AimPoint PGA Tour 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:  49 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.23 Points

Last week: 

Sometimes I wonder how much of a Phil homer I really am.  Sure he’s my favorite golfer but I’d like to think I pick him when he’s got a shot to win, except I always think he can win.  After watching his play this weekend I’m going to go against my heart and you won’t be seeing his name in my U.S. Open picks.  His game right now does not appear worthy for Beth Page.

Another week with no points as Phil and Villegas did not impress.  Defending champion Leonard shot a dismal +6 in round one and missed the cut for just the third time in eleven starts in Memphis.

This week: 

Summer is just around the corner and the PGA season is just starting to get good.  With Brian Gay’s victory last weekend, there are now five golfers on tour with two wins in 2009.  Can you name the other four?* 

The rest of the golf world has caught up some while Tiger was away.  When you consider that Tiger (who was recently “slumping” with only one win and five straight Top 10s) may be just starting to figure out his adjusted swing, we may have another epic U.S. Open on the horizon.  Think about it.  Tiger has not been as intimidating on Sunday’s as in years past (see Players Championship or Quail Hollow),  so the door might be open for someone to step up and beat Tiger on the lead……on a Sunday………….at a major.  I would like to see it at least once in my lifetime.

1. Tiger Woods

That said, if Tiger gets out to an early lead this thing may be over before it’s over.  The last time the U.S. Open was at Beth Page Black in 2002, Tiger shot a R1 67 and never looked back, winning by three shots.  The last few years Tiger has gotten off to slow starts in majors only to charge back on the weekend.  Since 2005 El Tigre has only finished outside of the Top 10 in a major twice, a missed cut in 2006 at the U.S. Open and T12 at the 2007 Open Championship.  We all remember last year’s Open at Torrey Pines, one of the best ever.  So how could Tiger top 2008?  How about coming back from a four shot dececit on Sunday?  Tiger still has yet to win a major when trailing after 54 holes.  Whatever he has in store for us this weekend, I just can’t imagine a scenario where he finishes outside the Top 10, even if he hurts his knee.

 2. Tim Clark

To say Clark is close is an understatement.  He was looking his first career PGA Tour victory in the eyes just a few weeks back at Colonial, only to have his glance repelled  (the phrase may look weird now, but very well could soon become a popular sports cliche).  Nothing would be more rewarding for Clark then redemption at Beth Page.  He did not play here in 2002, but does have three Top 20s in the U.S. Open since 2003.  As long as he keeps knocking on the door, it’s bound to open.  This course requires patience, fairways and greens.  Currently 24th in GIR, if Timmy can stay near the top of the field in GIR this weekend he will fair very well.

3. David Toms

Toms is on fire.  He’s coming off a T2 last weekend and now has six straight rounds in the 60s, including a 65 last Sunday.  Already a major winner, Toms finished T45 at Beth Page in 2002 and has five Top 20 finishes at the U.S. Open this decade.  He’ll need to get off to a good start but if he does he has the experience to hang on when the conditions get nasty on Saturday and Sunday.   Don’t be suprised to see him at the top of the Leaderboard in the early going.

Sleepers:  Ian Poulter, Dustin Johnson

I should disclose that I will be placing a few bets myself this week.  I’ve been playing around with this awesome Golf Predictor the last few days and have found some super value bets in Poulter (66-1) and Dustin Johnson (125-1).  Both are longshots but I expect them to play well.  A few good bounces in their favor and who knows.

I would like to wish everyone a Happy U.S. Open Sunday!  I will be glued to the TV all week long.

*ZJ, Mickelson, Ogilvy, Woods

AimPoint PGA Tour 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:  39 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.05 Points

Last week: 

Mallinger held the 36 hole lead but faltered on the weekend to finish T47 and dropping his SOTTTP to 50%.  Ouch.  Campbell and DiMarco both made the cut but never got close to the top of the leaderboard.  I need a win soon or I’m gonna fall well off the pace of my season goal.

This week: 

This is not an easy tournament to predict.  Adam Scott won last season but I’m not touching him with a ten foot flag pin.  Phil is also in the field this week and while I could see him winning, I can also see him missing the cut for lack of focus.  So on that note lets get to the picks.

1. Charley Hoffman

Charley (with a y) has made more money at the half way point of 2009 ($1.4 Million) then he made all of 2008 ($1 Million+).  And even more amazing, he has yet to miss a cut in twelve starts.  After shooting a 70 last Thursday, he finished off with three straight rounds in the 60’s, including a seven under 63 on Saturday.  With his third Top 10 finish last week, expect Hoffman to continue in his consistency. 

 2. Davis Love III

I’ll be the first to admit I’m not as confident in this pick as I could be, but something about Davis jumped out at me for this week.  Though not having played here since 2002, Love has played every weekend at the Byron Nelson going back to 1990 and even finished T2 in 2000.  DL3 struggled at the Players a few weeks back but he has the game to win at this TPC Course.  Currently ranked 22nd in GIR%, he just needs his putter to heat up and we could see a run away winner.

3. Ian Poulter

What pink pants wearing golfer has finished in the Top 20 in all their starts on the PGA Tour (except for one) in 2009?  Did the blue bold writing above tip you off?  Poulter finished 5th at Quail Hollow and 2nd at the Players.  Outside of his missed cut at the API, he is on fire.  A win this week could solidify a major run this summer and I’ll go on record now (for all those near a sportsbook) that Poulter is a great value pick for both the U.S. and British Opens.  Heck, I’ll go on record now and say Poulter gets at least another Top 10 this weekend.