One and Done:
HTOC: Steve Stricker ($665,000; 2nd)
Sony: Charles Howell III ($324,800; T3) $989,800 season
Humana: Tim Clark (MC) $989,000 season
Farmers: Rickie Fowler ($204,350; T6) $1,193,350 season
WMPO: Jason Dufner
GolfChannel.com Fantasy Challenge
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Mike Glasscott (Rank: 1,720; $3,573,362)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Robert Garrigus
Group 3: Jimmy Walker
Group 4: Josh Teater
Ryan O’Sullivan (Rank: 14,204; $2,139,799)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Marc Leishman
Group 3: Charles Howell III
Group 4: Brian Gay
Ned Brown (Rank: 519; $4,125,720)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Scott Piercy
Group 3: Charles Howell III
Group 4: Brian Gay
Rob Bolton (Rank: 12,218; $2,298,572)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Jason Day
Group 3: Bryce Molder
Group 4: Josh Teater
Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Glass
Group 1: Sergio Garcia
Group 2: Henrik Stenson
Group 3: Joel Sojholm
Group 4: Damien McGrane
Ryan
Group 1: Lee Westwood
Group 2: Rafael Cabrera-Bello
Group 3: Peter Lawrie
Group 4: Johan Edfors
Ned
Group 1: Lee Westwood
Group 2: Henrik Stenson
Group 3: Romain Wattel
Group 4: Anders Hansen
Rob
Group 1: Sergio Garcia
Group 2: Henrik Stenson
Group 3: David Howell
Group 4: Anders Hansen
Ned said, “…
Ned Brown is a long-time contributor for Rotoworld Golf. He’s had documented success in Yahoo!’s game for years. Even if you’re confident in your selections for that game, give his insight a read. Now, Ned also provides us with his GolfChannel.com Fantasy Challenge selections as well!
GROUP A
Jason Dufner--Dufner has a very nice recent history at the WMPO, with a second place in '11 and a T8 last year. I am a bit concerned of jet lag after spending the last couple of weeks playing in the Gulf States on the European Tour, but these guys travel a lot and do handle these big time changes.
Brandt Snedeker-- It's been a hot start to the season for Snedeker, with a third place at the TOC and a T2 last week at the Farmers. His history at the WMPO is decent with two top 10s ( T9 in '09, T8 in '11) in six career starts.
SUPER SUBS
Bubba Watson, Bill Haas, Kyle Stanley, Phil Mickelson
GROUP B
Hunter Mahan-- I thought Mahan put a nice run together at the Farmers to finish in a tie for 15th place and he returns to Phoenix, where he won the event in 2010.
Nick Watney-- He has played well this year, with a T15 at the TOC and a T4 last week at the Farmers. His last visit at the WMPO in '11 saw him earn his first top 10 at the event when he tied for fifth place.
Aaron Baddeley-- Baddeley is a great player to use when his putter gets hot and after his T6 finish at the Farmers he has moved up to second place on the Tour in the category of strokes gained-putting.
Jimmy Walker-- Walker is playing some of the best golf I've ever seen him play and he looked great last week at the Farmers, where he tied for fourth place. His history at the WMPO is nothing to get excited about, so he is totally about playing the hot hand.
SUPER SUBS
Keegan Bradley, K.J. Choi, Ben Crane, Bo Van Pelt. J.B. Holmes
GROUP C
Rickie Fowler-- I didn't think he was going to make the cut last week after opening with a round of 77, but then he rallied over the next three rounds to finish in an impressive tie for sixth place. He did finish in solo second in the '10 edition of the WMPO and he has never missed the cut in four starts here.
Scott Piercy-- He did miss the cut last week, but he played well in the Hawaiian Islands and he has a nice history at the WMPO of two top 10s (T6 in '09, T8 in '10) in four career starts.
SUPER SUBS
Brian Gay, Jason Day, Ryan Palmer, Martin Kaymer
And the analysis doesn't end here. Rotoworld's Rob Bolton and I will be co-hosting a one-hour live chat WEDNESDAY at NOON ET. We will be breaking down the field at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and answering your questions. Simply return to the golf home page to join in on the chatter.
