Fantasy Insider: Best of the rest, others to avoid at Sony

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All right, fellow fantasy owners, in an effort to streamline, I'm going to go ahead and use the Yahoo! Groups as the outline for this space. The objective will be two-fold: Cover needle-movers and dig deep in all three groups, regardless of the locations of the needle-movers. Always refer to Monday's Power Rankings for my top 10 (click here for Rankings) .

See Power Rankings for Zach Johnson, Luke Donald, Justin Leonard and Steve Stricker

Ernie Els -- No one comes close to his all-time earnings of $2.6 million at this event, but his value ended in 2005. He finished T39 last year here in his only start since that torrid run at Waialae that included two victories. He can only be overrated this week, and likely will.

Vijay Singh -- This will be his first start anywhere since having his knee cleaned out on Nov. 25. While I can't imagine that he'd make the same mistake twice and return too soon, and while the course won't punish him physically, there is a level of concern I have for his form, particularly at his age (46). Many of you expect him to return to the Vijay on whose shoulders you could ride your fantasy team. I'm not as confident. And I learned that the hard way in 2009.

Stephen Ames -- There aren't many places at which he's a proven asset, but Waialae is one of them, with four top-15s in five starts going back to 2001. Also ranked T2 in fairways hit and greens in regulation at Kapalua last week, which you'd expect from a top-notch ball-striker like Ames at that playground.

Jason Day -- No one might be starting 2010 fresher than this guy. Having solidified his card early last year, he called it a season after the BMW in September. He got married on Oct. 3 and honeymooned. And honeymooned some more, taking a pass on all of the Australasian Tour events. I'm bullish long-term, but give him a week or two to stretch out.

Jonathan Byrd -- One of the best on TOUR in greens in regulation in 2009, ranking second, but his history here is mediocre at best. Just one top-20 in five starts and that was in 2002.

See Power Rankings for David Toms, Robert Allenby, Marc Leishman and Rory Sabbatini

Chad Campbell -- Validated his superb iron play of 2008 with another season last year, finishing ninth in greens in regulation. Has just two top-45s in seven starts here, but both were top-10s and have come in his last three. He's winless since the '07 Viking Classic, but had two playoff losses last year, including the Justin Timblerlake Shriners Hospitals for Children Open in October. He's a safe play this week.

Kevin Na -- Can't bypass a guy that has finished inside the top-5 here in each of the last two years, but I really want to see how he adjusts to the new grooves. His youthful impatience has me benching him this week.

K.J. Choi -- Until he managed a victory in Malaysia on the Asian Tour in October, I was concerned, just like you, that he had slipped onto a short list of "Where Are They Nows?" The Sony could mark a coming-out party for its 2007 champ, who has four consecutive top-15s here since '06.

Charles Howell III -- Thanks to e-mailer Corwin in Massachusetts for pointing out the Twitter page of Randy Myers, who is the Director of Fitness at Sea Island Golf Learning Center. While I tend to gloss over positive remarks of those from whom positive remarks are expected, an excerpt of Myers' tweet on Dec. 10 read, "His offseason has been intense." As a rule, strength trainers don't candy-coat anything, which is why you're reading about it here. I'm buying the hype. CH3's history at Waialae is tremendous, with four top-5s in eight starts, including a solo fourth last year.

Webb Simpson -- As my analysis in the Power Rankings alluded, I'm not supporting the inexperienced this week. Last year, Simpson made his debut as a card-carrying member at this event, and finished T9, best in his rookie class. He didn't dazzle but he made only seven bogeys all week, and only one each in the first, second, and fourth rounds. Waialae hasn't seen a first-time winner since John Morse in 1995, but Simpson is a candidate to end the famine.

See Power Rankings for Jerry Kelly and George McNeill

Nick O'Hern -- Have you been watching this cat? Since his T4 at the Children's Miracle Network Classic, he posted two more top-5s in Australia. This is his first go at Waialae, as if it matters.

Tim Clark -- Finished T12 in his only Sony Open appearance last year. Enters this week rested, having not competed since finishing one stroke out of a playoff at the Nedbank Golf Challenge six weeks ago. Ability to split fairways and crisp iron play will set him apart at Waialae.

Matt Jones -- So many of you have e-mailed your affinity for this Aussie that he deserves a mention. Finished T17 at the 2008 Sony and is prime for a bust-out year. He'll have to find more fairways to score, but he has moxie. Don't plug him in yet, but monitor his numbers.

Parker McLachlin -- Unless he turns his game around, this might be the only time you read about him here. Don't play the home-state angle here. Just don't.

Dean Wilson -- See McLachlin above.

Tim Wilkinson -- One of two in the field burning a start on a medical extension. Hasn't teed it up on the PGA TOUR since June but played in all three biggies Down Under to the tune of a T17, T12 and T35. At this point, however, he's a better long-term own. Just don't bet the house against him this week.

John Huston -- The other getting in on a medical at Waialae. Maybe the best fade in the field as this will be his first live action since withdrawing from the HP Byron Nelson Championship in May. His victory here in 1998 is a generation ago. Since 2005, he's missed the cut here thrice, withdrew once and finished T69.

Rob Bolton is PGATOUR.COM's new fantasy columnist. His views do not necessarily reflect those of the PGA TOUR. To contact Rob, please e-mail him at FantasyInsider@charter.net