As the World’s Top Players embark on The CA Championship, the “other half” of the PGA Tour is set to do battle at Trump International in The Puerto Rico Open. The Par 72 7,569 yard Tom Kite Design hosts the event for the 3rd time. As always, a sharp putter will be required to negotiate a win on this golf course. The 132 man field this week has the same feel as the Mayakoba golf Classic. There are several players this week that look to use this tournament as a springboard from “future star” or journeyman to top shelf contender status on The PGA Tour. That brings me to this week’s “Pick 3”. The CA Championship is an easy pick. His name is Camilo Villegas. Why Camilo? Do I really need to answer that question? The “unofficial” world’s #2 player is 3 for 3 on Top 10s with a win last week at the Honda Classic. Now to Puerto Rico. Here is this week’s “Pick 3”:
Winner- Alex Prugh. The 2009 Nationwide Tour graduate in 6 for 6 on cashing checks this year with earnings over $600k. Alex boasts an all-around 6th place ranking in PGA statistics. Alex should manage to negotiate this 132 man field to boost his rank on The PGA Tour.
Sleeper- Chad Collins. Chad is another 2009 Nationwide Tour graduate. Chad is 6 for 6 on paychecks with 3 Top 20s this season. So far this season, Collins has had a successful return to The PGA tour. Chad has a solid short game which is required to win on this golf course. Chad has won more money in 6 events this year ($378k) than he won in 24 PGA Tour events in 2008($340k). Chad ranked first in putting last week at the Honda Classic.
Dark Horse- Rory Sabbatini. Rory is the highest ranked player in the field at 55th in the OWGR. Sabbatini has been a little bit of a forgotten man this season. Rory plays well in warm weather so the “humid’ environment in Puerto Rico should be a nice fit. Sabbatini’s best finish this year was 2nd place finish at The SBS Championship however that is his only Top 30 finish. If Rory can tame his shaky putter, he should be in the hunt on Sunday.
Honorable Mentions include Kevin Stadler and Bryce Moulder.
Who is your Pick 3 for The Puerto Rico Open? Give us your thoughts at www.twitter.com/weretalkinggolf or www.facebook.com/weretalkinggolf.
Chris Hill is the CMO of WereTalkingGolf Productions. He writes weekly several times on WereTalkingGolf.com at Bogie’s Banter. He can also co hosts 3 national golf radio shows weekly on WereTalkingGolf Radio. He can be reached via email at chris@weretalkinggolf.com.
Listeners who follow our shows know that Weretalkinggolf.com is big supporter of the Nationwide Tour. The Nationwide Tour has manifested itself into a productive springboard for the future talent on The PGA Tour. As you look down the leader board each week, you will notice several 2009 graduates from The Nationwide Tour making their presence felt each week. Here is the most recent update on “The 25” from 2009:
Eight of last year’s “25” are currently ranked in the Top 100 on The PGA Tour FedEx Cup points. Five are in The Top 50. Alex Prugh has had the most financial success thus far earning over $612K. With early season success, several of these guys look to solidify their PGA status for 2011. As we enter the Florida swing, look for many of these players to continue their success.
The PGA Tour has always had a deep pool of talented young players. The most recent crop of “Under 30” stars may be the best the tour has ever seen. Most players under the age of 30 are referred to as “future stars” however there are a solid group of guys that have the ability to win on a consistent basis now. Look for this group of players to have great success over the next couple of seasons. Here is my group of top players under the age of 30 (in no particular order):
It is Tuesday and time for me to share my expert picks and sure fire “locks” for The Honda Classic. I get it. My picks are neither “locks” nor “expert” based on my early season track record. Last week in Phoenix, all 3 off my picks had a solid showing. It’s not my fault Ian Poulter forgot how to break 70 after shooting 63 on Friday or Brian Gay consistently found the fairway but could not find the green (T75 GIR). What else can I do? I guess Bogie’s vote of confidence is just not enough. Those two gentle men are probably my 2 of my favorite players on tour and will be back in winner’s bracket soon. I told you last week’s picks were a done deal before the players hit the first tee. Apparently I was off by a week. THIS WEEK’s picks are 100% sure fire locks to dominate The Honda Classic. Call Vegas because here is this week’s “Pick 3”.
