AT&T National
Fantasy Fix
We discuss Tiger and LeBron, Katy Perry's latest hit, Jim Furyk's return to competition, and of course, this week's PGA Tour stop
Furyk's U.S. Open ended in disappointment, but we expect him to bounce back this week.
AT&T National
Where: Bethesda, Md.
Course: Congressional CC
Defending champion: Nick Watney held off K.J. Choi by two shots at Aronimink Golf Club.
Purse: $6,500,000
This Week's Fix Six
2. Tiger Woods
3. Hunter Mahan
4. K.J. Choi
5. Jason Day
6. Robert Garrigus
Welcome to another edition of Fantasy Fix, where we can totally relate to LeBron James. Dont' worry, LeBron. Getting -- or predicting -- that first big win can be tough, but once you do, things get a lot easier. Of course, we didn't feel the need to hold a parade and a pep rally to celebrate our success, but hey, to each his own. Hopefully, this week's batch of bold predictions brings even more glory. Let's get to it.
ON TAP
The PGA Tour heads to our country's capital for the AT&T National at Congressional CC. This is the sixth playing of the event that was held at Aronimink GC the past two years, while Congressional prepared and hosted the 2011 U.S. Open.
Related: Who is the next great American golfer?
Random tourmament fact: Anthony Kim won this event in 2008. Yeah, I never thought that fact would seem so random, so fast. Then again, I also thought Katy Perry would never come close to matching "Firework," but she just might have done it with her new single, "Wide Awake." OK, I've officially said too much. . .
THE DEFENDER
Nick Watney. 2011 may have been Watney's breakout season, but 2012 hasn't been nearly as kind, as he enters this week a pedestrian 70th in the FedEx Cup standings. Watney has a win and a T-7 in this event the past two years, but both finishes came down the road at Aronimink. In short, we think there are many better options out there.
STUD OF THE WEEK
Jim Furyk. When we last saw "The Grinder" he was grinding his teeth on the shaft of his wedge after going long with his approach on the final hole of the U.S. Open (see photo above). Although he's never won at Congressional, no one has been more consistent on the course in this event, with Furyk finishing in the top seven all three times. We expect the man who is third in scoring average this year to produce another similar result. We just hope he stays away from the 5-hour Energy on Sundays if he's going to get that amped up down the stretch.
MANDATORY TIGER TALK
With LeBron capturing that elusive title, Tiger Woods resumes his role as the world's most overly-scrutinized/criticized athlete. Unfortunately for him, that won't change no matter what he does this week. Still, despite his unforeseen weekend meltdown at Olympic Club, Woods has clearly found his comfort level again (BACK!) in regular tour events, and he claimed the AT&T title here in 2009.
WEEKLY YAHOO! ROSTER SELECTIONS
Starters: Jim Furyk, Hunter Mahan, Tiger Woods and Pat Perez
Bench: K.J. Choi, Jason Day, Ryan Palmer and Patrick Cantlay
Care to make a guest pick? Be bold and email me at Alex.Myers@GolfDigest.com or tweet at me (@AlexMyers3) for a chance to appear in next week's column. Or if you just feel like making fun of my picks or discussing your favorite Katy Perry song.
CONGRESSIONAL REJUVENATION PICKS
Jason Day. Granted he wasn't playing in typical U.S. Open conditions, but Day navigated Congressional better than anyone over the weekend a year ago with a 65-68 finish that earned him a solo second. 2012 has been a struggle, but his lone pair of top 10s have come in his last five starts.
K.J. Choi. The "Korean Tank" won the innaugural edition of this event in 2007. After a very slow start to the season, the 2011 Players champ is showing signs of life with a T-15 at the U.S. Open after a T-19 at the Memorial.
BACK TO THE WELL PICK
Hunter Mahan. Our "stud" from a week ago, Mahan didn't win the Travelers, but he is coming off a final-round 61 there. He had a similar Sunday at this event in 2009 when he nearly tracked down Tiger Woods with a closing 62. In fact, he's averaged a 65 in the final round the three times this event has been played at Congressional, and he's finished no worse than T-12.
