News: Hyundai Tournament of Champions
January 4 2012
4:45 pm
Make your picks: Hyundai TOC
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Jonathan Byrd won last year’s season-opener. Can he repeat?
The experts at PGATOUR.COM have made their picks for the 2012 season-opener. Who do you like this week at Kapalua? Let us know in the comments below.
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Bill Haas
I’m going with Gary Woodland. His length will help him on this course.
Steve Stricker Ill go with Experiance.
Brendan Steele. His full participation in his and Bradley’s win at the Shark Shootout shows he’s ready to back up last year’s win at the Valero Texas Open. Last year both he and his caddie were rookies. This year they will have played several rounds on the PGA courses. This doesn’t apply to Kapalua, of course, but it’s a long course with four par 5s, which should help him. Also, his strong grip works well in the wind. Lastly, and probably most importantly, I’m picking Steele because he and his Dad are friends from my home town, so I’m biased as hell.
molder
A LIST
K.J. Choi
Sean O’Hair
B LIST
Bill Haas
Lucas Glover
Chris Kirk
Bryce Molder
C List
Martin Laird
Aaron Baddely
Bubba was coming into is new attitude last year and was a constant threat. With that, I am saying its either Bubba Watson or Nick Watney. Last year they both came into a relative veteran status by gaining tons of experience and proving that they are two of the best on tour. Of the young guns these days, I dont think anyone will ever put the fear into fields like Tiger did in the past, but these two combined are as big a threat as Tiger ever was. Unfortunately they arent playing a scramble together every week. Haha. 2012 is going to amazing!
Gary Woodland.
Sean o hair, it’s going to be a big year for Sean.
I agree with you Martin
K.J.Choi
Big tournament for Simpson, probably good guide to his 2012 prospects. I thought he looked jaded by end of 2011. He played a lot of golf, too much for my liking. The prospect of winning the money list probably influenced his schedule. I thought he might start his season a bit later, like 11 others who are missing this week. Some think he’s a one season wonder, but his performance over the season points to a player on the rise. Big effort in 2011, he was there nearly every week, had a few close calls then won twice.
If he wins or plays really well, then watch out.
Woodland could win here and kickstart a big year. This track suits Glover.
1. Nick Watney
2. Webb Simpson
3. Steve Stricker
4. Bill Haas
5. David Toms
Watney or Stricker
Sabbatini
Bill Haas – solid game will get him started on a successful ’12 season.
Keegan Simpson and Laird…….
Bradley. . .
I’m going with KJ. He had a very good late fall.
Watney or O’ Hair…I even like Scott Stalling if the wind is coming out of the east
A–Webb Simpson, Steve Stricker
B–Bill Haas, David Toms, Bubba Watson, Gary Woodland
C–Martin Laird, Jonathan Byrd
Stricker and Toms have had more success at Kapalua than the entire rest of the field combined. That being said, Stricker’s neck is still a big question mark in my mind, though he insists that he is feeling no pain. My gut tells me that Martin Laird (T4 his last start here) is going to bust out with a victory out of the gate. The course also suits Woodland well–and he proved last year that unfamiliarity with a venue doesn’t hamper him at all. Look for these two vets and/or these two young guns to sit atop the leader board on Sunday.
I was wondering why the following players are not in Hawaii this week for the Opening Tournament in the New Year. I know there are certain rules to gain entrance to this event but these players did win Tournaments last year that gave out FedEx Cup Points.
Mark Wilson
D.A. Points
Phil Mickelson
Luke Donald
Charl Schwartzel
Bubba Watson
Rory McIlroy
Chris Kirk
Fredrick Jacobsen
Darren Clarke
Adam Scott
Scott Piercy
Dustin Johnson
Justin Rose
Aaron Baddely, his iron game really came around toward the end of last year.
K.J. Choi; always!
I would also watch for Web Simpson!
it’s their choice not to be there marc. but some of the guys on your list r playing.
I’ve got a feeling…..David Toms
BRADLEY
1. BRADLEY
2. STEELE
3. KIRK
4. LOVEMARK
MICKELSON
MCILROY
KAYMER
SCHWARTZEL
SCOTT
DONALD
SNEDEKER
JACOBSON
CLARKE
ROSE
JOHNSON D.