This week The Nationwide Tour travels to Bogota, Columbia for its first visit to South America as it hosts The Pacific Rubiales Bogota Open presented by Samsung. The event will be held March 4-7 at The Country Club of Bogota. The tournament will feature a 132 man field and $600,000 purse.
This week the legends of The Champions Tour make a stop at The Newport Beach Country Club for The Toshiba Classic. The tournament and preceding festivities will be held from March 1-7. As always, The Toshiba Classic proves to be one of the most exciting tournaments on the Champions Tour. The Toshiba Classic has raised over $12 million in the past 12 years for its lead beneficiary Hoag Memorial Hospital Presbyterian as well as other Orange County charities.
The future stars of The PGA Tour make their way to Panama this weekend as The Nationwide Tour hosts The Panama Claro Championship. The Panama GC played as the toughest course on The NationwideTour in 2008. This week’s stop in Panama makes the 7th year in a row The Nationwide has made a stop at Panama GC but the first time it has not been the Tour’s opening tournament. This year’s sponsor CLARO Panama is the largest mobile phone provider in Latin America.
Winner-Brian Gay. With a solid start in 2010, Gay looks to repeat the success of his 2-win 2009 season. I know that 2 time winner J.B. Holmes or last year’s champion Kenny Perry would be more logical choice but I like my chances on this one. What the short ball hitter from U of F lacks in distance off the tee, he makes up for in driving accuracy and precision around the greens. He is the 2nd ranked putter on tour in 2010. Brian has 5 top 25s this season and will manage to pick up his first win of 2010 in Phoenix.
Sleeper-Ian Poulter. The brash Englishman has said for years that he will be will be the guy to challenge Tiger as the world’s number one. He is currently #5 on the OWGR. The fact is Poulter only has one win on the PGA Tour. The good news is that the win came only one week ago in a stacked field at The WGC Accenture Match Play Championship. Many have questioned his consistency and believe he will have a bit of a hangover from last week. I look for Ian to keep playing well and possibly go back to back.
Dark Horse- Kenny Perry. Considering he is last year’s champion, Perry is not truly a dark horse. (and I am tired of picking Mickelson) Although Perry is 2 for 2 on Top 25s, he has been below average around the green. TPC Scottsdale will require Kenny to scramble and make putts. If he can make some putts prior to the weekend, he will be in the hunt on Sunday. Even at the ripe old age 49, don’t look for Kenny to embrace the Champions Tour any time soon. I think he may still have a couple of PGA wins left in the bag.
With the snow melting and the temperatures rising, many of you are chomping at the bit to get back on the golf course. Stamina, strength, flexibility, and endurance have become essential elements in the success of your golf game. With that being said, how was your off season conditioning? No reason to panic. Golf conditioning is a year round practice. Flexibility may be the most important aspect of a fundamentally sound golf swing. Most golfers are not aware that a healthy stretching routine builds strength and lean muscle. Lean muscle is crucial in weight maintenance and balance. Each of us can develop an efficient but effective work out routine to improve our scores. Here are a few stretching exercises you can implement to improve your game in 2010:
It’s that time of week. I am prepared to make my predictions for this week’s PGA Tour Stop. My broadcast partner and I have dissected the Math Play to death so I am going to do something a little different. I am going to turn my attention to the “Other” tournament this weekend, The Mayakoba Golf Classic. Picking The Accenture Match play Champion is really a short conversation. His name is Steve Stricker. Many believe “Steady” Steve may be the best player on a tour without Tiger Woods. I personally believe he may be the best player on a tour including Tiger Woods. With that being said, here is this week’s Pick 3:
