Hyundai T of C experts' picks - ESPN
In a fresh twist for the 2014-15 season, our golf experts (Matt Barrie, "SportsCenter" anchor, Jonathan Coachman, "SportsCenter" anchor; Michael Collins, ESPN.com senior golf analyst; Bob Harig, ESPN.com senior golf writer; Kevin Maguire, ESPN.com senior golf editor; John Ziomek, "SportsCenter" coordinating producer) will pick one player they think will win that week's PGA Tour event.
They will "earn" whatever cash their selection makes that week. Finish first and it's likely a $1Â million-plus payout. Miss the cut and it's a bagel in the bank.
The catch? They can pick any particular golfer only once all season. And we'll keep a tally, updated every week -- for bragging rights, of course.
This week, the tour stops at The Plantation Course at Kapalua in Kapalua, Hawaii, for the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
Best of luck, gentlemen.
Matt Barrie, "SportsCenter" anchor: Billy Horschel
The defending FedEx Cup champion ended the season on fire, winning the BMW Championship, the Tour Championship and the FedEx Cup.
Horschel was a trendy pick last year to win a major championship. That didn't happen, but I have Horschel winning this weekend, and contending for a major this year.
After finishing sixth in this event last season, he'll win it in Hawaii.
Jonathan Coachman, "SportsCenter" anchor: Jason Day
I am basing my first pick on how the wraparound season ended and the fact that I believe my guy this week is very hungry.
Day teamed up with Cameron Tringale in the Franklin Templeton Shootout, and it was clear that, although it was "funny money" season, Day was dialed in and clearly frustrated that, because of injuries, his 2014 was not what he wanted it to be.
I believe in players like this, plus this is a Presidents Cup year and Day wants to be primed and ready for that come fall. And I believe that he'll come out fired up and ready to go this weekend in Hawaii.
Michael Collins, ESPN.com senior golf analyst: Geoff Ogilvy
The last two times he actually played the Hyundai Tournament of Champions, he won (2009 & 2010). As long as he doesn't try any surfing before the tournament starts, like in 2011, he should be fine.
His win at the Barracuda Championship, more importantly followed a few weeks later by the second-place finish at the Deutsche Bank Championship, show him to be back to his old self again.
Bob Harig, ESPN.com senior golf writer: Patrick Reed
The three-time PGA Tour winner pushed his name into the conversation in 2014 with his victory at the WGC-Cadillac as well as his impressive play at the Ryder Cup, always talking a good game. And his personality would suggest he'll be ready to go when the first official shots of 2015 are hit.
Not every player grinds away in Hawaii, especially at this winners-only event with a small field. It is easy to enjoy the scenery, take the guaranteed money, not worry too much about the outcome. So Reed will have even fewer players to beat.
Reed finished 2014 not by putting his clubs away but by staying active, playing in Malaysia and China before a tie for third at the Hero World Challenge and competing the next week at the Shark Shootout. Reed is ranked 23rd in the world, and it doesn't hurt that he played at Kapalua a year ago, led the field in putting inside 10 feet and got a feel for the course.
Kevin Maguire, ESPN.com senior golf editor: Kevin Streelman
The man who streaked his way to a Travelers Championship victory (with a record seven straight birdies to close out the tournament and snatch the win) finished T-4 last year in his first start at the Hyundai Tournament of Champions.
That finish a year ago in Hawaii came with his mind clearly on more important things as his wife was home with their newborn daughter, who was born prematurely.
Imagine what he might be able to accomplish on the par-73 layout with so much less weight on his shoulders?
John Ziomek, "SportsCenter" coordinating producer: Matt Kuchar
He finished third in 2010 and, in five trips to Kapalua, has finished in the top 10 four times.
Plus, Kuchar kept his game in form during the wraparound season, finishing tied for eighth at Tiger's tournament and tied for second with teammate Harris English at the Franklin Templeton Shootout.
Comments
Post a Comment