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:  38 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Preview Weekly Average:  2.38 Points

Last week: 

Watney and Wilkinson both missed the cut but Sabbatini saves the day with a T2 finish and 5 more points for me.  I’m just a winner away from reaching my goal of averaging a 3rd place pick each week.

This week: 

Formerly the Wachovia Championship, the tournament has now been named for the course it is played on.  This year’s Quail Hollow Championship brings one of the deeper (non Major/WGC) fields we’ve seen thus far with seven of the Word’s Top 10 teeing off, including one Tiger Woods.  Defending champion Anthony Kim looks to get his first Top 10 finish in a tournament that Tiger starts in.  He will have his work cut out for him. 

1. Tiger Woods

Tiger should have a chip on his shoulder for this one.  After a dissapointing T6 finish in his last start at Augusta, Tiger will be ready to play.  Tiger has bounced back after near misses in the Masters with wins the last two years, at the 2007 Wachovia Championship and 2008 U.S. Open.  That Tiger wins better than 25% of his starts on the PGA Tour, it’s not a stretch to pick him this week.  A Top 10 finish is as close to a lock as you can get in golf.

 2. Adam Scott

I can’t believe I’m going with Scott after being burned twice this season but hear me out.  Scott has two Top 10s here going back to 2006 and has never missed the cut in four career starts.  Yes, I know he’s missed the cut in his last three, and I’m aware Mr. Scott has only two Top 10s in the calendar year.   Doesn’t that mean he’s due?  Here’s to hoping the third time truly is a charm.

3. Steve Marino

With only two career starts at Quail Hollow there are certainly better players to choose this week, but it’s hard to ignore Steve’s recent play.  After three straight missed cuts in February Marino has turned his game around finishing T19, T13 and T5 in his last three starts.  He was solo 2nd heading into last weekend’s final round before some costly bogies on the back nine derailed the chances for his first PGA Tour win.  Expect Marino to contend again into Sunday and just maybe getting his name on the winner’s trophy.

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:  31 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Preview Weekly Average:  2.21 Points

Last week: 

Glover almost made me look like a genius by flirting with the win late on Sunday but a double bogey, triple bogey, double bogey stretch on his back nine brought us both back to reality.  Els played well on Sunday and almost cracked the Top 10. I did manage to get 1 point for Ogilvy’s Top 10 finish.  Early on it looked like Ogilvy would cruise to a win but I think the weather delays (When was the last time a tournament was postponed for wind?) were a drain on everyone, not that Ogilvy needs excuses.  His final round 75 was dissapointing but in the end I was happy to see Paul Casey get his first PGA Tour victory.

This week: 

Is it just me or does it feel like the stars are aligning for something special this weekend?  It may seem like a cop out on my part in picking World #1 and #2 as my top two picks this week but I think we may just have the much anticipated Tiger/Phil major duel on Sunday.  Sure, it’s a little bit of wishful thinking, (and if you’re a regular reader of my previews you know that I talk about this every April) but with Tiger’s recent win at Bayhill and Phil’s two wins already this season we may just be heading for that epic major clash.

1. Tiger Woods

Not much explanation needed here.  He’s back.  Since his first win at Augusta in 1997, Tiger has finished outside the Top 10 only twice in eleven starts.  And in that same span he has never finished outside the Top 25.  With a win under his belt already in 2009 it’s hard to pick against Tiger this week.  He’s been thinking about his “next major” since his summer surgery.  That said he won’t roll like he did in 97, he’ll definately have to earn it.  But that should make for great Masters Sunday viewing. 

 2. Phil Mickelson

Yeah, Phil missed the cut last week at the Shell Houston Open, but that bodes well for him.  It was obvious Mickelson’s mind was somewhere else last week.  The early exit left more practice time.  Yes, we are talking practice.  Phil’s record at Augusta is Tigeresque, only one missed cut and eleven Top 10s in thirteen starts since 1995.  If Phil can find his putting stroke (and why shouldn’t he on familiar greens) we just may have our dream final pairing.

3. Justin Leonard

Somewhat off the rader, Justin Leonard is putting together a solid season.  He’s got three Top 10s in eight events and was headed for another last week before a final round 76 in tough weather.  Leonard has only missed the cut here once since 1996 but has not finished in the Top 10 since 1998.  This year he has played his best golf in early rounds and if this holds up he has the game and experience to contend into Sunday, probably won’t win but a Top 10 would not suprise. 

