Sony Open in Hawaii
Purse – $5,500,000
Winner Share – $990,000
FedEx Cup Points – 500
Course – Waialae CC in Honolulu, Hawaii
Defending Champ: Mark Wilson
Par: 70
Course Record – 60; Davis Love III (1994)
Have you ever been to Hawaii? I have. I went with my family when I was 10 years old. There isn’t much that really lingers in my memory from the vacation. Cut me some slack, it was a long time ago. It’s that, or my mind has deteriorated so rapidly that it requires someone to do some government funded research on it. Throughout the years, the family trips remained as hot, but closer to the east coast, and most importantly – much, much cheaper. But what I do remember were the differences that separated Hawaii from its Caribbean counterparts. Jamaica, Dominican Republic, Barbados – they’re all basically the same place. Terrain-wise, Cuba shared the same traits, but it’s Cuba, so there’s just something wacky about it. Hawaii operates on its own level though. Things I remember: Being able to walk almost a mile out into the crystal clear Pacific still only be waist deep, a lack of visible sweatshops near major intersections, a roadside stand that sold fake IDs for every state – it was even equipped with a handy photo booth, a Pizza Hut, and the most breathtaking golf course I’ve ever laid eyes upon.
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| Zach Johnson ended 2011 on a hot streak and plays with the type of consistency that lends itself to success in the early part of the season. Photo Credit: Keith Allison |
I don’t know what the course was called or exactly where in Honolulu it was, but I do know that links were next to a pretty average hotel. Meaning that course was probably pretty average itself. Waialae is anything but average. This is probably why the PGA’s first full-field event is held here. Who would pass at the chance to play? The course is so nice that it spawned one of the worst N64 games of all time. Behold its majesty. Another thing I seemed to have forgotten; those terrible graphics. Good God, I wish could I just wipe the 90s from my mind – well, everything besides Otara Millionaires Club.
PICKS
Steve Stricker – Sure, Mr. Wisconsin is the easy selection, but just try leaving him off your roster and see what happens. You’ll be relegated to the bottom of your league after a mere two weeks.
Zach Johnson – A two-over 72 on Thursday sank the 2009 champion’s chances last year. No matter. Johnson is coming off a terrific 2010 campaign, including a second at the Chevron World Challenge to some guy, whose former wife has taken up dwelling destruction as her new hobby.
KJ Choi – Another former champ, Choi missed the cut at Waialae in 2010, but again don’t be hasty on pulling the trigger. The South Korean is among the highest ranked players in the field, and if it were not for a subpar (which was actually even-par) second round last week, he could have been cashing the hilariously oversized check instead of Stricker.
Mark Wilson – When playing roulette, you never take your bet off an inside number after it has just hit. It’s called “The Repeater.” Apply the same rules to last year’s winner.
Sang-Moon Bae – Did you know the 25-year-old South Korean is currently ranked 35th in the World Golf Rankings? Neither did I, and it killed my percentage on a recent Sporcle quiz. It makes sense though; Bae already has 11 wins worldwide and is just waiting for an opportunity to claim a title on the world’s biggest tour. Plug him in this week, reap the rewards and take pleasure in watching your competitors Google his name as he skyrockets up the leaderboard.
Chris Kirk – The Tour sophomore didn’t show any signs of a slump at Kapalua and a massive breakout season wouldn’t surprise any avid tour watcher, so don’t let it surprise you.
David Toms – The way I play golf involves mulligans, so I’m applying the same rules to my picks. The length of Kapalua overwhelmed the light hitter. The Sony Open provides much fairer, and shorter, holes to deal with. In a tournament that will have players leaning heavily on their putting, why not go with one of the best?
Tommy Gainey – Gainey is known for two things: Showcasing his skills on the Golf Channel’s Big Break and wearing two gloves. While the glove thing may seem ridiculous, it has given an average player like “Tommy Two Gloves” something to be remembered for. That is, until he breaks through for his first Tour victory – could be this week.
Jerry Kelly – Kelly has already notched a Top 10 at this event last year using the Steve Stricker strategy – keep your putter consistent, and be from Wisconsin. Check and Check!
Vijay Singh – The gigantic Fijian showed some life at courses he had achieved some previous success at last year. Don’t see why that would chance now for the 2005 victor.
LEAVE ‘EM ON THE BENCH
Lucas Glover – Not based on performance, but totally out of spite. I made The Glove one of my picks last week and had him in my starting lineup for Round One. Then he suddenly pulled out, leaving me, and everyone else with a big fat zero. Spite is quite prevalent in the Fantasy world. Don’t think so? Then you didn’t draft Darren McFadden in the first round this year!
Johnson Wagner – Don’t get fooled by Johnson’s ninth-place finish last week, the Texan has never carded consecutive Top 10s in his five-year career.
Pat Mayo hosts RotoExperts’ Fantasy War Room, Thursdays at 8pm ET. He also appears on Sirius XM Fantasy Sports Radio with Scott Engel and the morning crew every Wednesday at 8am.
Disagree with the picks, well you’re now going up against a FSWA nominnee for golf writer of the year. Still want to vent? Harass Pat on Twitter @thepme.
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