second round, which is a crusher as these two are both potential champs. I like Watney to beat Westwood like he did last year and go on to win the bracket. Stricker and Goosen are both in the bracket and should advance a round, but I like Charl Schwartzel to meet Watney in the final eight. Schwartzel has a 2011 win and ousted Jim Furyk in the second round last year.
The Player bracket is probably the weakest of the bunch, but may feature the eventual champ. While Justin Rose and Hunter Mahan loom as threats to Martin Kaymer on the top of the bracket, Rory McIlroy should have smooth sailing on the bottom. He's a former quarterfinalist here and should do so again with the potential for more unless Kaymer gets him. I like Rory.
The Hogan bracket is the most difficult, with European giants McDowell and Poulter, the defender, in the bottom of the draw. I like the winner of that to face Mickelson, who will be sternly tested by the Fowler-Peter Hanson winner in round two. Hanson is a darkhorse and has the game to do some damage. Phil doesn't have the greatest match play record, but I just have a feeling, and like him over Poulter in the final eight.
The Snead bracket features Tiger, who's going to get all he can handle from the combination of Ogilvy or Harrington, then Dustin Johnson or Bill Haas. However, like Tiger, none of those guys outside of Haas are coming in too hot. I think Tiger's stellar match play record carries him through to a duel with Paul Casey, who has an easy draw to get to the final eight. Tiger beats Casey, though it should be noted Casey has been runner up two years in a row.
I like Rory to win the thing over Watney in a battle of two guys from oppsite sides of the pond who are destined to make big noise in 2011. Now let's just hope Yuta Ikeda doesn't bust through and ruin the party for the weekend.
Love it.
Cheers,
TFAM
If you just want to see my whole bracket, you'll have to follow me on Twitter, as it is posted there. @fananswerman is the handle. Otherwise, the breakdown is below, following one aside about the Northern Trust Open.
So, I had Aaron Baddeley in my five picks last week, which was likely my call of the year, as he won the event with a world ranking worse than the likes of Mardan Mamat, Floris de Vries, and Hideto Tanihara. However, for some unexplainable reason I picked Rory Sabbatini in my one and done, not Badds. I hate Rory Sabbatini. At least I thought I did. Apparently I never knew hate until Sabbatini went SEVEN over in his last 10 holes Friday to miss the cut by one shot...in a cowboy hat, no less. Infuriating.
At least I traded Marino and Davis for Baddeley and Laird in the auction league Wednesday night.
Onto the match play.
In the Jones bracket Westwood and Watney are destined to meet in the second round, which is a crusher as these two are both potential champs. I like Watney to beat Westwood like he did last year and go on to win the bracket. Stricker and Goosen are both in the bracket and should advance a round, but I like Charl Schwartzel to meet Watney in the final eight. Schwartzel has a 2011 win and ousted Jim Furyk in the second round last year.
The Player bracket is probably the weakest of the bunch, but may feature the eventual champ. While Justin Rose and Hunter Mahan loom as threats to Martin Kaymer on the top of the bracket, Rory McIlroy should have smooth sailing on the bottom. He's a former quarterfinalist here and should do so again with the potential for more unless Kaymer gets him. I like Rory.
The Hogan bracket is the most difficult, with European giants McDowell and Poulter, the defender, in the bottom of the draw. I like the winner of that to face Mickelson, who will be sternly tested by the Fowler-Peter Hanson winner in round two. Hanson is a darkhorse and has the game to do some damage. Phil doesn't have the greatest match play record, but I just have a feeling, and like him over Poulter in the final eight.
The Snead bracket features Tiger, who's going to get all he can handle from the combination of Ogilvy or Harrington, then Dustin Johnson or Bill Haas. However, like Tiger, none of those guys outside of Haas are coming in too hot. I think Tiger's stellar match play record carries him through to a duel with Paul Casey, who has an easy draw to get to the final eight. Tiger beats Casey, though it should be noted Casey has been runner up two years in a row.
I like Rory to win the thing over Watney in a battle of two guys from oppsite sides of the pond who are destined to make big noise in 2011. Now let's just hope Yuta Ikeda doesn't bust through and ruin the party for the weekend.
Love it.
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, February 15, 2011
Northern Trust Open
A few random thoughts...
If I rip on some of my guys the way I did Bill Murray last week does that mean I can visit the winner's circle too? I've been playing one-and-done for a year and a half and have yet to pick a winner.
Steve Marino had terrible body language down the stretch Sunday. He just doesn't seem like a winner to me.
Match play next week! Watch out for Nick Watney and Peter Hanson, among others.
This week, it's LA, and the field is nothing to spit at despite the losses of Watney, Els and Tim Clark to withdrawals. Stricker defends and is a strong pick after a T2 the year before. Phil, like every venue on the west coast, is a multiple winner. Dustin Johnson finished thrid here last year though the state of his game is in question with his showing at Pebble fresh in our minds. Matt Kuchar returns too after a layoff, and the Euros are beginning to invade in advance of the WGC event next week. Luke Donald is a star on this course, with three consecutive top six finishes, and he is the pick this week. I love his game. JB Holmes is great here too with three top sevens in his last three tries.
Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington, Zach Johnson, Paul Casey, Rickie Fowler, Retief Goosen, Jason Day, Jim Furyk, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson round out a great field. Mahan has been playing particularly well, though he has just two trips to the weekend at Riviera in five tries.
Most Talent
Mickelson
Stricker
Casey
Furyk
D. Johnson
Course History
Stricker
Donald
Mickelson
Holmes
Allenby
Who's Hot?
Points
Mahan
Kuchar
Marino
Gillis
Who's Not?
Weir
Moore
Harrington
Ogilvy
O'Hair
My Picks
Donald
Stricker
Baddeley
Kuchar
Sabbatini
Cheers,
TFAM
If I rip on some of my guys the way I did Bill Murray last week does that mean I can visit the winner's circle too? I've been playing one-and-done for a year and a half and have yet to pick a winner.
Steve Marino had terrible body language down the stretch Sunday. He just doesn't seem like a winner to me.
Match play next week! Watch out for Nick Watney and Peter Hanson, among others.
This week, it's LA, and the field is nothing to spit at despite the losses of Watney, Els and Tim Clark to withdrawals. Stricker defends and is a strong pick after a T2 the year before. Phil, like every venue on the west coast, is a multiple winner. Dustin Johnson finished thrid here last year though the state of his game is in question with his showing at Pebble fresh in our minds. Matt Kuchar returns too after a layoff, and the Euros are beginning to invade in advance of the WGC event next week. Luke Donald is a star on this course, with three consecutive top six finishes, and he is the pick this week. I love his game. JB Holmes is great here too with three top sevens in his last three tries.
Anthony Kim, Padraig Harrington, Zach Johnson, Paul Casey, Rickie Fowler, Retief Goosen, Jason Day, Jim Furyk, Justin Rose, Hunter Mahan and Bubba Watson round out a great field. Mahan has been playing particularly well, though he has just two trips to the weekend at Riviera in five tries.
Most Talent
Mickelson
Stricker
Casey
Furyk
D. Johnson
Course History
Stricker
Donald
Mickelson
Holmes
Allenby
Who's Hot?