Waste Management Phoenix Open
TPC Scottsdale
Stadium Course
Scottsdale, AZ
Stadium Course
Yards: 7,216
Par: 71 (35-36)
Greens: Bentgrass (6,250 square feet on average)
Rough: Bermudagrass 3”
Stimpmeter: 12’
Bunkers: 79
Water Hazards: 6
Course Architect: Tom Weiskopf and Jay Morrish (1986; 1995)
Purse: $6,200,000
Winner’s Share: $1,116,000
FexExCup Points: 500 to the winner
Defending Champion: Kyle Stanley chased down and passed 54-hole leader Spencer Levin to post 15-under-par 269 to collect his first victory on TOUR.
Dates: January 31 through February 3
Notes: The Stadium Course consistently ranks in the easier half of courses played since its inception in 1987.
History Lessons
The TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course has hosted this tournament since 1987.
Since 1980, only Jeff Mitchell (1980) and Kyle Stanley (2012) have won the WMPO in their first attempt.
Since 2000, J.B. Holmes (2006) and Jonathan Kaye (2004) join Kyle Stanley (2012) as the only first-time winners in the desert.
Since moving to TPC Scottsdale in 1987, nobody has successfully defended their title here. The only folks to defend their titles in the desert over the years have been Hogan, Demaret, Mangrum, Palmer and Miller.
Rank and File
Twenty of the top 50 in the OWGR (as of Monday) are playing this week.
Of Course
The TPC Scottsdale Stadium Course was designed with the fans in mind and boy have they responded. With crowds over 400,000 expected over the four days, the fans are eager for great golf in a great setting and they will get both this week. TPC courses are known for extensive bunkering surrounding the greens; runoff areas adjacent to the greens and false-fronts protecting the greens. Oh, and the fans are a bit crazy! The 16th green hosts upwards of 30,000 per day and you better not have rabbit ears if you hit a mediocre shot from that tee box. If you do, it’s best for you to throw free stuff into the crowd to beg them for mercy. A drivable par-four is next at 17. This all follows a par-five No. 15. Exciting and scoring times!
Getting the ball in the fairway is great but hitting these multi-tiered greens and putting will be the keys this week. Over the last four years, the winner here has been in the top three in GIR so there’s you trend of the week. Mark Wilson (2011) and Hunter Mahan (2010) have shown that length here is not the ultimate factor. JB Holmes, (2006, 2008), Kenny Perry (2009), Phil Mickelson (1996, 2005), Vijay Singh (1995, 2003) and Kyle Stanley (2012) will argue differently. Yet, Stanley and Perry were T3 in GIR in their victories.
The more GIR you hit, the more chances you have to make birdie putts. To find the last winner to be higher than 14-under I’ll have to go all the way back to Rocco Mediate (-11; 273) in 1999. The multi-tiered greens will make iron play and putting a premium this week.
Top 10, Plus One
Jason Dufner: Welcome back to the mainland! Dufner finished 2012 with a second and T2 in Australia. He began 2013 with a rocky T18 in Hawaii at the HTOC but his recent visit to the Middle East saw him finish with a pair of T9s to gather some momentum to his first full-field event on TOUR in 2013. He was defeated in a playoff here in 2011 by Mark Wilson and was T8 last year.
Nick Watney: He missed last year’s edition because of illness but Watney is back for the eighth time in nine years. In his last three outings he’s posted 63, 63 and 65 while finishing T12, T24 and T5 in 2011. Watney has been working with Butch Harmon and has been looking good the last few months.
Brandt Snedeker: He’s had a fabulous open to 2013 (3rd, T23 and T2) and all that’s missing is a win. Needless to say he’s playing well.
Hunter Mahan: His ball-striking is always his bread and butter. He won here in 2010 and had the putter going last week at Torrey Pines (T15). The last time he was in Arizona on Bentgrass greens he was lifting the WGC-Match Play title.
Bubba Watson: After withdrawing last week, Watson, according to his Twitter account, has been fighting illness since he was in Hawaii for the HTOC. Watson is such an excellent ball-striker that he should have plenty of chances to get low at the Stadium Course, pending he’s healthy.
Rickie Fowler: His rebound in the final three rounds last week showed me what I needed to know about Fowler for 2013. He’s now the owner of consecutive top 10s in as many starts this season. He’s made the cut in all four appearances here including par or better in his last 12 rounds. I’ll ride the momentum.
Jimmy Walker: DY-NO-MITE! He was a 10-footer from his best finish on TOUR last week before settling for T4. He’s heating up T26, T23 and T4 to open 2013 so I’ll go with his form over his modest history here. Butch Harmon’s tutelage is having a positive effect.
