|
Does anyone ever get tired of watching golf being played at Pebble Beach? This always serves as a treat for me each year when I’m holed up inside as the temps drop below freezing and the cold winds howl. There seems to be no better place on Earth to play golf in my opinion. Last year we saw a final round pairing of Tiger and Phil, where everyone expected an epic duel, only to see Lefty fire an incredible 64 while Tiger faulted with a final round 75.
Keep in mind while making your roster changes, that this week sees a 54 hole cut instead of the traditional 36. Also, while watching on TV don’t even bother tuning in until Sunday…unless you want to just watch celebrities slap it around Pebble.
The Picks
A Group - Phil Mickelson and I continue to do this dance where I pick him and he under performs…. then I DON’T pick him and he wins. So this week I’m hoping to break that spell and I’ll be starting him this week. It’s tough to not go with Lefty after that dominating performance last week in the desert. Not to mention he’s a three-time champion of this event and the returning champion. Backing him up I was torn between Brandt Snedeker and Padraig Harrington. I’m giving Sneds the spot though, even though I’m skeptical he can continue this type of play for three weeks running. Either would be great choices.
B Group – Dustin Johnson, a two-time past champion here, and Charlie Wi get the start this week in the B group. Johnson has three other top 10s to go along with his two victories at Pebble (2009 and 2010), so it’s safe to say he plays well on the Monterey Peninsula. Charlie Wi had this tournament in the bag last year until Phil came and stole it out from under him with a closing round 64… to go along with Wi’s 72. Nothing to write home about yet in 2013 for Wi, but he hasn’t missed a cut and fired a 63 last Saturday in the Desert. Wi also shot an opening round 61 at the AT&T last year.
C Group – Bryce Molder gets the start in the C group this week. He rankes 4th in strokes gained putting on TOUR this year. A stat that will serve him well this week on those greens. He has two other top 10s at the AT&T as well in 2010 and 2011.
Starting Foursome: Phil Mickelson, Dustin Johnson, Charlie Wi, Bryce Molder
On the Bench: Brandt Snedeker, Aaron Baddeley, Jimmy Walker, Robert Garrigus