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:  98 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.80 Points

Last week: 

Furyk held the lead through 36 holes only to falter on Sunday (which would have been Saturday), still I get 1 point for his Top 10 finish.  Ernie Els stunk, missing the cut and Jacobson was no where near the super sleeper pick that I envisioned, finishing 69 (dudes!).  I’ve got two weeks left to get 13 points.  With the smaller fields my odds are better but I’m not holding my breath.  I know I need to come strong this week.

My only regret was forgeting to edit Furyk into my Yahoo! Golf lineup as my season long goal to be the best Expert will now be a tough task.  My only saving grace is I have one start left for Tiger……..who just may have found his putting stoke………..stay tuned next week.

This week: 

Just two more tournaments until the FedEx Cup champion is crowned.  And the roller coaster ride continues at Cog Hill in Chicago.  With his win last week, FedEx Cup #1 Steve Stricker overtook World #1 Tiger Woods in the FedEx Cup standings.  It feels like a showdown is brewin (or just maybe Jason Dufner wins the FedEx Cup and we put this wacky season to rest).

1.  Phil Mickelson

Did you really think Phil, the World #2, hotel pimp extrodinaire and addmitted SLS favorite would just ride off into the sunset without a peep?  How ’bout a 66 last Sunday….er…Monday?  It reminded me of the Phil that won two tournments this season, a confident Phil with a confident putter.  There are many golfers with a better track record here (Phil has no Top 10s at this event in eleven starts) but I don’t think Phil is going to just disappear without a fight.  Probably won’t win but should get a Top 10 finish to position himself for the Tour Championship.  Don’t let me down.

2.  Jim Furyk

I still stick by what I said last week, Jimmy is close.  As mentioned above he held a 36 hole lead last week before a disappointing 73 on Sunday in round 3.  Even still a 68 final round is a good sign.  An even better sign is Furyk has won in this event on this course in 2005 and has eight Top 10s here in thirteen starts.  Though winless on Tour since 2007, not many have made more money then Jimmy last last two years with well over $6 million.  A win this week would not only add to that impressive total but would make him a top favorite to take home the FedEx Cup trophy.  I think he just may get it done this week.

3.  Steve Stricker

I know what you’re thinking.  Where the hell was this pick the last few weeks?  Well it’s better late then never I hope.  We’ve seen this kind playoff play from Stricker before, who won the very first FedEx playoff event in 2007 to cement another Comeback Player of the Year award.  The only difference this year is Steve won’t be sneaking up on anyone, and won’t have too.  There is no one playing better golf, tee to green, then Stricker right now.  He has not missed a cut since early April and has eight Top 10s (two wins) in his last twelve starts.  Ouch.  I’m kicking myself for not exploiting these trends earlier.  With a 2nd place and a Win in these 2009 Playoffs, Stricker not only has a real shot at the $10 million FedEx Cup first prize but an outside shot at Comeback Player of the Year.  Well maybe not the last part.  Stricker won this event when it was the Western Open (and yes still the same course) in 1996 and has finished in the Top 10 here the last two years.

P.S.  Please forgive the Ace of Base search reference.  What started out as a silly joke has now esculated into that damn song being burned into my mind, stuck in my head.  I’ve even caught myself singing it a bit.  Quick, anyone know the cure for ACE of BASE?

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:  97 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.85 Points

Last week: 

I’ll take the 5 points for Tiger and move on.  Both Garcia (-6) and Streelman (-3) got off to great starts on Thursday but could only manage one round in the 60s (Streelman 69 in R3) between the two of them the rest of the tournament.  I’ve been noticing a funny thing the last month or so.  Is it just me or has that feeling that Tiger will just find a way to win disappeared?  It used to be if Tiger was within two shots of the lead on Sunday you just knew he’d come back and win.  As close as Tiger got last weekend I never felt that he was going to win.

That said, I never felt like Slocum would win either.  As the final groups approached the back nine I was sure Stricker would take it home.  But that is what is so great about golf, and this year in particular, it’s been like an indie movie with the unpredictable ending.  And it’s kept us watching.  I get the feeling the rest of the FedEx Cup race will be much of the same.  Congrats to Heath Slocum for getting his first win since 2005.