Bill Haas: After fighting through the doldrums of his first two tournaments, Haas rebounded for T9 last week. He’s trending in the right direction.
Aaron Baddeley: Last week he posted the low weekend at Torrey Pines to finish T6. The Scottsdale resident is looking to take off on a course where he won back in 2007.
Charles Howell III: T12 sounds about right this week or will it be four straight weeks in the top 10? I’m putting him at 11 and HEDGING! His course record here isn’t as superior as the previous three events but his play trumps his history.
Martin Kaymer: He was the “weak link” on the 2012 European Team until he slayed the U.S. team with the winning putt. He mentioned in interviews afterwards that putt could have saved his career. He’s taken the ball and ran with it. In six starts since the Ryder Cup, he’s tallied five top 11s and his other start was T26. The German has taken up residence in Scottsdale as he plays on the TOUR this season.
Don’t Overlook
These guys just missed out on the premium list but should not be dismissed this week.
Josh Teater: I knew I should have NEVER abandoned my TEATER HEATER! I’m riding the hot hand this week in the desert!
Bo Van Pelt: Gulp. His 81 on Sunday at Torrey Pines didn’t help my confidence in BVP this week but I figured he’ll be revved up to get back on the birdie train this week. He was T8 last year and T18 in 2011. He’ll rebound.
Vijay Singh: The two-time champion seems to feast on courses where GIR is a big deal. He’s also made 14 cuts on the bounce (T3 on TOUR).
Keegan Bradley: One more week before we let young Bradley have some time to breathe. He led the TOUR in the all-around category last year so we all know it’s in there. He likes birdies so this week should help him out. He was T15 in his maiden voyage last year.
Tim Clark: He went toe-to-toe with Russell Henley at the Sony to finish T2 and missed the cut at Humana by a shot at nine-under par. Don’t forget about Clark this week!
Scott Piercy: Don’t look at his final round scoring average in this event. In spite of that, he’s finished T6 and T8 in 2009-2010. He makes plenty of birdies and is solid all-around player.
Ben Crane: Will we have another “Golfboys” show on No. 16 tee again this year? Is this the moment they are waiting for? While you ponder that thought, remember in his last five tournaments here Crane has one round of 20 over par. He’s finished second here last year. Don’t be distracted by his off-the-course hijinks.
Chris Kirk: “The Captain” returns after a T5 at the Sony and MC at Humana. His worst round this year is 71. He hits plenty of greens to be in the mix come the weekend.
K.J. Choi: Let’s see if the 40-something can carry the momentum one more week. Stretching a bit here but if he found something with that 65 on the South course at Torrey, he might light it up this week.
Brendon de Jonge: Started to get moving in the right direction last week with a closing 69 at Torrey Pines gives him T54, T47 and now T15 to open 2013. He’s a birdie maker because he hits plenty of GIR.
Bryce Molder: He’s cashed three straight times here and has hit the board at T15 and T8. He has one round over par in that stretch.
John Rollins: Half of his 10 starts here have landed in him in the top 15. Rollins is three for three in the new year and has two top 20s to show for his solid start.
Pat Perez: After missing the cut here in his first six attempts, Perez has cashed five times in a row, including T24 or better his last three years. He was T9 at the Sony and T21 last week so he’s been close.
Off the Beaten Path
Either “horse-for-course” or guys off the radar
J.B. Holmes: In seven starts he’s won twice and finished T5. He MC last week to open his 2013 season at Torrey Pines.
Kevin Na: He’s MC twice in two starts in 2013 but his worst round is 71. In seven starts here he’s amassed T2, solo third, T4 and T5.
Y.E. Yang: Prior to his MC last year, Yang was T8 and third.
Mark Wilson: He’s playing his sixth tournament in a row at the Stadium Course where he has finished T9, T14, T19 and T48 on top of his win in 2011.
David Toms: In his last seven times to the Stadium course, he has a pair of T4s, T8 and T19. The other three times he was cut. This sounds like his only tournament in 2013 where he went 67-64 paired with 75 and 72. High risk and potentially high reward!
Buyer Beware
Current form plus course history or injury has chased me away this week.
Ryan Moore: New dad, slow start to 2013 and awful weekends here his last two years.
Kyle Stanley: The defending champ usually gets a look from me. Not this week.
Stewart Cink: He shot 83 here last before WD. Skeletons.
Mike Weir: Weir showed promised in making the cut last week but his only round under par was on the easier North course. I’m not ready to reach yet.
