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The TOUR stays put this week in Hawaii for The Sony Open where they will be teeing it up at Waialae Country Club in Honolulu. It’s the first full field event of 2012 and features 18 of the players from last week’s Hyundai Tournament of Champions (2011 winners), along with a whole slew of rookies. Rookies haven’t fared well at the Sony in the past with only one top 10 since 2009 by a rookie. So be careful if you’re going out on a limb with a first timer on your roster this week. Last year Mark Wilson picked up the first of his two wins last year here at the Sony (he picked up the second just 2 weeks later at the Waste Management Phoenix Open). Wilson is in the field again this week after a respectable T18 last week in Maui.
The Picks
A Group – It’s hard to stay away from Steve Stricker after his win at the Hyundai last week, shooting a total -23 and winning by a three stroke margin. Stricker will be on my roster, however riding the bench to start with KJ Choi getting the nod. Last year I started Stricker too much early on in the season and got in to a pickle late in the season. So be careful and watch your 10 start max! Choi won here in 2008 and is coming off of a closing round 65 last week and a T5 finish.
B Group – Not a ton of choices in the B group this week, which features a lot of rookies that I will be staying away from. Returning champion Mark Wilson, will get the start here. Last year he posted four rounds in the 60’s en route to his two stroke victory over Tim Clark. So he obviously plays Waialae well. Chris Kirk has started his sophomore season well with a T7 last week at the Hyundai and will fill up my other starting spot.
C Group – Jonathan Byrd proved again last week that he loves playing in Hawaii. Byrd’s title defense at the Hyundai almost resulted in a repeat win, with a T3 finish. He’ll carry that momentum this week at the Sony, where he’ll be looking to improve on a not so great record at Waialae. He’s managing the winding conditions well, which will be in effect again this week, as they always are in Hawaii. Jerry Kelly will be in reserve who’s had great success at the Sony who’s had two top 10s since 2008.
Starting Foursome: KJ Choi, Chris Kirk, Mark Wilson, Jonathan Byrd
On the Bench: Steve Stricker, Jimmy Walker, Brendan de Jong, Jerry Kelly
I also wanted to note that we ended up filling up the first Fantasy League for New England Golf Monthly, but also created a second league for overflow and anyone still interested. There are segment prizes and a grand prize of a golf vacation for 4 people. If you’d still like to play, email me at jeff@goodwalkgolf.com and let me know, I’ll send you the invite with all the details.
