Stadium Rock

Another stacked field convenes this week in Ponte Vedra Beach to take part in The Players Championship.  The Stadium Course at TPC Sawgrass, Pete Dye’s signature track which was specifically built to host this tournament, requires good placement off the tee followed by a strong knack for GIRs. Tidbit of the week: 27 of the tournament’s 37 winners were previous major champions. And of course, it’s always fun to see the nerves come into play on the infamous #17 island green par 3…  Here are my picks to conquer the unofficial fifth major and hoist the Waterford crystal:

• Phil Mickelson | 15:1 – Has made a ton of cuts in a row here, including a win in 2007. Solid top 10 finish last week in Charlotte despite an ugly Friday.
• Ben Crane | 30:1 – Three consecutive T6 finishes here, and I’m digging his chances. Best GIR stats on tour from the fairway. Side note: could have gone with Adam Scott at these odds.
• Paddy Harrington | 50:1 – This pick is for the newly engaged Acknasty. Finally coming into form and can roll the rock. Oh, and he’s won three majors.

Tournament Matchups & Finishing Position

• Ben Crane (-105) vs. Kuchar – I’d be an idiot to think Kuch won’t at least be around for the weekend, but I like Crane as the underdog in this one for reasons above. *Update – these odds swung heavily towards Kuchar before I got on to make my bets, so made me think and I ended up taking Crane (+110) vs. Tiger.*
• Robert Allenby (-130) vs. McDowell – Allenby finished 2nd here last year which followed a T14 in ’09. GMac hasn’t had a sub 50th place finish since early March. And yeah, he’s won a major but ask Paint what he thinks about that.
• Adam Scott | Under 25.5 – Winner here in ’04 but only two top 10s since. However, playing great golf lately and has rested up since a T2 at Augusta / T23 in San Antonio. *Update – for same reasons above, dumped this pick and jumped on Paddy (-110) vs. Rose for my third selection this week.*

Bob Hope Classic

If you watch a game, it’s fun. If you play it, it’s recreation. If you work at it, it’s golf.

– Bob Hope

The tour stops at the tweeter friendly Bob Hope Classic this week, which has an unorthodox five rounds of play opening on Wednesday and rotating through four different layouts. Here are a few quick picks, again on the basis of odds “value”:

• Matt Kuchar | 9:1 – Starting off the season with back-to-back top 10s, and had  T2 here last season. Not too strong of a field to go against.
• Bill Haas | 18:1 – Defending champ and coming off a T8 two weeks ago.
• Charley Hoffman | 33:1 – Previous winner here, and playing career golf at the end of ’10. Can make birdies in bunches.
• Alex Prugh | 50:1 – T5 here last year and plays well on the left coast, also closed out ’10 with some strong finishes.

In gossip news, apparently DJ isn’t taking it to Ms. Gulbis as previously reported.

Also for those that haven’t seen, Ben Crane is actually a funny dude. Apparently he hangs out with Bubba Watson, so he must be cool. Check this gem out: