Johnson, Furyk, Schwartzel register as favorites at Colonial
With much of the European contingent overseas at Wentworth this week, the field is wide open at Colonial, leading to an array of potential favorites.
With 22 of the top 50 in our Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings teeing it up this week, all four of our panelists have chosen a different favorite.
Defending champion Zach Johnson, perennial contender Jim Furyk, 2011 Masters champion Charl Schwartzel and unheralded Chris Kirk are all players to watch this week.
As for our panel, Lance Ringler keeps his lead over Nick Masuda, while Jim McCabe had the best pick of the week with Marc Leishman at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
Take a look at this week's picks:
The Crowne Plaza Invitational at Colonial field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 6. Matt Kuchar
- 7. Charl Schwartzel
- 9. Jim Furyk
- 15. Jason Dufner
- 17. Freddie Jacobson
- 20. Brendon de Jonge
- 23. Bo Van Pelt
- 24. Vijay Singh
- 29. Chris Kirk
- 31. Pat Perez
- 33. Jeff Overton
- 34. Henrik Stenson
- 36. Carl Pettersson
- 37. Ryan Moore
- 39. Zach Johnson
- 40. Harris English
- 41. Rickie Fowler
- 43. Ryan Palmer
- 44. Hunter Mahan
- 45. John Senden
- 47. Kevin Streelman
- 48. Bob Estes
- 51. Greg Chalmers
- 52. Graham ...
Day, Spieth lead predictions for HP Byron Nelson Championship
A week after all but one of the top 50 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings played in the Players Championship, only 19 will tee it up this week at the HP Byron Nelson Championship.
But there are still plenty of big names to follow in Texas, including defending champion Jason Dufner, Matt Kuchar, Charl Schwartzel and Dustin Johnson.
But none of those four registers on our panel's list of favorites this week, as Jason Day and Jordan Spieth are receiving plenty of love.
Day won this event in 2010 and has shown plenty of signs that his game is back after a sluggish 2012 season. Meanwhile, Spieth has three top-10s this season and has finished as high as T-16 as an amateur in this event.
As for our panel, Lance Ringler takes the outright money lead after his pick of Kevin Streelman at the Players, leaving Nick Masuda in second for the first time since February.
Take a look at this week's picks:
The Byron Nelson Championship field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 6. Matt Kuchar
- 8. Charl Schwartzel
- 10. Jason Dufner
- 12. Jimmy Walker
- 14. Jason Day
- 15. Dustin Johnson
- 17. Freddie Jacobson
- 19. Vijay Singh ...
Donald, Mickelson, Westwood top predictions for Players Championship
In what many consider to be golf's "fifth major," there is no question that the quality of the field at the Players Championship will present many different opinions on who the favorite at Sawgrass might be this week.
Of course, there is Tiger Woods and his three victories in 2013. There is also Adam Scott and his Masters victory. This is not to mention defending champ Matt Kuchar.
Yet, none of those players registers on the radar of our panel of experts this week.
Luke Donald is the most popular pick, mostly due to his short-game prowess. Lee Westwood and Phil Mickelson also register as favorites, with Lefty coming off a disappointing bogey-bogey-par finish at the Wells Fargo Championship to fall out of the lead.
As for the panel, Nick Masuda stayed in the outright lead after Wells Fargo, with Lance Ringler right on his heels.
Take a look at this week's picks:
The Players Championship field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 1. Tiger Woods
- 2. Adam Scott
- 3. Steve Stricker
- 4. Luke Donald
- 5. Matt Kuchar
- 6. Jim Furyk
- 7. Sergio Garcia
- 8. Justin Rose
- 9. Charl Schwartzel
- 10. Jason Dufner
- 11. Jimmy Walker
- 12. Phil ...
Webb Simpson headlines mixed bag of predictions at Wells Fargo
While the likes of Ian Poulter, Dustin Johnson and Vijay Singh have all withdrawn from the Wells Fargo Championship this week, there are still plenty of big names to make this week in Charlotte a marquee stop on the PGA Tour.
Lee Westwood, Rory McIlroy, Phil Mickelson and Sergio Garcia all return to action, while Rickie Fowler is back to defend his only career Tour title.
Our panel is split this week on a clear frontrunner, with Webb Simpson the only player being chosen by more than one of our experts. Westwood, Garcia and McIlroy are also favorites.
As for the season standings, Lance Ringler has moved to within a $100,000 of leader Nick Masuda after his correct pick of Billy Horschel at the Zurich Classic.
