This article is part of our Weekly PGA Preview series.
I've never been one to get overly excited about breaking news, rather, I've never paid much attention to the one breaking the news, which is a bit odd as a member of the "media," but I digress. The point is, one day a source is breaking a news story, the next day, someone beats that person to the punch. Just because a member of the media broke a particular story, it doesn't make him or her any more likely to get the next one. It's with that in mind that I feel compelled to let you all in on a bit or news that just crossed my desk, uh, lap.
Steven Bowditch, recently crowned champion of the Byron Nelson, was married at the very venue where he won Sunday. I know, what are the odds? Wait, you were in on this one already? I was scooped by the folks at CBS? OK, I've apparently just received some updated information, it turns out that this little tidbit of mine may have been mentioned once or twice or three hundred times last weekend during the telecast, which begs the question -- when did the golf become second fiddle to human interest stories?
Personally, I found it more compelling that Bowditch, a golfer who had won only once on the PGA Tour entering last week, not only held off the likes of Jimmy Walker and Dustin Johnson, but did so in style, carding an impressive 64 to seal the deal. Is it interesting
I've never been one to get overly excited about breaking news, rather, I've never paid much attention to the one breaking the news, which is a bit odd as a member of the "media," but I digress. The point is, one day a source is breaking a news story, the next day, someone beats that person to the punch. Just because a member of the media broke a particular story, it doesn't make him or her any more likely to get the next one. It's with that in mind that I feel compelled to let you all in on a bit or news that just crossed my desk, uh, lap.
Steven Bowditch, recently crowned champion of the Byron Nelson, was married at the very venue where he won Sunday. I know, what are the odds? Wait, you were in on this one already? I was scooped by the folks at CBS? OK, I've apparently just received some updated information, it turns out that this little tidbit of mine may have been mentioned once or twice or three hundred times last weekend during the telecast, which begs the question -- when did the golf become second fiddle to human interest stories?
Personally, I found it more compelling that Bowditch, a golfer who had won only once on the PGA Tour entering last week, not only held off the likes of Jimmy Walker and Dustin Johnson, but did so in style, carding an impressive 64 to seal the deal. Is it interesting that he was married on the same course which he won a couple years later? Sure, but that shouldn't be the point of emphasis here, it should be on the golf and how Bowditch appears headed for a very bright future.
This week: Memorial Tournament - Muirfield Village Golf Club, Dublin, Ohio
Last Year: Hideki Matsuyama shot a final-round 69 on his way to a playoff victory over Kevin Na.
PLAYERS TO CONSIDER
Justin Rose
There's a bit of extra motivation for the players in the field this week because this is Jack's tournament, and one guy who seems to step up to the challenge time and again is Justin Rose. Rose won this event in 2010 and also earned top-10s in 2008, 2012 and 2013.
Bill Haas
There are some big names in the field this week, much bigger than Haas, but those names don't have the track record Haas has here, which makes him an interesting play this week. Haas struggled at this event for the most part during his first seven tries, but he's figured it out the past two times and is primed for another strong finish this week.
Hideki Matsuyama
I'm generally not fond of taking defending champions, but Matsuyama looked pretty darn good here last year and seems impervious to the pressure of defending a title. That and with so many big names in the field this week, the bulk of the media attention will be elsewhere.
Chris Kirk
Kirk is a pretty solid sleeper option this week as he's been playing well lately, and his track record here, though limited, is impressive. Kirk scored a T4 here last year and is coming in off the confidence of a win two weeks ago at the Crowne Plaza Invitational.
K.J. Choi
Choi won this event in 2007 and while he's not likely to win here again or even seriously contend, he's a good bet to make the cut and play pretty well on the weekend. Choi is a good option for those looking to save bigger names for later in the season.
PLAYERS TO AVOID
Steve Stricker
Stricker has a solid track record at this event, which includes a win here in 2011 and a top-10 last year, but Stricker just hasn't been the same player this year. He's certainly capable of a good showing from time to time, but he seems to be missing that extra gear this season.
Ben Curtis
Curtis has a decent track record here, with nine cuts made in 12 starts, but he's just too much of a risk. There are simply better sleeper options available this week than Curtis.
Jason Day
Day pulled out of the Byron Nelson last week, and though his reasons may not be all that clear, the fact remains that you never want to take a chance on a guy who pulled out the week prior. Even if completely healthy, Day doesn't look like a good option as he's never really fared well at this event.
Tiger Woods
As much as I'd like to see Tiger display his old form sometime soon, it still looks like he's a ways off. If he were closer, he'd be a decent play this week as he's had a ton of success on this track. As it is, he's probably a few more events away from contending once again.
Phil Mickelson
Mickelson has had some solid showings here, but most of those showings came when he was at the top of the game. Needless to say, he's not at the top of his game now. Mickelson still has something left in the tank, but we are more likely to see his best during the majors.
ONE AND DONE GOLFER
Last week: Jordan Spieth (T30) - $45,085; Season - $3,347,677
This week: Hideki Matsuyama - As mentioned, I'm not fond of taking defending champions, but Matsuyama continues to improve and if he's better now than he was 12 months ago, then another win is certainly not out of the question.
YAHOO PICKS
Points: 3,188
Rank: 11,572
This Week:
Group A: Brooks Koepka, Ryan Palmer
Group B: Hideki Matsuyama, Justin Rose, Chris Kirk, Rickie Fowler
Group C: Kevin Na, Ryan Moore
SURVIVOR PICK
Last week: Marc Leishman (MC); Streak - 0
This week: Jim Furyk - It been a few years since Furyk contended here, but even if he's not in the mix come Sunday afternoon, he'll definitely be teeing off at some point on Sunday, which means he'll be making the cut this week. Furyk has made the cut at this event 16 out of 17 tries.