Points
Mahan
Kuchar
Marino
Gillis
Who's Not?
Weir
Moore
Harrington
Ogilvy
O'Hair
My Picks
Donald
Stricker
Baddeley
Kuchar
Sabbatini
Cheers,
TFAM
Wednesday, February 9, 2011
AT & T Pebble Beach
How has there not been a full fledged Vegas-style investigation into Cristina screwing up the lyrics Sunday night? There had to be rioting in the Casinos, right?
OK, golf.
There's nothing more tiresome to watch than celebrities playing golf. Hasn't this act run it's course? Unfortunately, we have to watch Bill Murray play to the fans and cameras this week with his tiresome routine when we could be watching good golf. It's the last if these idiotic pro-ams though, so we'll live.
Up until the front nine on the third Sunday in June last year, Dustin Johnson had owned Pebble Beach. Then, predictably, his game fell apart and he lost the US Open that he'll always know was the one he was destined to win. I guess it will probably go back to Pebble in another 10 years or so. In the mean time, DJ is the favorite again this week as he goes for the three-peat in this lesser prestigious event.
Challengers to DJ include Mickelson, who has won here and is a threat every time out. It's not a spot to pick him in the one and done, but he should be around on Sunday. He's already playing better this year than he did last. Nick Watney has two top 10s in the last two weeks and you know I love his game. I also like Vijay this week, as he's gone from 57th to 20th to 3rd in his three starts this year. He has seven top 10s and a win here so he's a safe bet to keep it rolling this week.
Other than those four, no one is really standing out to me this week. I'm waiting for the Jamie Lovemark breakout, so maybe this is that week for that. Padraig is here, and JB Holmes looked good last week and T2'd here in 2010. Mark Wilson? I guess you could do worse...like Mike Weir. O'Hair, Tim Clark, Geoff Ogilvy, Furyk, Mahan....I don't really have a good read on this one and none would surprise.
My sleeper this week is Richard S. Johnson. Don't ask, he's just a hunch. I like the Swedes. Check out Tiger, Kaymer and Westwood in Dubai this week also. Time to start scouting for the match play.
Most Talent
Mickelson
D. Johnson
Harrington
Furyk
Watney
Course History
D. Johnson
Mickelson
Singh
Weir
Furyk
Who's Hot?
M. Wilson
Watney
Singh
Snedeker
Dufner
Who's Not?
Weir
O'Hair
Van Pelt
Immelman
V. Taylor
My Picks
D. Johnson
Singh
R. Johnson
Watney
Lovemark
Cheers,
TFAM
OK, golf.
There's nothing more tiresome to watch than celebrities playing golf. Hasn't this act run it's course? Unfortunately, we have to watch Bill Murray play to the fans and cameras this week with his tiresome routine when we could be watching good golf. It's the last if these idiotic pro-ams though, so we'll live.
Up until the front nine on the third Sunday in June last year, Dustin Johnson had owned Pebble Beach. Then, predictably, his game fell apart and he lost the US Open that he'll always know was the one he was destined to win. I guess it will probably go back to Pebble in another 10 years or so. In the mean time, DJ is the favorite again this week as he goes for the three-peat in this lesser prestigious event.
Challengers to DJ include Mickelson, who has won here and is a threat every time out. It's not a spot to pick him in the one and done, but he should be around on Sunday. He's already playing better this year than he did last. Nick Watney has two top 10s in the last two weeks and you know I love his game. I also like Vijay this week, as he's gone from 57th to 20th to 3rd in his three starts this year. He has seven top 10s and a win here so he's a safe bet to keep it rolling this week.
Other than those four, no one is really standing out to me this week. I'm waiting for the Jamie Lovemark breakout, so maybe this is that week for that. Padraig is here, and JB Holmes looked good last week and T2'd here in 2010. Mark Wilson? I guess you could do worse...like Mike Weir. O'Hair, Tim Clark, Geoff Ogilvy, Furyk, Mahan....I don't really have a good read on this one and none would surprise.
My sleeper this week is Richard S. Johnson. Don't ask, he's just a hunch. I like the Swedes. Check out Tiger, Kaymer and Westwood in Dubai this week also. Time to start scouting for the match play.
Most Talent
Mickelson
D. Johnson
Harrington
Furyk
Watney
Course History
D. Johnson
Mickelson
Singh
Weir
Furyk
Who's Hot?
M. Wilson
Watney
Singh
Snedeker
Dufner
Who's Not?
Weir
O'Hair
Van Pelt
Immelman
V. Taylor
My Picks
D. Johnson
Singh
R. Johnson
Watney
Lovemark
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, January 25, 2011
Farmers Insurance Open
Something about the Farmers Insurance Open at Torrey Pines in La Jolla California has me thinking about the phrase "locally grown". Just a random thought. You want another one? La Jolla, and the rest of the San Diego area, is the greatest place on earth, I'm convinced.
You know who else in convinced? Tiger Woods. Woods will be making his 2011 TOUR debut this week at Torrey where he's only won the last (if you include the 2008 US Open) FIVE times he's teed it up. You know what? I think he makes it six in a row and seven of eight Sunday afternoon. I've been trying to figure when I'm going to play Tiger this year in the one and done, and I think I'm playing him this week. I get to play him on a course he owns in a week where no one else is going to take that gamble. Sure, I won't win the cash I may if I had him win a major, but that didn't exactly work out too well for me at St. Andrews last summer now did it? Tiger is the pick.
Others who can and should contend here include 2010 champ Ben Crane, who also top 10ed in 2009. However, Crane has only played once this year and was less than inspiring in Hawaii. Mickelson is here too and has multiple wins at Torrey, and although he does look very smart for nesting nearby, the trip to and fro Abu Dhabi in the last week wasn't the best decision to lead to the winner's circle this year. Rickie Fowler was fifth here last year, but he's the sexpert pick this week, as lots are picking him and the pressure may be a little much in his first 2011 start (if you're wondering about sexpert, type it into the google search box on the right of the blog). One more who should challenge Woods? 2009 champ Nick Watney. I'm forecasting a breakout year for him (not that I'm alone) and that should start here where he's got two more top tens in the last four starts to go with the win.
Lots of talent in the field this week though, so it should be fun to watch. Kim, DJ, and Justin Rose should not be discounted here.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
D. Johnson
Watney
Rose
Who's Hot?
Johnny Vegas!
B. Haas
Howell III
Na
Laird
Who's Not?
Mickelson
Glover
Cink
Weir
Allenby
Course History
Woods
Mickelson
Watney
Crane
Glover
My Picks
Woods
Watney
D. Johnson
Rose
M. Jones
Cheers,
TFAM
You know who else in convinced? Tiger Woods. Woods will be making his 2011 TOUR debut this week at Torrey where he's only won the last (if you include the 2008 US Open) FIVE times he's teed it up. You know what? I think he makes it six in a row and seven of eight Sunday afternoon. I've been trying to figure when I'm going to play Tiger this year in the one and done, and I think I'm playing him this week. I get to play him on a course he owns in a week where no one else is going to take that gamble. Sure, I won't win the cash I may if I had him win a major, but that didn't exactly work out too well for me at St. Andrews last summer now did it? Tiger is the pick.