Take a look at this week's picks:
• • •
The Wells Fargo Championship field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 8. Sergio Garcia
- 13. Lee Westwood
- 14. Jimmy Walker
- 15. Phil Mickelson
- 17. Brendon de Jonge
- 18. Rory McIlroy
- 20. Robert Garrigus
- 21. Nick Watney
- 22. Rickie Fowler
- 23. Bubba Watson
- 24. Bo Van Pelt
- 26. Pat Perez
- 29. Bill Haas
- 30. Chris Kirk
- 31. Ryan Moore
- 33. Henrik Stenson
- 35. Webb Simpson
- 39 ...
Rose, Dufner, Fowler among predictions at Zurich Classic
Many of the first-day headlines at the Zurich Classic will be focused on a certain 14-year-old that will be teeing it up at TPC Louisiana.
But Tianlang Guan aside, there are plenty of big names that are looking for their first title of 2013.
Jason Dufner is the defending champ, but has yet to record a top 10 this season. Rickie Fowler is nearly a year removed from his first career victory. And then you have the most popular pick this week in Justin Rose, who was a favorite at the Masters before fading away on the weekend.
This week's field also includes cut-making machine Billy Horschel, the always-dangerous Keegan Bradley and former Zurich champ Bubba Watson.
As for our panel, Nick Masuda predicts his fourth winner of the season to extend his lead to just over $1.2 million over Lance Ringler. Jim McCabe had the biggest week at the RBC Heritage, picking both Graeme McDowell and Webb Simpson.
Take a look at our picks this week:
The Zurich Classic field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 7. Justin Rose
- 9. Jason Dufner
- 14. Brendon de Jonge
- 15. Jimmy Walker
- 19. Rickie Fowler
- 20. Robert Garrigus
- 22. Bubba ...
Brandt Snedeker an overwhelming favorite at RBC Heritage
Welcome to the calm after the storm -- better known as the RBC Heritage, the tournament that follows the craziness of Augusta National this season.
While the likes of Tiger Woods, Rory McIlroy and Phil Mickelson take a week off, there are plenty of big names in this field.
Ten of the top-25 players in our Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings will tee it up this week, including Luke Donald, Jason Day, Jason Dufner and Matt Kuchar.
But it is another player that is catching the eye of our fantasy panel, that being Brandt Snedeker.
The defending FedEx Cup champ faltered on Sunday at Augusta National, but our panel believes he'll rebound immediately this week at Harbour Town.
As for our panel, Nick Masuda is now carrying a slim lead over Jeff Rude, with Lance Ringler hot on their tails.
Take a look at this week's picks:
The field at Harbour Town according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 4. Luke Donald
- 5. Matt Kuchar
- 6. Jim Furyk
- 9. Jason Dufner
- 16. Brendon de Jonge
- 17. Vijay Singh
- 19. Jason Day
- 20. Bo Van Pelt
- 21. Robert Garrigus
- 22. Brandt Snedeker
- 28. Bill Haas
- 29. Peter Hanson
- 32. Billy Horschel
- 33. Pat ...
Jacobson, Kuchar register as favorites at Valero Texas Open
While plenty of attention will shift to Augusta National as the week goes on, there are a handful of the world's best teeing it up at the Valero Texas Open this week.
Rory McIlroy decided to get in a last-second start prior to the Masters to get in competitive rounds as he looks to win his third major title. McIlroy will actually be paired with Matt Kuchar and Jordan Spieth in the first two rounds.
Kuchar is the only player in that grouping that registers as a favorite among our fantasy panel, with Jeff Rude taking the defending Players Championship champ in San Antonio.
This week's overall favorite is Fredrik Jacobson, while Harris English and Charl Schwartzel also register as players to watch.
As for our panel, Nick Masuda's lead is cut by nearly $100K, with Rude making up ground.
Check out this week's picks:
The Valero Texas Open according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 5. Matt Kuchar
- 7. Jim Furyk
- 8. Ian Poulter
- 11. Charl Schwartzel
- 17. Brendon de Jonge
- 21. Rory McIlroy
- 22. Jimmy Walker
- 25. Peter Hanson
- 29. Freddie Jacobson
- 41. Jordan Spieth
- 42. Jamie Donaldson
- 44. Bob Estes
- 47. Greg Chalmers
- 48 ...
McIlroy, Bradley headline Shell Houston Open predictions
Rory McIlroy, it's your turn.
Tiger Woods regained the World No. 1 ranking Monday with his win at Bay Hill, but McIlroy could put the focus back on himself with a win this week at the Shell Houston Open.
McIlroy showed signs of coming out of his funk over the weekend at Doral and says he got some good time in on the range during the past two weeks.
For our Jim McCabe, he believes the Ulsterman will win this week to set up plenty of hysteria for Augusta National.
Keegan Bradley is the more popular choice this week (two panelists), while veterans Phil Mickelson and Steve Stricker are also on the radar.
As for our panel, three correctly picked Tiger Woods last week, with Nick Masuda keeping his lead over Jeff Rude in the overall standings.