This week: 

The FedEx Cup Playoffs continue in Boston over Labor day weekend (Friday-Monday golf).  The field of 125 from last week has been cut to 100.  I’m staying away from Tiger this week but not due to his play here.  He has four Top 10s including a win here in five starts.  However Tiger has not been putting well for months now and that will bite him on this course.  Am I saying he won’t finish in the Top 10?  Not so much, I just don’t see a win this week from El Tigre. 

1.  Ernie Els

Ernie finished T3 here last year in his only appearance at TPC of Boston.  Mix in a T2 last week and there should be no suprise to see Els get back into the win column for the first time since early 2008.  There may be no one outside of Tiger playing better golf then the Big Easy as of late.  With four Top 10s in his last six starts this may be a harbinger of FedEx cup glory.  Anything less then a Top 10 this week will be a disappointment.

2.  Jim Furyk

Normally a force in the summer time, Furyk has not managed a Top 10 finish since early July.  A 69 last Sunday is a good sign and his T15 last week was his best finish in months.  Jimmy is winless on Tour since 2007 and is due.  Even in his struggles he only has two missed cuts on the year, in twenty starts.  Furyk finished T7 here a year ago and has never missed the cut in four starts.  Sitting 18th in the FedEx Cup standings I expect Jimmy to contend all weekend long.

3.  Fredrik Jacobson

At this point in the season to be making your first appearance in the Rotoff Golf picks means you are playing good golf.  So is the case with Fredrik Jacobson who has stepped up his game for the playoffs.  With six of his last eight rounds in the 60s, including a 64 on Sunday at the Wyndham, Jacobson has finished T17 and T6 in these playoffs.  In 2007 he finished T9 on this course so it’s not out of the question for Jacobson to continue his rise up the FedEx Cup standings and who knows, maybe his first PGA Tour win.  In this year of indie movie endings you just never know.

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:  71 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.45 Points

Last week: 

At one point early Friday morning Villegas and Kelly were tied for first and I was looking like a genius.  But of course that was Friday.  By the time Saturday rolled around I was no longer a genius (though a little drunk) but I did manage to get 1 point for Kelly’s Top 10, while Villegas dropped off again during the weekend and O’Hair missed the cut. 

What a disjointed tournament, with almost daily weather delays.  Luckily for Nathan Green they were able to finish the tournament, which looked in doubt early on.  It was Green’s first PGA Tour win, after a few near misses.   

This week: 

There’s no way to sugar coat things this week.  Tiger absolutely dominates this event.  No sleepers, no suprises.  All three of my picks have played well at the Buick Open and are past winners.  With only two weeks until Glory’s Last Shot, you can bet there will be a “major” feel in Michigan this weekend.  Expect some must see golf T.V.

1. Tiger Woods

As I predicted a few weeks back, Tiger did not play well at the Open Championship, missing only his second career cut in a major.  That trend will not continue.  Tiger had never played Turnberry before.  What a difference a few weeks make.  In eight career starts at the Buick Open, Tiger has finished no worse then 11th with two wins and two runner ups.  Combined with coming off an embarasing missed cut in his last start = Tiger win.  Book it.

 2. Jim Furyk

#15 in the FedEx Cup standings, Jimmy also has a history of success here with eight Top 10s, including a win (2003), in fourteen career starts.  But even more impressive, no missed cuts in that span.  Aside from the U.S. (T33) and British Opens (T34), Furyk has four straight Top 10s.  While this tournament may feel like a major come Sunday, it will not play difficult like a major which bodes well for Jimmy.  There are lots of birdies on this course.  If he can shoot a low round on Thursday look out.  Even still I foresee at least another Top 10.

3. Scott Verplank

After a sluggish start (only one Top 10 before June), Verplank is heating up.  How about three straight Top 10s in his last three starts which includes a T8 last week?  And in that stretch he has shot 75% of his rounds in the 60s.  Verplank has played this event seventeen times since 1990, and even won way back in 1988 (I was 11).  He has not missed the cut here since 1999 to go with nine career Top 20 finishes.  While it certainly isn’t outside of the possibilities for a win, I think it is safe to assume he’ll contend all week.   

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:  44 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Picks Weekly Average:  2.10 Points

Last week: 

As predicted there was another dramatic finish last Sunday at Colonial.  It was the third playoff there in four years.  I’m glad to report I managed to add to my point total but was disappointed that Timmy couldn’t pull it off.  What a heartbreaker for Clark, still looking for that elusive win, to see it go south on 18 and in the playoff.  Ogilvy played well until Sunday when he shot a 74, finishing T59, his worst finish of 2009.  Crane didn’t finish much better but at least none of my picks missed the cut.