All giving it the big miss.
Dear Mr. PGA Tour Commissioner, fix this tournament and fix the FedEx Cup.
I’ll just point out that Phil hasn’t played Kapalua since 2001. No surprise that he’s sitting out again this year. Donald’s WD is more surprising.
stricker watney
sticker watney
2012 pga tour.
tiger 3 wins
phil 2 wins
rory 3 wins
luke 3 wins
lee 2 wins
dustin 1 win
etc etc etc
2013 hyundai field: stroud (mexico winner), flesch (puerto rico winner), wi (mississippi winner). OWGR points 2. crowd 15.
I think Donald was chicken…
Tiger. Oh, He’s not playing? Tiger anyway…
A Bradley 1-2 finish followed by Baddeley for 3rd…there you have it…..Bradley, Bradley,and Baddeley!!
Webb’s the real deal, a throwbackwith guts(the anti-Luke). Look for him to win this week and win big tournaments this year (Olympic)…
Bud Cauley gets first win!
Bicardi Jim — Here is an item from Luke Donald……….I’ve got the prospect of a new start clubs-wise next year (2012). For the last couple of months I’ve been given some MP69s and 59s to try. I did a Master Class shoot for Mizuno and I used the 59s during that shoot. They felt quite nice. I’m going to take a few weeks off without playing any golf and then when I pick up the clubs again next year there’s a good chance I’ll put the 59s in play and see how they go. It’s always hard to change after the success I’ve had with the MP 62s but the first few tries I’ve had with the 59s, I like what I feel.
I’ll be starting my year in Abu Dhabi, have a couple of weeks off and then start again in L.A.
looks like 8 out of the top 11 finishers in the chevron are missing, then check where the top 7 favourites in the hyundai finished in the chevron? can anyone confirm this is an official pga tour event with fedex/cup & owgr pnts.
Michael Bradley will be the Bradley that wins
Martin Laird. Because he wasn’t a European member last year, he has no Ryder Cup points on the board. He needs three victories to make the team. This is the ideal starting point.
Chris Kirk…You watch !
Ole Smoke…I like the pick…Kirky could pull it off!
A-Watney
Bradley
B-Watson
Woodland
Haas
Glover
C-Baddeley
Byrd
brads quirky is like bradley, he could not pull his d**k off.
Bradley
Watson
Steele
Bryd
Choi
Haas
Simpson
Stricker
Watney
Woodland
My name is on the list of winners last year. That is what counts, not your blogs.
Mike McG I don’t recall you winning last year?
Like Nick Watney`s chances on this course also think he will go to the next level and win some big one`s this year. Sleeper chance to our Aaron Baddeley,played some good golf in the Presidents Cup.
It’s got to be Jonathan Vegas for me
Steve Stricker
Nick Watney
Webb Simpson
K.J Choi
The only reason for me to watch is because I’ve played Kapalua, other than that this field will be a yawn fest.
Woodland
World Number 1 · 2012
Winner
Winner
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Win
DECEMEBER 31st World Number 1 – WINNER
DONALD, Luke 3.00
MCILROY, Rory 3.50
WESTWOOD, Lee 4.00
WOODS, Tiger 8.00
KAYMER, Martin 11.00
DAY, Jason 29.00
SCOTT, Adam 29.00
SCHWARTZEL, Charl 34.00
JOHNSON, Dustin 51.00
MICKELSON, Phil 51.00
SIMPSON, Webb 51.00
STRICKER, Steve 61.00
MCDOWELL, Graeme 71.00
WATNEY, Nick 71.00
CHOI, K.J. 101.00
KUCHAR, Matt 101.00
kevin na – cannot over look a guy that had 3 top ten finishes in his final 5 pga events with a lone victory coming at the Justin T tourny. best season of his young career that only has promise to get better. y not start with the first tourny of the year?
david toms for me hes done well over the years there finshing in to ten few times if i had good top pick i wouid had said webb simpson his confidence is high finshing 2011 witha bang he want to continue that early.
SEAN O’HARA WILL WIN THIS TOURNAMENT.
