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FANTASY GOLF: 2010 SLEEPERS Print
Written by Rysz, RotoExperts.com Associate Editor   

Brad Rysz takes a look at some intriguing sleepers for the 2010 PGA season.


Golf is a frustrating game for most of us. If your short game is on, your iron play is off. If you are driving well, your putting isn’t strong. Despite a select few, the PGA golfers aren’t much different than you or I. Well...a pro golfer being ‘off’ results in a 74 or 75, while we put up a triple-digit score, but you get the point: it’s hard to find a complete golfer.

This is what makes fantasy golf intriguing. Scouring the hundred-plus golfers out there to see who is going to put it all together and become a consistent threat to compete on a weekly basis. The following group of players may have struggled in ’09, but enter 2010 with a nice opportunity to improve.

Bo Van Pelt finally won a tournament in 2009. Expect more of the same in 2010. Photo Credit: Iconsmi

[Editors Note: The sleepers below are selected from the respective tiers of the Yahoo! Game, but could be considered sleepers in salary-style format, draft-style format and other games]

GROUP A

JASON DAY
In his third year on the tour, Day showed the consistency that fantasy owners have expected since his debut on the tour. Day participated in only 18 tournaments this past season, but managed to make 14 cuts. Compare that to 2008, where he played in 28 tournaments, but made only 13 cuts. Since he only played in 18 tourneys, he was 69th on the money list, a ranking that will have him undervalued by many to begin the season. Day brings a nice blend of solid driving distance (36th overall in '08) and putting (11th in putts per round). In those 18 events, he managed seven Top 25s and two Top 10s. His runner up finish at the Puerto Rico Open was a personal best, and an indication that he is ready to step into the winner's circle in 2010.

BILL HAAS
Haas is a regular on the tour, playing in at least 29 tournaments for each of the last four years. Despite modest results, Haas had his best season as a pro. For the fifth consecutive year, Haas improved his scoring average (70.36) and his Official World Golf Ranking of 199th was his career-best. In 29 tournaments he made 16 cuts and set personal bests with 11 Top 25s and four Top 10s. Jack of many trades, master of none, Haas is in the Top 100 of every major golf statistic with the exception of Driving Accuracy Percentage. While many owners may opt for a high-upside or younger player, Haas is a reliable player who has modestly improved every season as a pro.

OTHER’S TO CONSIDER -
BRYCE MOLDER - He doesn’t have the experience to exude complete confidence, but his breakout in 2009 can’t be ignored.
STEVE MARINO - Marino has quickly ascended to one of the top golfers in the world and barely merits consideration as a “sleeper”, although his overall ranking may not suggest it. For those of you new to fantasy golf, get to know him quickly.

 

GROUP B

BO VAN PELT
Van Pelt shed the proverbial monkey off his back last season, winning the U.S. Bank Championship in Milwaukee for his first Tour victory. The former Oklahoma State Cowboy also finished the season strong, making the cut in each of the final five tournaments, including two top 25s. Besides Sand Save Percentage, Van Pelt ended 2009 in the top 100 of every major statistical category. Ranked 68th in Driving Accuracy Percentage and 25th in Putting Average, Van Pelt has the consistency that very few Group B players possess. Now that BVP has felt the joy of victory, expect a monster campaign from one of the Tour's most underrated performers.

DANIEL CHOPRA
Sweden may be known for their watches, but they have also produced a promising golfer in 36-year-old Daniel Chopra. The Stockholm native won a tournament in both 2007 and 2008, but couldn't muster anything better than an eighth place finish last season. A quick glance at his World Ranking and it would appear that Chopra was a major disappointment last year. In '08 he finished with one top 10 (a victory), four top 25s and a World Ranking of 131st. Last year, Chopra ended with a 271st ranking, but had a higher scoring average (71.03 compared to 17.51 in '08), placed in the top 10 twice, and had five top 25s. Overall, Chopra may have had a better season in '09, but wasn't fortunate enough to have a top three finish to vault his ranking. Take advantage of his low ranking as he should be widely available extremely late in drafts.

ANDRES ROMERO
Romero is another example of a talented golfer, whose 2009 was void of a tournament win, leading to a much lower ranking than the year before. Romero played in 20 events in each of the last two seasons, finishing with four top 25s each year, but having a better scoring average in '09 than '08. Romero's biggest downfall has been his driving. Although long off the tee (298.5 yards on average, 18th overall), his Driving Accuracy is 180th on the Tour. His putting also has room for improvement, as his 1.779 Putting Average ranked 112th. The 28-year-old Argentinean has immense talent and is a near lock to improve on his 2009 earnings. With this type of upside, he's worth the risk.

AARON BADDELEY
Since breaking out in 2007, Baddeley has regressed for two straight seasons. His 71.31 scoring average in 2009 was his worst in three years; last year also marked his first season since 2005 without at least a runner-up in any tournament. He did post two Top 10s, but 2009 was the first year that Baddeley failed to top the million dollar mark. An elite putter, Badd’s only area of concern comes from off the tee. The price is certainly right for someone with the potential and history that Baddeley has.

OTHERS TO WATCH:
PAT PEREZ - Slowly but surely, Perez has improved and stayed healthy.
FREDRIK JACOBSON - You can never discount a solid putter and Jacobson is one of the Tour’s best.
JOSH TEATER - One of the top rookies this season, Teater might fly under the radar at your draft as he finished seventh on the Nationwide Tour last year.

GROUP C

RYUJI IMADA
Listed at 5'8'', 150 pounds, Imada isn't the biggest guy on the tour, but that doesn't stop him from having enormous potential. Imada hit the big time after finishing the 2008 season with a tour victory, two runners up, a third, five Top 10s and an overall World Golf Ranking of 66th. Unfortunately for his fantasy owners, that was short-lived as Imada only finished in the top 25 seven times last year, failing to score a top 10 for the first time since 2004. One of the top putters on the circuit, Imada failed to put together any sort of driving game last season, finishing 122nd in Driving Accuracy and 168th in Driving Distance. It tells you something when his best ranking (outside of putting) came in Sand Save Percentage. Still, Imada is only a year removed from a fantastic season and could be in line for a nice comeback year.

MATTHEW GOGGIN
Like Imada, Goggin failed to reward his fantasy owners in 2009 after securing a breakout season in 2008. He's never stood in the winner's circle on the PGA Tour, but he had 11 top 25s in 27 starts in '08, placing second once and third twice. Last year, with the spotlight shining brighter, Goggin had three finishes in the top six, but made only 14 cuts in 26 events. He played well enough to secure a World Golf Ranking of 78th and bring some positives into 2010. Unlike Imada, his rankings in driving and iron play weren't disastrous; he just failed to produce when needed. Imada may have a higher ceiling, but Goggin is a better bet for more consistent scores and make a higher percentage of cuts.

OTHERS TO WATCH:
GEORGE MCNEILL - McNeill had two runners-up in ’09 and has the talent to be one of 2010’s top breakout stars.
JIMMY WALKER - Walker’s best golf came at the end of the season, which may lead to a hot start in 2010.

Think anyone else should be added to this list? Let Brad know at brysz@rotoexperts.com.

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