Take a look at this week's picks:
The Shell Houston Open field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 3. Steve Stricker
- 11. Phil Mickelson
- 12. Lee Westwood
- 15. Brandt Snedeker
- 16. Dustin Johnson
- 18. Brendon de Jonge
- 19. Bo Van Pelt
- 21. Louis Oosthuizen
- 22. Hunter Mahan
- 23. Rory McIlroy
- 26. Jimmy Walker
- 29. Nick Watney
- 30. Carl Pettersson
- 31. Pat ...
No surprise here: Tiger overwhelming favorite at Bay Hill
ORLANDO, Fla. - It should come as no shock that Tiger Woods is the overwhelming favorite at this week's Arnold Palmer Invitational.
Seven wins on the Bay Hill track make that pretty easy pickings for our fantasy panel. Woods' two 2013 victories help his cause, too.
But, let's say you don't think Tiger will be hanging with Arnie on the 18th green come Sunday. Who else might be a good bet?
Two of our panelists didn't go with Tiger, opting instead for Phil Mickelson and Graeme McDowell, both of whom have proven success living in Tiger's immense shadow.
As for our fantasy crew, Nick Masuda maintains his lead over Jeff Rude in the season standings, while Rude and Sean Martin had the best week in Tampa.
Here is a look at this week's picks:
The Arnold Palmer Invitational field, according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 2. Tiger Woods
- 6. Jim Furyk
- 7. Phil Mickelson
- 8. Jason Dufner
- 9. Ian Poulter
- 10. Justin Rose
- 11. Sergio Garcia
- 12. Lee Westwood
- 13. Brandt Snedeker
- 14. Bo Van Pelt
- 16. Bubba Watson
- 17. Vijay Singh
- 19. Brendon de Jonge
- 21. Webb Simpson
- 22. Francesco Molinari
- 23. Ryan Moore ...
Retief Goosen a popular underdog pick this week at Tampa Bay
After the excitement of last week's WGC-Cadillac Championship, there isn't as much focus on this week's PGA Tour event in Tampa, Fla.
But there should be. With the likes of Luke Donald, Adam Scott, Matt Kuchar and Louis Oosthuizen teeing it up at the Copperhead Course at Innisbrook, the field is quite impressive.
Yet, it is someone who has dipped in the OWGR (and Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings) that is getting love from our fantasy panel this week: Retief Goosen.
While considered an underdog, Goosen has made all three cuts this season, including a T-9 at Pebble Beach.
The "favorites" to keep an eye on this week include Sergio Garcia, Jason Dufner, Jim Furyk, Adam Scott and Scott Piercy.
As for our panel, Nick Masuda extends his lead over Jeff Rude behind his pick of Graeme McDowell (T-3) at Doral, but most of the panel is within one correct prediction of taking over the outright lead as the Florida Swing wraps up.
Take a look at this week's picks:
• • •
The Tampa Bay Championship field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 1. Luke Donald
- 2. Adam Scott
- 5. Matt Kuchar
- 6. Jim Furyk
- 7. Jason Dufner
- 11. Sergio ...
Schwartzel headlines predictions at Cadillac Championship
The stars will be out this week, with the top 13 players in our Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings in the field at the WGC-Cadillac Championship at Doral.
Rory McIlroy will return to the course for the first time since walking off of it at the Honda Classic, while Tiger Woods will look to add his second PGA Tour title of the season.
Our fantasy panel is a bit divided on its favorite this week, although South African Charl Schwartzel is garnering the most attention after a solid start to his season.
Others to keep an eye on: Luke Donald and Matt Kuchar, both steady players with good putters.
Our picks this week feature a player inside the top 30 of the Sagarins, and an "underdog" outside the top 30.
Check out the picks:
The WGC-Cadillac Championship field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 1. Luke Donald
- 2. Adam Scott
- 3. Tiger Woods
- 4. Matt Kuchar
- 5. Jim Furyk
- 6. Steve Stricker
- 7. Jason Dufner
- 8. Justin Rose
- 9. Phil Mickelson
- 10. Ian Poulter
- 11. Bo Van Pelt
- 12. Lee Westwood
- 13. Sergio Garcia
- 15. Bubba Watson
- 16. Robert Garrigus
- 17. Dustin Johnson
- 18. Louis Oosthuizen
- 19. Ryan Moore
- 20. Francesco Molinari ...
Rose leads international feel to Honda Classic predictions
Rory McIlroy is the defending champ. Tiger Woods fired a 62 in the final round last year.
Yet, neither one is being picked to win the Honda Classic by our fantasy panel.
Instead, Justin Rose is getting plenty of love. And for good reason. Rose has not finished worse than a share of 24th in his last 10 starts and has two top-5s in his past two appearances at PGA National.
Other stars to keep an eye on at Honda are Charl Schwartzel and Lee Westwood.