I hope the PGA keeps the Texas swing intact for next season, it was a great stretch of tournaments that saw some great fields on historic courses.  Who knows, maybe the Shell Houston Open would give up their pre-Masters slot on the schedule and make the Texas swing a four week event.

This week: 

The greatest golfer of all time makes an appearance this week, no not Tiger, but Memorial Tournament host Jack Nicklaus.  Tiger is still four major wins and seven total wins shy of Nicklaus’ career marks and this week will be a good barometer of where Tiger’s game is at heading into the U.S. Open.  He has five straight Top 10 finishes but has not been the dominant Tiger of old.  It would be easy for me to pick Tiger this week (he has won here thrice) but I’m avoiding the obvious pick this week.   Probably cuz I’m a dumb ass.

1. Kevin Na

Na Na Na Na……………..not yet a household name on the PGA Tour, Kevin Na might have the coolest name on Tour (with Colt Knost a close second).  Two letters, simple and to the point.  Na, Kevin Na.  But don’t be fooled by name alone, this journeyman has game.  Easily putting together his best season to date, Na has six Top 10s and only three missed cuts in fourteen starts.  Last weekend he shot four straight rounds in the 60s and finished T9.  Na has not faired well at Muirfield with a best finish of 45 in two starts, but he does have a cool name.  I see no reason why he can’t secure another Top 10 this week.

 2. Paul Casey

No one is hotter then Paul Casey over the last few months.  With two wins worldwide in that span (three since January) Casey has moved up to third in the World Rankings.  He has finished no worse then T31 with three Top 10s in seven starts on the PGA Tour this season including a 5th place finish last week where he shot 66-67-66-66.  And even better, not a single missed cut.  Casey has increased the events on his schedule this season which has no doubt helped his world rank but The Memorial has always been a staple on his schedule going back to 2006.  Casey needs to be in your lineup this week no matter what fantasy golf format you are playing.

3. Jim Furyk

Furyk has burned me a few times this season so I’m picking with caution.  But a 65 last Sunday is signs of good things to come and three straight Top 10s in his last three starts (well if you count a T11 at Quail Hollow) is enough for me to think Furyk is ready for a win.  And if that’s not enough for convincing how about four Tops 10s here, including a win in 2002.  Jimmy always heats up for the summer stretch, with 14 of his 25 Top 20s since 2007 coming from June to September.  I would be suprised if he finishes outside the Top 20 this week on a course he knows well.  Of course for sake of points I’m counting on at least a Top 10. 

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:  33 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Preview Weekly Average:  2.36 Points

Last week: 

Wishful thinking can come true.  While not in the final group, the final round pairing of Tiger and Phil on Sunday at Augusta was pure golf magic.  No doubt their pairing was enough to get them both back into contention.  And though they both came up short, it was the best Masters in years in terms of drama.  The three way playoff was a classic battle of nervous golfers, as all three hit bad shots on the first playoff hole.  It was great to see Cabera get a second major title.

I got a point each for Tiger and Phil bringing my season total up to 33.  Leonard missed the cut.

This week: 

Ho hum.  PGA Tour life goes on after the Masters.  Boo Weekley is the two-time defending champion this week at the Verizon Heritage.  It’s a weaker field (only two golfers ranked in the World Top 10) as most take a rest after last week’s first major.

1. Stewart Cink

Cink missed the cut last weekend after shooting a 78 on Friday.  It was only his second missed cut of the season, though to date he only has one Top 10 (3rd place in Match Play).  Stewart has won this tournament twice, in 2000 and 2004, with only one MC in nine starts.  With that kind of course history I expect Cink to at least finish in the Top 10.

 2. Aaron Baddeley

Bads has not played particularly well this season but his T17 finish last week at Augusta is a bright spot and something to build on.  It’s a long season to be sure, and much like Cink (and Furyk below) Baddeley has success at Harbor Town.  Currently ranked #51 in the World rankings, it’s time for Bads to turn it on.  He has not finished outside of the Top 10 here in the last three years including a win in 2006.  Look for that streak to go to four.

3. Jim Furyk

Jimmy was in contention on Sunday at Augusta but failed to shoot a score on the back 9.  Like I often do, this pick is all hunch.  Furyk has three Top 5 finishes here in the last four years.  You heard it here first.  Jimmy gets his first win of 2009 on Sunday.