Others who can and should contend here include 2010 champ Ben Crane, who also top 10ed in 2009. However, Crane has only played once this year and was less than inspiring in Hawaii. Mickelson is here too and has multiple wins at Torrey, and although he does look very smart for nesting nearby, the trip to and fro Abu Dhabi in the last week wasn't the best decision to lead to the winner's circle this year. Rickie Fowler was fifth here last year, but he's the sexpert pick this week, as lots are picking him and the pressure may be a little much in his first 2011 start (if you're wondering about sexpert, type it into the google search box on the right of the blog). One more who should challenge Woods? 2009 champ Nick Watney. I'm forecasting a breakout year for him (not that I'm alone) and that should start here where he's got two more top tens in the last four starts to go with the win.
Lots of talent in the field this week though, so it should be fun to watch. Kim, DJ, and Justin Rose should not be discounted here.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
D. Johnson
Watney
Rose
Who's Hot?
Johnny Vegas!
B. Haas
Howell III
Na
Laird
Who's Not?
Mickelson
Glover
Cink
Weir
Allenby
Course History
Woods
Mickelson
Watney
Crane
Glover
My Picks
Woods
Watney
D. Johnson
Rose
M. Jones
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, January 18, 2011
Bob Hope
"Middle age is when age starts to show around your middle."
The great Bob Hope authored many memorable one-liners during his time, but few have been so apropos for a TOUR pro heading into Hope's yearly event in Palm Springs. Steve Marino must have decided he'd had enough of middle age already at the age of 30, as he shed a few numbers in the waistline during the off-season and has come back with a new body and, judging by his stellar performance at the Sony last week, a new game.
Marino is my pick at the easiest array of tracks we'll see all season solely becuase he's playing well. His track record at the Hope includes three made cuts out of three, but just two top 30 finishes to his credit. If you like players with more of a history at the venue, you may want to try Matt Kuchar, Bill Haas, or Bubba Watson, who all dueled with Tim Clark last year when Haas emerged with a one stroke win. Of those guys, Clark has withdrawn, and Haas isn't the safest choice. I do like Kuchar a lot though, as his consistency and putting should score very well here. Watson is a wild card, as always.
Mike Weir also has great history in the desert, with four top 10s and a win here, but he's been almost unplayable pretty much since the Hope last year. You have better options in the one and done.
Others who are off to a decent start to the season who are playable this week include Jeff Overton, Chad Campbell (who has a win here), and Brendon de Jonge.
Finally, I would be remiss not to advise you to spend some time watching the results this weekend in Abu Dhabi, where Westwood, Mickelson, Poulter, Kaymer, McDowell, McIlroy, Casey, Harrington and others will be teeing it up in the marquis event of the weekend and the month of January.
Who's Hot?
M. Wilson
Marino
Kuchar
Bettencourt
Campbell
Who's Not?
Weir
Leonard
Toms
Clark (withdrawn)
Lovemark
Most Talent
Kuchar
Overton
Cink
Watson
Moore
Course History
Weir
Haas
Hoffman
Campbell
Perry
My Picks
Marino
Kuchar
Overton
Campbell
F. Jacobsen (just a hunch)
Cheers,
TFAM
The great Bob Hope authored many memorable one-liners during his time, but few have been so apropos for a TOUR pro heading into Hope's yearly event in Palm Springs. Steve Marino must have decided he'd had enough of middle age already at the age of 30, as he shed a few numbers in the waistline during the off-season and has come back with a new body and, judging by his stellar performance at the Sony last week, a new game.
Marino is my pick at the easiest array of tracks we'll see all season solely becuase he's playing well. His track record at the Hope includes three made cuts out of three, but just two top 30 finishes to his credit. If you like players with more of a history at the venue, you may want to try Matt Kuchar, Bill Haas, or Bubba Watson, who all dueled with Tim Clark last year when Haas emerged with a one stroke win. Of those guys, Clark has withdrawn, and Haas isn't the safest choice. I do like Kuchar a lot though, as his consistency and putting should score very well here. Watson is a wild card, as always.
Mike Weir also has great history in the desert, with four top 10s and a win here, but he's been almost unplayable pretty much since the Hope last year. You have better options in the one and done.
Others who are off to a decent start to the season who are playable this week include Jeff Overton, Chad Campbell (who has a win here), and Brendon de Jonge.
Finally, I would be remiss not to advise you to spend some time watching the results this weekend in Abu Dhabi, where Westwood, Mickelson, Poulter, Kaymer, McDowell, McIlroy, Casey, Harrington and others will be teeing it up in the marquis event of the weekend and the month of January.
Who's Hot?
M. Wilson
Marino
Kuchar
Bettencourt
Campbell
Who's Not?
Weir
Leonard
Toms
Clark (withdrawn)
Lovemark
Most Talent
Kuchar
Overton
Cink
Watson
Moore
Course History
Weir
Haas
Hoffman
Campbell
Perry
My Picks
Marino
Kuchar
Overton
Campbell
F. Jacobsen (just a hunch)
Cheers,
TFAM
Thursday, January 13, 2011
Fantasy Golf
Apparently I'm a Pisces now?
I've always prided myself on being a headstrong Aries, and now I've been cast, according to Pisces Wikipedia page, as someone who is "is constantly trying to adapt itself to its ever-changing feelings and to the moods and whims of others." No! I don't like to adapt!
Unfortunatley for me, my sign apparently didn't change early enough, as I was headstrong and non-adaptive in my fantasy golf auction the other night and I ended up with a mediocre team. This league is the same one I dismantled a year ago with the likes of Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar, all of whom were purchased for less than $5 out of a $100 budget. This year, I went after a few bigger names early, and figured I'd snag a few sleepers late that would form a nice mix of talent for the squad. The big names are fine (Westwood, Poulter, Watney -- my 2011 breakout star), but my "sleepers" turned out to be Steve Marino, Arjun Atwal, Michael Sim, and Matt Jones. Throw in a flier on Sergio Garcia and a WGC and major only play in Edoardo Molinari, and you basically have my team. Call me pessimistic, but I'm not sure Arjun Atwal has a Kuchar-like run in him this decade, let alone this year. Oh well, at least I'm starting WC Liang at the Sony this week!
My other weekly league plays the one and done format where you simply choose one guy per week in each tournament and then you can never use that player again. Your score for the week is the dollar amount your guy earned at the tournament, and cumulative score wins at the end.
We got off to a slow start in the one and done this year, missing the Tournament of Champions, but we're starting with the Sony Open this week, and I'm picking Justin Rose. The former member of my auction squad lit up the TOC last week over the final three rounds going 15 under par over the final 54 holes to finish 12th (he shot 75 on Thursday to eliminate himself from the winner's circle). Rose has a decent history at Waialae CC, and he's one of the top players involved this week on talent alone. So, he's the pick.
Other top choices this week include Steve Stricker, who also plays very well here and is the highest ranked player in the field, Matt Kuchar, Ernie Els, Jason Day, and Jim Furyk, with Els and Furyk joining Stricker with the history of playing the course well.
Sleepers this week include Charles Howell III, who has five top 10s in nine starts at the Sony, and bomber Robert Garrigus, who contended last week and finished last year on a high, winning the Children's Miracle Network Classic in November.
