Northern Trust Open in Pacific Palisades, California.
Purse – $6,600, 000
Winner Share – $1,170,000
FedEx Cup Points – 500
Course – Riviera Country Club
Defending Champ: Aaron Baddeley
Par: 71
Course Record – 61: Ted Tryba (1999)
What a week for the PGA! With no football on the slate, golf stepped its game up in a big way, delivering a final round Tiger/Phil showdown. By now, we all know what happened. Phil laid a beat down on Tiger, and the rest of the field, that made the Battle of Somme seem like an even fight.
Luke Donald is ready to get his swing working on American soil. Photo Credit: Jenni Douglas
Now, Tiger and Phil are the biggest names in the sport, the largest draws, but they aren’t the best. Through the AT&T National, Phil is only ranked 11th in the world and Tiger 18th – pretty good, but certainly not the best. That honor goes to Luke Donald.
It’s been quite the 12 months for the Englishman. He captured his first of four 2011 titles 51-weeks ago at the WGC-Accenture Match Play, dominating 63 of the world’s top players. After claiming the BMW PGA Championship last May, Donald found himself atop the world rankings for the first time in his 10-year career – and he’s yet to relinquish his firm grip on the position. By year’s end, the Brit had conquered both the world’s two biggest tours, topping the money list in America and Europe. In large part by totaling 19 Top 10s in 25 worldwide starts.
Fortunately for us who pay attention to action on the North American links, Donald will be lacing up his spikes for the first time this season on American soil.
It’s about time we get to see the best in action.
PICKS
Kyle Stanley – You take one week off and your name becomes lost in time. Three weeks ago, Stanley staged one of golf’s all time meltdowns, only to rebound the very next week nabbing his first career victory. He’s still the hottest player on Tour, and with some bigger names clogging up the field this week, Stanley could go overlooked. Make sure you don’t do the same.
Luke Donald – Donald missed only two cuts in 2011, one at this very spot. In fact, the world’s number one recorded his worst day of the year in the second round, firing a horrendous 79. Don’t let that be too worrisome though, in the previous three years, Donald never finished worse than a tie for sixth.
Bill Haas – The reigning Fed Ex Cup champion hasn’t been a raging inferno of success so far this season, but he’s definitely warmer than room temperature. He’s posted three Top 20s in four starts and has yet to miss a cut.
Jimmy Walker – Dy-no-mite! Walker has been explosive two of the last three weeks, posting Top 10 finishes at the Farmers and AT&T National. He’s a wild card that won’t appear on many rosters this week, and if he can come close to repeating his 2011 performance (T-4), he’ll be well worth the selection.
Fredrik Jacobson – Like Donald, Freddy Yacks is making is American debut. He ended his 2011 PGA season with some sterling play, making 12 of his final 13 cuts and hoisting the giant check at the Travelers Championship. He’s ready to pick up where he left off.
Jason Day – The Aussie doesn’t play a full PGA schedule so get him in your lineup while you have the chance.
Vijay Singh – Vijay has been a victim of one terrible round a week, much like Phil before last week. His overall stats won’t show the success he had on the course so far this year, but Riviera sets up to length perfectly – as evidence by his silver medal performance last year.
Aaron Baddeley – Baddeley shook off his early season struggles last week at Pebble and looks to be in perfect form to defend his title.
Fred Couples – Old man Couples may seem like an odd choice, but the 52-year old has achieved mounds of success at Riviera. He has delivered 14 Top 10s in 28 career starts, including two in the past three seasons, and has only missed the cut one time – 2001.
Pat Mayo was nominated by the Fantasy Sports Writers Association for both Golf Writer of the Year and Humor Article of the Year in 2011, but came away empty handed. Either way, don’t let that stop you from harassing him on Twitter with your questions and/or snide remarks @thepme
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Kyle Stanley should continue his success. Luke ” I am your father” Donald needs to warm up to US soil.
California is plenty warm as it is. No reason the world’s best won;t hit the ground running. But if you want to go in another direction for an A player. KJ Choi’s had a lot of success at Riviera.
Nice call on Haas. That was a fun tournament.