Americans have won every title on the PGA Tour this season, so a win by England's Rose, South Africa's Schwartzel or England's Westwood would break that cycle.
As for our panel, Nick Masuda maintains his slight edge over Jeff Rude, with the latter having the best week at WGC-Accenture Match Play, mainly for his upset pick of Fredrik Jacobson.
Here is a look at this week's picks:
The Honda Classic field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 2. Tiger Woods
- 6. Jason Dufner
- 7. Justin Rose
- 12. Lee Westwood
- 16. Louis Oosthuizen
- 18. Rory McIlroy
- 19. Dustin Johnson
- 20. Charl Schwartzel
- 22. Jason Day
- 28. Ernie Els
- 30. Brendon de ...
Fantasy Tip Sheet: Mickelson on the radar for Humana Challenge
A week after Russell Henley took the PGA Tour by storm in his maiden voyage as a member, we get back to the mainland and some bigger names are popping up on the entry list.
Mainly, one Phil Mickelson.
Lefty will tee it up for the first time on Tour this season at the Humana Challenge, while Bo Van Pelt is also making his season debut.
Our fantasy crew couldn't agree on a favorite this week, nor even an underdog.
The leader in the clubhouse, Jeff Rude, is liking Mickelson, while other big names to be chosen are Matt Kuchar, Brandt Snedeker, Pat Perez and Webb Simpson.
Can Henley make it back-to-back? Is Gary Woodland ready to reappear? Will another Georgia Bulldog - Chris Kirk or Harris English - win this week?
We give you our weekly predictions:
• • •
The Humana Challenge field according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings
- 5. Matt Kuchar
- 13. Bo Van Pelt
- 14. Phil Mickelson
- 19. Brandt Snedeker
- 20. Zach Johnson
- 25. John Senden
- 27. Geoff Ogilvy
- 28. Webb Simpson
- 30. Brendon de Jonge
- 34. Pat Perez
- 35. Robert Garrigus
- 38. Carl Pettersson
- 41. Seung-Yul Noh
- 43. Jeff Overton
- 45. Jimmy Walker
- 46. Bill Haas
- 51. Morgan Hoffmann ...
Fantasy Tip Sheet: Bradley, Johnsons favored at Sony Open
Dustin Johnson has already secured his spot in next season's Hyundai Tournament of Champions with his victory on Tuesday in Kapalua, but he won't have much time to rest, as the Sony Open kicks off Thursday in Honolulu.
Johnson is an 8-1 favorite by oddsmakers, and is also the favorite for our Sean Martin as our staff of experts make their predictions for the first full-field event of the season.
Keegan Bradley, who played well in Kapalua this past week, and Zach Johnson are other players to keep an eye on, while defending champion Johnson Wagner fails to register on any of our experts' radars. If you are looking for an underdog pick, our experts like Charles Howell III to make some noise this week as well.
Here is a look at our picks this week:
• • •
The Sony Open field, according to the Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index
- 5. Matt Kuchar
- 6. Dustin Johnson
- 17. Zach Johnson
- 21. Keegan Bradley
- 23. Vijay Singh
- 24. John Senden
- 26. Brendon de Jonge
- 32. Ryan Moore
- 33. Webb Simpson
- 35. Carl Pettersson
- 40. Pat Perez
- 46. John Huh
- 49. Morgan Hoffmann
- 50. Jeff Overton
- 54. Luke Guthrie
- 55. Jimmy Walker
- 58. Scott ...
Fantasy Tip Sheet: Hyundai Tournament of Champions
We are only three days into the new year, and it's time to fire up the ol' fantasy golf engines yet again.
It's been a few months since our crew offered up their expertise, but we must give credit where credit is due: Veteran PGA Tour senior writer Jim McCabe took home the fantasy title in 2012, by more than a million bucks.
To refresh, we judge our picks by money won during each tournament. We pick one favorite and one player outside the top 50 in the Golfweek/Sagarin Rankings.
This week's event - the Hyundai Tournament of Champions - is a limited-field, 30-man invitational. It features four players in the top 10 of our rankings, including 2012 winner Steve Stricker.
Our panel agreed on little when it came to the overall favorite, but nearly all took Scott Piercy (who won his second career title in 2012) as the underdog.
Here's a look at this week's picks:
• • •
• • •
Hyundai Tournament of Champions field according to Golfweek/Sagarin Performance Index
- 4. Jason Dufner
- 5. Matt Kuchar
- 6. Steve Stricker
- 9. Dustin Johnson
- 13. Bubba Watson
- 15. Ian Poulter
- 16. Zach Johnson
- 20. Brandt Snedeker
- 24. Ryan Moore
- 25 ...

