Happy Masters Sunday to all!

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:  20 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Preview Weekly Average:  1.81 Points

Last week: 

After the first round Furyk was sitting at -6 and in 1st place.  Unfortunately for me (and my picks) he had to play three more rounds.  He followed his 65 with a 78 on Friday and never sniffed the top of the leaderboard on the weekend, just barely making the cut.  Among those that did miss the cut were Pampling and Calcavecchia.  Another shut out week.

This week:

One of the last of two tune ups before Augusta, the Florida Swing ends this weekend at Bayhill for the Arnold Palmer Invitational.  Last year Tiger won by one stroke on a miraculous 25 foot putt on the 72nd hole.  It was his 5th straight win on the PGA Tour and it seemed 2008 would be the best of his career……

1. Tiger Woods

Tiger should rebound this week (and by rebound I mean win) at Bayhill where he has five career wins.  Through all his “struggles” this season he is still coming off a Top 10 at the WGC-CA Championship a few weeks back.  Before the season started this is the tournament I figured we would see Tiger’s 2009 return as he dominates at Bayhill.  That he got in two tournaments prior is just even more reason to go with Tiger this week.  Quite simply……he’s due.

 2. Vijay Singh

Vijay just may be due as well.  Quite similar to Tiger, VJ is also recovering from injury and always plays well in this event, having never missed the cut in 16 career starts!  That’s consistency.  And I need that consistency this week.  Singh has four straight Top 10s here that includes a win in 2007.  With only three golfers in the field ranked in the World Top 10 it’s a great opportunity for Singh to return to his FedEx Cup Champion form and maybe a final pairing showdown with #1 looms.

3. Bart Bryant

Sure, Bryant finished 2nd to Tiger here last year.  But even more impressive is in four career starts at Bayhill, he has finished no worse then 20th.  Bryant has struggled thus far in 2009, with his only Top 10 coming at the WGC alternate Puerto Rico Open.  I’m hoping his experience and track record will at least secure a Top 10 this 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:  16 Points

2009 Fantasy Golf Preview Weekly Average:  1.78 Points

Last week: 

Donald’s withdrawal hurt.  I ended up switching in Ben Crane in my Yahoo! league but didn’t make the change to my blog.  My haste comes back to haunt me as Crane finished T3.  Not sure what happened to Villegas.  Leonard was not impressive either.  Basically, after getting a 2nd and Win in my first two weeks I’ve gone cold.  I’m hoping to ride on Tiger’s tail this weekend.

This week:

Tiger returns, again, this time in a stroke play event.  After bouncing around venues since it’s inaugural event in 1999, the WGC-CA Championship may have found a home at Doral, where they have played since 2007.  Officials of this event were pondering renaming the tournament to WGC-Tiger Always Wins Championship but the name was already reserved by Torrey Pines.  But seriously, Tiger has won this event six out of nine years, that’s 67%! 

The field is loaded and it will be a great weekend for watching golf. 

1. Tiger Woods

Speaking of Tiger, how can you not pick him this week?  I know he’s rusty, I know he has a revamped swing and I also know he was eliminated by Tim Clark in round 2 of the last WGC event.  You just can’t argue with his history in this event and at Doral (won the Ford Championship at Doral in 2005 and 2006).  Is there anyway Tiger doesn’t finish in the Top 10 this week?  Well…only me picking him right?  Here’s to hoping we see an Ogilvy (defending champ)/Woods final Sunday pairing. 

2. Jim Furyk

Jimmy has only played three events thus far in 2009 so it’s hard to say exactly where his game is these days but was solid in Match Play.  Furyk has two Top 10s here in the last three years including a T2 finish last season.  He also finished T8 at the 2005 Ford Champinship at Doral so I’m hoping for some low scores from Mr. Furyk this weekend.

3. Adam Scott

Like Furyk, Scott has two Top 10s here in the last three years with a T2 in 2006, though on a different course.  Adam already has a T2 finish this season in just three total events (T2 at the Sony Open) and should be rested after an early exit in Match Play.  I don’t expect a win from Scott but would not be suprised to see him at the top of the Leaderboard late into the weekend.  Fairways and greens Adam, fairways and greens.