Course: TPC Summerlin, a 7,200 yard scenic route through the desert. There are a lot of birdies to be had, and while bombers have typically been rewarded on this course, you don't necessarily need to be the longest hitter to win. The premium is on the approach shots.
Strength Of Field: D. If you need big names in order to captivate you, wait until the Asian swing. This will be a yawner for you. Hardcore golf fans will keep an eye out for some of the "second tier" superstars and big names in the making.
Extra Tidbits: All eyes will be on defending FedEx Cup champion Billy Horschel, who begins his season this week. Horchel's last three tournaments were a runner up finish, followed by two victories...Remember Bob May? The former PGA Tour pro who took Tiger Woods to the limit at the 2000 PGA Championship is back, receiving a sponsor exemption into this tournament. May hasn't had status on any Tour since 2010...The Monday qualifiers this week are Wes Homan, Kevin Tway, Wes Roach, and Mark Baldwin...Jimmy Walker doesn't take any breaks. After playing in the Tour Championship and the Ryder Cup, Walker has played the first two events of the 2014-2015 season.
Fantasy Four:
Hideki Matsuyama - The PGA Tour Fantasy game allows you to pick one player ten times throughout the course of the season, and I expect to burn through about half of those on Matsuyama by the time the Tour leaves Hawaii. He's in for a monster year, and his T3 last week showed he has the kind of game to compete anywhere. He's arguably the best player in the field, so there's no reason to sit him.
Kevin Na - TPC Summerlin was the site of his only PGA Tour victory. Residence of Las Vegas. Rebounded from an injury two years ago to make it all the way to the Tour Championship last year. Every sign points to Na winning again, and soon, so this could be the perfect place for him to get his season going.
Stuart Appleby - Sleeper pick. Won this tournament back when it was the Las Vegas Invitational. Was in contention last week until a lousy weekend sent him plummeting down the leaderboard. Sneaky player that is often forgot about. Coming off one of his best years in a long time.
Ryo Ishikawa - I may be setting myself up here for a disappointment. Ishikawa finished T2 last year, and is coming off a top 25 last week. He could win this tournament just as easily as he could miss the cut, and no one would be surprised by either outcome. If Ishikawa can start well, expect him to be in contention on the weekend.
Last Weeks Team:
Hideki Matsuyama: T3
Brooks Koepka: T8
Adam Hadwin: T53
Jimmy Walker: 63
No comments:
Post a Comment