GARY WOODLAND CLOSE BUT NO CIGAR
Webb Simpson. The Tim Tebow of golf.
eric says;
“Webb’s the real deal, a throwbackwith guts(the anti-Luke). Look for him to win this week and win big tournaments this year (Olympic)…”
I think it’s a little too early to call Webb Simpson the real deal solely based on 6 good months. Wasn’t this guy a Journeyman Pro for 2 or 3 years and barely kept his card in a struggle during the 2010 season? How soon people forget….
I am sorry to see some many champions from last year not show up this opening event. But Martin Laird will turn his 4th place finish last year into a Win this weekend!
Did Webb Simpson card a Top 10 in ANY of the Majors? Any of the WGC’s OR The Players or Tour Championship? I’m sure he had no top 10 in the Majors or Players or Tour anyway…may have snuck 1 top 10 in a WGC…
Webb Simpson like Keegan Bradley … can you spell O-V-E-R-A-T-E-D.
Sorry not to see great Champions like Rory Mcilroy, Darren Clarke and Martin Kaymer in the field. But then if you’re as rich and as good as these guys you don’t need to play in an event with a guaranteed paycheque.
Players who got lucky 1 week like DA Points, Scott Stallings, Jhonatton Vegas, Bryce Molder, Chris Kirk, Johnson Wagner and Scott Piercy.. these types of players NEED to play cause if they didn’t win last season they would struggle to retain their card during the 2012 season. I’d be shocked if any of these players make TOP 50 in the money list and most will finish outside the top 100.
KJ Choi,or Nick Watney for this event with Martin Laird who had a solid 4th place finish last season pushing them. Wouldn’t surprise me if the Scot takes this title either.
The Africa Open has a much stronger field than the TOC. Retief Goosen in contention after a great 1st round of 8 under 65 1 stroke behind European tour winner Thomas Aiken at 9 under. 2009 Open Champ and defending Champion of the Africa Open at 4 under par. Goosen is better than any player in this week’s TOC.
Just looking at the TOC field here. Have any of them won a Major besides David Toms?
2009 Open Champ being sweet swinging Louis Oozsthuizen of course.
TIGER WOODS WILL NEVER WIN A MAJOR AGAIN. JOE LA CAVA MADE A HUGE MISTAKE LEAVING DUSTIN JOHNSON’S BAG FOR TIGER WHEN IN THE FORESEEABLE FUTURE DUSTIN WILL BE CASHING FAR LARGER CHEQUES THAN TIGER WOODS WILL BE.
Tournaments with fields this small are not what I look for in Golf. It should always be who has the best 4 days against the entire golf community. Isn’t it about time that the PGA learns how to run a championship? If everyone doesn’t have the opportunity to play in the tournament it should not count towards the FED EX Cup. As such I will not be watching the same way I did not watch Tiger win over his shrunken field last month. Not a win worth counting no matter who wins.
sean smith- you don’t get lucky and win tournaments. you know better than that. come on.
Sandbelt fyi…
Brandt Snedeker is recovering from hip surgery last fall. He is supposed to be ready in time for the Bob Hope Desert Classic…oops….The Humana Challenge I mean. I like the sound of the old tourney don’t y’all?
Keegan Bradley is overrated ??? you must be crazy. how can you win two tournaments (including one major) and be overrated?
I did not see any Bubba Watson picks, even from those of you who slected almost half of the field. While this surprises me, I’m leaving him as my “Dark Horse” and picking Ben Crane who had a strong finish last year. I also think Scott Stallings will have a strong second year as he is a grinder, who is set on proving he belongs with the big boys.
I too am surprised that so many players decided to stay home or play elsewhere.
Even with a bad neck, Stricker will dominate the field.
I think Keegan will start off this year with a win, the guy has been playing great golf lately.
But it wouldnt suprise me if some “random” duden would win this.
Looking at all the coments the only 1 that has it right is Dan!!! Kevin Na I think will win. New swing coach,been a crazy gym rat,and been working hard on his game!!! this is the year of the NA!!!!
Watch out for Johnson Wagner.
scott stallings my boy will come out and suprise you all1
???…. Must disagree about your take on Simpson.
