Archive for the ‘Hunter Mahan’ Category

2009 Travelers Championship Preview

Wednesday, June 24th, 2009


2009 Travelers Championship Logo


AimPoint PGA Tour Picks


2009 Travelers Championship AimPoint PGA Tour Fantasy Golf Picks


Fantasy Golf Picks


I’m giving myself points for picking winners.  Hopefully my picks can help you win your fantasy golf league this season.  My goal is to get to 111 points for the season, or the equivlant of picking a Top 3 finisher or better each week.


Winner = 10 points

2nd Place = 5 points

3rd Place = 3 points

Top 10 = 1 point


2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Total:  50 Points


2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.08 Points


Last week: 


I’m still trying to verify if the U.S. Open is over…………wait, yes it looks like they were able to finish.  What a great Open!  As disjointed as it was with multiple weather delays, drunk fans and even a David Duval sighting, it gave us all what a major should; drama on the last few holes.  As much as I was pulling for Phil down the stretch, I had a pending feeling of heartbreak that is all to familiar to Phil fans.  It was exciting none the less, down to the very last putt on 18.  As golf fans that’s all we can ask for.


We’ve had Lucas Glover on our radar since early February but mad props go out to our valued partner AimPointGolf.com for being the only predictor (that I saw) to foresee Glover winning his first major.  Way to go Mark!


I got 1 point for Tiger’s Top 10.  Toms looked good in round 1 and absolutely flopped in round 2 enroute to his missed cut.  Clark did make the cut but never got his putter going.  That gives me 50 points on the year at week 24, well behind my projected pace. 


This week: 


Even after a major hangover, the Travelers Championship is an entertaining tournament that always draws a great field.  This is the third year it has been played following the U.S. Open and suprisingly there are some big names in attendance this week.  Last year Stewart Cink pulled out a one shot victory over Tommy Armour III and Hunter Mahan.


1. Hunter Mahan


Forget the fact that Hunter finished T2 here last year.  Forget the fact that he won here in 2007.  The most telling stat for this week is how he’s been playing of late.  Mahan got his second major Top 10 in 2009 at last week’s Open (T6) with two rounds in the 60s.  More amazing, Mahan has not a single missed cut on the season.  None.  In fifteen events played.  Oh by the way, Hunter finished 2nd here in 2006.  That’s a win and two 2nds in three years.  He’s on his game and on a course he likes.  Odds are good he will garner a Top 10 this week and has as good a shot as anyone in the field to win the thing. 


 2. Anthony Kim


Looking back to last January it was almost a gaurantee that AK would “rise up” from fortunate beginnings, win a major in 2009 and dethrown Tiger as world #1.  Zero out of three ain’t bad.  But really, were our high expectations for Kim this year too much?  After his 2nd place finish in the season opening Mercedes-Benz Championship he appeared on his way to our lofty expectations.  But he has not had a Top 10 finish since.  A T16 last week is worth mentioning.  It was this time last year that Kim began his tear, with five Top 10s in nine starts and a win following the U.S. Open (next week’s AT&T National).  Our expectations were too high, but if Kim can win this week (in a tournament he’s never played before) it might be time to start calling Kim the #15 golfer in the world, which he currently is. 


3. Vijay Singh


I know what you’re thinking.  Who is this Vijay Singh character?  Is this guy new?  Kinda.  Follow me here.  The Vijay Singh of late is some kind of imposter.  The Vijay Singh of old is the Vijay we all know and love.  So in a weird way Vijay is new (this year) as he’s not the Vijay Singh that used to make putts and be a top leaderboards.  Did I lose anyone?  In summation all is not lost for Vijay, who turned it on late last season to take home the FedEx Cup.  A 69 last Sunday…….er Monday, the final round of a major, is a good sign.  That he only has one missed cut in his last five starts is also encouraging.  Maybe the new Vijay can turn this thing around afterall, especially at TPC River Highlands where he’s finished 5th and 4th the last two years.


Advertisements