The Loop
Bubba Watson, Brandt Snedeker headline our Phoenix Open picks
Contrary to popular belief, there was no drama at Torrey Pines on Monday. Despite a handful of worthy chasers, Brandt Snedeker was a lock to win the entire time. Why? Because I had just drafted him for my 2016 team. And my league doesn't start until this week. Terrible timing. My only regret is that I didn't give you all more of a heads up that Sneds would win. I should have been shouting it from the rooftops. In any matter, we move on to a place known for shouting (and booing), and this time, it really counts. Here's who I'm taking on my PGA Tour Fantasy Golf team at TPC Scottsdale this week:
Brandt Snedeker: 3, 2, 1. That's how Sneds, my second-round (steal!) pick, has finished in his last three tournaments. I just hope he's just getting started. . .
THE GRIND: Payback for San Diego and playing golf in heels
Bubba Watson: The bomber has routinely torn apart TPC Scottsdale, never shooting over par in his 34 career rounds. His 68.24 scoring average in the event is even more impressive by the fact he's posted a sub-69 average for all four rounds. Watson has never won in Phoenix, but his back-to-back runner-ups here the past two years indicate it's probably just a matter of time.
AP
Hideki Matsuyama: Matsuyama may be coming off a rare missed cut at Torrey Pines, but he's finished T-4 and runner-up in his two trips to TPC Scottsdale.
Kevin Na: Still stuck on one career win, Na already has a career-best four top-three finishes this season. With four top-fives at the Waste Management Phoenix Open, there's no reason to think his roll stops here -- or that he doesn't finally get win No. 2.
__ Bench:__ Brooks Koepka and Phil Mickelson -- because you never know with this guy.
And for those of you playing other fantasy golf formats:
Yahoo! lineup: Bubba Watson, Brandt Snedeker, Hideki Matsuyama, Kevin Na (starters); Phil Mickelson, Brooks Koepka, J.B. Holmes, Jamie Lovemark (bench).
Knockout/One-and-done pick: Kevin Na.
Previously used: Tony Finau (Frys.com), Bill Haas (Farmers), Kevin Kisner (RSM - winner!), Anirban Lahiri (CIMB), Graeme McDowell (Hyundai), Ryan Palmer (CareerBuilders), Patrick Reed (HSBC), Patrick Rodgers (Shriners), Brendan Steele (OHL), Justin Thomas (Sony).