Played in just 3 Majors. T14, T16 and cut.
26 Years old, third full season on tour.
Second on money list, more than a million ahead of third.
2 wins, 2 playoff losses. 12 top tens.
Underrated maybe?
MARK WILSON WINS PLAYOFF VS. FELLOW PACKER FAN STEVE STRICKER.
PS: I AM A BEAR FAN……
I’m perplexed no-one has mentioned Kevin Na & Bryce Molder.
Coming off 2012 these two were hot with the putter and were scrambling good enough to suggest this course will play into their hands.
Of course they need to continue the form…
As a bonus Na has 2/4 top five finishes in Hawaii.
Aaron Baddeley
Ill go with KJ CHoi at 15 to 1 odds!
Amazingly, I dont see any comments about the chances that Jhonattan Vegas has of winning for 2012. His win on 2011 was not a matter of luck, on the contrary, he has come a long way since his childhood, and I can guarantee you that we will see him again on the winning circle this year. He is better prepared, more solid mind, nothing to risk, and a great team is backing him up for this year..!!
I think Jhonattan Vegas will Win.
@???: Yes, I can spell overrated… and it’s not spelled “O-V-E-R-A-T-E-D”.. lmfao
1. Steele (Playoff win)
T1. Bradley
T1. Na
Steele has the game for the wind, is long, and has mad short game skills. If he doesn’t win it will be because of the new course….and I’m not biased as hell like the prior poster.
I’ve backed 2 players this week;
I think Watney has a very good chance to win but I fancy DA Points to have a good debut, maybe a top 5 finish. His performance at the coastal and windy Pebble Beach Pro-Am last March should hold him in good stead at Kapalua. He also started to play slightly better, with little reward, towards the end of last season…look for a solid tournament from him
tiger woods
in his dreams
woodland or watney
WINNER- KJ CHOI
CONTENDER – SCOTT STALLINGS
DARK HORSE – BRYCE MOLDER
My boy Scotty “too Hottie” Stallings is going to make the Hyundai his door mat. The kid BOMBS it, hit’s his irons like a man with a plan, and if he can get the flat stick rolling, he may have the tournament in the bag on Sunday. Big year for the big man!!! Golden Eagles on the hunt for a big year.
Aaron Baddeley will contend. His form at the start of each season has always been his best. He struggled in the middle of 2011, but his final 2 months, including the Australian Tour was excellent with 3 top 10 finishes having lead in the last rounds. His President Cup form was criticised, but he when he lost to Tiger Woods in the individual his own score would have won most of the other matches. He is rested and is bringing good form after a career altering 2011. Go Aussie!!!
roughie ; steele
i think baddely has a great chance at contending here he has a good ball flight for wind if he can drive it well this week he is a good pick. And before you write a comment be educated, this is the tournament of champions, so people like bud cualey arent playing.
CHEESEHEADS RULE……. MARK OR STEVE WILL CARRY ON THE SUPERBOWL TRADITION….
Martin Laird takes the title!
All people complaining about players not being there need to relax. Phil never goes, Donald pulled out this year because of having a baby. Schwartzel is playing at home in South Africa like he begins every year, worked for him last year.
Keegan = overrated, the next shaun michel!
scott stailings will win
Here’s hoping Bryce Molder starts the new season in the good form with which he closed 2011.
Scott Piercy 50-1 all day long. In a short field, lacking most of the best players in the world why not take a bomber who will score plenty of birdies. If he rolls it well lights out….
Nick Watney but I hope Harrison Frazar
Martin Laird will win. This course suits his game well.
Gotta go Bubba here. One of the only guys that’ll be able to make it in two on 18.
I don’t understand why anyone would want to denigrate Keegan Bradley. There are only 31 current golfers under age 50 who have won 5 or more PGA tour events. In his first year he has won two, inlcuding a major. That is a terrific accomplishment even if he never wins another tournament. Perhaps because he’s from Connecticut and went to St. Johns, he does not fit the “mold” of the typical young golfing prospect. He obviously has talent and also has a good golfing pedigree, so I only see a lot of upside for him. I hope he has a great 2012 and beyond.
