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Why we're bullish on Brandt Snedeker, and a BOLD prediction for Bill Haas
As if fantasy golf players needed any more options to choose from on a weekly basis, Jason Dufner emerged from the doldrums to capture the CareerBuilders Challenge. Yes, it's getting harder and harder to pick a winner on the PGA Tour. However, with the tour's return to Torrey Pines, it reminds us that we correctly predicted Jason Day would win this event last year and that he'd go on to win a major and ascend to No. 1 in the world. OK, so just that first part is true. Are we going with the Aussie again this week? Here's who we're taking on our PGA Tour Fantasy Golf team at Torrey Pines:
Brandt Snedeker: I'm so bullish on Brandt for this week and the rest of the year that I took him with the 17th pick (2nd round in a league of 12 teams) of my fantasy draft on Tuesday night. Snedeker has a win, two runner-ups, and a third in this event so I'm planning on him getting my squad off to a good start this week. Wait, our league doesn't start until next week?! On second thought, Sneds, don't go nuts this week. Maybe it's better if you leave a lil' something in the tank. . .
Bill Haas: With seven top-20 finishes, including a T-4 in 2012, Haas has played consistently good golf at Torrey Pines. But oh, what could have been. All those solid performances come despite the fact Haas, who finished T-9 last week, has never broken 70 in the final round of this event, including a 72 when he was the 54-hole leader in 2012, and a 75 last year that dropped him out of contention. We're banking on the Presidents Cup hero solving Sunday and (BOLD PREDICTION ALERT!) winning for the first of multiple times this year.
Jamie Lovemark: This former can't-miss prospect out of USC is finally healthy and living up to his billing. Lovemark arrives in San Diego off of three consecutive top-10 finishes, including a T-6 in Palm Springs.
Si Woo Kim: We pumped this youngster up last week and he rewarded us with a T-9. Now, the 20-year-old Kim, golf's newest phenom heads to his favorite course. What's not to like?
__ Bench:__ Jason Day and Rickie Fowler. Oh, boy, that's a powerful bench right there. I'm leaving both superstars on the sideline (for now) because both have major question marks. Day looked rusty at Kapalua after taking a true off-season and Fowler will be battling fatigue after flying back from Abu Dhabi after last week's win. But if either make a move the first two days, I'll swap them into the lineup for the weekend.
And for those of you playing other fantasy golf formats:
Yahoo! lineup: Phil Mickelson, Brandt Snedeker, Hideki Matsuyama, Bill Haas (starters); Rickie Fowler, Jimmy Walker, Zac Blair, Jamie Lovemark (bench).
Knockout/One-and-done pick: Bill Haas.
Previously used: Tony Finau (Frys.com), 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).