Wow.  As great as Tiger is, he can be a buzzkill sometimes.  I didn’t even watch last Sunday’s golf coverage.  The tournament was won on Friday.  Still, tying Arnie for 4th on the all time PGA Win list is nothing to sneeze at, and in almost half the time.  Amazing.  Aaaaa…………….CHOO!!!

 Bless you.

If you read my 2008 season preview you will note that the FBR Open is one of my favorite events.  The stadium seating at TPC Scottsdale makes for a rock concert feel and the roar of the crowd will no doubt pump up the players, as they are expecting 100,000+ people over the weekend.  The FBR Open is truly a party and I’m looking forward to watching the party take place this weekend as they tee off on the par 3 16th hole.

FBR Open
TPC Scottsdale – Scottsdale, Arizona

Last year Aaron Baddeley birdied three of his last four holes for the comeback win over (Oregon native and Scottsdale local) Jeff Quinney.  It was a disappointing colapse for Quinney who looked poised to win his first PGA Tour event, but bogeyed two of his last three holes. 

The key stat to watch this week is putting.  Almost every winner of this event in this decade has finished in the top 10 in putting for the week.  Two names currently at the top of the Putts per Round list that could contend this week are Charlie Wi (four of five rounds in the 60’s at the Bob Hope) and Doug LaBelle II (two Top 20’s in two starts on the young season).  Of course they’ll have to contend with Lefty who has won here twice (last coming in 2005) and considers this his home course.  If Phil can master his putter this week he may run away with much like Tiger did last weekend. 

Hopefully there’ll be a reason to watch this Sunday, though it will be hard to beat the drama of last year’s event.

Wont Win:  Vijay, Tiger (a stretch, I know)

Could Win:  Phil, David Toms, Rory Sabbatini

Sleepers:  Doug LaBelle II, Charlie Wi

Preview

It was nice to see some of the rookies challange Tiger last Sunday……..through 12 holes. Seriously though, it is nice to see so many young guys coming up on the Tour. Buckle, Snedeker, Haas, Watson, the PGA future looks bright, I gotta wear shades.

J.B. or not J.B? That is the question. Can J.B. Holmes’ long driver get him another victory in the FBR Open? J.B. won by seven strokes last season in Phoenix for his first PGA Tour victory. Holmes has been inconsistent early this year, finishing T4 in the Mercedes-Benz Championship, but missing the cut in his last two events. If J.B. can keep his drives in the fairway, look for him to be in contention on Sunday.

Don’t look now, but we have a new leader in the Fed Ex cup points standings. Charles Howell III is playing some amazing golf thus far in 2007, finishing 2nd to Tiger last week. It was his second second place finish in three events played thus far. Will Charles get his third second or first first at TPC of Scottdale? (I own this course on Tiger Woods PGA Tour for PS2)

Has anyone seen Phil Mickelson? Rumor has it he played at the Buick last week but is thus far unconfirmed. Phil has dropped from 3rd to 4th in the world golf rankings. Could Phil’s career be over? Lefty will be listed in the poll yet again this week. Come on Phil, don’t make me look like a fool. (Too late right?)

Vijay Singh blah blah blah. My dark horse this week (and not just because he’s on my team…..well maybe that has something to do with it) is Scott Verplank. Verplank finished T2 (I’ll be back!) last year at this event and is coming off a top 10 at the Bob Hope in week 3. Go Scottie Go!

Just found this cool story about a H.I.O. on a par 4. Just like on the PS2.