Simpson
Watney
Woodland
hank it could be 50% bradely 50% brads !!!GO KEEGS!!
Kyle, what about Gary Woodland who everyone knows is the longest hitter on the PGA Tour with a driver in his hand? Plus I believe he’s a more all-around player than Bubba. Martin Laird and Nick Watney are also plenty long enough off the tee to reach 18 in 2 shots. Laird had a solid finish here last year. Going with Nick Watney or KJ Choi to start the year off with a win.
The only reason Woodland finishes the year around 6-10th in the driving distance rankings is he is a better all-around player than those who always hit driver and supposedly are longer. Woodland hits more irons off the tee than a JB Holmes or a Bubba Watson…
Even a commentator last year said all the players on the range know Woodland is the longest driver out there.
I think Simpson wins but feel Molder is going to have a super year after the win at the Frys.
Remember the Masters? Cant remember if it was ’11 or ’10 but he was out driving the longest hitter on the European Tour year in year out who averages over 315 yards every year, Alvaro Quiros almost every hole.
Why is it everyone is heiling Webb Simpson as a world beater nowadays solely based on 6 good months in a 4 years career? For 3 years he was a Journeyman Pro and barely retained his card during a struggle in 2010.
How soon people forget.
And what is the deal with Bubba Watson being plastered all over this website everyday this week it seems. He is another overated American long hitter who doesnt have many strings to his Bow and who will win a few more Minor Tour events of course but will very rarely contend in the WGC events and the chance in the PGA in 2010 when prolific winner Martin Kaymer, who has 18 pro wins already in just 6 years as professional took him to school on how to play golf will be Bubba’s one and ONLY chance of Major glory.
If any serious bomber is going to win a Major in the next couple of years it is going to be Alvaro Quiros who for an extremely long hitter is also a mighty fine putter. I rate Dustin Johnson very highly aswell by far America’s best player under the age of 30.
Bubba Watson really ticks me off. I lost all respect for him after that pathetic display of ignorance and downright arrogance in the French Open when he made fun of famous French Landmarks. This was an absolute disgrace especially considering he was paid a healthy sum just to turn up. And of course being a one dimensional young American player, he just couldn’t handle a European Tour golf course which of course, as everyone with half a brain will tell you are more difficult than the PGA courses and he finished well outside the top 100 players missing the CUT by a country mile.
Martin Laird takes it home.
Martin Laird, Nick Watney for their power and birdie making ability and KJ Choi for his all-around solid game, calm demeanor and recent good form should come close to taking the title
Bubba Watson – Going into 9th year as pro has only 3 wins.
James Frederik “Webb” Simpson – 2 wins in 4 years as pro. 35% MISSED CUTS DURING HIS CAREER. BARELY KEPT HIS CARD JUST OVER A YEAR AGO, 2010.
Keegan Bradley – 4 years as pro. ONE Major appearance, that FLUKE win. Only had 4 top 10s and MISSED 1/3 of his CUTS.
Poor “Keegs” if you type in “Keegan” into wiki, he is only the 4th most famous Keegan in the World. The most famous being Keegan-Michael Key. Must suck having won a golf Major looks like they knew it was a fluke performance too.
If Kevin Na can hit the fairways he will kick serious ass but i think Jonny Vegas will blast the rest of the field off the course!
1. Vegas
2. Na
3. Daylight
Glen Day probably has the best chance at winning this week. He just won his club championship a few months back in Mobile, Alabama and has been pounding his driver. He is one of the longest hitters I have seen in quite some time. He could be in for a huge 2012.
KJ Choi OR Keegan Bradley.
Hong Kong McDong will take it down this week!
A good putter, experience at this course and someone able to deal with the wind will win this week. If Woodland had better putting stats I’d take him but I think Watney will prevail.
Natalie Gulbis!! Ohhhh she’s not playing in this Tournament??
Vegas……..The most interesting man in the world!
Bubba Watson all the way. His distance will show the field that this course needs distance to win.
anderson are you kidding me? glen isnt playing this week…barely even has status on tour much less won and he really isnt a long hitter pretty average on tour