Luke's luck
February 4th 2009 23:20
What a close call we had last week when I tipped Scott Piercy as one of the best chances in the FBR Open at Phoenix. Piercy was at huge odds and looked ready to shock the golf world when he led the tournament with eight holes to go.
But sadly, he rang up a trio of bogeys through 11, 12 and 13 to fall by the wayside as Kenny Perry defied his age and a hell week to triumph in a playoff over Charley Hoffman.
And we went doubly close when one of my other tips, David Toms snuck into a tie for fourth.
A Dubai I was very wary of Henrik Stenson as he has such a great record at the course and he proved that by finishing in a tie for third behind sensational Northern Irish teen Rory McIlroy.
Regular readers of this blog will know that I was tipping McIlroy all over the place last year and it was only a matter of time before he won a tournament.
So without further ado, some tips for this week where the Buick tournament is on at Torrey Pines.
Normally Tiger Woods is a laydown certainty for this but he’s still off injured and that opens the door for a few guys.
I’m not sure Phil Mickelson can find his mojo in time to be a threat after he dreadful performance at Phoenix (which I might say I warned you might happen). Phil loves Torrey Pines and has a great record of bouncing back from missed cuts with a win so I’d be of him but I’m prepared to gamble against him.
I tipped Charles Howell last week and he flopped but I think that was a blip and he could be back in the fray here – a course at which he’s succeeded in the past.
Aussie Nathan Green had some good performances his US season and then went only average at Phoenix – but he never does well there and much prefers Torrey Pines. He will be in the mix.
Luke Donald has a great record at the course and has had two top-25s coming back from injury and could be ready to fire this week.
Finally, Pat Perez was one of my rough tips for the US Open when it was played at Torrey Pines last year because he is so familiar with the course, as he grew up playing it. With his new swing and new-found confidence I think he can justify himself a real player on the Tour by winning here, just two weeks after his debut win.
If you want a bit of a roughie don’t overlook John Merrick, who had a good US Open and played well at the Bob Hope two weeks ago.
Now for the Masters power-rankings:
1) Sergio Garcia – his consistency so far this season is remarkable and if can stay steady that first major is not far away
2) Paul Casey – After the form reversal from Abu Dhabi (win) to Qatar (missed cut), Casey was back and looking good in Dubai
3) Justin Rose – The Englishman was all class in difficult circumstances chasing Rory McIlroy in Dubai and has a proven major temperament.
4) David Toms – the guy has got his head together and his putting looks sharp. He can handle Augusta.
5) Rory McIlroy. Who know how good this guy can be.
Results US T4, Europe T3
But sadly, he rang up a trio of bogeys through 11, 12 and 13 to fall by the wayside as Kenny Perry defied his age and a hell week to triumph in a playoff over Charley Hoffman.
And we went doubly close when one of my other tips, David Toms snuck into a tie for fourth.
A Dubai I was very wary of Henrik Stenson as he has such a great record at the course and he proved that by finishing in a tie for third behind sensational Northern Irish teen Rory McIlroy.
Regular readers of this blog will know that I was tipping McIlroy all over the place last year and it was only a matter of time before he won a tournament.
So without further ado, some tips for this week where the Buick tournament is on at Torrey Pines.
Normally Tiger Woods is a laydown certainty for this but he’s still off injured and that opens the door for a few guys.
I’m not sure Phil Mickelson can find his mojo in time to be a threat after he dreadful performance at Phoenix (which I might say I warned you might happen). Phil loves Torrey Pines and has a great record of bouncing back from missed cuts with a win so I’d be of him but I’m prepared to gamble against him.
I tipped Charles Howell last week and he flopped but I think that was a blip and he could be back in the fray here – a course at which he’s succeeded in the past.
Aussie Nathan Green had some good performances his US season and then went only average at Phoenix – but he never does well there and much prefers Torrey Pines. He will be in the mix.
Luke Donald has a great record at the course and has had two top-25s coming back from injury and could be ready to fire this week.
Finally, Pat Perez was one of my rough tips for the US Open when it was played at Torrey Pines last year because he is so familiar with the course, as he grew up playing it. With his new swing and new-found confidence I think he can justify himself a real player on the Tour by winning here, just two weeks after his debut win.
If you want a bit of a roughie don’t overlook John Merrick, who had a good US Open and played well at the Bob Hope two weeks ago.
Now for the Masters power-rankings:
1) Sergio Garcia – his consistency so far this season is remarkable and if can stay steady that first major is not far away
2) Paul Casey – After the form reversal from Abu Dhabi (win) to Qatar (missed cut), Casey was back and looking good in Dubai
3) Justin Rose – The Englishman was all class in difficult circumstances chasing Rory McIlroy in Dubai and has a proven major temperament.
4) David Toms – the guy has got his head together and his putting looks sharp. He can handle Augusta.
5) Rory McIlroy. Who know how good this guy can be.
Results US T4, Europe T3
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