The Tour's third event is The Bob Hope Chrysler Classic. Bob Hope got his name attached to the tournament in 1965 when he became the event's Chairman of the Board. Hope was known to be Hollywood's finest golfer and played with nearly every president. He was not only an entertainer, comedian, broadcaster and host of the Academy Awards 18 times between 1930 and 1977, but he also played in a few PGA Tour events. This tournament is known for its celebrity pro-am and the unique five 18-hole rounds of golf. That's right, the PGA is playing on Wednesday this week.
Carson Daly, Browns Quarterback Derek Anderson, Yogi Berra, Michael Bolton, Alice Cooper, Kenny G, Jimmy Fallon, former sportscaster Keith Jackson, Cheech, Meat Loaf, George Lopez, Happy Gilmore's Daniel Lafferty (Kevin Nealon) and many more celebrities are teeing it up with the professionals this weekend. Whenever I see celebrities playing in an event I immediately dismiss the tournament as having any real value. Golf's best agree that this event is skip-able as most of the "top guys" are sitting at home. But the field has quality and with $900,000 going to first place, I don't think the PGA players are going to worry about the celebs.
Chris DiMarco, Fred Couples, Mark O'Meara, John Rollins, Lucas Glover, Anthony Kim and Stewart Cink are all playing their first events of 2008. There a over a dozen other golfers who could easily win this weekend including the last three champions Charley Hoffman, Chad Campbell and Justin Leonard. Hope this helps, here for my five to consider and five to avoid.
Players to Consider:
1. Mike Weir -- Weir seems like the only safe pick this weekend. With none of the big name golfers playing, Weir must take advantage of a weak field to continue his campaign for a place amongst those big names. Weir has made 40 of his last 47 cuts and his past four events (carrying over from last '07) he's placed T10, first and fourth.
2. Will MacKenzie -- For someone who made the cut in two out of three events last season, MacKenzie is ready to get rid of the sour taste left from missing the cut of the Sony Open. I like the way MacKenzie played last year and I think he'll find success early (6 top 25's and 3 top 10's in 2007). MacKenzie should continue last season's success at "The Hope" this weekend.
3. Woody Austin -- Austin started this year with a T18 at the Mercedes-Benz and will use a weaker field to get back on his 2007 track. Last year Austin was able to capture his first PGA Tour victory since 2004 (he also finished second twice). Woody's experience and consistency will help him stay in it from Wednesday to Sunday.
4. Kevin Na -- Finishing fourth at the Sony Open was probably a disappointment for Na -- he finished the final round with a 72 (even after an eagle on the 18th). Last year Na didn't exactly finish strong at "The Hope" (fifth round 80), but I have a feeling 2008 will be a different story for this 25 year-old from Seoul. Not to mention that he's got a personality (and a personality that isn't based on wearing flashy colors or flipped-up visors, he's actually got charisma).
5. Chad Campbell -- The 2006 Bob Hope winner had what I would consider an off-season in 2007. With just two top 10 finishes (down from back-to-back seasons with five top 10's) and finishing a disappointing 106th in the FedExCup standings, Campbell started 2008 with a T12 and a T10. Look for Campbell to remain focused and use his '06 win along with a quick start to '08 as confidence.
Players to Avoid:
1. Kenny Perry -- This past winner (1995) won't be walking off with the trophy this weekend. Despite shooting numbers I only dream of putting up (70,71), Perry wasn't good enough and missed the cut at the Sony Open. A reason to avoid Perry at the Bob Hope Classic could be is athleticism. In a five round tournament, endurance could be a key to victory and Perry isn't exactly Tiger Woods (who, ironically, was the first person's name I could find to came up in a google search of "person in good shape").
2. Mark Calcavecchia -- After starting the season T10 at the Mercedes-Benz, Calcavecchia busted himself going higher and higher through the weekend (68, 71, 73, 75) and finished a lousy T68 at the Sony Open. Calcavecchia could get off to a hot start and go on to finish in the top 10 (finished T8 in 2007) or he could falter after his typical four round pace (finished T44 in 2006 after fifth round 73).
3. Bubba Watson -- Watson's final round 75 at the Sony Open ruined the 67 he posted on Saturday forcing Bubba to finish T50. Watson has to turn around on a short week and try to forget about his Sunday blemish. Bubba didn't make it to Sunday at this event last year and I don't see him getting there this year.
4. Anthony Kim -- Early in the PGA season I tend to avoid young players I consider hit or miss. Kim has a lot of potential and is widely considered an up and comer (or a "hit), but I'll avoid him since this weekend marks his first event of 2008 (his rust could make him a "miss").
5. Fred Couples -- Couples starts his season at the Bob Hope Classic -- or does he? If you are smart, you would avoid Couples all season. I don't know what he has scheduled for this year, but in 2007 Couples only appeared in The FBR Open and The Masters while withdrawing from the Bob Hope and the Pebble Beach Pro-Am. Freddy turned pro 28 years ago and has made over $20 million since, he's not worried about winning or even playing for that matter.
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