Jan. 4, 2012
The season-opening Hyundai Tournament of Champions features winners from the 2011 season on the PGA TOUR. Here's how the PGATOUR.COM experts sized up the top contenders:
| Expert picks: Hyundai Tournament of Champions |
Ryan
Smithson |
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GARY WOODLAND. This is Woodland's first look at Kapalua, and he will have tons of room with the driver here. Like a lot of people, I am expecting big things from him in 2012. Some of the shots he hit in the OMEGA Mission Hills World Cup were just incredible. |
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Anne
Szeker |
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BILL HAAS. I'll go with the FedExCup champion to start his 2012 PGA TOUR season as strong as he closed in 2011. Played pretty well at the Plantation Course last year with an eighth place finish.
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| If Szeker had the top pick ... Haas |
Mike
McAllister |
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BUBBA WATSON. He produced one of 2011's most memorable shots by hitting driver off the deck at the 18th at Kapalua, yet he failed to break 70 in any round. Expect less fireworks and better scoring this year.
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| If McAllister had the top pick ... Watson |
Amanda
Balionis |
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WEBB SIMPSON. Simpson was one of the hottest players at the end of the 2011 season. Expect that confidence to roll over into the 2012 season, especially early on in Kapalua.
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| If Balionis had the top pick ... Simpson |
John
Schwarb |
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NICK WATNEY. He's a threat every week on TOUR, so consequently an easy choice in a small field. Was T5 in his first Kapalua start in 2008, and will get a start on another multiple-win year here. |
| If Schwarb had the top pick ... Watney |
Chris
Dunham |
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STEVE STRICKER. If he's fully recovered from his neck surgery, look for a good week from the veteran. He's been under par in 10 of his last 11 rounds at Kapalua and has back-to-back-to-back top-10 finishes in his last three starts here.
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| If Dunham had the top pick ... Watson |
Helen
Ross |
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KEEGAN BRADLEY. Yes, this is his first trip to Kapalua but that shouldn't be a problem for the talented Bradley, who showed us last year that he's not easily intimidated. Not to mention, his length will be an asset on the wide-open and scenic Plantation Course.
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| If Ross had the top pick ... Simpson |
John
Swantek |
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MARTIN LAIRD. Made an instant Kapalua connection with a strong debut in his only appearance, a T4 in 2010. Ranked 13th in driving distance, the Scotsman is always a threat on a long course with generous fairways.
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| If Swantek had the top pick ... Woodland |
Brian
Wacker |
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JONATHAN BYRD. For starters, he's the defending champion so he knows how to play well at Kapalua. For another, he's performed well at times in the past with a tie for sixth in 2003 (not to mention some good rounds in a couple of other top-15 finishes).
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| If Wacker had the top pick ... Bradley |
Lauren
Deason |
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DAVID TOMS. He's played well at Kapalua in the past, notching four top-10s in six starts. Toms, who qualified with a win at Colonial in 2011, could have a perfect Monday with a win in Maui and a victory in the BCS Championship game by his alma mater, LSU.
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| If Deason had the top pick ... Byrd |
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