Oh, and WC Liang.
Cheers,
TFAM
I've always prided myself on being a headstrong Aries, and now I've been cast, according to Pisces Wikipedia page, as someone who is "is constantly trying to adapt itself to its ever-changing feelings and to the moods and whims of others." No! I don't like to adapt!
Unfortunatley for me, my sign apparently didn't change early enough, as I was headstrong and non-adaptive in my fantasy golf auction the other night and I ended up with a mediocre team. This league is the same one I dismantled a year ago with the likes of Justin Rose, Rickie Fowler and Matt Kuchar, all of whom were purchased for less than $5 out of a $100 budget. This year, I went after a few bigger names early, and figured I'd snag a few sleepers late that would form a nice mix of talent for the squad. The big names are fine (Westwood, Poulter, Watney -- my 2011 breakout star), but my "sleepers" turned out to be Steve Marino, Arjun Atwal, Michael Sim, and Matt Jones. Throw in a flier on Sergio Garcia and a WGC and major only play in Edoardo Molinari, and you basically have my team. Call me pessimistic, but I'm not sure Arjun Atwal has a Kuchar-like run in him this decade, let alone this year. Oh well, at least I'm starting WC Liang at the Sony this week!
My other weekly league plays the one and done format where you simply choose one guy per week in each tournament and then you can never use that player again. Your score for the week is the dollar amount your guy earned at the tournament, and cumulative score wins at the end.
We got off to a slow start in the one and done this year, missing the Tournament of Champions, but we're starting with the Sony Open this week, and I'm picking Justin Rose. The former member of my auction squad lit up the TOC last week over the final three rounds going 15 under par over the final 54 holes to finish 12th (he shot 75 on Thursday to eliminate himself from the winner's circle). Rose has a decent history at Waialae CC, and he's one of the top players involved this week on talent alone. So, he's the pick.
Other top choices this week include Steve Stricker, who also plays very well here and is the highest ranked player in the field, Matt Kuchar, Ernie Els, Jason Day, and Jim Furyk, with Els and Furyk joining Stricker with the history of playing the course well.
Sleepers this week include Charles Howell III, who has five top 10s in nine starts at the Sony, and bomber Robert Garrigus, who contended last week and finished last year on a high, winning the Children's Miracle Network Classic in November.
Oh, and WC Liang.
Cheers,
TFAM
Wednesday, September 8, 2010
BMW Championship
I'll be honest, the vultures are circling over my interest in fantasy golf for the 2010 season, and I'm even in a championship match in my auction league this weekend. It's football season, and golf is only for my wayward driver this time of year, not for my eyes through HD.
That said, I have to post something right? I'm not interested in reader revolt. However, you can bety that there will only be two more golf posts in 2010 after this one. The Tour Championship will be covered in two weeks, and I'll reveal my picks for the Ryder Cup confidence game I'm playing for the first week in October.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out who is a good bet to play well in Illinois this week. Tiger has owned the course (five titles, two seconds at the event formerly known as the Western Open), Furyk has none top 10s in 14 starts, and Villegas has a win and two other top 10s the last three years. Add those guys to the red hot Jason Day, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar, Adam Scott, Luke Donald and Dustin Johnson, and you have your favorites.
One guy who hasn't played well here is Mickelson, who is remarkably without a top 10 finish in 12 starts at this event.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
McIlroy
Els
Stricker
Course History
Woods
Furyk
Villegas
V. Singh
T. Clark
Who's Hot?
Day
Donald
D. Johnson
Kuchar
Stricker
Who's Not?
Kim
Choi
Moore
O'Hair
Poulter
My Picks
Woods
Villegas
Stricker
Day
Kuchar
Cheers,
TFAM
That said, I have to post something right? I'm not interested in reader revolt. However, you can bety that there will only be two more golf posts in 2010 after this one. The Tour Championship will be covered in two weeks, and I'll reveal my picks for the Ryder Cup confidence game I'm playing for the first week in October.
It doesn't take a genius to figure out who is a good bet to play well in Illinois this week. Tiger has owned the course (five titles, two seconds at the event formerly known as the Western Open), Furyk has none top 10s in 14 starts, and Villegas has a win and two other top 10s the last three years. Add those guys to the red hot Jason Day, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar, Adam Scott, Luke Donald and Dustin Johnson, and you have your favorites.
One guy who hasn't played well here is Mickelson, who is remarkably without a top 10 finish in 12 starts at this event.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
McIlroy
Els
Stricker
Course History
Woods
Furyk
Villegas
V. Singh
T. Clark
Who's Hot?
Day
Donald
D. Johnson
Kuchar
Stricker
Who's Not?
Kim
Choi
Moore
O'Hair
Poulter
My Picks
Woods
Villegas
Stricker
Day
Kuchar
Cheers,
TFAM
Wednesday, September 1, 2010
Deutsche Bank
FYI, this week's PGA event is playing Friday-Monday.
Is Matt Kuchar the PGA TOUR player of the year? I would say yes, and the others have three weeks to do something about it. What a year out of Kuchar, who is singlehandedly making me a lot of money. Did anyone ever read about his dad's antics at the Masters when Matt was an amateur?
This week, the TOUR has its eye on Boston, while at the same time hoping Earl doesn't have its eye on a washout in Massachusetts this weekend. Steve Stricker won this event last year, and comes in as the heavy favorite this year too, as he's been playing well enough week in and week out to think he's a top 5-10 lock. The second choice almost has to be Dustin Johnson, who is showing up on the leaderboard every single week, and is bound to have a good Sunday sometime. DJ was fourth in this event last year. I worry Kuchar may need a week to regroup after his biggest weekend as a pro.
Other than Stricker and Johnson, Vijay has history here with wins in 2004 and 2008. Phil, Tiger and Adam Scott have joined him in the winner's circle at the TPC BOston in recent years.. Angel Cabrera also shows well in Boston, as does Rip Van Furyk, and Rose, Villegas, Ogilvy and O'Hair have multiple Boston top 10s.
Sleeper this week? Vaughn Taylor is playing his best golf of the year, and he finished third here in 2005.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
McIlroy
Els
Stricker
Course History
Singh
Stricker
Woods
Furyk
Cabrera
Who's Hot?
Kuchar
D. Johnson
Stricker
Day
Overton
Who's Not?
Glover
Mickelson
Ogilvy
Singh
Kim
My Picks
Stricker
D. Johnson
Taylor
Woods
Furyk
Cheers,
TFAM
Is Matt Kuchar the PGA TOUR player of the year? I would say yes, and the others have three weeks to do something about it. What a year out of Kuchar, who is singlehandedly making me a lot of money. Did anyone ever read about his dad's antics at the Masters when Matt was an amateur?
This week, the TOUR has its eye on Boston, while at the same time hoping Earl doesn't have its eye on a washout in Massachusetts this weekend. Steve Stricker won this event last year, and comes in as the heavy favorite this year too, as he's been playing well enough week in and week out to think he's a top 5-10 lock. The second choice almost has to be Dustin Johnson, who is showing up on the leaderboard every single week, and is bound to have a good Sunday sometime. DJ was fourth in this event last year. I worry Kuchar may need a week to regroup after his biggest weekend as a pro.
