Casey in point
January 21st 2009 02:16
Wow, what a great start to tipping for 2009, just give me minute while I pt myself on the back for tipping out Paul Casey to win the Abu Dhabi Championship.
And while he didn’t quite do the business, Steve Marino, one of my three tips for the Sony Open finished in a tie for seventh – not good enough for a financial return for the punters, but a bold showing.
But Casey delivered on my promise to you when I said that he’d been a great form in the back end of 2008 and was ready to replicate his performance when he won in Abu Dhabi two years ago.
One of the reasons Casey broke through to win after a relatively lean period for a guy of his ability was a change in attitude. After a great Masters in 2007, where he finished 10th in his first appearance at Augusta Casey dedicated himself to becoming a major winner. He geared his game to the big tournaments and paid the price by not winning anything for 36 starts.
His resolution for 2009 was to get back to winning and let the majors take care of themselves. After his superb effort in the desert last week it would be no surprise at all to see him win a major this year.
Which brings me to a new innovation, the major power-rankings, where I will rank each week who I think are the top five contenders for the next major. Sure it’s early in the season but it’s a way of looking ahead. I’m basing my power-rankings only on guys who have played so far in 2009 – so that’s why Tiger and Phil don’t make the first power-ranking list.
Masters power-rankings
1) Paul Casey. Won at Abu Dhabi has finished 10th and 11th at past two Masters
2) Adam Scott. Strong charge home at Sony Open for runner-up spot. Over knee problem, confidence growing
3) Zach Johnson. Putting touch was near perfect at Sony Open. Augusta winner who looks ready to soar again
4) Sergio Garcia. His 3-3-3 finish (birdie, birdie, eagle) for a top-10 at Abu Dhabi continued a great run of form for a player whose confidence is really high right now.
5) Padraig Harrington. Wasn’t at his best but managed to finish 5th in the desert. Can he win three majors in a row? Yes he can.
Ok, so to more immediate matters. Who will win this week?
In the US, the Bob Hope Classic, is always a real lottery. The pro-am format, the easy hole locations, the five-round format … all make it one of the unique tournaments.
There are guys like Justin Leonard, Scott Verplank and Mike Weir who have solid records here but I’m going with birdie makers.
I like a youngster call Chez Reavie, who is a really attacking player with two good results in the opening events on the PGA Tour. He finished fifth at the Hope last year and can definitely improve on that.
I’m a big fan of Bill Haas, the son of Jay Haas. But Bill often lets himself down by firing in one bad round, which he can’t afford to do here. But at the Sony Open last week his tie for 9th was an impressive consistent effort. This guy might be getting some self belief and given the fact he’s had two top-20s at the Hope in the past three years suggests he can play well there.
Finally, while I like Steve Marino, I’m going to overlook him in favour of Tim Clark. The South African stormed home in Hawaii last week for 12th place and was runner-up at the Hope in 2005. If any course is ideally suited to giving Clark his long-awaited win on the PGA Tour it’s this one.
In three: Reavie, Haas and Clark.
The European Tour stays in the desert for the Qatar Masters and this event has drawn a crack field with Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Ernie Els the faves. Scott and Garcia are great chances but you don’t need me to tell you that.
Away from the favourites consider these three guys:
Swede Johan Edfors finished fourth at Qatar two years ago and has been in solid form so far this season.
Englishman Anthony Wall is a class player who struggles to find the consistency to win. He’s had his chances in the past but has failed to capitalise but I like the way he performed in Abu Dhabi last week and believe he’s not far from making a breakthrough win.
And Italian Franceso Molinari has been rock solid this season and has a decent record at Qatar. He is the value bet.
Good luck and drop by next week for a summary of events, plus the updated power-rankings.
Season tally. European Tour: one winner from one event; PGA Tour T7 from one event
And while he didn’t quite do the business, Steve Marino, one of my three tips for the Sony Open finished in a tie for seventh – not good enough for a financial return for the punters, but a bold showing.
But Casey delivered on my promise to you when I said that he’d been a great form in the back end of 2008 and was ready to replicate his performance when he won in Abu Dhabi two years ago.
One of the reasons Casey broke through to win after a relatively lean period for a guy of his ability was a change in attitude. After a great Masters in 2007, where he finished 10th in his first appearance at Augusta Casey dedicated himself to becoming a major winner. He geared his game to the big tournaments and paid the price by not winning anything for 36 starts.
His resolution for 2009 was to get back to winning and let the majors take care of themselves. After his superb effort in the desert last week it would be no surprise at all to see him win a major this year.
Which brings me to a new innovation, the major power-rankings, where I will rank each week who I think are the top five contenders for the next major. Sure it’s early in the season but it’s a way of looking ahead. I’m basing my power-rankings only on guys who have played so far in 2009 – so that’s why Tiger and Phil don’t make the first power-ranking list.
Masters power-rankings
1) Paul Casey. Won at Abu Dhabi has finished 10th and 11th at past two Masters
2) Adam Scott. Strong charge home at Sony Open for runner-up spot. Over knee problem, confidence growing
3) Zach Johnson. Putting touch was near perfect at Sony Open. Augusta winner who looks ready to soar again
5) Padraig Harrington. Wasn’t at his best but managed to finish 5th in the desert. Can he win three majors in a row? Yes he can.
Ok, so to more immediate matters. Who will win this week?
In the US, the Bob Hope Classic, is always a real lottery. The pro-am format, the easy hole locations, the five-round format … all make it one of the unique tournaments.
There are guys like Justin Leonard, Scott Verplank and Mike Weir who have solid records here but I’m going with birdie makers.
I like a youngster call Chez Reavie, who is a really attacking player with two good results in the opening events on the PGA Tour. He finished fifth at the Hope last year and can definitely improve on that.
I’m a big fan of Bill Haas, the son of Jay Haas. But Bill often lets himself down by firing in one bad round, which he can’t afford to do here. But at the Sony Open last week his tie for 9th was an impressive consistent effort. This guy might be getting some self belief and given the fact he’s had two top-20s at the Hope in the past three years suggests he can play well there.
Finally, while I like Steve Marino, I’m going to overlook him in favour of Tim Clark. The South African stormed home in Hawaii last week for 12th place and was runner-up at the Hope in 2005. If any course is ideally suited to giving Clark his long-awaited win on the PGA Tour it’s this one.
In three: Reavie, Haas and Clark.
The European Tour stays in the desert for the Qatar Masters and this event has drawn a crack field with Sergio Garcia, Adam Scott and Ernie Els the faves. Scott and Garcia are great chances but you don’t need me to tell you that.
Away from the favourites consider these three guys:
Swede Johan Edfors finished fourth at Qatar two years ago and has been in solid form so far this season.
Englishman Anthony Wall is a class player who struggles to find the consistency to win. He’s had his chances in the past but has failed to capitalise but I like the way he performed in Abu Dhabi last week and believe he’s not far from making a breakthrough win.
And Italian Franceso Molinari has been rock solid this season and has a decent record at Qatar. He is the value bet.
Good luck and drop by next week for a summary of events, plus the updated power-rankings.
Season tally. European Tour: one winner from one event; PGA Tour T7 from one event
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