Rookie of the Week
Sony: Russell Henley WIN
Humana: David Lingmerth P2
Farmers: Brad Fritsch T9
One and Done:
HTOC: Steve Stricker ($665,000; 2nd)
Sony: Charles Howell III ($324,800; T3) $989,800 season
Humana: Tim Clark (MC) $989,000 season
Farmers: Rickie Fowler ($204,350; T6) $1,193,350 season
WMPO: Jason Dufner
GolfChannel.com Fantasy Challenge
Waste Management Phoenix Open
Mike Glasscott (Rank: 1,720; $3,573,362)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Robert Garrigus
Group 3: Jimmy Walker
Group 4: Josh Teater
Ryan O’Sullivan (Rank: 14,204; $2,139,799)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Marc Leishman
Group 3: Charles Howell III
Group 4: Brian Gay
Ned Brown (Rank: 519; $4,125,720)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Scott Piercy
Group 3: Charles Howell III
Group 4: Brian Gay
Rob Bolton (Rank: 12,218; $2,298,572)
Group 1: Jason Dufner
Group 2: Jason Day
Group 3: Bryce Molder
Group 4: Josh Teater
Omega Dubai Desert Classic
Glass
Group 1: Sergio Garcia
Group 2: Henrik Stenson
Group 3: Joel Sojholm
Group 4: Damien McGrane
Ryan
Group 1: Lee Westwood
Group 2: Rafael Cabrera-Bello
Group 3: Peter Lawrie
Group 4: Johan Edfors
Ned
Group 1: Lee Westwood
Group 2: Henrik Stenson
Group 3: Romain Wattel
Group 4: Anders Hansen
Rob
Group 1: Sergio Garcia
Group 2: Henrik Stenson
Group 3: David Howell
Group 4: Anders Hansen
Ned said, “…
Ned Brown is a long-time contributor for Rotoworld Golf. He’s had documented success in Yahoo!’s game for years. Even if you’re confident in your selections for that game, give his insight a read. Now, Ned also provides us with his GolfChannel.com Fantasy Challenge selections as well!
GROUP A
Jason Dufner--Dufner has a very nice recent history at the WMPO, with a second place in '11 and a T8 last year. I am a bit concerned of jet lag after spending the last couple of weeks playing in the Gulf States on the European Tour, but these guys travel a lot and do handle these big time changes.
Brandt Snedeker-- It's been a hot start to the season for Snedeker, with a third place at the TOC and a T2 last week at the Farmers. His history at the WMPO is decent with two top 10s ( T9 in '09, T8 in '11) in six career starts.
SUPER SUBS
Bubba Watson, Bill Haas, Kyle Stanley, Phil Mickelson
GROUP B
Hunter Mahan-- I thought Mahan put a nice run together at the Farmers to finish in a tie for 15th place and he returns to Phoenix, where he won the event in 2010.
Nick Watney-- He has played well this year, with a T15 at the TOC and a T4 last week at the Farmers. His last visit at the WMPO in '11 saw him earn his first top 10 at the event when he tied for fifth place.
Aaron Baddeley-- Baddeley is a great player to use when his putter gets hot and after his T6 finish at the Farmers he has moved up to second place on the Tour in the category of strokes gained-putting.
Jimmy Walker-- Walker is playing some of the best golf I've ever seen him play and he looked great last week at the Farmers, where he tied for fourth place. His history at the WMPO is nothing to get excited about, so he is totally about playing the hot hand.
SUPER SUBS
Keegan Bradley, K.J. Choi, Ben Crane, Bo Van Pelt. J.B. Holmes
GROUP C
Rickie Fowler-- I didn't think he was going to make the cut last week after opening with a round of 77, but then he rallied over the next three rounds to finish in an impressive tie for sixth place. He did finish in solo second in the '10 edition of the WMPO and he has never missed the cut in four starts here.
Scott Piercy-- He did miss the cut last week, but he played well in the Hawaiian Islands and he has a nice history at the WMPO of two top 10s (T6 in '09, T8 in '10) in four career starts.
SUPER SUBS
Brian Gay, Jason Day, Ryan Palmer, Martin Kaymer
And the analysis doesn't end here. Rotoworld's Rob Bolton and I will be co-hosting a one-hour live chat WEDNESDAY at NOON ET. We will be breaking down the field at the Waste Management Phoenix Open and answering your questions. Simply return to the golf home page to join in on the chatter.