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Recipe for Success: Success at this event is hinged more on the intangibles than any one or two statistics will uphold. Constant rain, pro-am format, and long rounds can test a players patience. Being long off the tee has limited value here as its a specialist tournament. It usually takes a solid all-around game to win at Pebble. That is why the leaderboard is usually filled with bigger names. The tournament is played on 3 different courses which all contain a unique Poa Annua grass on the greens. Performing well on it usually requires either local knowledge or many years of experience. This is primarily why younger players don't have much success here.
Weather: Rain and wind will be an issue all week with temps in the low 50's. This will test nerves.
The Plays: (Tourney Matchups)
Mike Weir -135 over Retief Goosen
Six of his 11 starts here have resulted in Top 8s. Last year, he finished T-14. He's tremendous in the pro-am format, proven again by a T-3 at the Hope last month. The left-hander's success has been based on excellent course management as he knows his way around here. The rainy and cold conditions will be ideal for the Canadian and former BYU standout. Looking at Weir's last 10 events, he's finished outside the top 10 just three times so he's been in great form since last summer. He's a notoriously slow 1st rounder so if he can get off to a good start it should be full steam ahead. Goosen's game has been hit and miss for a while now and given that this is his first appearance here since the US Open in 2000 i'm more than happy to oppose him this week. Goosen's biggest problem, and he has announced it, is his putting. With the Poa Annua greens adding to the challenge, Goosen could be hitting greens all day and shoot level par anyway.
Hunter Mahan -115 over Retief Goosen
Mahan has had a couple of decent finishes here in the past and coupled with a solid start to the season a good showing is expected. He finished 35th in the FBR Open on his seasonal debut and an 11th at Torrey Pines last week following an excellent closing 66. This is his sixth start and he's had a few good showings and a lousy one last year. Remember these are links styled courses. He finished with a sixth in the Open at Carnoustie, won the Kiwi Challenge in NZ, and won at Hawkes Bay. He's a great ball striker which should relate to success here.
Padraig Harrington -105 over Vijay Singh
Paddy has played here the last two years and has played quite well finishing 14th and 30th. I also like the fact he showed up early last week and played well at the Buick finishing with a 66. The first priority to playing well at this tournament is wanting to be there because of the atmosphere. He gets to play with his good friend and native Irishman, J.P. McManus, whose company and teamwork has twice helped him win the Dunhill Links Championship on the European PGA Tour. The windy, cold conditions resemble that of Ireland so the situation is right. He's a great putter who can manage these greens. Singh has had tremendous success here but he is making his 1st start since knee surgery a month ago. I think he is a sucker play. His motivation to return here was to play with his son. Maybe he is coming back to early. The wet and cold conditions can't help him.
Weather: Rain and wind will be an issue all week with temps in the low 50's. This will test nerves.
The Plays: (Tourney Matchups)
Mike Weir -135 over Retief Goosen
Six of his 11 starts here have resulted in Top 8s. Last year, he finished T-14. He's tremendous in the pro-am format, proven again by a T-3 at the Hope last month. The left-hander's success has been based on excellent course management as he knows his way around here. The rainy and cold conditions will be ideal for the Canadian and former BYU standout. Looking at Weir's last 10 events, he's finished outside the top 10 just three times so he's been in great form since last summer. He's a notoriously slow 1st rounder so if he can get off to a good start it should be full steam ahead. Goosen's game has been hit and miss for a while now and given that this is his first appearance here since the US Open in 2000 i'm more than happy to oppose him this week. Goosen's biggest problem, and he has announced it, is his putting. With the Poa Annua greens adding to the challenge, Goosen could be hitting greens all day and shoot level par anyway.
Hunter Mahan -115 over Retief Goosen
Mahan has had a couple of decent finishes here in the past and coupled with a solid start to the season a good showing is expected. He finished 35th in the FBR Open on his seasonal debut and an 11th at Torrey Pines last week following an excellent closing 66. This is his sixth start and he's had a few good showings and a lousy one last year. Remember these are links styled courses. He finished with a sixth in the Open at Carnoustie, won the Kiwi Challenge in NZ, and won at Hawkes Bay. He's a great ball striker which should relate to success here.
Padraig Harrington -105 over Vijay Singh
Paddy has played here the last two years and has played quite well finishing 14th and 30th. I also like the fact he showed up early last week and played well at the Buick finishing with a 66. The first priority to playing well at this tournament is wanting to be there because of the atmosphere. He gets to play with his good friend and native Irishman, J.P. McManus, whose company and teamwork has twice helped him win the Dunhill Links Championship on the European PGA Tour. The windy, cold conditions resemble that of Ireland so the situation is right. He's a great putter who can manage these greens. Singh has had tremendous success here but he is making his 1st start since knee surgery a month ago. I think he is a sucker play. His motivation to return here was to play with his son. Maybe he is coming back to early. The wet and cold conditions can't help him.
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