Other than Stricker and Johnson, Vijay has history here with wins in 2004 and 2008. Phil, Tiger and Adam Scott have joined him in the winner's circle at the TPC BOston in recent years.. Angel Cabrera also shows well in Boston, as does Rip Van Furyk, and Rose, Villegas, Ogilvy and O'Hair have multiple Boston top 10s.
Sleeper this week? Vaughn Taylor is playing his best golf of the year, and he finished third here in 2005.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
McIlroy
Els
Stricker
Course History
Singh
Stricker
Woods
Furyk
Cabrera
Who's Hot?
Kuchar
D. Johnson
Stricker
Day
Overton
Who's Not?
Glover
Mickelson
Ogilvy
Singh
Kim
My Picks
Stricker
D. Johnson
Taylor
Woods
Furyk
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, August 24, 2010
The Barclays
Update: Jim Furyk overslept for the pro-am Wednesday and has been DQ'd from the tournament.
Finally the playoffs have arrived. Finally for me becuase I'm right in the mix in my auction league, and this is where I can make some serious cash. Finally for you because, let's face it, you'd rather have me write about football.
Heath Slocum won The Barclays last year, but, like what seems like so many other events in 2010, the venue has changed. It's actually being played at Ridgewood CC (Jersey), which hosted the 2008 Barclays which was won by Vijay Singh. Veej hasn't been playing poorly lately, but he hasn't been good enough to win either. Top 10 would be a nice result from him.
All of the top Tour players are in the mix this week, which includes a handful of Euros that could make an impact. Let's start with Paul Casey, who finished just two shots back in the 2008 tourney. I'd say he's grown as a player since, though he may not be in top form. The other top picks from Europe are McIlroy, Donald and Rose. Of the three, Rory is clearly playing the best golf. Poulter and Harrington are here too, but Poulter hasn't been himself really since the weekend at Augusta, and Padraig has had a 2010 to forget.
As far as the Americans go, there is a lot to like this week. We can't ignore Tiger and Phil, but can't pick them to win either. They aren't playing inspired golf and there are just too many players who are. Jim Furyk, Jeff Overton, Jason Day (ok, he's an Aussie), Bubba Watson, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson have all had great seasons, and are lined up to make a major run here. None would be a surprise. Stricker tied Phil for 19th in 2008, Watson and Furyk tied for 12th. Day and Overton both were under par and are much better players now.
Three others to keep an eye on would be Ernie Els (he'll be a beast until Sunday), and Justin Leonard (tied Casey in 2008 and playing his best golf).
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Els
McIlroy
Stricker
Course History
V. Singh
Sutherland
Leonard
Casey
Laird
Who's Hot?
Watson
McIlroy
D. Johnson
Kuchar
Overton
Who's Not?
Woods
Poulter
Yang
Choi
Marino
My Picks
McIlroy
Overton
Day
Furyk
Stricker
Cheers,
TFAM
Finally the playoffs have arrived. Finally for me becuase I'm right in the mix in my auction league, and this is where I can make some serious cash. Finally for you because, let's face it, you'd rather have me write about football.
Heath Slocum won The Barclays last year, but, like what seems like so many other events in 2010, the venue has changed. It's actually being played at Ridgewood CC (Jersey), which hosted the 2008 Barclays which was won by Vijay Singh. Veej hasn't been playing poorly lately, but he hasn't been good enough to win either. Top 10 would be a nice result from him.
All of the top Tour players are in the mix this week, which includes a handful of Euros that could make an impact. Let's start with Paul Casey, who finished just two shots back in the 2008 tourney. I'd say he's grown as a player since, though he may not be in top form. The other top picks from Europe are McIlroy, Donald and Rose. Of the three, Rory is clearly playing the best golf. Poulter and Harrington are here too, but Poulter hasn't been himself really since the weekend at Augusta, and Padraig has had a 2010 to forget.
As far as the Americans go, there is a lot to like this week. We can't ignore Tiger and Phil, but can't pick them to win either. They aren't playing inspired golf and there are just too many players who are. Jim Furyk, Jeff Overton, Jason Day (ok, he's an Aussie), Bubba Watson, Steve Stricker, Matt Kuchar and Dustin Johnson have all had great seasons, and are lined up to make a major run here. None would be a surprise. Stricker tied Phil for 19th in 2008, Watson and Furyk tied for 12th. Day and Overton both were under par and are much better players now.
Three others to keep an eye on would be Ernie Els (he'll be a beast until Sunday), and Justin Leonard (tied Casey in 2008 and playing his best golf).
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Els
McIlroy
Stricker
Course History
V. Singh
Sutherland
Leonard
Casey
Laird
Who's Hot?
Watson
McIlroy
D. Johnson
Kuchar
Overton
Who's Not?
Woods
Poulter
Yang
Choi
Marino
My Picks
McIlroy
Overton
Day
Furyk
Stricker
Cheers,
TFAM
Wednesday, August 18, 2010
Wyndham chmpionship
If a golfer grounds his club in the sand in the woods but no one sees him, did he ground the club?
This week, the Wyndham Championship offers just a pinch more talent than my local muni. On top of that, they've only been playing on this track for two years, so we don't have a lot of course history either. As the Bad Idea Bears would say..."Yaaaaaaay!".
Ryan Moore is the defender and I suppose he's as good a pick as any as he combines talent with success here.
There's actually only one player who has finished in the top 20 in each of the last two years here and that's Scott McCarron. I suppose that makes him interesting for the first time since calling out Lefty on the groove issue. Anthony Kim is the highest ranked player in the field, but he isn't in form. Ditto Henrik Stenson, who had back to back disasters in Akron and Kohler.
Other contenders include Jerry Kelly, who may just count this as his best event on Tour with four top 10s and seven top 20s in 12 starts, and Lucas Glover, who hasn't failed to play the weekend here in six tries and fell out of the top 25 just once. Both have had success on the new course. I suppose I could be talked into 2008 champ, Carl Petterson, as well.
My pick, however, is Jason Dufner. He has just one top ten here in four starts (and two missed cuts), but he is playing well (top 10 in the PGA) and may just be one of the best golfers in an extremely weak field.
Most Talent
Kim
Stenson
Moore
Glover
Immelman
Course History
Moore
Petterson
McCarron
Glover
Kelly
Who's Hot?
Dufner
Petterson
R. Johnson
Leonard
Bettencourt
Who's Not?
Stenson
Kim
Weir
Toms
Duval
My Picks
Dufner
Kelly
Moore
R. Johnson
Glover
Cheers,
TFAM
This week, the Wyndham Championship offers just a pinch more talent than my local muni. On top of that, they've only been playing on this track for two years, so we don't have a lot of course history either. As the Bad Idea Bears would say..."Yaaaaaaay!".
Ryan Moore is the defender and I suppose he's as good a pick as any as he combines talent with success here.
There's actually only one player who has finished in the top 20 in each of the last two years here and that's Scott McCarron. I suppose that makes him interesting for the first time since calling out Lefty on the groove issue. Anthony Kim is the highest ranked player in the field, but he isn't in form. Ditto Henrik Stenson, who had back to back disasters in Akron and Kohler.
