Yahoo Fantasy Golf Week 15 Preview

The Masters. This is my favorite sporting event of the year. There is just nothing like the mystique of Augusta. It would be great to win a major, but I bet that deep down inside most tour pros would tell you that this one means more than all the rest. Just the idea that if you win, you will be a part of this tournament in some way for the rest of your life. Even if you can't get a tour card, you can play here. That green jacket is special, and so is the level of talent that gets in to take a shot at it. The winner of this event has all the bragging rights.

Last year the dry turf led to some really high scores. There was plenty of roll but no one could get a ball to stop anywhere near the hole. I've heard that the course isn't that dry this year which means that the long hitters are licking their chops, but it also means that the ball strikers will be able to hit it close and get it to stick. Don't expect an over par winner again this year. Something around 8 under seems likely to me.

Now for the preview....

Group A

Studs

Tiger Woods - Seriously, you have to be crazy not to think Tiger is going to be jacked up for this one. Watch for the slow start though. He typically doesn't shoot lights out in round one. (He has shot 72 or worse in every opening round since 2002, and only shot 70 in '00 and '01.)

Geoff Ogilvy - Which gives you a chance to get Geoff in there before Tiger gets going. I would be very surprised if Geoff doesn't get bonus points this week. He's playing great and could give Tiger a run.

Duds

Padgraig Harrington - So much for the 3 week lead up. He wasn't a factor at all this past week, and given that the course was set up to look and feel like Augusta, you have to wonder.

Phil Mickelson - He switched putters twice this past week and missed a lot of short putts. Despite his confidence in his post tournament interview, his game isn't good enough right now.

Sleeper

Justin Rose - Rose always seems to play well here, but he hasn't won. It would be really tough to justify using him but if it's finally his year, it could be worth it.

Group B

Studs

Retief Goosen - The top choice from group B. Played really well last year and has the mentality for majors. He could be a serious contender this week.

Stewart Cink - This group is really weak. Cink is the next best option? He has played really well most of the year but his mental game will ultimately get in the way. I'm just hoping for a few good rounds out of him

Robert Allenby - Consistency is the name of his game. He won't win, but he will make the cut and score decent points. Unfortunately that is the best group B has to offer this week.

Sean O'Hair - A gut feeling here. He just feels like he is in the same sort of situation that Zach Johnson was last year. He has won this season already so his game is in good shape.

Duds

Vaughn Taylor - He has done ok here in the past but his game has been really terrible all year. I can't see how one of the hardest courses on tour is going to bring out his best game.

Stuart Appleby - No Aussie has ever won the masters and Stuart has really taken a step back from his fast start. I just don't see him playing well enough to warrant a start.

Sleeper

None - I can't justify a real sleeper from this group. It's total slop from top to bottom.

Group C

Studs

Fred Couples - Given that he has made 22 straight cuts at the masters and that he played out of his mind last week, you have to have him on your team. I was wrong about him last week. His game is as good as it's been in years, and with a little luck, he could contend this week.

Luke Donald - A great player that will probably step it up for this event. Rarely does a guy win this tourny that isn't already a great player, so it's a good idea to fill your lineup with these kind of players.

Duds

Jose Maria Olazabal - He's coming off an injury and I don't feel like he is going to be able to contend.

Sleeper

Tim Clark - He has had some good finishes here in recent years, and his game might wake up this week. He's had some good weeks this season so you never know.


Good Luck!