Other contenders include Jerry Kelly, who may just count this as his best event on Tour with four top 10s and seven top 20s in 12 starts, and Lucas Glover, who hasn't failed to play the weekend here in six tries and fell out of the top 25 just once. Both have had success on the new course. I suppose I could be talked into 2008 champ, Carl Petterson, as well.
My pick, however, is Jason Dufner. He has just one top ten here in four starts (and two missed cuts), but he is playing well (top 10 in the PGA) and may just be one of the best golfers in an extremely weak field.
Most Talent
Kim
Stenson
Moore
Glover
Immelman
Course History
Moore
Petterson
McCarron
Glover
Kelly
Who's Hot?
Dufner
Petterson
R. Johnson
Leonard
Bettencourt
Who's Not?
Stenson
Kim
Weir
Toms
Duval
My Picks
Dufner
Kelly
Moore
R. Johnson
Glover
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, August 10, 2010
PGA Championship
After a nice start to the fantasy golf season, my prognostications have taken a bit of a turn for the worse as of late, not quite the turn that my fantasy squad took Sunday when Els, O'Hair and Kuchar played with their arms around their necks and cost me a victory, but but it has been a struggle nonetheless. Let's get back on track this week for the PGA, which is being held at a fantastic venue, Whistling Straits in Kohler, Wisconsin.
Last time the PGA went to Sconnie, Vijay Singh (who may or may not have still been wearing his glasses, won in a playoff over Chris Dimarco and Justin Leonard and clained his second PGA and third (and last) major. Since, all three have fallen on hard times, with Dimarco becoming a shell of his former bulldog self, and Veej and Leonard having seen their best years pass. Leonard may be a bit of a sleeper this week, as his game seemed to awaken a bit at Firestone, but I;m not sure he can win the event.
Ernie Els finished one shot out of that playoff in 2004 and he's played his best golf in years this past six months. He should be a factor here, but his routine of Sunday fades is a bit concerning. Mickelson is always a threat, but with the demands that this course puts on the driver, I'm not sure he can put well enough to overcome that weakness.
My pick? Steve Stricker. He's from Wisconsin, which may put pressure on him (and may even make him the sexpert pick of the week...I could be kicking myself Friday afternoon), but he plays his best golf close to home at the John Deere, so that shouldn't be an issue. I know the Deere is hardly the PGA, but Stricker is straight off the tee and he can putt. That's a great formula this week.
Other contenders are going to include Jim Furyk and Rory McIlroy, both of whom are playing well enogh to win and have the game to succeed here. Obviously, all the world is here as well this week, so, again, there are plenty of talented players who have a chance to win. Which one do you fancy?
You want a darkhorse? Matt Kuchar. That drive it straight, putt it well formula works for him as well.
I think we've covered everything, right? What, Eldrick? Shhhh. I picked him 15th in my PGA draft, let's not talk about him. Everyone should write him off.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
McIlroy
Els
Stricker
Course History
V. Singh
Leonard
Els
Choi
Mickelson
Who's Hot?
Mahan
Harrington
McIlroy
Stricker
Overton
Who's Not?
Woods
Garcia
Choi
Kim
Ogilvy
My Picks
Stricker
Furyk
McIlroy
Casey
Kuchar
Els
Watney
Goosen
O'Hair
Leonard
Cheers,
TFAM
Last time the PGA went to Sconnie, Vijay Singh (who may or may not have still been wearing his glasses, won in a playoff over Chris Dimarco and Justin Leonard and clained his second PGA and third (and last) major. Since, all three have fallen on hard times, with Dimarco becoming a shell of his former bulldog self, and Veej and Leonard having seen their best years pass. Leonard may be a bit of a sleeper this week, as his game seemed to awaken a bit at Firestone, but I;m not sure he can win the event.
Ernie Els finished one shot out of that playoff in 2004 and he's played his best golf in years this past six months. He should be a factor here, but his routine of Sunday fades is a bit concerning. Mickelson is always a threat, but with the demands that this course puts on the driver, I'm not sure he can put well enough to overcome that weakness.
My pick? Steve Stricker. He's from Wisconsin, which may put pressure on him (and may even make him the sexpert pick of the week...I could be kicking myself Friday afternoon), but he plays his best golf close to home at the John Deere, so that shouldn't be an issue. I know the Deere is hardly the PGA, but Stricker is straight off the tee and he can putt. That's a great formula this week.
Other contenders are going to include Jim Furyk and Rory McIlroy, both of whom are playing well enogh to win and have the game to succeed here. Obviously, all the world is here as well this week, so, again, there are plenty of talented players who have a chance to win. Which one do you fancy?
You want a darkhorse? Matt Kuchar. That drive it straight, putt it well formula works for him as well.
I think we've covered everything, right? What, Eldrick? Shhhh. I picked him 15th in my PGA draft, let's not talk about him. Everyone should write him off.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
McIlroy
Els
Stricker
Course History
V. Singh
Leonard
Els
Choi
Mickelson
Who's Hot?
Mahan
Harrington
McIlroy
Stricker
Overton
Who's Not?
Woods
Garcia
Choi
Kim
Ogilvy
My Picks
Stricker
Furyk
McIlroy
Casey
Kuchar
Els
Watney
Goosen
O'Hair
Leonard
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, August 3, 2010
WGC at Firestone
UPDATE: Robert Allenby tore knee ligaments in a fishing accident last weekend. He's out at least three weeks.
I really enjoy the WGC events. Most of the top players in the world play, there is no cut in the stroke play versions (so my picks look better!), and the courses are difficult enough where Stuart Appleby would be more likely to shoot 59 on the back than on the full 18.
This week, the Bridgestone is up, and it's played at Firestone CC in Ohio, which is a course that has been owned by one Tiger Woods. Woods has won the event seven times in ten tries (including his last four) and never finished worse than fourth at the course...a record that you'd be hard pressed to better searching the annals of golf history. That makes Tiger the favorite, even if he couldn't win at Augusta, Pebble, or St. Andrews, his other three faves, this season.
The rest of the field is good, so if Tiger stumbles, this thing is wide open. Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Justin Rose are on form, and all have two top tens in this event. Westwood has played like the Champion Golfer of the Year in 2010, although he didn't earn the title in Scotland, and he's got top tens in his last two appearances at Firestone.
As for the non-Euros, Furyk and Vijay have played this course very well, with Vijay winning in lieu of Tiger's ACL in 2008. I'm not sure either is the winner, but top 20s are very likely. Robert Allenby can play this course too, he finished second last year....and don't count out Americans Nick Watney and Dustin Johnson, who are primed for breakout wins on the semi-major stage.
Of course, as I pointed out earlier, the field is very strong, and any number of players could win. Phil and Ernie are here too, though this doesn't appear to be their favorite venue. Stricker and Louis Oosthuizen both have wins in the last month too.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Westwood
Els
McIlroy
Who's Hot?
Westwood
Oosthuizen
Stricker
Rose
Casey
Who's Not?
Woods
Garcia
Cabrera
Weir
Cink
Course History
Woods
V. Singh
Furyk
Z. Johnson
Westwood
My Picks
Woods
Casey
Rose
D. Johnson
Stenson
Cheers,
TFAM
I really enjoy the WGC events. Most of the top players in the world play, there is no cut in the stroke play versions (so my picks look better!), and the courses are difficult enough where Stuart Appleby would be more likely to shoot 59 on the back than on the full 18.
This week, the Bridgestone is up, and it's played at Firestone CC in Ohio, which is a course that has been owned by one Tiger Woods. Woods has won the event seven times in ten tries (including his last four) and never finished worse than fourth at the course...a record that you'd be hard pressed to better searching the annals of golf history. That makes Tiger the favorite, even if he couldn't win at Augusta, Pebble, or St. Andrews, his other three faves, this season.
The rest of the field is good, so if Tiger stumbles, this thing is wide open. Paul Casey, Luke Donald and Justin Rose are on form, and all have two top tens in this event. Westwood has played like the Champion Golfer of the Year in 2010, although he didn't earn the title in Scotland, and he's got top tens in his last two appearances at Firestone.
As for the non-Euros, Furyk and Vijay have played this course very well, with Vijay winning in lieu of Tiger's ACL in 2008. I'm not sure either is the winner, but top 20s are very likely. Robert Allenby can play this course too, he finished second last year....and don't count out Americans Nick Watney and Dustin Johnson, who are primed for breakout wins on the semi-major stage.
Of course, as I pointed out earlier, the field is very strong, and any number of players could win. Phil and Ernie are here too, though this doesn't appear to be their favorite venue. Stricker and Louis Oosthuizen both have wins in the last month too.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Westwood
Els
McIlroy
Who's Hot?
Westwood
Oosthuizen
Stricker
Rose
Casey
Who's Not?
Woods
Garcia
Cabrera
Weir
Cink
Course History
Woods
V. Singh
Furyk
Z. Johnson
Westwood
My Picks
Woods
Casey
Rose
D. Johnson
Stenson
Cheers,
TFAM
Wednesday, July 28, 2010
Greenbriar Classic
Gee, I just love these thrilling events at courses where we have no history and household names such as Dean Wilson and Greg Chalmers are capturing the TV coverage on a Sunday afternoon. Exit Canadian Open, enter Greenbriar Classic!
The Old White Course at the Greenbriar Resort in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia is the host this week, and it has plenty of history (built around the turn of the century), just not the recent PGA Tour history that would help us decipher the code this week for fantasy sticks.
The inaugural Greenbriar event features Jim Furyk as the top ranked golfer in the world, and he'll be on the short list of guys who should contend this week. The only other player in the top 25 in the WGR is Matt Kuchar, who has continued his breakout season with three top 10s in his last four Tour starts.
Other golfers in the field who are playing weel include last week's Euro winner (and former Tour winner) Richard Johnson, and the aforementioned Wilson, but neither has lit the world on fire in 2010. I like Ricky Barnes this week, who is steadily knocking on the victory door. Carl Petterson is here too off his win and blistery 60 last Saturday in Toronto. Jeff Overton and JB Holmes have also been playing some golf as of late, and Trevor Immelman is creeping back into the conversation with consecutive top 25s for the first time since 2008.
In non-Greenbriar news, good to see that AK is almost ready to tee it up again.
Most Talent
Furyk
Garcia
Kuchar
Immelman
Holmes?
Course History
None
Who's Hot?
Kuchar
C. Petterson
Overton
R. Johnson
de Jonge
Who's Not?
Garcia
Kelly
Leonard
JM Singh
Toms
My Picks
Barnes
Kuchar
Furyk
Overton
Immelman
Cheers,
TFAM
The Old White Course at the Greenbriar Resort in White Sulpher Springs, West Virginia is the host this week, and it has plenty of history (built around the turn of the century), just not the recent PGA Tour history that would help us decipher the code this week for fantasy sticks.
The inaugural Greenbriar event features Jim Furyk as the top ranked golfer in the world, and he'll be on the short list of guys who should contend this week. The only other player in the top 25 in the WGR is Matt Kuchar, who has continued his breakout season with three top 10s in his last four Tour starts.
Other golfers in the field who are playing weel include last week's Euro winner (and former Tour winner) Richard Johnson, and the aforementioned Wilson, but neither has lit the world on fire in 2010. I like Ricky Barnes this week, who is steadily knocking on the victory door. Carl Petterson is here too off his win and blistery 60 last Saturday in Toronto. Jeff Overton and JB Holmes have also been playing some golf as of late, and Trevor Immelman is creeping back into the conversation with consecutive top 25s for the first time since 2008.
In non-Greenbriar news, good to see that AK is almost ready to tee it up again.
Most Talent
Furyk
Garcia
Kuchar
Immelman
Holmes?
Course History
None
Who's Hot?
Kuchar
C. Petterson
Overton
R. Johnson
de Jonge
Who's Not?
Garcia
Kelly
Leonard
JM Singh
Toms
My Picks
Barnes
Kuchar
Furyk
Overton
Immelman
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, July 20, 2010
Canadian Open
Vacation. I'm on it, and I'm traveling...so, I can't write until Thursday.
Here is what you need to know about the Canadian Open. Past results are meaningless, because the St. George's venue hasn't hosted the event since our parents were doing bomb scare drills in school. Also, just because it's in Canada doesn't mean you should pick Mike Weir. He stinks. Here is a link to information about this week's field. I like Sean O'Hair, he's been playing very well as of late. I worry Paul Casey is going to suffer from a slight - I was in contention at a major last weekend and let some random guy who we'll never hear from again trounce me - hangover.
Back at it Thursday.
Cheers,
TFAM
Here is what you need to know about the Canadian Open. Past results are meaningless, because the St. George's venue hasn't hosted the event since our parents were doing bomb scare drills in school. Also, just because it's in Canada doesn't mean you should pick Mike Weir. He stinks. Here is a link to information about this week's field. I like Sean O'Hair, he's been playing very well as of late. I worry Paul Casey is going to suffer from a slight - I was in contention at a major last weekend and let some random guy who we'll never hear from again trounce me - hangover.
Back at it Thursday.
Cheers,
TFAM
Tuesday, July 13, 2010
The (British) Open Championship
No matter what we call it, the Open Championship is the best golf tournament played outside of Augusta in the world on a yearly basis. Considering Augusta is now seemingly ruled by just two men, it actually may be the best golf tournament to watch if you like a little suspense (and potentially wild weather) with your haggis and clootie dumplings.
This year's event is held at the St. Andrews Old Course, which is widely reknowned as the birthplace of golf. In recent times its also been viewed as the epicenter of Tiger Woods' domain (was looking for the name of a dwelling for a tiger....lair? den?).
Woods has won the last two Opens at St. Andrews by a combined 13 strokes, and he has to be the favorite for that reason alone, despite his mortal play in the post Elin era. Woods is successful at the Old Course for three reasons. One, he's the best player in the world. Two, the fairways roll forever, so he can keep the driver in the bag and still roll it out there over 300 yards, and three, wayward drives aren't quite as penal on the other side if the pond.
After Woods, I like Phil as the second choice. I know he has a terrible record in this event, but I believe Mickelson has morphed into a player who is going to contend at pretty much every major contested. If you forget his record at the British you can make a good case that the course sets up well for his game too. Plus, there is a rule when it comes to picking guys for majors. Tiger and Phil are always the first two choices. My buddy Steve learned this the hard way at Augusta when he took Els before Phil in a draft. You just don't make that mistake, and it cost Steve $20.
So, who else has a fighting chance here? Ernie has 12 top tens (and a win) in 18 tries at the Open, which is a stunning record. He should be there considering his 2010 form. Westwood has to be considered in every major these days, though the calf injury is a concern. Retief, Sergio and Furyk also all have at least five top 10s in this event, and don't forget two time champ Paddy Harrington, who is more than capable. All but Sergio come in playing well enough to contend.
There are a host of others who obviously can put it together this week too. Justin Rose is the hottest player in the world. Ryan Moore and Sean O'Hair are solid American options, both of which are in the midst of their best play of the year on the PGA Tour. Eduardo Molinari won the Scottish Open last week, and joins US Open champ Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter (who likes his chance this week) as Brits with a good chance. Rory McIlroy is playing well enough too.
Four names for deeper sleepers? Jason Day, Jeff Overton, Rhys Davies, and Ryo Ishikawa. All are playing well coming into Thursday. I can't wait.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Westwood
Stricker
Els
Course History
Woods
Els
Singh
Goosen
Garcia
Who's Hot?
Rose
Stricker
Moore
E. Molinari
McDowell
Who's Not?
Garcia
Woods
Glover
Weir
Cabrera
My Picks
Woods
Mickelson
Els
Poulter
McIlroy
O'Hair
Moore
Harrington
Rose
Ishikawa
Cheers,
TFAM
This year's event is held at the St. Andrews Old Course, which is widely reknowned as the birthplace of golf. In recent times its also been viewed as the epicenter of Tiger Woods' domain (was looking for the name of a dwelling for a tiger....lair? den?).
Woods has won the last two Opens at St. Andrews by a combined 13 strokes, and he has to be the favorite for that reason alone, despite his mortal play in the post Elin era. Woods is successful at the Old Course for three reasons. One, he's the best player in the world. Two, the fairways roll forever, so he can keep the driver in the bag and still roll it out there over 300 yards, and three, wayward drives aren't quite as penal on the other side if the pond.
After Woods, I like Phil as the second choice. I know he has a terrible record in this event, but I believe Mickelson has morphed into a player who is going to contend at pretty much every major contested. If you forget his record at the British you can make a good case that the course sets up well for his game too. Plus, there is a rule when it comes to picking guys for majors. Tiger and Phil are always the first two choices. My buddy Steve learned this the hard way at Augusta when he took Els before Phil in a draft. You just don't make that mistake, and it cost Steve $20.
So, who else has a fighting chance here? Ernie has 12 top tens (and a win) in 18 tries at the Open, which is a stunning record. He should be there considering his 2010 form. Westwood has to be considered in every major these days, though the calf injury is a concern. Retief, Sergio and Furyk also all have at least five top 10s in this event, and don't forget two time champ Paddy Harrington, who is more than capable. All but Sergio come in playing well enough to contend.
There are a host of others who obviously can put it together this week too. Justin Rose is the hottest player in the world. Ryan Moore and Sean O'Hair are solid American options, both of which are in the midst of their best play of the year on the PGA Tour. Eduardo Molinari won the Scottish Open last week, and joins US Open champ Graeme McDowell, Luke Donald and Ian Poulter (who likes his chance this week) as Brits with a good chance. Rory McIlroy is playing well enough too.
Four names for deeper sleepers? Jason Day, Jeff Overton, Rhys Davies, and Ryo Ishikawa. All are playing well coming into Thursday. I can't wait.
Most Talent
Woods
Mickelson
Westwood
Stricker
Els
Course History
Woods
Els
Singh
Goosen
Garcia
Who's Hot?
Rose
Stricker
Moore
E. Molinari
McDowell
Who's Not?
Garcia
Woods
Glover
Weir
Cabrera
My Picks
Woods
Mickelson
Els
Poulter
McIlroy
O'Hair
Moore
Harrington
Rose
Ishikawa
Cheers,
TFAM
Wednesday, July 7, 2010
John Deere Classic
The John Deere Classic has been known as one of the least attractive events on Tour for yearsm and it still offers up the least prize money of any event on the regular summer schedule (that isn't opposing a WGC or major event). Still, I'd arguer that, at least in 2010, the Deere's field isn't half bad, and has risen above events like the Nelson, Zurich and a couple others.
Steve Stricker is the headliner here and he's also the defending champion. While his form has been off since early in the year due to injury, I'd expect a rebound this week. If not, I can't see him being much of a factor until after the PGA.
The other favorites this week who have notched positive results on this track include Tim Clark (second and 18th in two apps.), Zach Johnson (second in 2009 to Stricker), Jonathan Byrd (a win and a second), and Kenny Perry, who has five top 10s in nine starts. Of those guys, Clark and Johnson have already posted victories in 2010 and are very capable of doing the same here. Perry isn't really on form, and seems like a long shot to ever regain the top spot on the regular tour.
Others playing well entering this week that are in the field include Jason Day, KJ Choi, Rickie Fowler and Jeff Overton, all of whom are establishing themselves as top 20 players on tour for the 2010 season. Each should be making some money this week. Bubba Watson is here too, coming off his win in Connecticut. I'd be surprised if he repeats in his frost event after a huge, huge moment for him.
Most Talent
Stricker
Fowler
Choi
Z. Johnson
Clark
Course History
Perry
Stricker
Byrd
JP Hayes
K. Sutherland
Who's Hot?
B. Watson
J. Day
Overton
Fowler
Choi
Who's Not?
Stricker
Perry
Mediate
Duval
Love
My Picks
Fowler
J. Day
Choi
Overton
Clark
Stricker
Cheers,
TFAM
Steve Stricker is the headliner here and he's also the defending champion. While his form has been off since early in the year due to injury, I'd expect a rebound this week. If not, I can't see him being much of a factor until after the PGA.
The other favorites this week who have notched positive results on this track include Tim Clark (second and 18th in two apps.), Zach Johnson (second in 2009 to Stricker), Jonathan Byrd (a win and a second), and Kenny Perry, who has five top 10s in nine starts. Of those guys, Clark and Johnson have already posted victories in 2010 and are very capable of doing the same here. Perry isn't really on form, and seems like a long shot to ever regain the top spot on the regular tour.
Others playing well entering this week that are in the field include Jason Day, KJ Choi, Rickie Fowler and Jeff Overton, all of whom are establishing themselves as top 20 players on tour for the 2010 season. Each should be making some money this week. Bubba Watson is here too, coming off his win in Connecticut. I'd be surprised if he repeats in his frost event after a huge, huge moment for him.
Most Talent
Stricker
Fowler
Choi
Z. Johnson
Clark
Course History
Perry
Stricker
Byrd
JP Hayes
K. Sutherland
Who's Hot?
B. Watson
J. Day
Overton
Fowler
Choi
Who's Not?
Stricker
Perry
Mediate
Duval
Love
My Picks
Fowler
J. Day
Choi
Overton
Clark
Stricker
Cheers,
TFAM
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